• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Crossing Over to Customs

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
6,642
I'm thinking of taking the plunge into the world of custom knives. I have many production knives in my collection. Some of which show fantastic quality and superb fit and finish. But I have no customs. I'm curious. Will I see and feel a difference ? I don't expect the blade to glow blue or anything (get the reference ?). But will a custom folder be a noticeable cut above my trusty Manix2 ? Only one way to find out.

I'm not looking to go crazy and blow $2000 on a custom knife. But maybe between $600-$700. Sniper Bladeworks has caught my eye. So has Spartan Blades. Hinderers look beautiful too aside from the flipper (which I hate). So I'm looking around and doing some research on customs.

And if I decide it's just not for me after I own one for a while then I can always sell it on the exchange. So why not ?
 
The answer of whether you will be able to spot and tell the differences between a custom and a production depends on who your buying a knife from. I will NOT name names but not all custom knives are created equal. In some cases you will find that some custom makers provide a superlative product that you will appreciate all its intricacies and be amazed at a handmade knife being so precise while on the flip side some "custom" makers make knives (and I use that term loosely) that barely pass as prison shanks. The problem I am seeing lately is many makers are adopting the distressed look. Sometimes good makers use acid washing and other techniques to offer a cost effective artistic flare to a piece. Others use it as a crutch to cover up a lack of skill. If its a new unknown maker and they are primarily making acid washed and tumbled fixed blades and friction folders I am a bit weary. My recommendation to you is to catch a decent custom knife show that has not only makers but purveyors as well so that you can see a wide variety of blades under one roof. Also remember that to have a true appreciation for an exceptional custom you must have a certain amount of experience with knives as many "green" collectors still clinging to the budget mindset just dont get it yet. But your interest in such things may just mean you at the point to be able to appreciate them. The key for you will be patience. DONT SETTLE. Done just get any custom because they are the flavor of the week maker or because its a deal and you think anyone on the forum will be impressed with your purchase. Buy the knife you really want and dont be afraid to wait for it. A good knife is easy to find. A true keeper is a little harder to find for some.
 
My full-ti sniper is the smoothest blade i own! It's an absolute beast of a folder. Unfortunately as of late, the secondary market has not favored SBW. Youll be able to sell it an recoup some cash, but you wont get back what you put into it. The only customs i see that appreciate in value are folders made by master/popular makers. However if you dig the LPC design, i say go for it. Knowing that the piece is more of a user than an investment inclines me to just use it more. I say go for it


Edit: i dont think spartan blades and hinderer count as customs. Maybe mid-techs at best. Rick hinderer does make custom XM-18/24s, but theyre all worth well over a grand
 
Last edited:
Didn't you just post a thread about this and wound up ordering a Brian Tighe?

John W. Smith

/thread
 
I've considered the custom plunge myself (specifically folders) but can't seem to get there. My problem is that I keep finding production blades that I must own. There is so much quality and variety in the production market that I currently find my knife fetish satisfied by the production market. Could change in the future.
 
I like customized knives as well as custom knives. Difference in quality? Compared to some high end productions, maybe. Cutting performance? Depends on the steel and ergos. Then again, custom means that you should get what you exactly want. Take the plunge and see if it suits you.
 
Check out Tobin Smith, i got a knife from him about a month ago and just love it.
The wait isn't to bad and i got exactly what i wanted, a 3.5" M390 blade with a FFG blade and anoed three piece TI back spacer and thumb stud for 325.00, an amazing value. IMHO
You can get it built excactly how YOU want it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top