An old "newbie" recently bitten by the knife bug

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

First post here though I have been reading a lot of posts over the last few months and am impressed by the knowledge and info to be found here. Am hoping you all can steer me in the right direction.

I have recently started a small collection of knives, and am ready to shift gears and start acquiring some more high end knives. Problem is I am unfamiliar with the vast field of quality makers out there. I figure this forum would be a great place to start and get steered to some quality makers.

As to what my taste runs toward, primarily Fixed Blade hunting knives. The classic "Loveless" lines are still tops for me, so anything drop point gets a long look. Clip point is in there too. Trailing point, not so much. Anything "Military", "Tech", Intimidating, threatening to look at or serrated is definitely not for me. For me, even with large hands, a smaller knife will do a lot more than a big one IMO. A good bird and trout or caping knife would get the nod before most others. I currently own 1 or more of, Boker, Moki, SOG, CRKT, BucknBear, Cold Steel, Buck, Old Timer, and Marbles. So you get the idea of where I have "been" as it were. Generally low end, but still good quality for the price, and every one is a great usable knife, or I would have tossed or returned it.

Knife makers I am currently drooling over include: Arno Bernard, Scott Cook, Zoe Christ, True Saber, Alan Warren, and LT Wright. Can also add Chris Reeve and Lone Wolf among others for folders. These are some of the makers I have been looking over and will soon start buying from at a slow pace. I am far closer to the poor end of the economy than the rich end. The big question for everyone here. Given the styles and types of knives given:

WHO ELSE SHOULD I BE LOOKING AT?

What other manufacturers come to your mind? Who has the best Value for the buck. Quality to price in your opinion? Which are most collectible? Who are the rising stars? The Venerable Old guard? Who are the flash in the pan? I would lean far more to the guy who has been making quality knives for 20-30 years, before the maker who started the latest "trend".

I know this is long winded. My apologies for that. But I know I will get some great info and suggestions from the forum. Thanks in advance from a "new addict" lol

 

[Hickory n steel]

Bark river makes a lot of small classic blades, so you may want to check them out.

 

[Duba]

I agree. I fully intend to invest in one of their knives.

 

[adamlau]

Before even considering Bark River, you will want to take a look at: Seamount Knife Works. Carothers Performance Knives. Dozier Knives. Swamp Rat Knife Works. Busse Combat Knives. All are reknowned for their steel, workmanship, warranty and customer service. I cannot say the same for Bark River.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Before even considering Bark River, you will want to take a look at: Seamount Knife Works. Carothers Performance Knives. Dozier Knives. Swamp Rat Knife Works. Busse Combat Knives. All are reknowned for their steel, workmanship, warranty and customer service. I cannot say the same for Bark River.

Do they make the kind of small blades he's interested in ?

 

[adamlau]

Yes they do. Dozier has a number of four and under currently available as does Swamp Rat. Availability of four and under from the other listed suggestions is dependant on the secondary market for now. There are also many knifemakers here who can turn a custom that it would only be fair to mention that as well.

 

[strategy9]

Check the knifemaker's for sale subforum here.
A LOT of nice hand made hunting knives.
I recently picked up a pair from Trey Parker, no regrets whatsoever, not just awesome knives with mirrored edges, but the leather sheaths were great as well.

Nice list btw...

 

[Riz!]

I think as far as folders go everyone should give Spyderco a try

For fixed blades, Fiddleback forge and maybe Carter Cutlery (Murray Carter) would probably fit your fixed blades list

 

[Duba]

Before even considering Bark River, you will want to take a look at: Seamount Knife Works. Carothers Performance Knives. Dozier Knives. Swamp Rat Knife Works. Busse Combat Knives. All are reknowned for their steel, workmanship, warranty and customer service. I cannot say the same for Bark River.

What makes you question Bark River?

 

[Duba]

Before even considering Bark River, you will want to take a look at: Seamount Knife Works. Carothers Performance Knives. Dozier Knives. Swamp Rat Knife Works. Busse Combat Knives. All are reknowned for their steel, workmanship, warranty and customer service. I cannot say the same for Bark River.

