Best custom knife maker?

scorpnsnake said:
So where do customers land that say "Make me something you feel like making and have fun, no stress". Absolutely no input on size, shape, colors or materials. Would this be fun or even more annoying?
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I personally like that. I don't mind a little input up front, but want to retain my creative freedom. I feel like the best outcome is when a buyer offers a bit of input in the way of loose parameters then lets the maker run.

I have a regular that will email me something like this: "Could you make me a hunter with 3.5" to 4" blade. I'm looking for a darker handle material. I like walnut, koa or ironwood. Fishing in the gulf with my brother for two weeks. Talk soon. Take care."

That's perfect for me. I don't mind a good, repeat customer to be more specific on details and profiles but it needs to be done upfront and not changed 5 times in the middle. And a good collector will solicit and consider the maker's experience and recommendations.
 
J. Doyle said:
I personally like that. I don't mind a little input up front, but want to retain my creative freedom. I feel like the best outcome is when a buyer offers a bit of input in the way of loose parameters then lets the maker run.

I have a regular that will email me something like this: "Could you make me a hunter with 3.5" to 4" blade. I'm looking for a darker handle material. I like walnut, koa or ironwood. Fishing in the gulf with my brother for two weeks. Talk soon. Take care."

That's perfect for me. I don't mind a good, repeat customer to be more specific on details and profiles but it needs to be done upfront and not changed 5 times in the middle. And a good collector will solicit and consider the maker's experience and recommendations.
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Full creative freedom, that's exactly what I call it. That's always what I ask for on the first one from a new to me Maker. After that one, minimal basic input like the intended purpose, but always prefer to leave most of it to the creative mind.

Two firm rules. Never change anything during the process unless a decision is requested by the Craftsman. Never, I mean ever, rush a creative mind. Here's the only response they'll get about time concerns. "She'll be ready when she's ready, no stress".
 
Thiess08 said:
Hi, I was wondering if you guys know of any really really good custom knife makers? Makers that can make a knife that is tough as nails and can work with stuff like 3v or Elmax or any super steels? They would have to be able to make a knife that I request custom if possible? Thanks!
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Here is one of the very best makers there is. I think he knows “cash is king”( which is to say it’s your money, get what you want) and wants to build your dream knife.IMG_0680.jpeg
 
scorpnsnake said:
Full creative freedom, that's exactly what I call it. That's always what I ask for on the first one from a new to me Maker. After that one, minimal basic input like the intended purpose, but always prefer to leave most of it to the creative mind.

Two firm rules. Never change anything during the process unless a decision is requested by the Craftsman. Never, I mean ever, rush a creative mind. Here's the only response they'll get about time concerns. "She'll be ready when she's ready, no stress".
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In the western world we call that slipping the bridle and turning em loose. After quite a few years of doing this deal both knives and leather items, I've become leery of certain things. As soon as someone sends me a picture and says can ya make it just like this guy did? My answer is no, why don't you get him to make it for you, that's his design. The other one is, make it just like your so and so but a little wider here, a lil longer there and so on. I run away from this, fast. Been bit lots on that deal. Won't do it anymore
 
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Monofletch said:
i don’t know about your taste, but Robert Erickson and Dave Mary are at the top of my list! I has one of my Erickson knives with me right now in Glacier NP
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If I were going to suggest someone that might be a viable option, Bob Erickson is who I would suggest you reach out to.

I can't speak for Bob on what he will or won't make but can say with certainty he offers a wide array of styles and sizes and materials.

He works with many new steel alloys and heat treats them meticulously. His fit and finish are excellent and I'm at a loss thinking of anyone else who can offer as much bang for your buck.
 
Soooo...if i was to send a maker a detailed and dimensioned multi-view CAD drawing along with a 3d printed prototype, you're saying it might not be well received?
 
edgelion said:
Soooo...if i was to send a maker a detailed and dimensioned multi-view CAD drawing along with a 3d printed prototype, you're saying it might not be well received?
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Depends. If you send it to certain countries, you'd be able to buy your design from three different brands by weeks end.
 
Blues said:
There is no one best maker. There are many unbelievably talented makers...and we are fortunate that many of those have a presence here.

The best way to find the "one" for you is to know what you want, including materials and features, and a price range.

Then ask specific questions to be guided to makers who can hopefully fulfill your wants at a price that fits your budget.
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100%
 
Thiess08 said:
Hi, I was wondering if you guys know of any really really good custom knife makers? Makers that can make a knife that is tough as nails and can work with stuff like 3v or Elmax or any super steels? They would have to be able to make a knife that I request custom if possible? Thanks!
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Knives like that are already out there I think. Do you have some special need that requires a custom creation?

Or do you just want something that is special to you . . .which is as good a reason as any.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Full creative freedom, that's exactly what I call it. That's always what I ask for on the first one from a new to me Maker. After that one, minimal basic input like the intended purpose, but always prefer to leave most of it to the creative mind.

