Replies

1. 
   gary_vaiskauckas | Feb 27, 2022 02:04pm | #1

   I have no experience with Blackburn Tools but if I was in your situation I'd send an email (address on their Contact and FAQ page):

   https://www.blackburntools.com/contact-ordering/index.html#saw-sharpening

   From the FAQ:

   "Lead times: Except where noted, most orders are sent out within a week of receiving them. I am, however, a one man show and there may be occasional delays due to heavy order volume or the demands of my children."

2. 
   s_m_titmas | Feb 28, 2022 06:54am | #2

   Thxs guys. Yes, I am aware of everything you just replied with. I'm specifically wanting to know about your lead times (if your order was placed within the last 6 months). Thxs again.

3. 
   user-7664640 | Feb 28, 2022 05:52pm | #3

   Interested in how this works out. I sent them an email back in December asking what their backlog was like. I've not heard back. Don't want to rush to judgment as my email could have been overlooked and I haven't followed up. Hopefully this will get straightened out.

4. 
   pawPAWpaw | Mar 18, 2022 04:07pm | #4

   Hi S_M_Titmas:

   FYI: I am in the same boat. I ordered something in Oct 2021 and I also have heard nothing and was starting to worry so I googled and found this thread.

   Regarding life getting busy: My view on this is pretty simple: His job is making saws. They are for sale on his website. It seems pretty reasonable to expect a plausible estimate of the delivery date and, should there be delays, to update customers. I am in no great hurry, but imagine if your own livelihood depended on getting a new saw and you were left not knowing when it might arrive.

   I agree that you have reason to be concerned.

5. 
   mikest35 | Sep 05, 2022 10:35pm | #5

   Same thing for me, too. I ordered a saw kit back in February, but two emails (May and late Aug) later, I haven't received a saw or a reply. It wasn't a ton of money, but it's frustrating to be totally ignored, especially when I paid up front. :-\

6. 
   pantalones868 | Sep 06, 2022 12:07pm | #6

   I looked on his website, it says right there on the site, "new saws have a lead time of about 24 months." So, "except where noted" would mean SAWS! I guess answering emails would extend that time or maybe he thinks queries before 2 years is up is harassment !

7. 
   mikest35 | Sep 06, 2022 03:17pm | #7

   Aha -- that's a new update to the website. When I sent Isaac my first email back in May, he was still saying 8-12 weeks.

   To be fair, from all appearances and feedback, he makes some really good saws and has some great info on his website. And I understand that life can get in the way at times. What's more, I don't mind waiting even 6 months to support talented craftspeople making a go of it, but good business practice requires good communications with your customers.

   I asked for a saw or a refund by the end of this month. We'll see...

8. 
   john_c2 | Sep 06, 2022 05:55pm | #8

   Blackburn just started offering a new tool, a burnisher. It's just been reviewed in a bunch of places. Perhaps they've been busy gearing up to make those?

1. 
   john_c2 | Sep 06, 2022 05:58pm | #9

   FWW just today published a review of the new Blackburn tool:

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/2022/09/06/woodworking-news-september-6-2022

1. FWW Editor
   ben_strano | Sep 06, 2022 06:25pm | #10

   That was a press release... not a review.

1. 
   john_c2 | Sep 07, 2022 05:35pm | #11

   Gotcha

9. 
   user-7810585 | Sep 07, 2022 10:59pm | #12

   I had the same issue. I used PayPal to make my payment. I requested a refund via PayPal and got a response back from Issac within a day followed up with delivery of the kit within 10 days. Perhaps launching a dispute via PayPal or your credit card carrier will start the process for you

10. 
    mikest35 | Sep 08, 2022 11:47am | #13

    I just got an email update from Blackburn to the effect that my order was in the final production stages and will be shipped in a couple weeks. Hopefully, he's catching up now and updating other customers with order status.

    If you're "listening", Isaac, I appreciate the update and look forward to putting together the new saw!

1. 
   mikest35 | Jan 08, 2023 11:35pm | #14

   A disappointing update, 4 months later: Still no saw, no refund, and no response. Sigh.

11. 
    rclark5 | Jan 09, 2023 08:01am | #15

    I have ordered a number of items from Isaac at Blackburn tools. His site does state that he is running 8 - 12 weeks behind. It is frustrating waiting that long and I was initially perturbed about the long silence after ordering, but will say that the blades, etc. I have received have been first rate. I just recently ordered a 10" dovetail saw kit, and know it will be a while before I receive it. He does a beautiful job. I would much rather have a great product than a slick operation that turns out substandard junk. I think you will find it was worth waiting for. Any flaws here are mine, not the fault of the product I recieved.

    
1. 
   mikest35 | Jan 09, 2023 12:52pm | #16

   Hi rclark5,

   Beautiful work finishing off your saws! They look fantastic.

   Point taken -- I'm totally with you on being patient for quality, hand-crafted tools, and I feel good about supporting those craftspeople. The issue I'm having is that I ordered the saw (Kenyon, like yours) 11 months ago, and I've only had one response from Isaac, back in September, in which he said he'd ship it in "about two weeks".

   So, while I'm still looking forward to one of Isaac's beautiful saws, I'm beginning to think that my $90 is going to be a write-off.

   In no way do I want to bad-mouth Isaac's skill and craftsmanship! I've heard nothing but great things about that. I do, however, think there's a "buyer beware" flag here.

1. 
   mikest35 | Apr 08, 2023 09:47pm | #17

   Update March 2023: Saw kit received. It looks great, and I'm really looking forward to building my 20" Kenyon saw. I have a small piece of rosewood that I got from an estate sale that will make a fine handle.

1. 
   john_c2 | Apr 09, 2023 01:12am | #18

   Thanks for the update.

2. 
   travisophila | Jan 12, 2024 03:02pm | #20

   I ordered in May of 2022, never received my Danish saw. I am glad not everyone is in the same boat as me.

12. 
    travisophila | Jan 12, 2024 03:01pm | #19

    Order from Blackburn at your own risk. I made an order for a Danish saw May 2022, never received it. I could not cancel the order as it was well passed the point I could get my money back when I realized I was never going to get the saw. I sent several emails, talked to a union that is trying to help Blackburn catch up with orders etc. but no response from Blackburn tools itself. No return of the money. I do not generally engage on any comments but I feel it necessary to warn people about Blackburn tools.

1. 
   mikest35 | Jan 13, 2024 11:24am | #21

   Hi travisophila,

   As you may have seen earlier in this post, it took a long time to get the Kenyon saw that I ordered, so I totally understand your frustration. The saw did finally arrive, though, and even better, I met Issac Smith at Handworks back in September. A nicer, more humble guy you won't find. He apologized for taking so long, and I immediately felt a sense of guilt for venting my frustration to the world. Face time, as opposed to FaceTime, really drives home our shared humanity!

   I hope your saw arrives soon and that you can find some patience for Isaac. And if you're able to attend one of the woodworking shows and find him there, I encourage you chat with him.

   Good luck & best wishes!

   Mike