Leather Burnishers On Ebay

[Spinner]

Thanks for the support Kevin!

Chris, if it's not to much of a hassle PM me when your ready or send me an invoice on paypal, we've done business before.

Regarding your little business endeavor, unfortunately there is absolutely nothing stopping him from doing it. It's not morally right but not everyone abides by the same codes of conduct. All you can really hope for is that you've built up enough of a fan base that time will weed his poor quality and inability to innovate out of the pack. My parents own a successful small business and I've watched them deal with these sorts of things on and off for 20 years.

Hey Robert, will do..next batch ordering starts next week. As for the nothing stopping him part, these burnishers fall into a neat little area of Industrial Design Intellectual Property copyright law as they are in essence a woodturning sculpture. While the manufacturing process and tangible item are not protected without a patent, the asthetic design (number & placement of the coves, the step design of the tip, etc.) are protected and Ebay recognizes Copyright Infringement of Items as well as text. I'm submitting a claim this morning to have the items removed and the person in question blacklisted from ever selling them there in the future.

It's one thing to use parts of a design or improve a design, it's a whole other thing to copy the exact design without asking.

You could always buy one from him and then post negative feedback. Maybe we could buy one every couple months and post negative feedback?

On a related note, I'd like another one from you. Is you production back up and running?

Hey Cleveland, I'm hoping to hit him harder than that...Ebay IP claim submitted this morning. As for production, the main part never really stopped I simply had to place a hold on new orders while I catch up. I did have some issues making the large custom burnisher sleeves for a bit due to a drill press issue but that has been resolved. Drop me an email or PM, ordering for the next batch opens up next week.

[WinterBear]

I've got to mention, I think the same guy is selling on etsy too.

[Eaglestroker]

Chris, glad you have discovered a course of recourse and are actively pursuing it rather than being forced to sit back and take it. Let us all know how it goes!

[K-Man]

Welcome to the real world. I can tell you it happens all the time in the holster industry. Oftentimes, even if you point it out, it falls on deaf ears. As long as someone is willing to make the copy and someone is willing to buy it, the market will continue. Intellectual property issues/violations seem to be rampant. I've seen examples of the violations everywhere.

[Spinner]

I've got to mention, I think the same guy is selling on etsy too.

Actually Bear, I just checked and the ones on Etsy are made by Gary Lyons. He's a good guy and we've had a few conversations about burnisher styles & construction. He does make them for dremels as well but he and I came upon similar designs (but turned slightly differently) independently. One main difference is he makes stands for the sets which I prefer not to get into. He also makes drill burnishers but our designs are completely different. He doesn't have his own website but you can find his stuff of Etsy, Facebook and his ads in the Leatherworker's Journal.

Actually now that I think about it, the message above portrays how good, honest folks do business. Gary and I both turned burnishers unknown to the other for awhile. He started with drill burnishers and I started with dremel burnishers. As demand and requests materialized, we each developed our own style of the other type as a product. When we discovered the other's work via Facebook, we had a few friendly discussions about how we got started and where we were taking it. Even though we didn't talk about it, interestingly enough we've managed to stay out of the other's 'backyard' as well. Might not have been intentional but it's worked out that way. I've no complaints against Gary and wish him the best of luck.

Edited January 13, 2012 by Spinner

[Spinner]

Welcome to the real world. I can tell you it happens all the time in the holster industry. Oftentimes, even if you point it out, it falls on deaf ears. As long as someone is willing to make the copy and someone is willing to buy it, the market will continue. Intellectual property issues/violations seem to be rampant. I've seen examples of the violations everywhere.

Yep, it's a sad state of affairs and I knew it would happen eventually. I won't be able to stop it completely as you mention, the market for knock-offs is age old and rampant but at least I can say my piece and draw attention to his true colors for those that may have considered dealing with him.

[WinterBear]

Actually Bear, I just checked and the ones on Etsy are made by Gary Lyons. He's a good guy and we've had a few conversations about burnisher styles & construction. He does make them for dremels as well but he and I came upon similar designs (but turned slightly differently) independently. One main difference is he makes stands for the sets which I prefer not to get into. He also makes drill burnishers but our designs are completely different. He doesn't have his own website but you can find his stuff of Etsy, Facebook and his ads in the Leatherworker's Journal.

Actually now that I think about it, the message above portrays how good, honest folks do business. Gary and I both turned burnishers unknown to the other for awhile. He started with drill burnishers and I started with dremel burnishers. As demand and requests materialized, we each developed our own style of the other type as a product. When we discovered the other's work via Facebook, we had a few friendly discussions about how we got started and where we were taking it. Even though we didn't talk about it, interestingly enough we've managed to stay out of the other's 'backyard' as well. Might not have been intentional but it's worked out that way. I've no complaints against Gary and wish him the best of luck.

Happy to hear that then, I thought it might potentially be the same person, so even happier to hear that it is not. And after reading your post, I agree, you and Gary are how honest folks due business--similar products developed on your own, but approached from different angles, and you each have your own styles and have developed your own clientele independently of each other and each other's products.

By the way, I meant to ask you about the burnishers I got from you. Do I need to condition the wood ever? It's dry here, really dry. Or will they pick up enough oils from the leather to not need it?

[Spinner]

By the way, I meant to ask you about the burnishers I got from you. Do I need to condition the wood ever? It's dry here, really dry. Or will they pick up enough oils from the leather to not need it?

Nope, no need to condition the wood. As you suspected, the friction, oils & waxes from burnishing the leather will keep them pretty well sealed.

If you're concerned due what sounds like you might live in a dry environment you can always rub on a little bit of beeswax and then burnish it into the wood with a paper towel.

:spoton:There's nothing wrong with burnishing your burnisher between burnishing sessions if you want to.

[cem]

That sucks Spinner, I know the hard work you have put into your burnishers and I've been very happy with my custom dremel one. It seems Duane Ballard is having some of this trouble as well as he mentioned it on his blog recently. If you have no joy with Ebay get an attorney to send a cease and desist letter.

[reddevil76]

That sucks and I hope Ebay stops this guy.

On a lighter note, if all else doesn't work, I have a traditional chinese taoist remedy. You search for this guy's picture, attach it to a paper stick man cut out, and slap on it with your bathroom slippers while "wishing all the best" for him!