Considering first custom - need help

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
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I was pondering buying a special sebenza, price range around $650.

But I thought, maybe I should consider a custom. So here are my requirements:

Locking folder with 2.5 to 3 inch blade.

No recurve period.

No artsy fartsy knife, might consider damascus but must be tasteful.

Something like a robust gentlemen's knife preferred.

No need for fileworked spine etc.

Must have pocket clip that's well engineered, not something attached as an after thought.

Must without question exceed the quality in materials and precision of a sebenza.

Should be available "off the shelf" if possible, I don't want a "Newt Livesay" or "Allen Blade" experience.

Otherwise I'm open to consider most anything. I'd appreciate some suggestions, thanks.
 
Dave,

Since you are a big Sebbie fan, the closest thing to your ideal knife might be a Scott Cook small Lochsa whan they are released. It will mean a wait, but will be worth it. Drop him an email and get on his list. It would only make sense that the former Shop Foreman from CRK will have the experience and know how to do as fine a job as CRK (better IMO), only at a custom level.

Other than that I agree with the recommendation of a Carson. I would also add in A.T. Barr. Every one of the knives I have handled from these two gents was perfect. Both class acts as well, you can't go wrong.
 
I haven't handled a Carson for a very long time, but I almost bought
one at the time. Thanks for that.

I've have handled A.T. Barr, a long while back as well. I thought he made just fancy stuff lately.

I'll go poke around knife art.

Thanks.
 
Kit Carson or John W. Smith are a couple of makers who immediately spring to mind. You couldn't go wrong with either.
 
I think I handled the model 4, and I liked it. He also had a grooved Ti handled one that outdoor edge made in their style as well. I believed a REALLY liked that one.
 
All those mentioned are good choices, here are a few more. Tom Mayo, Scott Sawby and Bob Terzoula.

Good luck, I bet your gonna have fun choosing.

Win
 
Carson, Mayo, Cook -- all mentioned and all good suggestions. $650 should pry a knife from any of those makers out of someone's hands. I wouldn't even look at production knives in that range. Just my .02
 
I would definately echo the carson statement. If you like the the framelock style, try the collaboration with Kit, Jody Carson, and Mike Obenauf. I have one and love it.

If not, Mike O makes a great framelock in his own right. His model 2 framelock is a great folder.

Here is the pic of my Carson framelock

JR
 

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Mike O, JW Smith, Mayo, and Carson. Cook would definitely be up there, but he doesn't make one small enough.
 
Smith or Mayo. I've had an Obenauf, and in my humble opinion, he's not quite at the level of those makers (of course that's a sample of 1 - probably not representative). I'm sure Carson is up there, but my experience is too limited.
 
I just picked up a Crawford KFF and love it. But I'd highly recommend a John W. Smith Evolution. True North has a few I've been eyeing. I have one of Smith's recurve blades, the fit and finish are impeccable, and it ain't so fancy shmancy. It's a fine user.
Darrel Ralph's wait is not so long, and he makes very solid, well-designed knives. An EDC might be right up your alley.
 
For $650, I'd definitely go for a folder with a fancy mike norris stainless damascus blade, titanium bolsters and mammoth ivory scales. Try True North knives or knifeart....
 
I agree with those that have posted !

A small Carson M4 would fit your bill to a "T."

JW Smith small framer or small Evolution, or Obenauf small anything, or a small Mayo TNT are several others that you can't do anything. . .but win with.

Might also want to consider a Charles Marlowe Slimeline. Very nice !

And ya might wanna take a look at the "Gent's Folder" that Bob Lum puts out.
 
Glad to see Gig mentioned Bob Lum. I picked up a chinese folder from Bob in atlanta this summer at Blade. It's a wonderful knife. The fit and finish is amazing. Plus, Bob is a wonderful guy to do business with.

My favorite part of custom knives is the people. The majority of the people listed in this thread are amazing folks to deal with. I can highly reccomend Carson, Obenauf, JW Smith and Bob Lum as very reputable folks to deal with.

JR
 
JR. . .did you get a "Chinese Folder" with the flat or radius scales ?

I’ve got a "Lum Chinese Folder" on order. . .and can’t wait. . .the drooling is killing me ! :D
 
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