Affordable custom slippie makers

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
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Not to bash any makers out there, but my wallet is tight (surprising for its emptiness), and while I've been on a custom fixed blade kick lately, I was looking at some of the different custom slipjoints offered. I was wondering if anyone could recommend makers in the 300 or less range. Any slippies or traditional looking lockbacks, for example designs like the bullet pattern. Standard stainless or tool steel, nothing overtly fancy.
 
Mike Alsdorf,smaller size knives,incredible fit and finish
Al Warren,He can make any pattern,he has a website
Bob Ham,never had one,heard they're good.
Ray Cover,but on the secondary market probably just over 300
Jeff Cover,never had one,heard they're pretty good,too
For a little more,look up John Howser
-Vince
 
Have you looked at some of he ones that Todd Davidson has released recently? He had one a couple of weeks ago for 250 I believe. I really like his work and if I was not so broke would own a couple more. Steven
 
Ken Erickson is right in that range as well.
 
Yes,Todd Davidson,and Ken Erickson,Forgot both of 'em.They both make real nice knives for a good range
Who else did I forget ?
 
Joe Allen ?? I've heard good things about him & his knives..
-Vince
 
Ray Kirk's Scagels are a great deal. Check his site. They start at $195 I beleive for 52100 blade and bone scales, Stag scales are $250 or so (one on order) and you can get his damascus blades and other scales as well.

Please correct me if I wrong, I think his wait is around the 1 year mark.

I have an Erikson O1 single blade trapper in the mail. Based on the pics they look great for the money.

Bailey Bradshaw has a Ti frame sawby lock single blade folder in the $350 range. I think he does s30V and can do 52100 on this folder. Not sure of wait time. Check the maker's sale area for pics of this one.
 
I've got a couple of Joe Allen's knives and am very pleased with his work. His prices are very reasonable and his grinds are near perfect. He seems to be doing more traditional slipjoint patterns than anything.
 
Good suggestions.
Bob ham makes a very good knife for the price, goood to deal with,
Ray Cover makes a great knife I've had several.
Jeff Cover makes a very good knife for the price I have 1 in S30v.
Ty montell another good maker & great to deal with.
Ray Kirk's scagel is very very reasonable priced & he is great to deal with, just a long wait.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Mitch
 
Another one is John Howser of Frankfort, KY - he's great to deal with.
 
Thanks for listing these, guys. I had no idea there were so many makers in this category. I went to a big knife show (Oregon) a few months ago, and most of the custom slippies I saw started a bit higher. I figured most of the "names" were up in the $400-500 minimum range. It's nice to see I have hope of owning one someday... :D

-- Sam
 
Looks like I'm going to be on the puter quite a bit this weekend! Thanks. I probably dug a hole for myself, now everyone else on here will be commissioning pieces. "SHS, I just got a two year backlog, all these orders just came out of the woodwork." :D.

Seriously, thanks!
 
Hiroaki Ohta

Seconded Ty Montell, Todd Davidson and Mike Alsdorf.

I'm in line for an Erickson soon. Relative new maker but his craftsmanship is in high gear, probably because of his gunsmith back ground. Same for Alsdorf and his background.
 
If not previously mentioned I believe John Fraps and Rick Nowland may fit in this category as well though I have no firsthand experience.
 
I agree w/Blues: Rick Nowland= excellent knife, great prices(AZ) and...
You can't possibly, not even minusculely(?), there's not a doubt in my mind, of going wrong with a TAD(here).
I'm still pocket testing an Erickson toothpick, but so far it's clean and faultless.
Ohta is one of my favs. Ex. F&F - a little pricier. (K.Art)
I wish the rest of you guys would keep quiet about Ham - at his price/quality we should keep him to ourselves.

Mike
 
I have a couple of Todd's slipjoints. Very nice. I am happy with both. I also carry a John Fraps that I like a lot.

I don't own one, but have seen some Tim Britton slipjoints I have liked. He would be worth a look.


- Joe
 
Ohta's knives are excellent, a great value at their current prices. Might be tough to find one at $300, but I've seen some $350 to $400. In addition to Knifeart which was mentioned, you can check for his stuff at Plaza Cutlery and Colorado Custom Knife Gallery.
 
Looking at Mike Alsdorf myself, Tim Britton's work is excellent and very affordable. JB
 
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