Are They Realy Worth It?

That depends on what you value. If you want incredible craftsmanship and exotic materials, then yes, a hand made knife is very much worth what it costs. My opinion is split on using knives. I personally feel that a couple of production companies are actually offering the best values in folding knives right now. You cannot get a hand made folder for $100 that will equal the performance of a Benchmade Axis lock in terms of reliability and cutting performance. In a fixed blade, however, you can get a hand made knife for around $200 that will be well worth the extra $50 or so over the cost of a high-end production knife. You will generally get better design, better steel, and better heat treatment.
 
Okay People, I think that I am getting this. I don't pay big bucks for a "custom, hand made" knife because it will do a better job as a work knife. Other than fitting my hand better if it is made to order, I can't expect that much better work knife. On my income, I can't justify (in my mind) paying more money just because a knife is prettier. From what I understand, a person buys a custom knife because it makes him feel good inside. When he (or she) picks it up it talks to him. I am totally disabled, mobilely impaired, etc. I have a constant fight against depression. Therefore it is a medical necessity that I start saving for the next Blade Show, I need a custon knife for better health. If I feel better inside, then my physical health will be better. If I could just get the VA to understand this. Are there any doctors out there that will mail me a perscription for a custom knife that I can show to my wife? I am now convinced that I now have justification to spend the money. About how much will I have to spend to get a 3 to 4 inch single blade folder? Am I right in hoping that I may be able to do this for maybe $300. or am I aiming to low? If I can obtain a custon, it will be a using knife, I don't want something that just sits in a drawer until I take it out to brag on.//////Steve Thank you all for taking the time to educate me on the proper perspective for custom knives. I really do appreciate it.
:confused: :confused::)
 
Hello again, slewis36. You ask good questions. Want to say that I understand where you're coming from, I think. I was scraping by on just a VA pension, while my SS disability was taking forever to be decided. Now that I in fact get SS also, I have more discretionary money.

I think many of the answers you've received here are excellent. But, I'd like to suggest a $15-$20 side jaunt on your trip towards custom ownership. You might be able to find it at the local library. Anyhow, try to get your hands on a copy of Ed Fowler's book "Knife Talk."

Ed is a very highly rated bladesmith, who has a Master Smith rating from the American Bladesmith Society. He also is an uncommon wordsmith. He has a down-home style that many relate to very positively.

Ed is a philosopher of many kinds, including knives. He is on a lifetime quest to reach the holy grail of knifedom, the perfect forged steel. Much of his writing, and all his knifemaking is directed towards "high performance" knives. Reading his book drastically changed my perspective on knives in general, and especially custom knives. Since reading his book, I have bought a Sebenza, in many people's minds the top end of manufactured knives. I also have ordered my first custom knife. It makes perfect sense to me. I envy your having a bride who is supportive. I can't even talk about knives at all.

I'd also like to suggest that you maybe spend some time reading the Shop Talk forum, if you haven't been already. Doing so, you get an idea of all that knifemakers must know and do to create good knives. You also are likely to be flabbergasted about how helpful knife makers are to each other. I am constantly astounded by that.

One more suggestion, that sort of follows one suggestion already made. If you can get your hands on the last year or so's issues of Blade, look for the article on the makers with knives for sale under $100. You might be surprised what you can get if you shop carefully. Maybe in the same issue, special mention was made in a review of the Guild show, or some big show in New Orleans, about how many knives were available around $100 at that show.

Good luck!
 
Why do you need a hundred dollar factory knife? I'll bet most of what you need to get done can get taken care of with a standard 5" kitchen knife. Just get a sheath for it and you're all set.

Like Jeff Randall said, a can food lid makes a fine knife. People buy what they can afford. Some like a little luxury to go with it. Life is short, why not.

Don't patronize other people's tastes because they like different things. If you can't afford an expensive knife (like me), don't buy one. It would be fiscally irresponsible to do so.
 
Originally posted by R.W.Clark
A BMW does not get you to the store any faster or safer than a 1970 F150.
Click to expand...

Uh... depending on the BMW, I strongly disagree -- especially about the safety part.
 
