I've read this read with some interest, thinking I'd stay above the fray; but based on my experiences with Ken, I have no reason to doubt anything Destry has stated regarding the work he received and will come to his defense. First of all, let me make it clear that I've met and know both Destry and Ken; and personally like and respect both men. I've also seen my fair share of Ken's work; and most of the work I've seen was excellent, which is exactly why he has so many fans and defenders. And in the past I freely recommended Ken to everyone who asked me for an engraver recommendation; that is until I had my first negative experience. Seems a gentleman from Michigan (or Minnesota ?) called me about a repair request on a very high grade LC he had purchased. The barrels had be re-blued at some point and much of the hand engraved maker and barrel steel ID inscriptions carded off in the process; although those inscriptions were still faintly visible. As I was a "well-known LC expert", this gentleman wanted my to personal recommendation on someone to properly chase/re-cut this engraving; and, since Ken was the first name that came to mind, I gave him a most enthusiastic recommendation. Sometime afterwards the same gentleman called me again; but this time livid with anger directed at me, as Ken had "totally ruined" his set of barrels. In the course of that phone visit I got the worst ass-chewing I've ever received; and although Ken promptly refunded this gentleman his fee, the end result was that this individual was left with a far worse problem than he had originally.
My only personal engraving experience with Ken was also negative. Seems I owned a very high-grade and unfinished LC Smith. Ken knew I owned this gun and called me with a proposition; he would engrave the gun in exchange for exposure in a magazine article. For the kind of work I envisioned my gut reaction was that this seemed a far-fetched proposition, and was very reluctant to entertain his proposal; but Ken persisted, and I finally agreed. According to our agreement, I would allow him some degree of artistic license; BUT with the understanding that whatever he did HAD to be in a period correct grade style and format, and I sent him numerous detailed pics of finished original Smith guns of the same grade to insure there was no confusion with what was expected. Afterwards Ken would call occasionally to discuss progress; but I never asked for pics because I placed complete trust in Ken and his reputation. When I actually saw the gun a year later, I can only relate that I do not possess a vocabulary that will allow adequate expression of the depths of the disappointment I experienced; as what I was presented not only failed to resemble any of the designs and ideas Ken and I had originally discussed, but the engraving done also failed to remotely resemble any engraving style or theme EVER found on a Smith gun of ANY grade. What I had was a Smith frame covered with big sweeping scrolls, all of which were beautifully executed; and all of which would represent an outstanding theme for a high-grade Colt single action pistol, but nothing one would EVER find on a high-grade LC Smith. Nothing has been done to this Smith since; but as it presently stands, the value of this one-off LC is, in fact, destroyed. The only way to salvage and preserve this unique Smith is to remove all the scrolls Ken has executed and start over. In that regard I've consulted some extremely talented gunsmiths and am advised that these scroll cuts will require filling with micro-wells. Afterwards frame surfaces would be filed smooth again and be properly prepared to be correctly engraved. Bottom line, I was a fool; and the result is that I am left with a huge and costly headache.
Ken has many fans and supporters on this forum who may be inclined to accuse me of being a liar; afterall, there are a couple of individuals here who have accused me of far worse. But rest assured that I have been more than kind in relating these events; and that my own negative experiences are exactly why, unlike other posters to this thread, I am confident that Destry is being straight up with his comments; photos or not! As to Ken, no one is perfect; I'm sure his intentions were honorable, and I certainly hold no animosity. In fact, I wish him well; and just as many of the members here, was saddened at the news regarding the loss of his bride. I just don't make any more recommendations; and will look elsewhere when I need an engraver.
