custom swayback w/o an 8 month wait?

S

statius

Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
127
Hi all,

I'm looking to get myself a nice, custom swayback. Trouble is every maker I've seen whose work I've liked has something like an 8 month waiting list, or doesn't do custom orders anymore.

Anyone know of a good maker (whose work I can see or which you've had experience with) that can make a swayback in the near future and not 1 year down the road? Thanks!
 
8 months isn't bad for a custom. If you can't wait, you'll have to try getting one thru a dealer or on one of the forums for sale-they do pop up from time to time. You could put in your order and buy a case swayback to play around with while you wait~!!:D
 
The "Knife Maker's For Sale; Folders" forum has many excellent knifemakers who regularly post knives.
i suggest spending some time oogling the knives already sold and identify 1 or more makers whose knives just really "speak" to you. contact these makers and give a few details describing the knife you would like.
sometimes a maker may just feel like making the pattern you want, and may do it before others already on the wait list. or they may say one is upcoming and to watch for it. as most of the Folders get snapped up pretty quickly, you need a bit of luck here as well as the effort, to be the first (or close to it) to see it.
buying a Custom knife from the maker is different from ordering a Production one from a knife seller. a significant part of the enjoyment of Customs is the relationship you may develop with the knifemaker.
i think knifemakers enjoy this too, but it starts with you making inquiries.
PM me if you want to know my favorites, but nearly all makers who post there make superb knives.
roland
 
Take a look into Hiroaki Ohta's knives. He makes swaybacks, and his stuff can often be found with knife dealers. Send me a PM if you want me to direct you to a couple.
 
If you keep on eye on the knifemaker's for sale forum there are usually two or three posted a month. Some of the knifemakers will allow you to get on a list to get "advanced notice" before they post. You just need to be ready to buy when it comes up.

Also, there is almost always a mint or practically mint swayback for sale in the for sale by individuals custom forum. Or as others have said, there are dealers out there that have them.
 
There is also the dealers corner and also "the bay". I have seen some good Todd Davison swaybacks on there. But expect to pay a premium from dealers.

God Bless
 
I forget his screen name & I don't want to "deal spot", but there is a member that frequents the Traditional Forum who's signature is a link to custom slip-joints that he carries. You could check that out & see if he has something along the lines of what you're looking for.
 
statius said:
Hi all,

Trouble is every maker I've seen whose work I've liked has something like an 8 month waiting list, or doesn't do custom orders anymore.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. I've seen some beautiful custom knives here on the site and other places. Problem is, they're just not exactly what I would want or they're already sold if I do have interest in it. I'm an individual and we all have different tastes. Ordering a custom knife is like ordering a pizza!

I would have a hard time paying the money for a custom knife when I can't get the exact knife I want made. They're not expensive considering the work that goes into the making, attention to detail and the distinction of the knives. It seems that some custom knife makers produce what they want and then sell them. If you don't like it, oh well because someone will like it and buy it ASAP. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have a problem paying for a custom that I ordered specifically and wouldn't even mind waiting a few months for it.

There are two knife maker's styles that I particularly like. The makers are Todd Davison and Ken Coats. Both make great looking slip joints and we get to see many of their knives first hand here on BF. Awesome work! One day I’ll have a slip joint from both of them.
 
glocktenman said:
I would have a hard time paying the money for a custom knife when I can't get the exact knife I want made. They're not expensive considering the work that goes into the making, attention to detail and the distinction of the knives. It seems that some custom knife makers produce what they want and then sell them. If you don't like it, oh well because someone will like it and buy it ASAP. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have a problem paying for a custom that I ordered specifically and wouldn't even mind waiting a few months for it.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. The biggest draw in having a custom knife is getting it just the way you want it. If I can't get it my way then I don't want it. Fortunately there are a lot of options right now.
 
Quote: "The biggest draw in having a custom knife is getting it just the way you want it"

i disagree. the way you think you want it may be a bit of a disappointment.
when purchasing a custom knife you are not only buying the maker's technical expertise, but also his artistry.
in your mind's eye you may envision all the elements you like in a knife, but in reality these may not come together and make the knife greater than just the sum of it's components. proportions, balance and flow are what make a knife just 'jump out' and 'grab you'.
i have 'worked' with a couple of knifemakers and i may specify a pattern, handle material, some idea of color (e.g. black ebony please) and perhaps a few other ideas. then i step back and ask the maker to see these as guidelines only and to allow their own artistry and creative experience to take over. i may get a message from the maker saying that a certain part of my 'guidelines' just doesn't flow well with the knife being created, and with a suggestion as to what he feels(not thinks) would be superior.
i always go along with the maker's suggestions because it is his artistry that attracted me in the first place.
i believe top knifemakers only want you to accept the knife if it really talks to you. should you decline, selling it to someone else does not present much of a problem.
i have just returned from the P.O. with parcel in hand, containing a custom folder made in this manner. i am savoring the anticipation, but will now open it with hopes that it is beyond my expectations, and 'grab' me at first sight.
roland
 
Haha! Thanks for all the responses. Great stuff in there. Anyway, I did the unexpected and just bought a Sebenza! Not even close to what I was thinking, but I'll definitely put in an order for a swayback soon. Problem was I had no knife (I just sold my only folder) and was hoping to replace it. So, I've always wanted a Seb. and it just worked out, so I went for it. Of course, now there'll be a flood of swaybacks on the maker's market forum:D.

Thanks again! This is the Seb I ordered, BTW:

http://www.knifeart.com/chreknliedsm1.html
 
glocktenman said:
There are two knife maker's styles that I particularly like. The makers are Todd Davison and Ken Coats. Both make great looking slip joints and we get to see many of their knives first hand here on BF. Awesome work! One day I’ll have a slip joint from both of them.
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah! I love some of Todd's work. I also like Rick Menefee's stuff. There was a swayback just the other day, too. Gone in like 5 minutes.
 
Try Tim Britton. I have had several of his slip joints and he offers them at a great price. He's been a maker for over 30 years.
 
Quote: "This is the Seb I ordered"
very nice ! i have a large Sebenza Classic with similar Box Elder burl inlay.
my only disappointment was, it did not arrive sharp.
no doubt this Sebbie will lead you to the more personal experience of a full, single author custom. i'm sure if you persist, you will find just the right Swayback.
roland
 
John L said:
Try Amherst Cutlery
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I've looked at them, and they look nice. Can you tell me more about them (him?). As I was looking, I found he (pappy?) used to be on this forum, but has since been banned? There was also some issue of quality or problems with his knives? Are they 'custom'? I understand he has all the parts made all over and then assembles them at his place (or has workers assemble them)? Can't find much about them. Kinda hi-jacking my own thread, here.
 
Excellent point Roland. I guess I spoke too quickly when I described it as getting exactly what you want. I meant more that the maker and I reach a meeting of the minds when it comes to creating my knife. A custom knife will ultimately reflect a maker's artistry. But I like to choose blade steel, handle material, knife type, and overall size. If those parameters aren't met, I generally won't consider a knife as I know it won't satisfy me.
 
If you ever have the chance to latch onto a Rick Menefee's you will find out what sharp is.
 
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