Buying a Custom Knife

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Maximus2016

Joined
Jul 19, 2016
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Hey all, I've gotten a lot of advice just from reading blogs on this site, but figured it's time for my first post...

So I'm in the process of getting a custom knife made, but not sure if the company I'm doing it through is legit. I've seen that a lot of knife maker's won't charge you until the knife is ready for shipping so you can view in-progress pictures of the knife being made to make sure you're 100% satisfied prior to purchase. I'm working with Bliss Knife Works to get a custom Damascus steel knife made (yes I know there is a lot of controversy over what really is Damascus nowadays) but I am being asked to pay up front without seeing a single drawing or concept design on their part. I did provide a picture of pretty much exactly what i want the knife to look like with a few small changes, but is this normal or should I get out while I can?

Thanks in advance for your help!!
 
I checked out the Bliss web site. They go to great lengths to talk about making damascus, but I could never ascertain whether they actually make it........or cause it to be made off shore. My personal first red Flag! Next, I would not pay any amount to any maker in advance unless it was a very small amount to cover special materials required for my individual knife and that those materials were not of a kind that is in general use among knife makers. Second red Flag!

Third, I've been around quite a long time and this is the very first I've heard of Bliss. They have a lot of testimonies posted on their web site...but it is THEIR web site so positive testimonies should be expected, but nothing negative??? Another red flag! Also the testimonies nearly all deal with superb qualities, how about customer service and satisfaction for that service?
Build and shipping times etc.???

You are on the right track by seeking information outside their web site given by actual customers not on their web site.

My conclusion, which is completely personal, is that I would not place an order and pay in advance period!

Paul
 
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they speak of damascus many times on the site, but they do not mention its composition, or its source. they mention materials sourced from "all over the world". the damascus looks pakistan-ish but i cannot be positive. the knives seem very inexpensive, usually a good billet of damascus will cost as much or more than one of the knives.
 
They are quick to point out the knives are all designed in Indiana by the Bliss family but then do not mention the source of materials or place of manufacture. This is a very common tactic of importers who are working with a factory abroad (even if they hand forge the blades (which bliss does not claim they do) it'll still be a factory. I'm 99% sure this will be the case here.

This is not to make a comment on their quality (hell in Longquan china there are beautiful $10,000+ mastercrafted hand made swords that are gifted by the Chinese government to international heads of state and $20 stamped stainless wall hangers coming out of the same factory). Unfortunately bliss does not disclose their manufacturing method nor materials so it's not really fair to comment on which part of the spectrum they are in.

In any case it seems clear that they normally deal with their standard models which are likely usually in stock or on continuous order, which seem to have (at least some) happy customers. My speculation is they asked their factory how much to do a 1 off multiplied that by their standard profit plus a little extra for the trouble and since the factory wants payment up front they do too. So it actually probably won't matter the quality, ethics, etc of the Bliss family who you get to deal with but the ethics, business, stress, of the factory owner/manager in India/Pakistan/China/? who will get around to making this one off knife for one of his customers.
 
don't pay up front.
 
I found this on their website under FAQS...

"We found that knife in Damascus steel made from a family friend in Pakistan. Today, while all our knives specifications and designed are done in the US, we use our friends family business to hand forge the steel and produce our blades. This relationship has allowed us to maintain high quality steel and cost affective pricing. No one can touch our prices with matched quality!"

They are NOT made in the USA......they are made in Pakistan.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
Yeah they just gave me the invoice, $200, but wait! They're running a discount, so I only have to pay $160! Definitely one of those "too good to be true" deals that means I need to back out now. Thanks guys. I was thinking I'd pay around $500 for this knife, but that's just a stupidly low amount of money.
 
That being said, I am now back in the market to buy a custom knife. Problem is, I don't have a maker. That company was the only one to respond to my emails...anyone have a maker they'd recommend? I'd prefer to work with S90V, not a Damascus blade. I can give knife specs if it helps narrow down a maker.
 
If i take a commission I only require a deposit if its a large order, and the deposit is only to ensure i have all the ingredients i need to start the making process. Pictures or videos as requested. If everything is up to your standards payment is made and the next business day (when the post office is open) the shipment is sent out with insurance. Cheap damascus from pakistan is giant mystery steel. But you never know maybe youll wind up with something good!
 
TK Steingass, Spencer Clark, The Hansons, Jac Wild, Dan Graves. Many others here who do fantastic work. Not much need to look beyond the Forum.
 
If you really want a custom knife there should be good communication with the maker. The design, dimensions, handle and blade materials , etc Stay away from vague responses or unanswered questions .
 
From the about us page

"Mystical Strength
Damascus steel is known to cut through rifle barrels and is capable of holding such a sharp edge that even a free falling hair would be cut in half across the blade"

And since their Damascus is from Pakistan that is another good reason not to buy.
 
As a maker, when someone asks me to make a custom order, and then they show me a photo of someone else's work, my first question is why not have that guy make it?

Finding a maker whose style you like is key, watching what folks are making over on the for sale forum is a great way to find a good maker. It will also give you an idea of price. Some makers may charge more for custom work. Think about letting the artist have some say though, you'll be glad you did.
 
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