<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro:
I recommend going to a knife show and handling a few customs before you buy one so you can have a better idea about them. You might even get your first custom at such a show if you can get to one.</font>
This is excellent advice that I would mirror. Only one problem ... the more well attended the show, the quicker you must react or the knife will be gone later.
You won't know why I say the following until you go handle a hundred or more tactical folders at a knife show (seriously, you can play with that many):
Kit Carson's work is super-precision and top quality, starting with heat treat of blade, and going into fit/finish and action. His designs are conservative, but this is an attribute, as he's eliminated the BS and boiled things down to the essential. This is a good thing.
David Broadwell's stuff is flat-out amazing in so many ways. His LDC-107 is my favorite tactical folder out of many.
JW Smith and Joel Chamblin do outstanding work with actions and designs also.
I dig Darrel Ralphs EDC, his attention to using great steel with good heat treat, and his integral lock in general.
Greg Lightfoot does nice work also, and has some appealing designs.
Bob Terzuola has some really core designs and great fit/finish. Don't let his personal style irritate you at a show...
Hit a big show and stop by a big tactical folder dealer's table. Highest on list to see (dealers) is Les Robertson's or his LDC partner Bob Neal's booth. You can handle a bunch of great tactical folders and decide for yourself whose fit, finish, action, lockup, and designs suit you best.
Only then will you understand why I say this: Elischewitz and Crawford are very over-rated.
I really dig Bob Dozier's fixed blades. I understand his concept....high quality, high performance usin' blades at a great price. IMHO, his folders, however, while possessing the same blade steel, are unrefined ... and my money stays in my pocket.
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If you don't understand the above after visiting a knife show, then congratulations...you can buy almost anyone's work and be pleased with it.
That sounds arrogant in type/text, but I don't mean it that way. Some people are discerning, others can drink cheap beer and be happy (my Dad buys wine in the gallon boxes for $5, for example and is content). Unfortunately, I can tell the difference and it costs me money.
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 02-07-2001).]
I have bought and enjoyed many of the factory folders and custom makers' production versions of their knife designs, but have never taken the plunge and bought a full custom folder. I obviously like tactical folders, can I get some suggestions as to what would be a good first custom purchase? Which makers are the most patient with new customers?
