Custom Maker Suggestions.....

338375

338375

Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Messages
19,374
I have been considering having a custom trapper and a matching
large stockman done.. Nothing real fancy, probably 1095 blades, desert ironwood stocks and maybe light engraving on the bolsters.. Problem is I have never had a custom knife done before. So I am hoping some of you will have suggestions for makers that you have dealt with and possibly pics of knives they have done for you. Also like to know how they were to deal with.
Thanks Mike
 
I'm thinking 300-500.00 Thanks for the excellent link on makers. Even found some from Oregon that I didn't know about...
 
FWIW, I am currently having Ken Erickson make me a custom trapper (A-2 clip & warncliff blades, O-1 backsprings, SS liners & bolsters, and antique ivory Micarta scales) for me to match my BRKT Upland Special (also w/ antique ivory Micarta scales). Price is about $275-300 for this kind of thing from Ken. I can hardly wait to finally finish this pairing.
 
Bill Ruple or Don Morrow are two of the best slip joint makers I've ever seen work from but either of their knives will cost you more than you have budgeted also.

For the money you have budgeted there is only one name that I'd highly recommend. His work is perhaps as good as anyone elses and his fit and finish is the best of any I've held personally including Bill and Don. Contact Ray Cover. You won't regret it.

Bill Vining made some fine looking slip joints I saw on the forum by Bill Ruple and Don Morrow but I don't know what they were priced or if he still does them. His file work rocks and last time I bought from him his prices were still quite good.

http://knifeforums.com/forums/showforum.php?fid/43/

STR
 
Warriorsociologist said:
FWIW, I am currently having Ken Erickson make me a custom trapper (A-2 clip & warncliff blades, O-1 backsprings, SS liners & bolsters, and antique ivory Micarta scales) for me to match my BRKT Upland Special (also w/ antique ivory Micarta scales). Price is about $275-300 for this kind of thing from Ken. I can hardly wait to finally finish this pairing.
Click to expand...

That sounds like it will be a nice trapper, good price range too..
Would like to see some pics when you get it.
 
STR said:
Bill Ruple or Don Morrow are two of the best slip joint makers I've ever seen work from but either of their knives will cost you more than you have budgeted also.

For the money you have budgeted there is only one name that I'd highly recommend. His work is perhaps as good as anyone elses and his fit and finish is the best of any I've held personally including Bill and Don. Contact Ray Cover. You won't regret it.

Bill Vining made some fine looking slip joints I saw on the forum by Bill Ruple and Don Morrow but I don't know what they were priced or if he still does them. His file work rocks and last time I bought from him his prices were still quite good.

http://knifeforums.com/forums/showforum.php?fid/43/

STR
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I have seen some pics of Ray Cover knives. Looks like he does very nice work.
I will have to contact him, and go over what I'm wanting to do. Will also try to contact Bill Vining.. Thanks for the link too....
 
338375 said:
That sounds like it will be a nice trapper, good price range too..
Would like to see some pics when you get it.
Click to expand...


DOn't worry...when this set is comeplete, I'm not going to be bashful with it. :D I have a feeling that this little trapper, the Upland, and my GB SFA will make a nice trio.
 
Almost forgot to mention our T.A. Davison. He makes some spectacular knives at reasonable prices! :thumbup:

Another great guy to mention is Bob Ham. VERY affordable high quality knives! :thumbup:
 
Wolfgang said:
Almost forgot to mention our T.A. Davison. He makes some spectacular knives at reasonable prices! :thumbup:

Another great guy to mention is Bob Ham. VERY affordable high quality knives! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I found a few of T.A Davidsons knives for sale in the custom section.. Looks like he does really nice work and seem to be priced good also....
 
Be careful buying at this price point (200-400). Some knives are quite good, but there is a great range of quality. For example, I was at a gun show this weekend and looked at a $300 single blade slipjoint with gold lipped pearl and d2 blade. The inside of the liners and backspring were not polished, the nail nicked lacked definition, and it had a satin finish with no file work. There were visible tool marks on the tang and inside the liner. The pearl was good, but not excellent. Last year I bought an HK Parker (unfortunately he's now retired) with pearl and ats34 blades. The pearl was presentation grade, the whole knife was mirror polished, the inside and backspring was mirror polished, perfect nail nick and it had filework all around. Price was $200. Personally, I thought the price was low and should have been more like $300.

Remember, engraving jacks up the price and often its best to have the knife made by one maker and engraved by another. I'd suggest Gary Crowder at HC 61 Box 364, Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955 for the knife. His phone number is 918-775-5730. Do a search of these forums and you'll find some examples. I'd suggest Jody Muller at Muller Forge for your engraving. I believe his website is www.mullerforge.com. They are both nice people and will steer you in a better direction if they think it's in your best interest. Jody Muller occasionally posts in the custom forum.
 
brownshoe said:
Be careful buying at this price point (200-400). Some knives are quite good, but there is a great range of quality. For example, I was at a gun show this weekend and looked at a $300 single blade slipjoint with gold lipped pearl and d2 blade. The inside of the liners and backspring were not polished, the nail nicked lacked definition, and it had a satin finish with no file work. There were visible tool marks on the tang and inside the liner. The pearl was good, but not excellent. Last year I bought an HK Parker (unfortunately he's now retired) with pearl and ats34 blades. The pearl was presentation grade, the whole knife was mirror polished, the inside and backspring was mirror polished, perfect nail nick and it had filework all around. Price was $200. Personally, I thought the price was low and should have been more like $300.

Remember, engraving jacks up the price and often its best to have the knife made by one maker and engraved by another. I'd suggest Gary Crowder at HC 61 Box 364, Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955 for the knife. His phone number is 918-775-5730. Do a search of these forums and you'll find some examples. I'd suggest Jody Muller at Muller Forge for your engraving. I believe his website is www.mullerforge.com. They are both nice people and will steer you in a better direction if they think it's in your best interest. Jody Muller occasionally posts in the custom forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and the links brownshoe.. I agree that a person needs to do their homework when entering this price range. I have seen some knives made by people who claimed to be custom knife makers, and the workmanship can be very disappointing to say the least.
 
338375 said:
That sounds like it will be a nice trapper, good price range too..
Would like to see some pics when you get it.
Click to expand...

Here you go Sir (pictured with the BRKT Upland Special it was made to match):

1174583844-P1010020.JPG

a little closer:
1174583914-P1010029.JPG



3 3/4 closed
A2 clip and warncliff with standard nail nicks
O1 backsprings
416 .032 liners and 416 bolsters and pins.
Antique Ivory Micarta scales
stainless badge shield.

By Ken Erickson (ne6359@mwwb.net)
 
I also had the same question a while back, and I decided on Ken Erickson. He had some really nice reviews from people after they received their knives. To me he keeps things simple, no file work, etc., which is what I wanted. He has been very nice to work with too, and let me make a lot of inputs. Price range was about 265. I am going for a 4" single spring congress - still deciding on scales, and with a spear blade and a coping blade. For opening letters and boxes only !

Ken said a few weeks ago when I ordered that it would be around June, as he had 6-7 knives in line. I also thought it was interesting that he was a gunsmith for years with his own shop - so he had a lot of related experience, but his prices are still pretty low now I guess since he is making his name. I can't wait to see what arrives in June!
 
I will second the choice of Gary Crowder. He has really advanced his making with the addition of some fabulous filework he has started on his knives. His work just continues to improve and he uses first rate material for all his work.
 
Ray Cover would be impossible to beat for the trapper pattern, but he doesn't do stockmans.
 
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