Custom productions

Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Messages
27,860
I've been thinking recently about the connection between custom knife makers and factory productions.

Gerber came up in another thread and it seems to me that this is one of the first companies to draw on the talent of a celebrity knife maker, Bob Loveless, who is now one of THE most sought after makers around.

So, Loveless added to Gerber's 'Legendary' status by designing some knives for them, but did Gerber add to Loveless' legendary status by making his designs available to the masses?

I use the Gerber/Loveless connection merely as an example of the concept, there are lots of other connections out there as we all know.

So what do you think? What do these connections mean, and how have they affected the knife industry?
 
As a custom knife collector, they mean nothing to me at all. If they are financially rewarding for the makers in question, I am happy for them. But production knives simply don't interest me, whether there is a custom "connection", or not.

Roger
 
I forgot to bring up the question, what affect do these interactions have on the custom side of the cutlery industry as a whole?

Makers- how did you progress into knife making? Did you start out with an interest in factory made knives? Were these knives standard models, or collaborations with knifemakers?

How many of you entered into your enthusiasm for custom knives via production knives?

Another example- Rambo (pop culture) + Gil Hibben (knifemaker) + United Cutlery (factory reproductions) = X (means what to you?)

In the past 30 years that I've been keen about things keen, I've transferred from getting what I was given, to seeking out certain knives that captured my interest vis a vis pop cultural influences, to seeking out knives that fulfill roles in my life, to acquiring handmade knives that I use as tools, to...:)
 
One of the best known Collaborations with Custom Maker is here.
Tony Bose with Case knives.

Worth your time, IF you like folders.
Thanks to Mike Robuck for the link.

Jim

[youtube]VqXZOY8j9nY[/youtube]
 
Last edited:
Collaborations between custom knifemakers and manufacturers can be beneficial for both. The maker gets important income and added name recognition. The manufacturer gets the boost in reputation that comes along with having designs from well known makers in their lineup. They also get to add any innovative technologies the makers have developed to their knives. Examples being the assisted openers of Ken Onion for Kershaw and the Axis Lock of McHenry & Williams for Benchmade.
 
James , thanks for sharing that link , perhaps the best thing I have ever seen posted on YouTube.

I use all my knives , so yes , the factory collabs do interest me a lot.
 
Last edited:
RogerP said:
As a custom knife collector, they mean nothing to me at all. If they are financially rewarding for the makers in question, I am happy for them. But production knives simply don't interest me, whether there is a custom "connection", or not.

Roger
Click to expand...
I feel EXACTLY the same way.
 
I'm not at all interested in them, however IMO they are good promotion for the maker and can be financially rewarding as well.
And generally speaking what's good for the maker is also good for his/her collectors. :thumbup:
 
Some people may have never had a chance to get a custom makers design, but through a production version. Perhaps some people may be inspired to get a custom after seeing a production version of their knife. Who knows.
 
As a knife collector the only ones I am interested in are the Case/Bose series.

As a friend to a few makers whose designs have been successfully used by production companies, I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread for several reasons.
1. Brings more collectors in the custom arena. I am sure there are a decent number of people who brought a collaboration then got curious about the maker behind the design. That bodes well for our passion; we need to keep a light shining on the arena of custom knives and these collaborations help.

2. The maker gets some publicity, and maybe a decent royalty check that can take away some of the monetary concerns of supporting their family and living every day. Taking away some of that type of stress has to have a positive effect on the makers life, including their knifemaking. It also may free up a little time for them to pursue different ideas and push themselves.

3. Seeing well designed knives on the market is a good thing.
 
Last edited:
My good friend and world-class custom knifemaker, Dr. Fred Carter, is now
semi-retired, making his amazing art knives only occasionally but mostly
does the 4-5 pieces offered once every two years at the San Diego AKI Show.

In recent years he has enjoyed designing beautiful factory folders for the
likes of United Cutlery, Harley Davidson, his own Fred Carter brand, Colt and
many others.