You sure can! You can get them cheaper than that. Check with some of the dealers, Les Robertson, Arizona Custom Knives, Blade Art, KnifeArt and more than a few more I can't think off the top of my head. Give them a call and let them know what you're looking for. If that doesn't yield any results, keep an eye on the Sale Forums. You can get some great deals there. I've found many and offered many.http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/jackstac.htm
 
yes customs are really worth it, for me anyway - once ya handle one ya will be hooked(iwas anyway lol)


sifu
 
Hi slewis26,
I think custom knifes can cut better than production knives. With custom knives (at least from a decent knifemaker), you can have a more consistent and often more careful heat treat than with production knives (which are ususally heat treated in batches). You can also decide which steel you want to have used (not many production companies offering 52100 or CPM-3V), you can design the blade profile and handle ergonomics YOU like and feel comfortable with, you can have custom carrying options etc.
Besides, the "ego" point is very valid (at least for me). I love to use a (relatively) expensive custom knife for "ordinary" cutting tasks. If I ever get an expensive Moran or Loveless knife, first thing I´ll do with it is go into the kitchen and start cutting salami :D This is kinda snobbish, but what the ****, it´s my salami, my money, and my ego that needs to be satisfied. I sometimes compare custom knives to jewelry, good comparison that even works with critical wives sometimes.
 
There seem to be three different concepts working their way through here. I think the original question was about the real difference between custom (or maybe small shop) knives vs higher-end factory knives, but then someone else mentioned skinning deer with a $5.00 knife from Walmart.

Between the lower-end customs (or small shops like Dozier, Livesay, and Reeve to take examples I know) meant for <i>real using</i> and the higher-end factory knives, there isn't that much difference. Fit and finish is one of the only things you find different, and sometimes you don't even notice that. Another difference is that you can get special options like different handle materials or mating a handle from one standard model to the blade of another, and things like that which you simply can not get from a factory knife. But aside from the things that you can derive from being able to have a personal conversation with the knife maker, a <i><b>good</b></i> modern factory knife will be just as rugged and servicable long term as a custom "user"

Comparing either of these to the $5.00 Walmart special is another matter. Sure the cheap knife will skin a deer (if you are lucky), but the custom or higher-end factory knife will still be skinning deer years after the $5.00 POS has fallen apart. Sure for your $5.00 you can go out and get another one, but what if the POS happens to fall apart while your in the field trying to bring home that deer or whittle that trap trigger and you don't have a walmart over the next ridge to go to? For me, that's one of the things that makes me want that custom, or at least high-end factory, on my belt or in my waist band.
 
Ok, I'll go with the above mentioned statement, that there may not be that big of difference between a high production and a custom but a very big difference between the Wal-Mart $5 POS.

However, most of the folders that I have seen as customs are usually done in a very artisitic way the majority (not all) are smaller in size and when it comes to defense folders they are alot more expensive when even compared to high end production knives. Sorry before I spend $350.00 dollars for a custom "defensive" folder I'd add a little cash and by a S&W .38.

I guess my point is if you are "into knives" and into collecting great, spend the money and get a custom. On the other hand if all your looking for is a knife to do everyday things and it will be an EDC, where it will be subject to use,abuse, loosing it, or getting it confiscated (until a court date) or what ever..... I think a good production knife is hard to beat.
 
You all have given me a lot to think about.I really would like to have a custom folder, and I have never found a belt knife that I am satisfied with. I have found many knives that I was satisfied with as for as performance. I even went and bought a $5.00 Wal Mart folder to match the one that cleaned and skinned a buck without stopping. For $5. it is a very, very good buy. I would never consider carrying this as my only knife. It's good to throw in my picnic kit etc. Now I believe the POS knives at Wally World are made in China.:barf: I usually carry a Leatherman Wave, a Gerber LST drop point with add-on thumb buttou, a plain edge Delica, a Victorinox Huntsman (or Explorer), and my OE Wedge around my neck. My wife thinks that I am a nut, and a little bit paranoid. If I am heading for the bush, I add a fixed blade. Lately a Bushman or a Kabar. I try to carry the best blade that I can afford. I had heard so much about factory blades being equal to custom blades in the magazines, that I really didn't know if a custom knife was worth paying for. I think that I will have to save up and see what I can find at the next Blade show. I will have to hold a knife before I pay big bucks for it, I need to see if it speaks to me.I may have to find a knife that I like, and speak to the maker about any changes that I want.
I have a scarry feeling that I am about to make a start down a very expensive path. :eek: Thanks Guys........Steve (slewis36)
 
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