Shepard's Crook Walking Stick

I bought the custom made wand for my Harry Potter series lover niece. The wand and custom packaging was nothing less than perfection. Thank you for another memorable Christmas for my family.

Rafe Demers crafted a gorgeous blackthorn-curly maple walking stick for me that exceeded my expectations. Rafe took my requested specs, provided valuable feedback and insight and created an instant family heirloom that far surpassed what i had initially pictured at a very reasonable price. His communication with me throughout was outstanding and he provided photo examples of materials to help me make optimal choices. Rafe also worked with me to deliver my walking stick on a date most convenient for me; the packing was first rate and it arrived undamaged. Superlative craftsmanship. A friendly, helpful attitude. Outstanding communication and customer service. This was a good experince for me. I highly recommend Mr. Demers and his work.

The cane Mr Demers made for me last year is so beautiful that a close friend commissioned me to ask for a similar cane; and once again, not only was the completed work wonderful but the process of working with Mr Demers once again gave me great pleasure. His aesthetic judgment as to color and grain, is very fine, as is his craftsmanship, is very fine. Yet with both my cane and my friend's, using different domestic and exotic woods with different qualities, he was highly responsive to his client's desires and suggestions. He emailed updates and photographs several times to inform me and receive my feedback. My experience, and my friend's too, finally, was that we had works of art of high utility, sturdy, perfectly balanced in use, with handles comfortable and secure to grip. From my two experiences, I would look forward with some glee and total confidence to entrusting any other such project to Mr Demers.

completed first stage of the project, a set of custom bloodwood Kali-Eskrima sticks. They turned out wonderful and beautiful. Was completed in a timely fashion and all aspects were completed in a very professional manor. Cannot wait to get second half of the project complete!

He always responded to my messages in a timely manner, did a fantastic job on the wand and box, and provided pictures to show me how things were going.

S

Scott

For Wizard Wands For Harry Potter Fans

4.8

Dec 18, 2015

Bought as a gift. Nice wand for a Harry Potter fan. Even better was the display box. Excellent quality and presentation.

Experience was great I did some rough drawings and we worked out a final product that was just what I wanted

VE

Victoria Ellard

For Wizard Wands For Harry Potter Fans

4.7

Nov 9, 2015

I can not comment on shipping really as it hasn't arrived yet because I am in the UK however the communication was great between Rafe and me. As soon as he was finished he sent me pictures and I was very impressed with the end result. He also tried new techniques on my product that came out brilliantly. The value for money was good considering HP studios will charge £30+ for a wand made of plastic, and this is personalised with your own design and made from proper wood. The project was finished very quickly. Would definitely use again if a project came to mind!

Both the experience and the result of working with Mr Demers were exactly what I hoped for. The cane he made for me follows the model of one or two he has previously made, but the woods are quite different; he and I worked together to choose them, with my indicating the effect I wanted and suggesting some woods that might achieve it, and his employing his expertise and aesthetic sense to give me further practical options. He was scrupulous about consulting me and explaining why, given the specific pieces of wood at his disposal, our original plans had best be altered. The cane that I saw, first in photographs he sent and then in its actual glory, fits my desires to a T. It's lovely to look at, comfortable to hold and walk with, and dressy to the exact degree that I wished it to be. It was also remarkably reasonable in price. Would I work with Mr Demers again? Absolutely. I only wish I had an appropriate project in mind right now, so that I could do so at once. Let me add to this enthusiastic recommendation that it's free of any personal bias: I did not know Mr Demers, other than by images posted on custommade, nor do I know him outside the context of this project. I also don't know anyone else for whom he has worked or is working.

I just received the second cane Rafe did for me and, as much as I love the first one he did, I think I'm going to like this one even better. He listened to my request for a pistol grip that would fit my palm and fingers better so it should be more comfortable for longer stretches of use. Like the first one, this one is a thing of beauty. I highly recommend Rafe Demers for the quality and aesthetics of his work, as well as for his good, prompt communication.

