Custom Knife Makers: Disasters

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Oh, I forgot, it was included in the price of admission! :D

or am I wrong?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steve,thanks for the kind words by the way,I am still trying to get Manabe to put down his gold clubs long enough to get his ass over and make some steel.
Be safe all
Dave
 
Hi Dave,

I was right you are too heavily invested in Emersons. His fixed blades are "Man Killers". :foot: :D

One name for you: Walter Brend

Now that is the finest tactical fixed blade in the world. As well the best investment currently available for a tactical fixed blade. Emerson's fixed blades aren't even in the same class. They are not even in the same class as the tactical fixed blades by RJ Martin, Jim Siska, David Broadwell, John Fitch, Jim Crowell and Jerry Fisk.

Wannabe hype is no substitue for performance.

WWG
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
One name for you: Walter Brend

Now that is the finest tactical fixed blade in the world. As well the best investment currently available for a tactical fixed blade. Emerson's fixed blades aren't even in the same class. They are not even in the same class as the tactical fixed blades by RJ Martin, Jim Siska, David Broadwell, John Fitch, Jim Crowell and Jerry Fisk.

Wannabe hype is no substitue for performance.

WWG
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There is no dang best ANYTHING. You just listed the knives that you are familiar with. Dave might like Emersons, you like Brends' knives. When you pronounce a "Best" like that, you sound like Cliff Stamp. :barf: Personally, I won't touch a brend, either. That is my opinion

Me, I like Crowder, Dawson, Denning, Lovett, Lum, Mosier, Nealy, and Bob T. for my tactical knives. Each has a strong suit. If I had to pick one of the best for using, it would be Dawson, been making them for years, and I have yet to hear bad words about them. Price is hard to beat.

Not even gonna try to touch the investment side of it, as my "investment" knives tend to run along the lines of Busfield, McBurnette, and Osborne. It isn't an investment until you try to sell it, until then, it is a "pricey bauble". :D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Ellis said:
I also have great respect for Phill Hartsfield and his work.
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Care to elaborate? I've only had a chance to handle some of his knives, but never met him. He was oddly scarce at the last Vegas show, at least when I was there.

I just didn't see where all the money was.
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Hi Dave,

I was right you are too heavily invested in Emersons. His fixed blades are "Man Killers". :foot: :D

One name for you: Walter Brend

Now that is the finest tactical fixed blade in the world. As well the best investment currently available for a tactical fixed blade. Emerson's fixed blades aren't even in the same class. They are not even in the same class as the tactical fixed blades by RJ Martin, Jim Siska, David Broadwell, John Fitch, Jim Crowell and Jerry Fisk.

Wannabe hype is no substitue for performance.

WWG
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Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone's got one! :foot:

Every maker makes their own type of knives. What they are good for can vary as widely as the styles do. The term "tactical" is about as loosly defined a term as can be.
 
Kohai999 said:
1. Hartsfield is the ABSOLUTE KING of SELF PROMOTION, so a comparison to Emerson, and his prices, is totally unfair, and unrealistic. You could not give me a Hartsfield, I would wipe my butt with it.
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Give it to me! I Love Phill's work, and man -they cut like crazy. More so than any other knife I own.

We have a lot of choices when it comes custom knives which for the most part this is a very good thing. Not everyone will agree on what marker they like best (or what kind of food they like, vacations, or cars etc...) Like my Uncle once told me about buying art: "Buy it because you love it, that way if it doesn't go up in value, you won't be upset." The same can be said of custom makers because some are the real deal, some get hot for a while, and some fall away. Just like any market, there are good buys, bad ones and alot of trends.

Thanks,
Scott
 
Hi Steven,

Someone has to make the best. In the case of the tactical fixed blade it is Walter Brend. I would put his work up against anyone's. You spend 25 years working on basically one style of knives, you're going to get real good at it.

His tactical fixed blades are also excellent Investmenst. As you say, the proof is when you go to sell it. Buy one and see how long it takes to sell it for a profit.

As well Walter actually does all the work on his knives. The same cannot be said for other makers in this conversation.

WWG
 
Hi Steve,

So I guess your opinion would follow the same A$$hole logic?

