Advice for a custom newbie

Bearlegs

Bearlegs

Joined
Oct 1, 1999
Messages
166
I have some nice production knives, but no customs yet. Where's a good place to start without having to sell the farm? A friend of mine has a Rob Simonich Cetan, and I'd love to have one. Trouble is, he's not taking any orders at the moment. I also saw some pictures of Kit Carson folders at knifart.com and they look very nice. Any suggestions on where to buy? Other makers I should consider? Thanks for any input.

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Chris Turner
Arkansas

"We Don't Rent Pigs" --Augustus McCrae

"I won't abide rude behavior in a man." -- Woodrow Call
 
You don't need to sell the farm, but it would help.
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The hard part for me was to figure out what I liked and then figure out whose work I liked most.

But then I go to a knife show and all that goes out the window because I like everything.



[This message has been edited by Bo (edited 09-13-2000).]
 
The best advice on this issue is the refrain from Les Robertson: Buy what you like.

Larry at KnifeArt has a great selection and service, and Les has about the best policy on his knifes that you will find; you can exchange anything he sells you for another knife he offers at just about any time. That is confidence.

If you buy custom knives with monetary investment in mind you are going down the wrong path. They should fill a visceral need within to be truly satisfying, something impossible to explain to others.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
First of all, since you are from Arkansas you can stick close to home and build a world class collection
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. There are some great shows and hammer-ins in and around your state.

The best thing to do is take your time and find something you like in a price range you are comfortable with. Try to get in touch with the maker (Kit and Rob are fantastic starts) and see if you are comfortable with them.

Using the maker and purveyor links here would be a great start. Get a copy of the knives annuals especially if you are going to start dropping big bucks on makers you have not met.

Hang around here and the other forums. There are people who collect and use all types of customs and most of us are not at a loss when it comes to expressing our opinions. I have learned something on the net about knives just about every time I have looked.

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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.
 
Thanks Larry! (And everyone else!) Next time I'm in Little Rock, I'll be sure to stop by! I'm not too far away - I live in J'boro.
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Chris
The Fall hammer-in is set at Old Washington for Oct 28-29.
Presenters will be
Michael Bell, Don Fogg, Jim Crowell, Kevin Cashen, Mike Connor, Jim Batson, Joe Flournoy, Charlie Ochs, Mike Williams, Greg Neely and myself. Most of these guys will have something.
Larry in Little Rock is also a very good place to look and learn.
 
Try a gentleman named Todd Kopp. He is a friend of mine, tell him I refered you. I am a new knifemaker but he has been around and makes REALLY nice knives you can afford.
You can call him at home between 5-9pm MST.
480-983-6143
Bob Hankins
 
Chris - one piece of advice that I'd give is to take advantage of every opportunity you get to learn from the makers in person. Do NOT miss the hammer-ins or Guild/ABS/AKA meetings and demos. If a maker invites you over to his shop, or if Larry Connelley invites you to come on over and take a look at a few knives, by all means do it. The people in this business are sincere. If they ask you to come over, they mean it. You can learn in one weekend what it might take years to learn otherwise. You're fortunate to live in a hotbed of knifemaking activity and talent. Take advantage of that. Oh, and one other piece of advice - have fun. You really can't help but have a great time in your chosen hobby.
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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice

[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 09-13-2000).]
 
Chris- go to the links here, click on custom makers, and start browsing. You won't believe what is available for the price of a good production folder. WARNING: be prepared to spend hours sitting at that keyboard! Enjoy.
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You should read all that you can. The Knives annuals gives you a great all around view. But nothing beats going to a show. You can see and handle lots of knives and speak to the people who made them, as well as meet other collectors in your area.
 
Meet the makers! Knowing the man who made the knife adds something to every piece. There are also often little touches to a handmade knife that are expressions of the maker's thought and experience. These things are lost without some personal contact.
 
Thanks all! I really appreciate all your suggestions! I'm going to make every effort to go to the next blade show within 500 miles of where I live.
 
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