Here is a shot of three of his UZI Auto production designs.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

picture.JPG
 
"what affect do these interactions have on the custom side of the cutlery industry as a whole? "

They expose people to the higher end without the financial pain and possible disappointment of buying a Custom Knife. Custom Productions might be the gateway drug of custom knives?


For instance the Paul Knife by Gerber?

As a kid I saw a write up of the Paul Knife in a sporting magazine and was intrigued but I think it was $800. That was probably my first memorable exposure to custom knives. Later when I found out Gerber had produced them I got one- it was around $100 at the time. This led to an interest into high-end production knives, which eventually led me to an interest in True Custom knives.

Otherwise it would have been hard to just take the plunge and buy a true custom knife.


Mitch
 
One of my very favorite working knives is the Benchmade Ruckus designed by Neil Blackwood:

610.jpg


I wouldn't have a chance scoring a Custom Ruckus, and I wouldn't dream of using it hard, if I did. But for less than $200, I have a folder design that is like a fixed blade, and puts a spot of money in Neil's pocket, to boot.

It would be myopic to think these collaborations and the success of production knives don't affect you at all. They are a constant fuel for the industry in general, and I am thankful for them.

Coop
 
thanks a lot for that Case/Bose link. It was great to watch!

It just occurred to me that 'friendship' was an important theme there. I wonder, do people FEEL a connection to a factory knife producer because of a connection, or feeling of 'friendship' they have with the maker whose designs the factory employs? Is there a sort of human recognition of a maker's outlook intrinsic in their designs, and is that something that people latch onto?

Similarly, when pursuing a knife based on its manufacturer, (say, someone who decides that Benchmade is the brand they want to support) a consumer may become aware of a designer they hadn't heard of and attribute a newfound status onto that maker, the maker receiving the kudos because they are affiliated with the brand.

The psychology of it all is just so fascinating! The knife industry is probably one of the oldest, since knives or sharpened rocks and bones are the oldest commodities/tools. Which makes me think the instinct, intuition, draw and all else are as the same now as they ever were.
 
Lorien said:
thanks a lot for that Case/Bose link. It was great to watch!

It just occurred to me that 'friendship' was an important theme there. I wonder, do people FEEL a connection to a factory knife producer because of a connection, or feeling of 'friendship' they have with the maker whose designs the factory employs? Is there a sort of human recognition of a maker's outlook intrinsic in their designs, and is that something that people latch onto?

Similarly, when pursuing a knife based on its manufacturer, (say, someone who decides that Benchmade is the brand they want to support) a consumer may become aware of a designer they hadn't heard of and attribute a newfound status onto that maker, the maker receiving the kudos because they are affiliated with the brand.

The psychology of it all is just so fascinating! The knife industry is probably one of the oldest, since knives or sharpened rocks and bones are the oldest commodities/tools. Which makes me think the instinct, intuition, draw and all else are as the same now as they ever were.
Click to expand...

You are right about the friendship factor, I have been collecting Case knives long before I got to know Tony through another friend on the forum. I started collecting some of Tony's, met him at Blade and know him to be a friend to all. He helps makers new and old. I found a friend first, now I love his knives and the connection with Case makes it all the better. But I would say Tony earned his stripes first, not because of his connection with Case.

The Link was found and posted first in the Bose thread by Mike Robuck who happens to be yet another friend.

Blade Forums is one big family and I for one am glad to be a part.

James
 
"Blade Forums is one big family and I for one am glad to be a part."

one big 'dysfunctional' family, at times eh?;)
I'm glad to be part of it, too:)
 
Lorien said:
"Blade Forums is one big family and I for one am glad to be a part."

one big 'dysfunctional' family, at times eh?;)
I'm glad to be part of it, too:)
Click to expand...

Hey family is family, I have had my sister on ignore since our Mom died.
Jim
 
I'm sorry to hear that, Jim:(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top