Best custom under $700

People seem to really like Herman Knives lately. Word has it they are one of the only companies that can compete with Shiro. I believe prices start around $6-700.
 
Huge dependence on what you are cutting, wanting etc. there are some amazingly skilled people on the custom section but many are very different from the others, I just got a barax machete from David mary and it’s awesome but like the Shepherd said it’s so dependent on what you are looking for. YMMV
 
Folder - Ray Laconico ( performance and aesthetics ).

Fixed - dozens to choose from
 
That price point gets you everything real good out there. Not great but real good. For fixed I'll throw out Jim Behring
 
Stang Bladeworks Pyrenees. Table is $600

Awesome knife!

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Folder. I'd like a good quality knife that can do some work too. Something very good looking
 
What's your definition of "custom"?
Mine is a knife that is unique, either by its design, material used or decorations or a mixture of all 3. If there are 2 identical, then it's not a custom anymore, it could be a low production run, or limited edition, but not "custom". It couldbe commissioned, or bought outright, it could be handmade or not, does not matter, but it has to be unique.
I ask because everybody and their brothers and sisters seems to have their own definition of custom knives.
 
I think Medford has a lot of custom elements, some of their models are under 600. For a custom though, I think what you want is going to be closer to 1k across the board. Better to just get what you want instead of buying cheap and being unsatisfied.
 
Slice O Life said:
I think Medford has a lot of custom elements, some of their models are under 600. For a custom though, I think what you want is going to be closer to 1k across the board. Better to just get what you want instead of buying cheap and being unsatisfied.
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It's hard to tell because we dont really know what the op wants. I've seen, on this very forum, nice examples of custom(true custom) slip joint that come in under the 700 bucks mark.

If we're talking your typical 3"~3.5" bladed, PM steeled, pocket clip equipped locking folder, then a true custom made for that price would be hard to find, if not impossible; at least I'm not aware of any.

But you can get a very nice semi custom(I think they're called mid-tech nowadays?). Something like an Olamic Wayfarer, which come in so many different flavor that the possibility of running into someone with the exact same as you is about nil; and they appear well built, with a nice attention to details, and they come in just under the 700 bucks mark.
 
Floatingby said:
It's hard to tell because we dont really know what the op wants. I've seen, on this very forum, nice examples of custom(true custom) slip joint that come in under the 700 bucks mark.

If we're talking your typical 3"~3.5" bladed, PM steeled, pocket clip equipped locking folder, then a true custom made for that price would be hard to find, if not impossible; at least I'm not aware of any.

But you can get a very nice semi custom(I think they're called mid-tech nowadays?). Something like an Olamic Wayfarer, which come in so many different flavor that the possibility of running into someone with the exact same as you is about nil; and they appear well built, with a nice attention to details, and they come in just under the 700 bucks mark.
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It could be possible that op does not know what they want and are using this thread as a way of figuring that out for themself.
 
In my experience, slipjoint customs are less expensive than modern folders, but there are exceptions. You should be able to get a really good custom slipjoint for 6-700. These are with modern steels or dama, and premium covers (scales) in mammoth, etc. Customs come up all the time on the exchange.
 
I like the stang Pyrenees and I made one at olamic. I also checked out some Herman knives, ones like that.
 
Go to big online stores like DLT and Blade HQ. Set the parameters to custom and anything else you want and set the price range.

You'll get pages of stuff to look at. Otherwise you might as call directory assistance and ask what flavor of pizza you like best.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
In my experience, slipjoint customs are less expensive than modern folders, but there are exceptions. You should be able to get a really good custom slipjoint for 6-700. These are with modern steels or dama, and premium covers (scales) in mammoth, etc. Customs come up all the time on the exchange.
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As someone who has wanted an XL Sodbuster or single blade Trapper for years, I’d love to know which custom builders you’d recommend!
 
Floatingby said:
Olamic
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yes, I forgot about them. I only have 1 knife from them (CF/satin 247 Bowie), but it is one of the nicest in my collection. If someone said is was the best it would be hard to argue. I haven’t used it, but the geometry looks good, kind of like a PM2, and it’s in S90V steel.

They have endless combos of colors combos, different CF, blade shapes, holes, finishes, etc….it would be difficult to find 2 the same.
Really cool knife, and probably the most capable folder I own…not in an overbuilt way, but as far as how long it would cut normal things….not that it appears fragile in any way.

These start around $550. You can find some that are really pimped out for $700.
It’s not huge and it’s not small either, more of a mid-size. 3.5” blade IIRC
These are sort of a USA competitor to Herman knives
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