All The Traditionalists

shooter81

shooter81

Joined
Mar 15, 2007
Messages
203
Alright guys I need some help please. I am looking to have two traditional folders made, one a sway back style slip joint, the second a lock back replica of the Brian Lytlle folder used in the movie The Edge. I contacted Mr. Lytlle about the knife, he was extremely nice and got back to me the next day, unfortunately the price was $3100.00 and a 12 month wait which is way way out of my price range. This seems to be the problem I keep running into either way to expensive or not taking custom orders. Bose to expensive, TA Davison I love his work but his web sight states he is not taking custom orders, Burke, Ruple, ect. ect. ect. So now to the point, I am always amazed at the level of knowledge of the knife world by the members here so I thought if anyone could help it would be someone here. Please tell me if you know of a custom maker that I may have overlooked. Someone new or relatively unknown who's prices and waiting list is not so great but still does great work would be ideal.
My specs would be:
Does outstanding work
300-600 dollar price range
willing to take custom orders
less than a year waiting list
any suggestion would be greatly appreciated, and let me thank all of you in advance.
 
Bret Dowell makes a fine swayback and he should be able to work with you and your budget. He made this one for me -

bretdowellswayback2.jpg


I'd look into the Buck Custom Shop for your lockback. Won't be an exact replica of "The Edge" knife, but it'll be pretty close. Much cheaper too.
 
I would check on the makers for sale area. Bret is a great suggestion as well as Cramer and knife head (Kerry). Good slipjoint makers are popular and they can not put out several knives in a day or two so expect a wait.

One thing that I find puzzling is the statement that Bose knives are expensive.

You can not find too many makers that you can order from, wait for the knife and have something that might easily be worth up to twice what you pay for it as soon at it arrives. That tells me that the knife is way too cheap rather than expensive. On the secondary market I can see how the knife is expensive, but ordering the knife, waiting and receiving it is dirt cheap if you ask me and hundreds of others (if not thousands) who would jump at that chance to buy a knife from Tony or Reese. It happens every year at the Blade show. People with no interest in the actual knife fill out a card for the chance to buy one and turn around and sell it within minutes or hours for sometimes twice what they paid. I would not call that expensive at all.
 
Value versus expense. I didn't get the impression from the OP that he was doubting the value of Bose knives, he was just stating that the expense is too great for him. Yes, he could turn around and sell it again and more than get his money back, but it sounds like he's interested in--you know--actually having a knife to use instead of horse trading. Why not spend what he's willing to spend now instead of going through a long wait list to turn around and sell and THEN spend what he's willing to spend? He could save more in the meantime than what his profit margin would end up being. I mean, this way, he actually has a knife that he wants during those intervening years instead of a spot on a list. Don't get me wrong, spots on lists are great, but they won't slice an apple up or open mail. ;)

Put another way, if I were to post that I was looking for a fairly nice sedan, and that anything over $40,000 was too expensive for me, somebody could doubtless pipe up and say that I could get on the list pre-order a Bentley Azure T and immediately resell it for a profit, and they're probably right, but...

To the OP: As to the Lytlle-style knife, you might get in touch with Joe Allen. He does a number of larger (backpocket) slipjoints with stiff springs and might be able to get close. I don't know if he's ever even attempted a lockback, though---it's an absolute pain in the butt. That's why you see so many custom liner locks. :)
 
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We are not talking 40,000 here. Shadow patterns start in the middle of the price range he mentioned and sell on the secondary market at twice the price.
I picked up a Bose shadow last month on the secondary market used a little for less than around 400 and carry it, yes it was luck, but it was on this forum.

I still think Bose knives ordered from the makers are not expensive at all. Last time I had a chance to purchase a two blader from Tony it ran me less than one thousand.

I have seen plenty of makers with less experience in that price range.

As far as orders, Not sure if Tony does, but Reese does. I would also touch base with Joel Chamblin. Have seen some single blades out there by Richard Rogers that are quite reasonable in the 4 to 6 hundred range.
 
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Hahah I saw the sales thread and wanted it but I looked down and Bastid beat me to it.

Thanks. I'll contact Reese.
 
Bret is good, all his knives have been excellent... only downside is: Waiting period is now 9 month... Yeah, I contacted about city knife with carbon fibre handles... Yeah, 9 month waiting period...
 
Guys,

When you get into custom knives especially traditional folders from quality makers. Nine months is a short wait.
 
thejamppa said:
Bret is good, all his knives have been excellent... only downside is: Waiting period is now 9 month... Yeah, I contacted about city knife with carbon fibre handles... Yeah, 9 month waiting period...
Click to expand...

You are going to really be disappointed if you get on someone like Reese Bose's list. 5+ year wait. :p

If waiting 9 months for a custom is a disappointment....I'd stick to production knives or pick up your customs on the secondary market. It isn't get to get much better than 9 months from a quality maker.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestion, keep em coming. I will defiantly be checking out
Bret Dowell, I absolutely love the swayback that Kamagong posted. That is
exactly what I am looking for. Not to mention he's an okie and
only about two hours from me. I also really like the stag knutbusters by Kerry
Hampton, kind of a custom sod buster look to them, very nice. Also guys let me
say I really didn't mean to stir anything up here. The names I mention were just
random makers I could think of off the top of my head. I am not questioning
any makers talent or the value of any particular makers knife. I have not talked
with either of the Bose's so I don't know what a knife directly from them would
cost. The few I have seen for sale the way I want with either ivory or stag have all
been in the $2300 to $2900 range and even a few for $3200. Now they may be
worth every penny but there just not for me. I'm not interested in trying to
make money off of any maker. Even if I could buy one direct for $1200 and then
sell it for $2000 the initial investment is more than I am willing to spend, not to mention
the year to two year wait without the knife. Maybe someday I will be in that situation but at
this stage in my life a good 500 or so dollar custom knife that I can get in six to eight
months and feel comfortable using every day is what I'm looking for. Again no offense
meant to any member here or custom maker. Thanks again for the suggestions. Cant wait
to see what else comes up.
 
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