BEEN THINKING Alot???????????

bacustomknives

bacustomknives

FULL THROTTLE / FULLTIME KNIFE MAKER
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
13,078
Well,I been stressed as hell for a while now,i think im ready to just go back to the basics of knife making,to hell with all the fancy stuff,Chris has came along way since starting :thumbup:
I myself am bored with what ive been doing for the past years,I think im ready to just start making RUFF-NECK BEAT THE HELL OUT OF ME KNIVES. Since most dont even use my knives there set back on a shelf or under lock an key,I wanna see people using them.What do you all think?:confused:
 
I had one of your knives and loved it. Unfortunately I couldnt bring my self to use it. The handle was so comfortable and the blade length was perfect, but it was so danged nice!

You make a knife with just regular old micarta or wood handle and give it a good price and I am sure people would jump all over it! I for sure would be when the funds allow.
 
Looker and a user.
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I say make the "beat the heck out of me" knife, and I'll buy one. Keep making those beautiful lookers and I'll keep buying and buying and buying ;) But you gotta do what makes you happy.

BTW, I plan to make use of the two I have so far...
 
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I am in need of a good, no frills, woods sized (5-6in) knife. I'm with L4NE4, slap a set of micarta (wood would be rattling around too quick here) slabs on a well ground piece of quality steel, give it a good price, and I will beat the sh** out of it. Then proceed to sharpen, well you know, rinse - lather - repeat! I will keep my eye out.
 
Bill, I think its good to do what you like and makes you happy. You do make beautiful knives and I'm glad to say that I've managed to get a couple. I'll admit that the Whitetail Stalker that you had back recently to get filework is more of a beauty queen to me. The bushcrafter I have is a definite user and goes with me to work every night. It has came in pretty darn handy quite a few times. I think there is a ton of merit in knowing that you can make something so nice that someone would want to keep it in pristine condition. I can also see how you would feel after putting the time into making such a great tool, that you really want it to be used. That said, I hope you will continue to make some of the great looking knives that you have been, but then I would also looove to see some real tough beat the hell of it and it keeps coming back for more knives too. :D Whatever you decide on, I'll still be here lurking in the evenings to see what you come up with next.
 
Whatever you decide to do Bill you will absolutely do it will excellence, that is for certain. Do what makes you happy; but it might be a nice change of pace to make some beater beauties that people aren't scared to take out and abuse. I say stick with the nice wood and liners and mix in maybe some micarta or shadetree composites for the handle material with stainless or micarta pins and laynard tubes. I loved your patina and misery whip blades with the killer convex edges and maybe a lil' bit of useful filework thrown in would be cool. But I would forgo things like damascus blades, mosiac pins, chevron inlays and maybe bolsters. I was a big fan of your multi tasker that you recently did and Mykel bought. I would have been all over it if the handle was a different color. But that was a "real" user and with the two sheaths was something alot of people would have taken out and not been afraid to beat up. Not a safe queen by any means. Other knives that looked like true users were Riverwarrior's Kephart, Deadeye's recurve hunter and your camp cutter with the elm crotch. It just sucks to see more pictures of your unused pristine beauties for sale because people could use the money than pics of your awesome knives in actual backwoods use that are indeed keepers. I am a fan of your work either way and always look forward to whatever you produce. I drool over your great custom knife pics every week and admire you. You have some true talent my friend. My thoughts are opinions only and don't take them to heart. You are the master at your trade. Don't stress it Bill, it should be fun and relaxing for you...and Chris has come a very long way and probably wouldn't have been where he is at if it wasn't for you. Take care brother and I wish you the best at whatever you decide to create next.

Eric
 
I think you're right Bill. You could always do the best of both worlds. Kinda mix it up, so you won't get bored with it.
 
Bill I like your stuff. Wish I had more than one, but the Recurve Hunter I have is awesome. I just don't use it much because I have so many. If I'd stop buying hunting, fishing and knife making stuff, I could afford to buy more knives! But really, you should do what you love.

I personally would like to see you do two lines. One of your current models and a edc user kind. I will say that your current line is a very recognizable style. Most knife people know it's a BACustom knife when they see one without even seeing the description. I'd hate to see those go by the wayside! Few people can make a knife look like you can!
 
Make yourself happy. I can tell you I have been inches from hitting the I'll take it" button a few time on your post, but the funds and how I treat a knife kept me from it. You are correct in assuming the beauty of your knives does cause hesitation in using them. I really like your designs and you make handles large enough for my arthritic hands. If you ever make a beater with micarta or g10 I'll be one of the first to jump on one.
 
GUYS,I appreciate all of you so much,and each and every word that comes from you all counts beleive that!
 
Make some beaters, some chop the hell out af anything blades. I use some of your blades, but the first
time is the hardest. Just have to tell myself "This knife was made to be used". Not everyone can do that
to such nice looking blades. So make some blades with handles that have a flat finish instead of the
super nice gloss finish. Forced pitina or scotch bright finish, something that noone will be afraid to scuff up.
Hell Bill, have some fun making knives.
 
I just thought I'd add my .02 worth as a Backwoods fan...

I first off have to say, you gotta do what floats your boat. If the "fancy stuff" isn't floating your boat, maybe try something else? But I think many people would be sad...

That being said, I understand why you'd want your knives to be used, but I think you should be just as honored when once of your pieces gets pulled out of a safe 1-2 times a day to be admired and drooled over... Knives are unique in that they can be tools AND art. Let the art lovers love their art, and let the users love their users!! There is greatness in both, and in making both.

Either way you make some great pieces! Keep up the good work whatever direction you choose!
 
Just make every other one a beater,then a safe queen.
As you've seen of Andy Roy's & others handles, micarta is beautiful too.
 
Bill a lot of guys that make 'user' knives can't even touch what you do with your creations, and yes I'm talking about me and any other maker:) Way I see it is this, if you're tired of putting more effort into the awesome creations you make then yeah bang out some 'users', with your experience you could do 3-1 if not better and faster, and at the same time still generating income... slam out a backwoods custom bill akers style maybe once a week to keep your skills brushed up :) and at the same time keep your audience salivating..

take care,

ETA: I started thinking about this, and I think ALL knives should be used.. unless of course it was bought to collect, some peoples user knives fall into the $200 plus category while others are $100 less.. Some will use a $300 knife just as hard as a $100 knife because they can afford to, and even though your knives are top shelf if I bought one it would be used, "nicely".. :D
 
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Shift gears once in awhile. For me I get bored of making the regular using knives and periodically I want to get creative and turn to making a fancy dagger or fighter to get it out of my system.
 
I think you should do a mix of both, as several knife makers already do. For example, Burt Foster has a "higher-end" version of knives as well as a "blue collar" version of some knives that are at a better price point. I *think* Jerry Fisk, Jason Knight, and Adam Desrosiers also do something similar.
 
You should do what makes you happy! I am a huge fan of your work. I would hate to see you stop making the beautiful customs you make. I would agree that you should just mix it up a bit. I own only one of your knives. It is my edc about three or four days a week and goes with me on all my hikes. It will also go with me on all camping trips. It has not been camping yet only because it is a recent acquisition and the weather has just changed. As my kids are very young we only camp in nice weather but hike year round. I live in Ohio and take pride in the fact that you do also. I am saving money to buy a grinder as I have been inspired. Do what you want, I am sure the knives will sell either way.
 
I use all my knives, no matter what they cost. The pleasure is in using a knife for me, and as far as looking at it, well I like looking at a knife best when it's in my dirty hand cutting something or when I first reach for it.
 
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