Custom Fixed-blade vs. Custom Folders

There are numerous reasons why folder collecting is more popular.

First off, you can actually carry your $custom$ folder to work, in your pocket and show your friends. A large bowie might draw a crowd of people wearing blue.

A fine folder collection can fit inside a briefcase. They are easier to store, ship and trade.

Like most people, I was attracted to folders first. I incorrectly assumed that a folders more numerous parts made it more difficult to make and therefore more "advanced". Boy was I wrong. Most custom folders are no better than many high end factory knives in the performance area. They do look and feel a lot nicer though.....
 
There are numerous reasons why folder collecting is more popular.

First off, you can actually carry your $custom$ folder to work, in your pocket and show your friends. A large bowie might draw a crowd of people wearing blue.

A fine folder collection can fit inside a briefcase. They are easier to store, ship and trade.

Like most people, I was attracted to folders first. I incorrectly assumed that a folders more numerous parts made it more difficult to make and therefore more "advanced". Boy was I wrong. Most custom folders are no better than many high end factory knives in the performance area. They do look and feel a lot nicer though.....

That's interesting, as one would expect to get better performance and quality in a custom.
 
Here are a few of my favorite folders. I think for me, the bolsters on folders really add to it all. Not on these specifically but in general. I like the double bolster option and when It comes to mosaic damascus, there is never enough room for more. . It seems that folders are more diverse in terms of shape and theme, but I could be wrong. Take some of these wing shaped folders for example (one of the Parkers and the Dunkerly).

Rick Dunkery. I love this folder.
RickDunkerly6.jpg

Cliff Parkers Blade 07 folders
CliffParker27.jpg

This one of Don Hansons has a special shape to me, not sure what it is.
HansonBrLp.jpg


I have to say I hardly have any fixed blades saved on my computer but all this bowie talk is really starting to have an effect. I own a mini Pronghorn by fowler but thats the only one at this point.
 
Two of my favorite folder makers are J.D. Smith MS and Wayne Valachovic MS retired.
Jim Treacy

J.D. Smith Collection:

1003.jpg


Wayne Valachovic Collection:

Valachovic006.jpg
 
Here are a few of my favorite folders. I think for me, the bolsters on folders really add to it all. Not on these specifically but in general. I like the double bolster option and when It comes to mosaic damascus, there is never enough room for more. . It seems that folders are more diverse in terms of shape and theme, but I could be wrong. Take some of these wing shaped folders for example (one of the Parkers and the Dunkerly).

HansonBrLp.jpg


I have to say I hardly have any fixed blades saved on my computer but all this bowie talk is really starting to have an effect. I own a mini Pronghorn by fowler but thats the only one at this point.

I like double bolsters too, and they also help at times in utilizing that drop-dead gorgeous piece of ivory, that otherwise my be just a little too short.

I love the damascus on the above Hanson piece. :thumbup:

Even though folders are starting to interest me, I still love the forged Hunters and Bowie's and always will. At best, my folder collection will remain limited in quantity, focused and only what I consider very special pieces.

Jim, I'm as impressed with your folders as with your fix-blades. I hope to see your whole collection some day.:)
 
That's interesting, as one would expect to get better performance and quality in a custom.

Most high end factory knives have better locking mechanisms than the liner-locks and frame locks on the typical custom folder, for starters. Les would disagree, but then again he is in the business of selling the stuff..

It depends how you define quality. "Prettier" yes. Better materials, sometimes.
Rarely better engineering or function from a strength or features perspective.
 
Most high end factory knives have better locking mechanisms than the liner-locks and frame locks on the typical custom folder, for starters. Les would disagree, but then again he is in the business of selling the stuff..

It depends how you define quality. "Prettier" yes. Better materials, sometimes.
Rarely better engineering or function from a strength or features perspective

Good information Anthony. I'm really interested in other's opinions as your post brings us to very close to the same question as my Damascus thread, so now the question is "Custom Folders - Functional Knives or Just Art?" I hope we can get opinions here :confused:
 
Most high end factory knives have better locking mechanisms than the liner-locks and frame locks on the typical custom folder, for starters. Les would disagree, but then again he is in the business of selling the stuff..

It depends how you define quality. "Prettier" yes. Better materials, sometimes.
Rarely better engineering or function from a strength or features perspective.

