Budget Problem

My flameproof undies are at the cleaners so please don't take this as a slam. I have never handled a Carson or even a Carson-CRKT collaboration so why is a Carson so much more popular (on this thread) than a JW Smith, Lightfoot, Anderson, Ralph, Herman, Snoody, or how many dozens of other great folding knifemakers?
 
Originally posted by kamkazmoto
My flameproof undies are at the cleaners so please don't take this as a slam. I have never handled a Carson or even a Carson-CRKT collaboration so why is a Carson so much more popular (on this thread) than a JW Smith, Lightfoot, Anderson, Ralph, Herman, Snoody, or how many dozens of other great folding knifemakers?
Click to expand...

Handle one and you will see. :)
Nah. All those guys make great knives and you couldn't go wrong with any of them. It's just that Kit's knives are the perfect combination of tactical plus everday using utility wrapped in a very fair price backed up by his great customer service.
 
Personally, I disagree with the statement that Tim Herman is a has-been. I find him to be a superb artist whose knives have a fit and finish to rival anyone in the industry.
 
Agree with above - have all of above except for Lightfoot & Herman (have handled though!) and all great - Have 3 of Kit's from mid-nineties and they are every bit as good as anything produced today - he has been doing it for many years and doing it RIGHT and never let standards down or rested on laurels.

As far as Herman he is definitely NOT a HAS-BEEN! Maybe many other things including different(hehe!)
Think db was just poking a little fun at Tim.

Bill
 
Thought I'd offer up a new name that hasn't been mentioned, that's Andre De Villiers. In the past month I've picked up three of his, avereraging $450 to $575. His Pathfinder is a good looking, extremely functional EDC and his Mini Operator's are an extremely nice, well made gentlemen's knives.
 
How about Brad Duncan . His Whiplash is an awesome EDC . Striper28( Chuck)here on the forums makes a great knife for the money , not a big name ( yet) but a fine knifemaker .
 
Boy, I hope DB was just picking on Tim Herman. Tim's work is some of the most beautiful I've seen....and I believe sole authorship with gorgeous engraving and inlaying, etc. and I hear he's started doing some user grade knives as well. The guy has a ton of talent as a knife artist!
 
Yes Has Been Herman has started making user knives and from what I have seen they are just as nice as all the other knives he makes. He also has made a few Slivers around the $600 range, witch would be my choice at that price.
 
Easy now guys. The has-been moniker is just what we call Tim in chat.
It is in fact a joke. Tim even calls himself one (another joke), and samhell spends way to much time in chat anyway :D. (I consider both the bastids friends.)

Hint: Typically you do not have to wait 3 to 4 years after you order a knife from a real has-been :D.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming ;).
 
Bastid and DB are right, Tim and Kit are Has-Beens. Each of them has-been making exceptional knives for years. They are both great makers and great people to talk with and joke around with. Like Bastid (and Gus) always says, one of the best parts of collecting custom knives is the makers. That holds true here. I like having knives from makers I have met and gotten to know. It makes each knife mean a little more to me.

As far as quality compared to others, Kit's quality is top notch. I have owned knives from JW Smith, and the quality is definately matched. Both are amazing gentlemen to talk with and work with. There's a few makers around that I can buy a knife with there name on it sight unseen and know I am getting a high quality piece with exceptional fit and finish. These are 2 of those guys. Mike O is also working his way into that category. I don't know what they put in the water (or maybe it's something in the whiskey) in Kentucky, but there are some amazing folders coming from that state.

JR
 
You say you got $600 to spend?
Not to dis Kit (because I finally scored a fantastic #4 some time ago,
But you could ante up another $50 and buy TWO customs from Mike Obenauf--a small and a large #2. Think of it this way, you could have one in the front pocket as well as the back. If you have pockets, might as well fillem up:cool:

Barry H
 
I wish I could buy more than one but my wife says only one. I know, don't ask me to use logic on her. Her irrational mind is one of the things I love about her...most of the time. She can make the most amazing intuitive leaps of faith and logic to come up with answers that I can only dream of. Right now she is muttering something about exponential growth and only one knife.
 
All great suggestions. Staying under $600 in a do-everything folder I would say a Boguszewski Cobra. Top drawer fit and finish, distinctive -- not something you see everywhere, has gadget-factor with the flipper and floating stop pin. Just my .02
 
Wow, I can't believe no one mentioned Pat Crawford! Ok, I'll do it then...I'd choose a Perfigo or Wortac for an EDC...something by either Farid or Liong Mah would come in a close second :)

RL
 
Mayo, Emerson, Onion, and Carson have very long waiting lists. Obenauf can get you a knife in a decent period of time and at less cost. I'm waiting for a small model 2 framelock. I should be getting it in a couple weeks. Lightfoot does very good work also.
 
Here is a knife a has-been just finished. I guess Herman can still get a nice one out once in a wile. I have a feeling this may be a little more than $600, but worth a look anyways.
19283129.jpg
 
Well, ill put in a vote for a tac/utility knife by Aaron Frederick. His knives are sort of half tactical, half dressy, i love his satin finished recurve blade, the liner lock is surprisingly thick and well done and the fit and finish is as good as it gets. And talk about a smooth opener. His CF handle/blued damascus bolster models can be had for about $400 and look very nice to my eyes. I'm extremely happy with mine, in fact, happier with it at $400 than many other much more expensive knives i have owned (and traded/sold). He strikes me as a great value in custom knives. if you get the chance, check out some of his knives.

Heres a pic.

Fredrick%203PS%20Recurve.jpg
 
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