Like it or not the term "tactical' is now a marketing term that does define a category of knives. Primarly satin or bead blasted blades with some type of synthetic handle material that is usually black.

WWG
 
Kohai has it right. Phil Hartsfield master of self-marketing. Nothing wrong with that.

I'll never forget that photo in Knives Illustrated of Phil putting down his "prayer rug" in his back yard so he could meditate.

As of about two years ago he brought his son into the business. So I don't know how that is working. Is Phil doing all the work any more or not?

Phil makes an extremely sharp knife. Then again you can get an RJ Martin which is sharper, better made, better materials at about a 1/3 of the cost. However, RJ cannot put part of your soul into the blade like Phil can.

Bob Lum is given credit for popularizing the Tanto in the US. Phil gave the "Japanese" look his own spin and created the Japanese "tactical" market. You have to give credit where credit is due.

WWG
 
Hi Steven (Kohai),

One last thing. It is not that I am familiar with just the makers I listed. I have owned knives from every maker listed in this thread. So when I give an opinion (and I understand that is just what it is). It is an extermely educated opinion.

WWG
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Like it or not the term "tactical' is now a marketing term that does define a category of knives. Primarly satin or bead blasted blades with some type of synthetic handle material that is usually black.
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Says who? Would you say then that a Hartsfield is not a "tactical" knife? It isn't bead-blasted or always black.

Plus, how many "tacticals" actually have a real satin finish, and I don't mean a belt finish either.
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Hi Steven,

Someone has to make the best. In the case of the tactical fixed blade it is Walter Brend. I would put his work up against anyone's. You spend 25 years working on basically one style of knives, you're going to get real good at it.

His tactical fixed blades are also excellent Investmenst. As you say, the proof is when you go to sell it. Buy one and see how long it takes to sell it for a profit. WWG
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Calling BS on this one WWG. First of all, no someone does not have to make THE best, it is a subjective statement, not an objective one. Ferrari is not THE best sportscar, just one of THE best. That is why the wise kingmakers in any industry say "arguably, the best", which would be an accurate statement in this case. I like Rolex, it is the watch for me, but a real watch "purist" will scoff at the mention of the name.

Now I supposedly met you in the flesh at Blade, and am willing to accept that you are knowledgeable and have been around the block. It is still an opinion, when Les introduced me to you, he did not state that you do this professionally, so at this point, you and I are on the same strata, where we are coming from. I have been in this game for 20 years, some of them professionally.

Tattooing is my training, although I have not done it professionally for a few years. I have known tattoo artists who work in the same style for 30 years and STILL suck. My point here is that time invested doing a craft does not automatically equal desireable skill. I know many knifemakers who have been doing this for a long time, and make AT BEST fairly boring knives.

I am not saying that your opinion is wrong, I am saying that you are putting your ass on a plate for no reason. You have no reason to diss Dave's choice of Emerson (for the record, I can't stand his stuff, at least not the chisel grind). And you have your reasons and opinions for liking Brend. You, Dave, Paul Basch, Julie Hyman, Scott Moore, Neil Ostroff, Dave Harvey and Tommy Clark might all have different views on tactical knives or you might all peaceably agree.

The closest statement that I can come to making in certainty(opinion) is that Larry Fuegen is one of the top 3/most talented knifemakers alive right now.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Hi Steven Roos,

Actually I put Phil's knives in a seperate category, I called them Japanese tacticals. Yes, he does use synthetic materials, nylon boot strings for his handle wrap...black.

As for hand rubbed satin finishes, makers such as David Broadwell, Jim Siska, Schuyler Lovestrand, John W Smith, Tim Herman, Brian Tighe and some others Im sure I am fogetting have all made "Tactical" knives with hand rubbed statin finishes.

Phil on the other hand uses the finishes that is provided by the factory, about a 40 grit finish.

WWG
 
Hi Kohai,

I appreciate you looking out for me. Someone or something is always the best. That is not to say that others won't have an opinion and may be able to make an arguement for their someone or something.