HJ

H. Joseph Ehrmann Ehrmann

For H. Joseph Ehrmann's Tap Handles

5.0

Oct 19, 2015

I love what he made! He nailed a perfect replica, and it looks great. Everything was timely and he was on it the whole way through. Thank you!

Rafe did great work on this project and was professional throughout. Cannot recommend him highly enough. He is a true artist.

Rafe was GREAT to work with Tremendous job!!!!

I am so happy with the cane Rafe made for me that he is currently making another one. The first one looks like a piece of art. It's beautiful and the craftsmanship is of a very high order.

An absolute pleasure to work with. Works with professionalism and an attention to detail that is uncanny. Had a cane built for my father and he loves it. It exceeded my expectations in every way. He was very responsive, sent pictures throughout the process, sent a tracking number and delivered on time and at budget. True professional. Would use him again in a heartbeat.

EV

Eileen Vogel

For Walking stick Project

5.0

Jun 17, 2015

His work,is exquisite, beautiful attention to detail, , this is the second time that i've used him. Eileen vogel

I love my wand!! I wanted a relatively simple wand and I let Rafe decide on most of the details. He created a wand with beautiful subtle detailing packaged lovely in a handmade wooden box. I will cherish forever.

AL

Adrian Lathouwers

For Wand

4.8

Apr 17, 2015

I am verry happy with product I received. It was just as I imagined and more. I am in general pleased about the whole experience. There was great communication and we were on the same page from the beginning. I know that the next time I need a similar job done, I'll come straight to Rafe Demers.

Rafe was amazing to work with. Incredible craftsmanship, very accommodating, committed to a delivery date and met it, and was easy to work with. The price was more than reasonable for the product. I would recommend Rafe to anyone.

Based on the quality of the cane I received months earlier, a friend of mine ordered a Shillelagh Walking Stick. The following is his dictated comment in review of Rafe Demers: "A fine piece of craftsmanship, completely authentic and handcrafted with care. This cane fits me perfectly and I will enjoy it for many years to come." - Dr. Michael Arnold

Considering how I wasn't entirely sure how I wanted it to look, nor did I know what I really wanted to give him, I kept it simple in my order and I think the maker did a great job in giving me something that I, and I hope, my brother would like. I can't wait to give it to him on christmas. Thank you. Both of us are Harry Potter fans and while I would also like my own wand, I rather get one for my brother first.

EV

Eileen Vogel

For Cane with amber mosquito jurassic park replica Project

5.0

Nov 29, 2014

I don't have it yet, but have seen the pics, it looks great, when we started this project I didn't know that there was another Jurassic movie in the works so there will be renewed interest in stuff from Jurassic Park. Rafe was wonderful to work with and I will certainly keep Custom Made (and Rafe) in mind if another project pops up. Rafe, Merry Christmas, I'll email you when it arrives. Eileen Vogel

JL

J.r. Lee

For Pistol Grip Walking Cane

5.0

Nov 6, 2014

Rafe is a great craftsman. He delivered the cane I wanted on time, and when there was a small snag (small blemish, hardly noticeable), he promptly communicated with me and gave me a discount to boot. On top of that, he sent me a followup package with replacement cane tips as well. That's customer service done right. Great guy, he deserves your business!

Based solely on my interaction with Rafe Demers throughout the making of my cane, I rather had the feeling that the finished product would be an epic creation. He was open, communicative, considerate and very, very knowledgeable of his trade. I appreciated the timely responses, the educated and well-experienced answers he offered. To be honest, it was a thrill from beginning to end. The final step in that creative process came today when my cane arrived via UPS. Having been raised in a woodworker's home myself, I could recognize (fundamentally) what real handcrafted wonder looks like. What Rafe sent to me, what he created was truly a work of art. I'm very impressed. Yes, I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation. Five star rating for everything? Yes, indeed.