Buyers regret.....

orthogonal1 said:
Customs are a bit of a die roll.

Some are great, but an awful lot are inferior to factory production.
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Now THAT depends on who you are dealing with.

I can tell you categorically that the Mayo, Carson, RJ Martin and Elishewitz knives that I own are FAR better than the production counterparts.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
orthogonal1 said:
That's the "some."
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Well, then you should have mentioned them specifically, and since that is the "some" who are your "better in production knives" makers? Generalizations suck!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Generalizations suck?

Welcome to humanity. We cannot know every (place anything in here you want), so we must generalize. Generalization allows decisions to be made; for without it, we would forever be saying "but..." or "if..." That is why many scientific statements start out with the proverbial "In general, ..."

I've had some less well known maker knives that were inferior for one reason or another. Of course they were not the pricey, well known makers such as those you listed. Fit and finish were not as good as Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, etc. Heat treat failed the test of time in others.

"Custom" does not denote quality, just as price does not. Comparing the production versions of a knife to the highly experienced custom version is not a fair example. There are hundreds of custom makers who never achieve recognition.

Instead look at all the little known, small custom makers and ask yourself if they are better than the middle range ($100-200) factory knives. Equal grinds, etc.

As for names, look at some of the comments made about this years blade show in the makers area. I'll not list the few names I remember (live, learn, forget the particulars when possible - i.e. let down and money wasted).
 
orthogonal1 said:
Generalizations suck?

Welcome to humanity. We cannot know every (place anything in here you want), so we must generalize. Generalization allows decisions to be made; for without it, we would forever be saying "but..." or "if..." That is why many scientific statements start out with the proverbial "In general, ..."

Instead look at all the little known, small custom makers and ask yourself if they are better than the middle range ($100-200) factory knives. Equal grinds, etc.

As for names, look at some of the comments made about this years blade show in the makers area. I'll not list the few names I remember (live, learn, forget the particulars when possible - i.e. let down and money wasted).
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1. It is cowardice, and of no contribution, to make generalized statements such as you did above, and then, when challenged, say "I'll not list blah blah". It makes your whole statement null and void, when you could offer something of value.

2. What determines if a maker is "small, and little known"? How many knives a year are we talking about? Would this be an experienced, part-time maker with a good paying job, or a full time maker, just starting out?

3. Comments from the Blade Show that I remember are in the Custom Knife section, under this thread:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408502

I'll ask a direct question O1, how many custom knives do you own now, and how many have you owned in your lifetime? The answer to this question will seperate if you are a wannabe or if you actually know what you are talking about.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Take the personal attack to the W&C please. BTW, I don't rile that easy.

I do not keep track of the number of knives I've owned. Sorry. Just not that important to my existance. Has to have been more than a couple of dozen, though (folders only in that count, as fixed blades are much less expensive). I usually divest after reaching a certain amount (thirty or so). I've since learned to mostly look (or try to).

My most recent forray into the custom world involved mostly under $150 knives (cheap stuff, no?). Fixed blades. Of those, I found only two I worth keeping. An Ingram and a SURSUM. The rest went as gifts or were sold off. Don't own any more. Selling my folders (as well as other non used toys) helped pay some bills.

"Small and little known" - Currently I bid (feel free to outbid me) on a Larry Brown knife - never heard of the gentleman before. Pictures look nice. Have you heard of him? Any factory versions of his blades? In a decade after his untimely demise, will anyone pay a premium for one of his knives?

Did have a Happy Jack knife for a while. Nice knife, great pattern. But how many chant the Garlitts greatness. He passed on, and so went his history.

You may notice that in the Blade Show post it was observed that quality was down and prices up.

"Wannabe" Wannabe what? Never claimed expert status, just opinion based upon my experience. Unfortunately, life has not given me the time nor funds to become expert.

That is one reason I read here, to gain information.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Take the personal attack to the W&C please. BTW, I don't rile that easy.

I do not keep track of the number of knives I've owned. Sorry. Just not that important to my existance. Has to have been more than a couple of dozen, though (folders only in that count, as fixed blades are much less expensive). I usually divest after reaching a certain amount (thirty or so). I've since learned to mostly look (or try to).

My most recent forray into the custom world involved mostly under $150 knives (cheap stuff, no?). Fixed blades. Of those, I found only two I worth keeping. An Ingram and a SURSUM. The rest went as gifts or were sold off. Don't own any more. Selling my folders (as well as other non used toys) helped pay some bills.

"You may notice that in the Blade Show post it was observed that quality was down and prices up.

"Wannabe" Wannabe what? Never claimed expert status, just opinion based upon my experience. Unfortunately, life has not given me the time nor funds to become expert.

That is one reason I read here, to gain information.
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1. It was not a personal attack, I meant what I said. It does not belong in W&C, believe me, I spend enough time there.

2. I did not ask you how many knives you owned, I asked you how many CUSTOM knives you own now, and how many you have owned in your lifetime. "Wannabe" referred to custom knife collecting "wannabee" as opposed to someone who has had enough experiences with custom knives as a WHOLE to compare and contrast them with factory knives with any degree of believability. It is relatively easy to become experienced with factory knives, just go to a knife store or sporting goods store, and play with everything they have until they throw you out.;)

It is a lot more difficult to become educated about custom knives. AFA your comment about Garlitts or Larry Brown, I can't find either one of them mentioned in the Knives Annuals. If a maker does not go to the trouble to have their name listed in the Annuals, I encourage all potential buyers to not buy. I also encourage newbies to purchase from ABS or Knifemaker's Guild members, so if you get treated badly, you have some recourse in your follow up.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
And I meant what I said.

That was the number of customs (topic of discussion).

Both Garlitts and Brown are listed in Levines. I spent a bit of time researching Happy Jack, which is why I remember the name (though I suspect he manufactured and was not a custom maker; but still a good value IMO and I wish I could have kept it and others). Being a guild or society member is akin to being a member in a club, it does not denote quality, just interest. The world does not revolve around them.

I don't collect, else I would keep. Nor did I claim being a collector. I attend as many events as time and money allows, and when I run into someone who is willing to show me there knives, I am more than happy to examine. I look, handle, etc., just like most people who have an interest.

Don't read more into statements than is actually there.
 
The main buyers regret (back to the topic) that I have had was with Ka Bars folding Warthog- loved the shape, warthogs are regarded as well made fixed blades, good steel and price- horrible handle, lock, ergonomics. Debating making a handle for it- kind of like a kit knife. Pretty much the only one I can think of for now (other than looking at my cash left and regretting not being rich)
 
shaldag said:
Yeah, and of course you will probably go back and get the 710 as well.
:D
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Everyone has buyers regret like this, and the above gentleman's post usually reflects the outcome that happens to me.

LOL!
 
allenC said:
I'm not that sure that the 710 has a wider blade than the 520.
Does anyone have both knives and can compare the width of each?
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My cheapie calipers say 1.05" for the 520, my 710 is 0.99" at the base of the blade. Despite being a recurve the blade continually narrows because of the spine drop. At what visually is the fat point in front of the recurve (widest amount of "below the midline" blade) it's a hair over 0.85".

So yeah, the 710 is actually significantly less wider than the 520.

I love my 520, it's a great utility blade.

I presume my love for the 710 goes without saying. :D
 
Nick,
Thanks for the info.
So, we see that the 520 actually has a wider blade than the 710--so no need for "buyer's remorse" due to a narrow blade.
 
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