Urban Art Association

Not surprised. I don't think Paddle8 does any kind of authentication, as they don't take possession of the goods until after they've sold.

Labiology had a bunch of these listed as old stock, but on further examination, best case scenario, they were from an unauthorized second run as there were differences from the original figures. As these have now sold out, it's clear that these are back in to the market being passed off as the real deal.

Kaws stuff has been faked for years. Buyer beware I'm sure tons are being passed along on artnet and paddle8.

I hung on to my shipping boxes that show the FedEx label from Kawsone hoping to add provenance.

A comparison between the legit and the bootleg wooden Companion:

(The bootlegs are signed as well and come in the original boxes)

Indeed they are quite good, but I might say the eye cross is shorter and also the bones seem smaller.

The joke here is the owner of a legit one realized that there was one posted for sale that matched with his. 

Right one is bootleg.

Looks like the guilty party here is none other then steven baksa he also goes by same name on instagram hes been trying to sell off fake kaws pieces for a while now starting off with 4ft companions about 2 yrs ago. He was cuaght out by paddle 8 trying to auction off fake soryamas as well as fake wooden companions, he mixes them in with legit pieces trying to add authenticity but despite many name changes and arguments hes been flooding the market with fake bootleg kaws pieces for sometime using auction sites and his own shop called POME or product of my enviroment where he sells most of his goods, he gets called out often and lashes out quit aggressivly but a friend who works at paddle8 in NY has recently shared info with regards to his scrupulous behavior, hes cuaght and anyone whos purchased kaws goods from him may or may not have fallen victim but a simple search of his name will give plenty of info. Normally calling someone out by name would not be my style but seeing as hiw hes already been put out there numerous times theres nothing to hide.


Have to be so careful now with this stuff too many new collectors not knowing what to look for getting taken advantage of.

I had never heard the name Baksa before a week or so ago, but good god. First heard it on KR where he was being called out. Heard about Paddle8 selling the bootleg Boba first there too. Now it turns out that was him? I've seen his rants on Instagram. Someone was calling him out, and he spammed the same "wasn't me/you don't know what you're talking about" line in every one of the dude's posts.

Also it's now pretty easy to spot the fakes, wish this information was out there just a couple months earlier.

But if anyone needs help verifying a fake wooden please let me know.

I even caught a fake wooden slated at Christies HK 3/25.

I can recall a bootleg Kawsbob or two, but just one offs not mass produced Labx style. No boot KAWS print can even come close to fooling anyone though. His quality is top top tier, and any attempt to fake it will scream red flags.