I can relate your point "Rarely better engineering or function from a strength or features perspective" to custom motorcycles as they are great as "Art Objects", however If I'm going to drive on the interstate at 70-80 mph and risk hitting a pothole, I want the factory engineering and R&D a factory frame provides, rather than a beautiful custom fabricated frame with perfectly smoothed welds that a motorcycle artist has built.
 
I admire the craftsmanship and beauty of a quality high end folder, but they have just never really captured my imagination the way fixed blades have. I'm not really sure I can even articulate why. I am occasionally very tempted by a higher-end damascus folder, but invariably start pondering the type of bowie(s) that money could buy and invariably back away.

I'm sure I will succumb one day, but it will likely be from a maker that forges his own steel as I still prefer sole authorship in a knife whether it bends in the middle or not. Makers whose folders I have consistently admired include Don Hanson, Bailey Bradshaw, Shane Taylor, Ed Caffrey, Ron Newton and Rick Dunkerley. There are probably a couple others I am forgetting.

Roger

Dunkerley:
orig.jpg


Bradshaw (Ari's pic):

orig.jpg


Bradshaw:

standard.jpg


Newton:

orig.jpg


Taylor:

orig.jpg


Roger
 
To continue Roger's list of beautiful ABS forged folders here's a few from;

Jerry Fisk:
847707712_eb1c313f4b.jpg


And Steve Dunn:
Engraved_Dog-Dunn.jpg

Damascus_FolderDunn.jpg
 
Ed caffrey is another maker of forged folders. he makes some really fancy ones, but a favorite of mine is the Progression II.

progressionii.jpg
 
It's funny how all of these custom threads center around forged knives. I dare say some of the truly most desirable custom folders do not have forged blades. Or did Tony start forging ATS-34 and D2:D
 
It's funny how all of these custom threads center around forged knives. I dare say some of the truly most desirable custom folders do not have forged blades. Or did Tony start forging ATS-34 and D2:D

I don't know that there's anything funny or otherwise about it. It's just my preference - and that of some others. So why not show us those ATS-34 folders that you fancy?

Roger
 
Jim - gorgeous knives, man. I dodn't even know J.D. Smith did folders.

Keith - I like that Caffrey Progression. I also like the stuff he does at the fancier (and more colourful) end of the scale:

orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Roger
 
Two of my favorite folder makers are J.D. Smith MS and Wayne Valachovic MS retired.
Jim Treacy

J.D. Smih Collection:

1003.jpg


Wayne Valachovic Collection:

Valachovic006.jpg

WHOA!!! Now THAT is a collection!!! I always loved the shape of Mr. Valachovic's knives.
 
Roger, JD makes great folders and straight knives. The second knife from the left was the first true custom knife that I purchased. It has a 5" 5 bar damascus blade, matadon, mokume and filework, it's still my favorite folder.

"Mastadon Madness"

JDSmithMastadonMadness007.jpg


Here's my entire JD Smith collection:

JDSmithCollection001.jpg


Joe, Thanks for the compliment. Wayne made some great knives and some great damascus.

Don, You makesome great folders yourself, as well as straight knives.
Jim Treacy
 
Here's one from Hugh Bartrug MS retired. His damascus, fossil walrus tusk and mokume.

Bartrug2.jpg


And an interframe from Mel Pardue. Jerry Rados damascus, mokume and lapis insert.

MelPardueAuto001.jpg
 
I don't know that there's anything funny or otherwise about it. It's just my preference - and that of some others. So why not show us those ATS-34 folders that you fancy?

Roger


Perhaps funny wasn't the best choice of words, but I suspect you knew what I meant:rolleyes: In case you didn't...what I meant was that custom slipjoints are greatly sought after and relatively few of them have forged blades. On the other hand, almost every thread about custom knives tends to gravitate toward forged blades and I find that especially odd (interesting) in the context of folders. What I'm learning (observing) here is that there apparently is a large group of people who consider forged and custom to be interchangable and synonomous with one another and I'm making a note of that:D
 
Durwood,
Like Roger I prefer damascus. I also like mokume and various ivory . Everyone collects what they like. Here's a slipjoint from Al Pendray MS, Wootz, Ivory and mokume:

Valachovic001.jpg
 
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