Considering first custom - need help

Well I have way more things to consider.

Job well done everyone. I appreciate the suggestions. It's likely I'll put some more time into reseraching this.

Question to those that have a Lum, does the oversize nail nick
really work as a one hand opener?
 
I forgot a very, very important requirement.

Do Carson or Lum knives have a central blade bushing so you can tighten the blade pivot tight, keeping the lock fit and action independent?

I can't stand a knife that you have to futz the the pivot to get the lock or action to be right.
 
First thoughts were:

Mayo, JW Smith, or Hinderer. No specific order. Hinderer - you can almost get two plain Jane gent size folders for $650.
 
DaveH said:
I forgot a very, very important requirement.

Do Carson or Lum knives have a central blade bushing so you can tighten the blade pivot tight, keeping the lock fit and action independent?

I can't stand a knife that you have to futz the the pivot to get the lock or action to be right.
Click to expand...

That's a question I'll leave to the makers. My Carson Model 4 and auto(:D) both lock up like bank vaults.

I'm not sure why I would want to play with the pivot. Are you looking for a "gravity" blade? Are you just wanting to make it very stiff and hard to open? Maybe you're thinking of stopping blade wobble like you see on some factory knives?
 
Taking into consideration all of your requirements.... kinda like the Dodge/Hemi commercial, can you say 'Mayo'? :cool:
 
If you like the the framelock style, try the collaboration with Kit, Jody Carson, and Mike Obenauf. I have one and love it.
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Seconded!
I just got my second-hand C2O. It is a sturdy great user. I love it too. :cool:
Do Carson or Lum knives have a central blade bushing so you can tighten the blade pivot tight, keeping the lock fit and action independent?
Click to expand...
There is no central blade bushing in both my Carson's M16 & C2O.
 
My point is I DON'T want to have to mess with the pivot.

Sooner or later in knives without a blade bushing (IME) will fall out of critical adjustment. And it's difficult to get them back in adjustment.

I thought about Mayo, but I didn't like the design of the Buck/Mayo.
 
Kevin Wilkins uses a Sebbie style bushing pivot and his work looks very nice indeed. (I don't own one) and I believe Scott Cook also uses one for his Lochsa.
 
DaveH said:
I I've have handled A.T. Barr, a long while back as well. I thought he made just fancy stuff lately.
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It sounds like you haven't visited my Gallery in a while. You'd be surprised with how many user knives I make. :D

Stay Safe,

A.T.
 
DaveH said:
Question to those that have a Lum, does the oversize nail nick really work as a one hand opener?
Click to expand...
Yes it does. It provides plenty of purchase for the flesh of the thumb to dig in and open the blade. have several folders with the large nail nick and I've never had an issue using it.
DaveH said:
Do Carson or Lum knives have a central blade bushing so you can tighten the blade pivot tight, keeping the lock fit and action independent?
Click to expand...
Talk to Bob. He's now using a solid bearing in the pivot. Not sure if it'll do what you're asking.
 
My JW Smith Evolution is as smooth and precise a folder as I can imagine. It has a recurved blade, which falls out of your criteria, but he has other models which can be found at the sites of reputable internet dealers. If you're willing to go to the maker, rather than buying "off the shelf" I'm sure he'd be willing to make one to your specs. Highly recommended, and available at far less than $600.

I happen to like the Buck 172, although it took a little while to get used to the sharp angles (unradiused edges) on the frame. While I've never had the pleasure of handling a real TNT, I understand that they have more rounded/smoother frames and that the blades are ground from thicker stock than Bucks's version. Something to consider if that addresses your concerns about design.
 
I've pondered real Mayo knives on and off for quite a while. The ones I tend to like are the earlier ones, that uh, look like sebenzas.

I've pretty much eliminated the Lum I was looking at because after thinking about it carefully it actually reminded me of and was close in dimension to a Mnandi.
 
Scott Cook. I got a chance to handle one of his knives and found it every bit as smooth as a Sebbie but a lot friendlier in my hand. :footinmou
 
I haven't been around much lately, but Carson or Mayo are both very good.

I'm think you might be able to talk DDR into making what you want..or is he too "not custom" to mention here?


Steve-O
 
I too would highly suggest JW Smith or Obeanauf and would also throw out Chris Smith (JW's son) and JL Williams. I have at least one knife from each of these makers (3 from JW though) and they all have perfect fit and finish, I couldn't ask for more in a knife.

I was once a die hard Sebenza fan, that was until I bought my first true custom which was a JW Smith large Evolution recurve. I was totally blown away by it and have since added two more JW's and once of his sons (who takes after his father when it comes to knife making). The Williams and Obenauf knives are just as good and I was just as impressed when I received them.

I don't think any of these knives use a pivot bushing like the Seb ( I don't know of many makers that do) but they all have perfect action and great lockup with no play at all. All of these knives have better action then any of my Sebs ever did. I will say that the Seb still is the best for a tear it down yourself, clean it up and put it back together without any fuss knife. In every other way I much prefer my customs and I don't regret going with them for a second. The action on all of these knives have remained perfect since I've gotten them. Maybe someday I will have to fiddle with my EDC a little (small JW Smith scimitar) if the pivot loosens up over time, but I'm fine with that because in every other way I prefer these knives.

Take your time to decide what you want. I've had a couple of knives pass through my hands from other makers that did not measure up in fit and finish IMO. They wern't bad, but there was one or two small flaws here and there. I expect more then that from a high end custom and I have found perfection with these makers

Let us know what you end up getting, I'll be curious to find out. I enjoy carrying a nice custom with me every day, I'm sure you would too.

(oh, one other maker whose knife was very impressive in the fit and finish catagory was a Bob Dozier folding hunter. Ended up selling it because it just wasn't my style, but the knife was perfection just like the others)
 
I've considered Doizer knives, the only one I like is the small folding hunter.
 
DaveH said:
I've pretty much eliminated the Lum I was looking at because after thinking about it carefully it actually reminded me of and was close in dimension to a Mnandi.
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, which one was this? Bob makes several in the size you mentioned.
 
This one on truenorthknives, it sure is a beauty, but from a functional and size perspective, a Mnandi seems like it would be similar.

BL2822.jpg
 
That's the one I was talking about. :D

I've been eye-ballin' that particular Lum folder for quite some time now ! :eek:

That is sooooo cool ! :)
 
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