How does a person go about doing business with the great craftsmen on this site?I can never get a response from anyone.

You would have to look for their websites online.  No sales are allowed on this site unless you are a sponsor.  Since 99% of the folks that post on here are not sponsors they don't sell here.

or go to the classifieds on this site and look at the knives that are for sale - be quick.  Most of them go real fast!