Thoughts on buying a custom directly from the maker or through a dealer.

[23xdm3.8]

To those who have been fortunate enough to reach that level in this hobby...I'm no expert just sharing my thoughts. I've had experience from both. Buying directly from a maker gives you a true feeling of getting a "custom" in that you get to specify certain specs of the knife. Also the direct interaction with the maker adds to the experience. Going through dealers, you kinda lose that personal touch, similar to buying production knives..with a substantially marked up price, even more so with certain makers. This could be a possible turn off to some, depending on your budget..but with that comes the luxury of not having to wait, up to a year and over with some of the more sought after knife makers. With dealers, it also involve a bit of luck.

I've been very happy with both of my customs, one directly and the other through a dealer.

[Ramiel]

I've only had one custom experience, and it's ongoing. The Direware Solo V2, which I just ordered. Wait time about 5 months, but so far has been excellent communication and the maker is able to get it just how I want it, which is a cool feeling. Makes me feel like a VIP or something. Agreed with the dealer issues, price markup being the major one. Paying double or triple for a limited production folder definitely hurts the wallet.

[Bob W]

I've never bought a custom through dealer but might consider it if the price was convincing, if the maker has a long backorder, or if the maker sold through the dealer exclusively.

All of my customs have all been purchased either through the BladeForums For Sale by Maker section or from the maker directly.

[RevDevil]

I've been waiting for a Demko custom for over a year , I'm close to giving up hope.

[CapitalizedLiving]

I buy customs from people second-hand, from dealers, or from makers. I suppose direct from makers is the best of the three but second hand purchases allows me to acquire stuff makers aren't doing anymore, or don't do often enough to account for my impatience.

Dealers like arizonacustomknives.com seem close enough to the makers themselves that I don't feel too much distance, but I do like to talk to makers directly and buying their stuff is certainly a good way to loosen their tongues.

[23xdm3.8]

I buy customs from people second-hand, from dealers, or from makers. I suppose direct from makers is the best of the three but second hand purchases allows me to acquire stuff makers aren't doing anymore, or don't do often enough to account for my impatience.

Dealers like arizonacustomknives.com seem close enough to the makers themselves that I don't feel too much distance, but I do like to talk to makers directly and buying their stuff is certainly a good way to loosen their tongues.

+1 my second custom I got recently from arizonacustomknives. Excellent service especially the layaway program..gives someone, who doesn't have quite the budget, the opportunity of getting a custom...that's IF you're lucky or quick enough.

[23xdm3.8]

I've been waiting for a Demko custom for over a year , I'm close to giving up hope.

Hang in there, sir. As soon as you hold that knife in your hand, inspect it, and realize that everything about it is perfect..you'll be glad you didn't give up

[cutter17]

Of the 7 custom knives I have, 6 were bought through dealers. It's been my experience that dealers charge the same price as the maker would, as dealers buy the knives at a less expensive price because of the amount they buy. I'm sure though that there are some knives that might be super popular at the moment and sell for a higher price. But the top purveyors don't do that and that's why they are the top seller's!

[DemkoKnives]

Don't give up now, your almost there!