Best Bang For The Buck in Customs

[UW Mitch]

Sorry to come into this thread so late, but I would like to give some input on Les and Joss's discussion of Nick Wheeler. Having inspected a number of Nick's knives at shows, I would say the construction and quality is as good as many well known makers out there. But, quality is only part of the story. A good maker must have a sense for design and style. Otherwise, rather than being an artist (I would put him closer than that category) he would be making just another knife.

His price range is I believe $500-$2000+. Many of his lower priced pieces are still very nice, just a little simpler, yet clean and well executed. On the other end of the spectrum he can make something like my Timascus dagger. Simply awesome, complex yet not cluttered. I think he will make ABS Mastersmith as soon as the ABS timeline allows, as his work is very on par with some ABS Masters.

I think there are a number of other "bang for the buck" makers named, like Ken Onion if you can get one from him directly at a show. I say this (1) because of the huge demand in the secondary, but (2) the secondary market aside, Ken builds a very well thought out knife. The edges are all rolled/melted. Hand satin finish where as many other makers charge extra for that. Also the obvious: Speedsafe. Total toy factor, but it never looses its apeal.

Darren Cutsforth in Portland might be a new one to consider. He hasn't been making knives very long, but seeing his progress at two shows (about 4 months apart) he made large improvements on a strong foundation. His folders are <$400 at last check for something basic. If he keeps going in the direction he's going he could be one of the up and comers.

~Mitch

 

[Boink]

Originally posted by Barry H
Very interesting topic. I have some homework to do, checking out names and so forth.

I am a carpenter/woodworker. I love tough custom folders and fixed blades. And due to the nature of my work, the blade edge gets nicked up occasionally. So I am in the market for customs $100-$400, something I won't feel bad about if I nick em up.
As for my opinion, I think Dozier, Obenauf, and Strider offers good value.

Have fun!
Barry H

If your blades get nicked up, it's time to review the type of cutting you do and then purchase a blade type that accomodates that type. example - some blade types are great slicers, while others are good choppers / cutters. The slicers have a much finer, acute edge grind, while the choppers have a less acute edge. This is over-simplifying it, but you can guess which type might have less of a tendency to chip.

This remains true whether the blade is a production one or a custom. If you like tools, may as well score yourself something you'll really enjoy using each and every day.

 

[Ed Fowler]

I just received my copy of A.G.Russels Cutting Edge today, there are two Richtig hunters listed for sale at $175.00 each. Not a bad price for a piece of history.

 

[Joss]

Originally posted by Ed Fowler
I just received my copy of A.G.Russels Cutting Edge today, there are two Richtig hunters listed for sale at $175.00 each. Not a bad price for a piece of history.

No idea who that is... On the other hand, I also got my Cutting Edge yesterday, and I was surprised to see half a dozen Howard Clark fixed blades. Last month it was a similar number of Daniel Winkler. How come those knives come in "packs"???

 

[Barry H]

Boink,
Ya, I have re-thought alot of what type of knifes I carry in my pocket and tool pouches the last couple of years. I certainly have discovered that I prefer flat grinds at work, either in folders or fixed. Still love those slicers around home/kitchen.

Barry H

 

[Ed Fowler]

Joss: Who is Frank Richtig? Back in the dark ages of custom knives he was partners in a car dealership. Every night after work he went home and experimented with knives. One day he went to work and happily stated that he had developed a superior heat treat for his knives and he was going to make knives. He sold his half of the outfit out and became a full time maker. He figured how to make a knife that outperformed any of his competition and was able to communicate the functional attributes of his knives. In the 50's he was featured in Ripleys Believe it or Not.
He was a showman, put on cutting demonstrations at county fairs and the like. Most of his knives have aluminium handles, some had brass guards and pommels and leather spacer handles. All are excellent knives.
In my opinion he is one of the all tinme masters of our culture. He sold knives cheap, made a lot of them and they still out-cut most of the knives being made today. I cut my steak with one of his knives every day. I flexed one of his kitchen blades to 90 degrees for every visitor to my shop for years. Finally after numerous 90 degree flexes it broke and what is left of it now cuts my leather in my shop. He made great knives and in my opinion richly deserves a place in the Blade hall of fame.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Joss, A.G. also buys new knives from makers and sells them through The Cutting Edge. This catalog always features these knives on the front and back covers and sometimes on the inner pages as well.

 

[Joss]

Ed,

Thanks a lot, I didn't know anything about him. Keith, the knives I was referring to are clearly older pieces. I guess they're from specific collectors getting rid of all their XX pieces.

JD

 

[not2sharp]

there are some knives out there that have a design, materials, fit and finish that is comparable, maybe even SUPERIOR to many knives costing far more.

The most valuable knives are always going to be made by well known and popular makers. The broader market drives the price. But, having said that we shouldn't discount the qualitative side too readily. Every so often we come across a first rate knife maker that for whatever reason never bothered to develop a market. There is always a strong market for an attractive well made piece, and some of these can be had for reasonable prices.

This large camp knife was made by Roomies, a little known Florida maker. I don't know how to reach him, or even whether he is still around. But, those who have met him describe him as a retired master machinist who makes knives as a hobby and would probably tell any knife writer, collector, dealer, or show promoter to shove it. Not everyone sets out to make a big splash in the knife business, and some of these guys are very good.

n2s