better than custom?

[joeyabs81]

Greetings everyone,
I just wanted to get some feedback on an issue I've been debating. I am a pretty young guy with a a huge collection of production and semi-custom or mid-tech knives. I particularly enjoy CR knives and William Henry knives as they comprise my EDC list. However, I wanted to know if buying a $400 or $500 would be a logical progression in the evolution of my knife collecting and EDC rotation. Or should I just be content with what I have? Are customs really that much better? I'd appreciate some input on the subject matter. By the way, just as a matter of curiosity, if anyone owns both a folder from CR and WH, which do you think has a more outstanding quality?

 

[Dr sharp]

Im at the end of my knife collecting journey....ive had a ton of knives, some custom and some production...but after owning a sebenza, i dont even look at anything else any more.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

The whole idea of customs is that they are extremely individual. The term is often used for handmade knives from one maker in his own shop, although technically it should refer to a knife at least modified from one of his basic designs, to suit the particular customer's interests.

This is something you have to see and touch to decide. Knife shows are a great way to compare the different styles and levels of quality.

There is no benefit to owning a knife simply because it costs more, of course. You might be disappointed in some customs by comparing them to Chris Reeve or William Henry knives.

 

[spyken]

There is no benefit to owning a knife simply because it costs more, of course. You might be disappointed in some customs by comparing them to Chris Reeve or William Henry knives.

agree fully with that statement. However, I believe Mike Obie's customs do not disappointment, at about the same price range as a sebbie, at least not to me.

 

[Architect]

Greetings everyone, I just wanted to get some feedback on an issue I've been debating. I am a pretty young guy with a a huge collection of production and semi-custom or mid-tech knives. I particularly enjoy CR knives and William Henry knives as they comprise my EDC list. However, I wanted to know if buying a $400 or $500 would be a logical progression in the evolution of my knife collecting and EDC rotation. Or should I just be content with what I have? Are customs really that much better? I'd appreciate some input on the subject matter. By the way, just as a matter of curiosity, if anyone owns both a folder from CR and WH, which do you think has a more outstanding quality?

Did I miss something?
Chris Reeve regularly sells "semi-custom" knives costing up to $875.
William Henry regularly sells "semi-custom" knives costing as much as $1700.

If "sole authorship" is important to you, move away from "semi-custom" knives.
If quality and design are important to you, it really doesn't matter how the knives are made.

If individual friendships are important to you, well, I would argue that "customs" are no different than "semi-customs". I have had numerous discussions with both Chris Reeve and Matt Conable, and truly, I have found them more accomodating of my individual requests than many so-called "custom" knifemakers.

 

[ARtsig1]

Here is my take on the question. If by better you mean more precisely built and held to the tightest tolerances possible, then it is hard to get better than the Sebenza. I've ridden this road between Sebenza's and customs for several years now and that is what I've finally concluded. I've had customs that cost more than the Sebenza that did not have the fit and finish and mechanical tolerances that you find with the Sebenza. I've also, recently, found some customs in the $500.00 range that match the fit and finish, and mechanical tolerances the Sebenza is so famous for. Not better.....but matched. The customs do give you more opportunities for different finishes, different steels, blade shapes, handle materials, and such. Not that you don't have a lot of choices with the Sebenza as far as the handle material (wood inlays), and the CG designs that are available.

I've quested for years to find the "perfect' knife for me, of course no such knife exists nor will it ever. , but to get close is nice. I've found that the precision of build; the tight mechanical tolerances, is one of the more important aspects to me for the knife I intend to carry and the Sebenza has those exact qualities........of course there are several custom makers who also provide that.

I've often answered posts that ask "What would you do to improve the Sebenza", and my answer always has been to do a few things that would make the knife more appealing to me, but not make the knife any better than it already is.

I don't currently carry a Sebenza. I do carry a Rick Hinderer Firetac EXTREME. Why?, because it has those more appealing things I wanted my Sebenza to be; thicker and longer blade, thicker titanium slabs, tip up or tip down carry, ambi-thumb disc. Is it a better knife than the Sebenza? For what I wanted I would say it is, but I would also say that as far as the precision of build and tolerances are concerned it is no better than the Sebenza.

I hope that is not too confusing , and i hope I haven't put my :footinmou. I guess in the end you will just have to decide what it is you are looking for and then go for it!!

 

[Adi]

I have 3 Chris Reeves and 1 William Henry.I wish I had 4 Chris Reeves!