Two firm rules. Never change anything during the process unless a decision is requested by the Craftsman. Never, I mean ever, rush a creative mind. Here's the only response they'll get about time concerns. "She'll be ready when she's ready, no stress".
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I think this really sums it up.
 
I shifted my mentality on customer input recently and have become more receptive to working with them on design input, within reason. I still won't make a blatant copy of someone else's design, but I may incorporate features that the buyer wants. I have also modified my own designs to suit their wants (like enlarging the handle or lengthening the blade.) Previously I made what I made and that was that.
 
cbach8tw said:
I like it when a customer has a few ideas to make it special but leaves it up to the maker to interpret and add their own style.
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That's exactly what I do, as a customer. I share my idea, and my maker makes his interpretation of it. I choose materials for the handle and, from the steels my maker are confortable working with, I choose one.
 
navman said:
I shifted my mentality on customer input recently and have become more receptive to working with them on design input, within reason. I still won't make a blatant copy of someone else's design, but I may incorporate features that the buyer wants. I have also modified my own designs to suit their wants (like enlarging the handle or lengthening the blade.) Previously I made what I made and that was that.
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I had done something similar once, where I asked for thinner blade stock and a longer handle, and keep the overall shape of the blade, but left the final touches up to the maker. I had a Mike Mann ( Idaho Knife Works ) Cumberland in elk, but the handle was a little short so I was grasping the brass bolster for a good grip, so I asked Aa forge ( before he got really busy and famous ) to make a similar shape with the thinner stock and longer handle. The top knife in the first pic is the reinterpretation, I believe with cocobolo handle material and more of a coffin shape.IMG_0373.jpegIMG_0425.jpeg
 
cbach8tw said:
I had done something similar once, where I asked for thinner blade stock and a longer handle, and keep the overall shape of the blade, but left the final touches up to the maker. I had a Mike Mann ( Idaho Knife Works ) Cumberland in elk, but the handle was a little short so I was grasping the brass bolster for a good grip, so I asked Aa forge ( before he got really busy and famous ) to make a similar shape with the thinner stock and longer handle. The top knife in the first pic is the reinterpretation, I believe with cocobolo handle material and more of a coffin shape.View attachment 2967668View attachment 2967669
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Very neat bunch of steel...👍
 
Noblie Custom Knives said:
Hi everyone! We’ve put together a list of more than 80 custom knifemakers from around the world, including photos of their work and contact details. The list keeps growing, and we’d be glad to add more makers — please feel free to reach out if you’d like to be included.
Alain Miville-Deschênes, Aleks Nemtcev, Alexis LeCocq, Antonio Montejano Nieto, Antonio Fogarizzu, Ariel Salaverria, Audra Draper, Ben Abbott – American knifemaker and Forged in Fire champion, Bertie Rietveld, Bill Vining, Bill Tuch, Bob Kramer – best known for kitchen knives, Bob Loveless – one of the most famous custom knifemakers, Buster Warenski – known for some of the most expensive knives, Chad Kennedy, Dave Kelly, David Brodziak, Dellana, Des Horn, Deryk Munroe, Don Cowles, Don Morrow, Dr. Fred Carter, Dusty Moulton, Enrique Peña, Emmanuel Esposito, Francesco Pachi – knifemaker and knife photographer, Gaétan Beauchamp, George E. Dailey, Gil Hibben – president of the Knifemakers’ Guild, Glenn Waters – knifemaker based in Japan, Gustavo C. Vilar, Harumi Hirayama, Heather and Kevin Harvey, Henry H. Frank, Hidetoshi Nakayama, Howard Hitchmough, Jack Busfield, Jerry Corbit, Jim and Joyce Minnick, Joe Szilaski, Joe Kious, Johan Gustaffson, John W. Smith, Johnny Stout, Josh Smith, Jurgen Steinau – custom knifemaker specializing in futuristic knives, Kaj Embretsen, Ken Onion, Kyle Royer – knifemaker and popular YouTube blogger, Lloyd Hale, Loyd McConnell, Michael A. Tyre, Michael Jankowsky, Michael Vagnino, Michael Walker – best known for folders, Mike “Whiskers” Allen, Mardi Meshejian, Nico Pelzer – South African knifemaker, Noblie Custom Knives, Owen Wood – founder of the Southern Africa Knifemakers’ Guild, Ray and Ron Appleton, Ricardo Vilar – Brazilian knifemaker, Rik Palm, Rudi Zirlin – knifemaker from Israel, Shaun and Sharla Hansen, Stan Wilson, Stefan Steigerwald, Stephen Olszewski, Stephen Vanderkolff, Steve Hoel, Steve R. Johnson, Thomas Haslinger, Tim Herman, Todd Begg, Tom Overeynder, Tony Bose, Tracy Mickley, Van Barnett, W.D. Pease, Wolfgang Loerchner, William (Bill) Burger.
The list is constantly expanding! You can see the full version here: Custom Knifemakers List
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I'd put DrT -- David Taber on there for sure.
 
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