We now return you to the concept of this thread. :D

WWG
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
You want a great investment, start buying knives by Kit Carson. Knives made by someone who actually was in the Military and not just pretended to be.


WWG
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WWG - I think this is one of the most interesting statements in this entire thread. The whole idea that a maker has been in the service and that somehow makes his knives more "tactical" is fascinating to me. Kit's service is indisputable, and he presumably learned from it in designing his knives. But Ernie, who never served a day in uniform in his life, is riding the "tactical" train by listening to those who did. His best design, the CQC8, was directly designed by former SEAL Chris Carracci, whose input resulted in a great tac knife. On the entirely other end of the spectrum is REAL DEAL SEAL John Richter, who makes knives that couldnt be less tactical (although I wish I could buy one!). One of your favorites, Don Polzien, has similar credentials without getting the tac recognition. In the end, I don't think uniformed service necessarily results in a better tac knife, but it sure is important in their sales.
 
For those that do not know my partner Ed Wormser and I put on the Vegas "Tactical Invitational".Walter Brend was kind enought to attend out first show as did many other top Tactical professionals.Phill Hartsfield was invited to the 06 but is too busy.
We tried to invite the best and most popular but it is tough as I agree,there is no best,it is your personal interpretation of best.
If you have ever used a Tactical knife than you know that a Hartsfield or Emerson cuts like the dickens,are they the prettiest knives made,are they the the finest in fit and finish (come on now,you guys know what is in my collection).Are they functional tools designed for their purpose,absolutely.
I also like Strider Knive's,I do not think that I am alone.As for knives that lose value,I try not to buy or sell them but no one can read the future so I use my years of experience buying,selling,making to try to pick the good newbies and continue to amass the "investment knives" of today.
You can argue all you want but the bottom line is do they sell knives and do the knives that they sell work.

Steve,give me a call sometime,perhaps we can hookup,I know that you are close to me.
Dave
 
I agree with Bravo about not having to be in the military to make a good tactical knife.Anyone with knowledge of knife use and who has handled a good knife knows what makes that particular piece work,the handle shape,blade flow,ergonomics,etc.Being in the service does not make you any better or worse a knifemaker,research,use and others real life use and input and repeatable results do.
I know some great ex-military makers,I also know some who are making crap.
Very simple,you don't like it.do not buy it.Most makers that have withstood the test of time are still here for a reason,i do not think that is for the hype surrounding them but for the many folks using their quality products.
Comparing makers is an interesting exercise but in the long run it is the product that speaks volumes and I carry a Hartsfield daily,can I afford to carry a better knife?of course,could I make a knife to carry,of course,I choose to carry a Hartsfield,just like I choose to carry a Kimber of my USP Compact,all a matter of taste (by the way I like rolex and I also like Patek).In Auto's I drive Mercedes and Porsche,are they the best,who knows,do I like them,yes,just one
mans opinions.
Dave
 
Hi JBravo,

My point was not that you have to have been in the Military to make a good tactical knife.

My point is that much of what surrounds Emerson is the hype with his association with the SEALs. To the point I have seen Ernie sporting his BDU's at the SHOT Show. Also the fact that there are those out there who think Emerson was a SEAL or somehow ever served day one in the military.

I was just setting the record straight for those who did not know.

Also, not only making but using knives. Somehow people think that even the elite service members somehow are knife experts, they are not.

It is just my opinion, I get annoyed by those who try to show some association with the military and law enforcement as a marketing tool. I have sold knives to all branches of the military and most of the ABC Law Enforcement orgainzation. This gives me nor the knives I sell any special abilities. Nor does it make me a soldier or FBI agent by association.

Hi Dave,

You have chosen some excellent knives for your collection.

Since you listed Strider. How do you think his misrepresentation about his military service is going to affect the sale of his knives. I know most military types do not take kindly to those who misrepresent themselves. The first time I met Mick he told me that he had been a Marine Corp Sniper. Not only was he not a sniper he was not even a Marine (according to his DD-214 [Military Service Record]), he was in the Army.

I have never owned one so it will have no impact on my collection. Just wondering your thoughts on how this will help or hurt his standing not only in the knife community but as an investment.

WWG
 
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