Well the thing is Bark River has a guaranteed warranty. Can't go wrong with that. Plus BR has a huge following of people who have lots of good things to say about their work. Their selection is awesome. And did I say guaranteed.

 

[marcinek]

Well the thing is Bark River has a guaranteed warranty. Can't go wrong with that. Plus BR has a huge following of people who have lots of good things to say about their work. Their selection is awesome. And did I say guaranteed.

And a huge "following" who don't. Which is why one would question Bark River.

But, you are correct, when they send out clinkers, they will fix them, as long as it isn't a result of user error.

 

[marcinek]

WHO ELSE SHOULD I BE LOOKING AT?

Welcome. You should be looking at the Knife Maker's Gallery in the General Knifemakers Discussion and the Hosted Knifemakers Forums here.

That is a great place to get a feel for individuals who are making the "good stuff" right now.

 

[Duba]

And a huge "following" who don't. Which is why one would question Bark River.

But, you are correct, when they send out clinkers, they will fix them, as long as it isn't a result of user error.

According to the owner any damage is covered. I heard the owner in a video said that a fellow asked whether his dog chewing the handles was covered. The answer is yes. He said everyone believes they have to come up with a sob story. In my opinion, some one who stands by their product to that extent is worth trying out.

 

[marcinek]

According to the owner any damage is covered. I heard the owner in a video said that a fellow asked whether his dog chewing the handles was covered. The answer is yes. He said everyone believes they have to come up with a sob story. In my opinion, some one who stands by their product to that extent is worth trying out.

Well, clearly that one video by the owner convinced you and makes you not question BRK. Sounds like you got the whole story from it. Good luck.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Welcome. You should be looking at the Knife Maker's Gallery in the General Knifemakers Discussion and the Hosted Knifemakers Forums here.

That is a great place to get a feel for individuals who are making the "good stuff" right now.

Thanks. I intend to.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Bark river makes a lot of small classic blades, so you may want to check them out.

Yes, I have been looking at their stuff. There will most likely be at least one in my future at some point.

 

[Methuselah]

my 2$ off the top of my head i like -

• lehman custom knives
• tk steingass
• survive knives
• john april
• nick wheeler

no special order ~ all fixed blades ~all a good value IMO

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Before even considering Bark River, you will want to take a look at: Seamount Knife Works. Carothers Performance Knives. Dozier Knives. Swamp Rat Knife Works. Busse Combat Knives. All are reknowned for their steel, workmanship, warranty and customer service. I cannot say the same for Bark River.

Thanks! I like the Dozier, both in their bare bones and hunting lines. Carothers tend to be a bit big for my taste. The Field knife looks good though. The Seamount knives look very good. Their bird & trout looks very interesting as well as their Bow River and Smoke Creek models! Thanks for the tips!

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

my 2$ off the top of my head i like -

• lehman custom knives
• tk steingass
• survive knives
• john april
• nick wheeler

no special order ~ all fixed blades ~all a good value IMO

Ya, That's what I'm talking about! lol Does Wheeler have a web site under a name other than Nick Wheeler Knives? Google did not produce a website for him. Lehman is only a 2 - 2 1/2 hr. drive for me to get to Bakersfield. May pay him a visit one day to order something. Thanks for turning me on to some great makers!

 

[seabil]

Take a look at AG Russell, DLT Trading, knives ship free, knife connection websites and you will see a lot different styles and makers. Google the maker or styles you like. If you like loveless style there will be some for you. Bark river has many traditional styles. Small to huge. I like the ones I have. More available than some makers, lots of handle materials. I have only had issue with some small handlesizes in some models. Same with a Surls I picked up. So I watch handle sizes. Sounds like you will want to watch that but in the other direction. The BRK founder has some critics from what I read mostly based on stories about a business mess years back and some issues that folks thought was overheating during grinding at some point. I have not seen any issues myself, I am no expert though. Russell usually has Dozier or Dozier like, always some loveless-style. This forum has lots of information and opinions. Learned a lot here. After reading a bit you can decide what to try out and whether to buy new or secondary market. The exploring is part of the fun to me.