Are knives by Dozier & Livesay customs?

Joined
Mar 22, 1999
Messages
170
Are the knives made by these two makers considered customs or production? I'm talking about the standard line you can by directly from them or dealers.
 
I would say "handmade", meaning these makers pretty much do it themselves for all phases of making the knife. Of course, the increasing use of computerized machinery (CNC) stuff begins to cloud the picture.

I take "custom" to mean that you the customer has a say in designing or modifying the knife to suit your taste and needs. For example, Crawford's standard Carnivore is a black micarta, tip up carry knife. I asked for blue micarta and a tip down carry with a KFF clip. To the that extent, his handmade Carnivore was customized for my taste and needs.

I am personally moving away from the definitions as having any real importance because I think my purchase is ultimately based on the reputation of the maker and what I think I will get in quality and some other intangibles associated with that maker.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Livesay does offer at least some options on his standard patterns, such as finishes. I think he offers more options as well, such as handle material. You might want to ask him in his forum at http://server3.ezboard.com/blivesayknives

He also offers customs aside from his regular catalog. Check out http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/hunting-2.html


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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
But I think the original question still remains. Does Bob Dozier do all the work himself (even if much of it is CNC'd?) or does he have a staff of makers? I simply don't know how he could possibly keep up with the demand for his fine knives without utilizing a staff of machinists and assemblers.
 
This is a good general question.

When Dozier first got back into making knives he was making them, and the standard models could be ordered with mods or scaled up or down in size. But, I don't know if this is still true.

If we're asking the question based on demand I don't think this is cause for suspicion, but if we're asking the question based on the volume of output, then I think we could ask the same question of other custom makers.

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Ron Knight
Scottsdale, Arizona
 
Good point, Ron! But I'm asking the question out of sheer curiosity: were the two Dozier's in my dresser made by Bob's hands or someone else's? I've never been too caught up in the "how to define the word custom" debate, I just like to know who actually made the knives I own. I've spoken to the makers of most of my collection, and it makes me like the knives even more!
 
I know that at least one of Bob Dozier's sons works in his shop with him. This is via phone with Mrs. Dozier. I'm not sure if anyone else helps out or not, nor am I sure what operations the son performs. Hope this helps some, even though it is an incomplete answer.

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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."


 
Paul: not incompetent at all! Thanks! And as far as I'm concerned, a Dozier is a Dozier, whether father or son. And this is great news: Bob could be passing the torch! Second generation Dozier's sound good to me!
 
many makers have or have had apprentices and others working in their shop. Even Bob Loveless has a partner that works with him(darn,cant remember his name right now but it's in his book), and before that it was Steve Johnson,and before that Parke. Bud Nealy has had Ed Chavar and Kurt Meerdink as apprentices. Pat Crawford has his son Wes working with him. The list goes on, but as long as the name guy is in charge of quality, they are still handmade.

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

Dave
Wharton,NJ


 
Lifter,

Agree. When I first got my KFF, it was Pat Crawford. By the time I got the Carnivore, it became Pat and Wes Crawford. I think it's a good thing. The skills are being passed down, as the quality of both knives are great.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
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