Custom knife makers

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rockrewls

Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
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Who are the best custom knife makers for lock backs and liner locks?
And again what steel should a guy use, I now know that 420v and cpm10v are the best for holding an edge, but I have been told its almost impossible to sharpen them is this true? I have also been told that cpm10v will rust quite quickly, where stainless is allot more maintenence free. Some ideas gents
Thanks
 
This question may have no answer! It would be difficult to simply name the BEST folder maker out there. There are so many makers that are producing exceptional knives right now that you would just have to handle examples from each to determine whose is "best" for you.

From my perspective, and this is because I've handled knives from these makers, John W. Smith, Kit Carson, Mike Obenauf, Pat Crawford, and Charles Marlowe make some of the best custom linerlocks and framelocks I've ever handled.

The only reason I don't mention other makers is because I've not had the oppurtunity to handle their knives. I KNOW there are many more fine makers out there!:D
 
I agree Art I guess my question should have read who are the better liner lock and back lock custom makers out there???
Dale
P.S. I enjoy the scriptures in your sig
 
I don't have any custom lockbacks, so no opinions there.

I assume by "liner" locks, you mean a Michael Walker-style liner. (No framelocks).

From those I have personally handled and owned, the following come to mind:

Kit Carson, Andre DeVilliers and Phil Boguszewski are the three that come to mind. All three make folders that have consistent, near-perfect lock-up and are a pleasure to deal with. (No tantrums, no BS and no rip-offs).

There are many, many others that make fine linerlocking folders of course. Some have designs I don't care for, others have designs I actually like better than those by the three mentioned.

These three all make superior knives for regular carry. If you can find a Carson or Boguszewski, buy it. Andres can make one on order for you in a very reasonable time frame.
 
rockrewls :

[420v and cpm10v]

...I have been told its almost impossible to sharpen them is this true?
Click to expand...

Not if they well suit the tasks of the knife and it was ground accordingly. Ease of sharpening is mainly determined by the suitability of the steel for the chores the knife will be used for and how well the knife was ground to match the properties for such work.

Specifically the steel should have the necessary strength, toughness and corrosion resistance and the edge should have the minimal geometry to give the necessary durablity, with a primary edge relief grind to aid in ease of sharpening.

For example CPM-10V would make a horrible large chopping knife as it is veyr low in toughness and ductility which are required for that type of knife. This would mean the edge is prone to chipping unless the steel is left softer than optimal (which gives up edge retention), or the edge is ground very thick which makes sharpening more difficult and greatly lowers cutting ability.

-Cliff
 
Custom lockbacks? I know I'm leaving out some very fine makers, but off the top of my head: Jess Horn, Frank Centofante, Bailey Bradshaw (one of the few makers to work in CPM 3V), W.D. Pease, P.J. Tomes, and Joe Kious. Frank Centofante and Bailey Bradshaw are the only two makers actually represented in my collecton, at least for now.
 
Try and get yourself to a custom knife show and handle examples of some of the names mentioned above. It's a highly personal decision as to feel of the knife, and handling them will reveal the right one. Just bring a decent wad of cash because you might like more knifes than you thought.
 
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