Custom knives for $50? What's going on here?

B

browningsilver

Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
29
So I was searching on ebay and found TIMURKNIVES with hand-made knives from Ontario Canada....the prices seem too good to be true. I've been doing some internet window shopping on custom knives lately and they typically price around 250-300 dollars. I nearly made a purchase the other day, but now I'm not sure what to think. There is a store link and strange youtube video associated with it as well. I contacted Jason, the owner of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft, and asked if he knew anything about them. He replied that he didn't, but said that the prices did seem a bit unusual for the level of quality. He suggested that I post the question here to see if anyone might be more familiar with their work.

[No eBay links!]




Thank you!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"Handmade" in Pakistan. There are a number of such knives such as CFK and ASH who market such products on ebay.
The sayings "Too good to be true" and "You get what you pay for" come to mind.
 
They're just Chinese/Taiwanese knives.

That's why "Timurknives" is a faceless entity and not a custom builder with a physical presence.
 
Another one is Grizzly Blades; I've seen it all over instagram with "too good to be true" prices FWIW...
 
Besides the price disparity, how do you tell the difference and avoid being fooled? Apparently, the guy had mostly really good reviews from buyers and only a few negative ones.
 
To the OP, I think the only way we could know is to get reviews from trusted members of BF.
 
abcdef said:
To the OP, I think the only way we could know is to get reviews from trusted members of BF.
Click to expand...

Excellent point. When we don't know the reviewers, they could be fake reviews. Or they could be well-meaning reviews by people who have no idea of real quality and are happy with their new display piece.

Incidentally, Timur is a Central Asian name. The most famous was Tamerlane. That suggests Pakistan.
 
Absolute garbage.
Seriously, they're made from old scrap metal and rancid bone probably picked from a garbage can.
Then the garbage can is thrown into the melt.
Stay far away if you're looking for a working knife.
 
Any time you have a sterile blade, particularly for a custom it should be a tipoff. I mean who doesn't put their name on a blade?
 
Badhammer said:
Any time you have a sterile blade, particularly for a custom it should be a tipoff. I mean who doesn't put their name on a blade?
Click to expand...

Chris Reeve for one, and quite a few established custom makers do not. I've seen many, many custom knives from reputable makers with sterile blades, and a lot with no external markings whatsoever.

Im not saying these knives are good or bad. Ive never heard of them, so I can't say. I'm just saying that sterile blades are no indication of quality whatsoever.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Incidentally, Timur is a Central Asian name. The most famous was Tamerlane. That suggests Pakistan.
Click to expand...

Ding, ding, ding! Esav is correct! Tell him what he's won, Don Pardo!

Pakistani, if not one of the other "'Stans." Dont know what their quality is...but I would guess Pakistan is the "Sheffield/Toledo/Seki City/Solingen" of them.
 
Hard Edge knives has fixed blades for around $50, differential heat treat, nice looking. It is possible.
 
crom said:
Hard Edge knives has fixed blades for around $50, differential heat treat, nice looking. It is possible.
Click to expand...

If you want an inexpensive hand made fixed blade, Hard Edge Knives gets my vote.

There are a few other makers on here that fall into the affordable category.
 
I have some really nice smaller 3-5" custom knives that are in the $50 range in variety of steels. Not all makers are in it for the money. I don't think I'd buy a custom off eBay though unless known maker.
 
There are some stupid cheap knives from Pakistan on Ebay. It's mind boggling how after materials, labor, and shipping a profit can still be made.

[We don't do eBay links, sorry]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Looks like wall hangers to me, all show but no go. Stay clear, too good to be true is always a good rule of thumb, especially with no real viable way to research the makers.
 
Man, for that price, it is almost worth it to at least try it out. Your only out like 30 to 50 bucks, not like being dooped for a 300$ fake
 
Read the seller's feedback, several report the blades breaking. What do you save if the product fails?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top