Custom or Production?

C

coloradospyderco

Joined
Jun 10, 2014
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134
I prefer production knives. My favorite designs are production and I believe you can get great quality knives from companies like Spyderco and Benchmade with fantastic steels and cutting performance. My favorite production knife? Spyderco Paramilitary 2 because of design, functionality, looks, and quality materials. What do you prefer, custom or production?
 
If I could afford customs (and more importantly, afford to actually use them), I'd probably prefer them. True customs can offer you exactly what you're looking for, whatever that may be - design, materials, fit and finish, etc. As it stands, I thoroughly enjoy many production knives in the $150-250 range and am thrilled with my Sebenza and Umnumzaan. You can get impeccable fit and finish and the best materials out there without breaking $500 by sticking to production - but you do give up some options in doing so.
 
I like both, mostly custom for fixed blades though as there really isn't anything on the market production wise that can match what I have or can have made.

Folders there are plenty of excellent choices these days.
 
It's true that production knives are really catching up to custom/midtech quality.
If I was patient enough and will to spend that money I'd love to have a custom. Except, I don't have either. To boot, I like to be able to use my knives. Except, most of those are just too nice to use (when was the last time you saw someone beating the snot out of a marfione custom)
 
Ankerson said:
I like both, mostly custom for fixed blades though as there really isn't anything on the market production wise that can match what I have or can have made.

Folders there are plenty of excellent choices these days.
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I like custom fixed blades, too. I haven't really seen many high quality, small fixed blades from companies. I'm really liking Adventure Sworn bushcraft knives and may purchase one.
 
The cow said:
It's true that production knives are really catching up to custom/midtech quality.
If I was patient enough and will to spend that money I'd love to have a custom. Except, I don't have either. To boot, I like to be able to use my knives. Except, most of those are just too nice to use (when was the last time you saw someone beating the snot out of a marfione custom)
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Yes, they are. I also like using my knives. I have trouble using my Paramilitary 2. I can't imagine using a knife costing over $300.
 
I personally just don't see the value in customs anymore unless you were making something unique for a specific purpose. My production knives all compete with and sometimes surpass the customs I've had. Even as someone who loves pretty tools and sees it as an art form, it's hard to justify spending 250 bucks on something that a 10 dollar knife can do just as well or better.
 
Shotgun said:
I personally just don't see the value in customs anymore unless you were making something unique for a specific purpose. My production knives all compete with and sometimes surpass the customs I've had. Even as someone who loves pretty tools and sees it as an art form, it's hard to justify spending 250 bucks on something that a 10 dollar knife can do just as well or better.
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Yup, exactly what I think.
 
I'm in the Midtech boat, design and quality of a custom but the "closer to production" price...although saying that I don't own any customs but I certainly have a couple listed that I'd like to have
 
I don't see a reason to go over the $150-$200 price point. A production knife at that price gets you the same steel you'll get out of a Strider, Sebenza, or Hinderer, among others, and I don't care to spend $1000 on pearl inlays or whatever in a full custom.
 
All my current fixed blades are handmade from the makers on this very forum, with the exception of my dad's Camillus but I don't carry or use it much. If you look around the Knifemakers market you can find some great pieces that can rival production prices while being made just as well or better.

Folders on the other hand, I have all production. The quality on production knives can vary but I've found the style and manufactures that I like and I'm happy with them. Budget is a factor here. If I had more disposable income I'm sure I'd have at least a couple customs or midtechs. Did have one nice custom for a while but I was too apprehensive to carry it. Traded it like a dummy. That's my one cutlery regret.
 
I like both and think it depends on what you are looking for in a knife. I have had Alan Davis make me a few customs that were done to my specs and you cant get that from a production. For example I have always wanted a tactical looking SodBuster that locks and has a top notch stainless blade. My results were a Black G10 handle linerlock with Elmax steel that I designed and he made. You cant find that in a production. The new line of productions are very good but the customs are awesome too!!! Kevin :D
 
RBid said:
I don't see a reason to go over the $150-$200 price point. A production knife at that price gets you the same steel you'll get out of a Strider, Sebenza, or Hinderer, among others, and I don't care to spend $1000 on pearl inlays or whatever in a full custom.
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I don't care for the fancy inlays and handle materials, either. Honestly, I look the look of plain black g-10 than any of those engraved titanium handles.
 
I own a CRK Insingo Sebenza, and a customized ZT 0801. With these knives in my collection, I just don't see much need for custom folders. Now, fixed blades on the other hand, I'm always up for.
 
I prefer customs. There is something about being able to talk directly to and shake the hand of the guy who made your knife. To talk with a legend like Bob Terzuola about your knife that he built. To show your knife to Kirby Lambert and have him say, 'yeah, I remember that one, it was one of my wife's favorites'.

I like productions just fine but special ones like Sebenza, XM-18, ZT0777, William Henry E10 etc.

And you can get customs in the price range of those production knives with basic materials. Just check out Tobin Smith and Alan Davis etc etc.
 
Folders, I prefer production. Fixed blades custom for sure because I can design the knife to my specs.
 
Of the companies I check, looking for a D'alton Holder or Bob Dozier pattern skinner. There are none who can match the grind and shape. Production knife companies offer 'their version'/ or pattern of a skinner which doesn't come close to the look of these custom makers. Who are a legend in custom knife making. Production knife companies try to make patterns that will 'fit' a niche of the knife market and generally please the mass customers. Market employees advice withstanding. A company attempts to study and appeal to 'a market' with a knife shape which are getting outlandish these days. Whereas the custom maker
designs his own with no team of marketers. Just based from his experience on what will work. Then some how he becomes a legend because of it and the production firm designs one utilizing a team of marketing
'experts' and theirs ascends to 'only good'. ?? I don't get it... DM
 
The one on one relationship helps. Still, that's not the better part. It's the better preforming knife that stands head and shoulders above. DM
 
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