Custom urges and questions

M

mrjed

Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
257
OK, I've been on this "good knife" binge for a year or so and I manage to get a Dick Atkinson folder for what I've paid for my upper end of production knives.

Suddenly, I want to put together a sack of "good" production knives and trade them for that Frank Centofante stag handled wharncliffe folder that I see in the e-bay store when I look for Spyderco c25's. Somehow, I suspect that won't go through.

So now I'm interested in solid functional customs like the Dick Atkinson folder I got. But I understand he doesn't make knives anymore. I'd like to find makers in GA, FL or AL who fit the bill. No big deal there, I just like to have the possibility of meeting the crafter face to face.

As I just said in my "knives I'd like to see", I really like smaller folders (3.25-4.00") and prefer liner or frame locks. I can't quite see going for the expense of Damascus steel or super fancy handle materials. Micarta, horn, stag or figured wood would be about as sporty as I think I could use.

Any suggestions of who might fit that order? Can one find such makers @ less than $250/knife? (Yeah, I know nobody wants to tell of such a source because they'll spoil their bargains) And maybe there are production knives that fit. I handled some Klotzli's when I was in Switzerland, and I still haven't sprung for a Sailor 2c.

I'm just beginning to really like the idea of having something few folks have.
 
I recently moved from Chipley, FL which is about 45 minutes north of Panama City Beach, FL. I remember Dick Atkinson lived about 20 minutes from me in Wasau, FL. Mr. Atkinson's knives were very unique in that he sold custom made folders at really bargain prices.

Finding a custom made folder these days in that price range is really next to impossible unless you find a used one. Expect to pay closer to $350 and up for a custom folder (especially with a ti framelock) You could always buy a good production folder and send it to one of our knifemakers and have them do a framelock conversion, change the handle material, etc. In other words they can make a custom knife out of your production knife.

As far as buying a production framelock folder that doesn't need modification I would go with the Bradley Alias I or Alias II, Zero Tolerance ZT 0300, 0301, 0302, Benchmade Skirmish or mini-Skirmish, and for a little more money the Sebenza.
 
you might could find a used custom folder for ~ $250 or $300 if ya look hard enough, my 1st custom folder was a used crawford kasper, used a lot FWIW, i did a partial swap for it, a BM 910 prototype worth ~ $100 or so + $200 cash. i later sent the kasper to crawford and he re-BB'd it, tweaked the lock and made it look LNIB for $28 including shipping, and took maybe a week.
 
Bimmer1 said:
Mr. Atkinson's knives were very unique in that he sold custom made folders at really bargain prices.

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I was afraid he had stopped making knives because he wasn't making money.

I travel some in Florida's western boondocks and just might see if I can drop in sometime. I visited with a couple of coworkers today about him and they assured me he must be in shouting distance of the Possum Palace.

How many folks use a custom enough to sell it as used? Most of what I see "has only been taken out of the safe once to take this photograph".

I know, develop other sources; do your diligence, network, etc.

If it were easy, we'd all have world class hand mades for $250 or so.
I don't want to deny crafts folk their due, but if their due has to come from me...

Actually, I would prefer to buy from the maker face to face in their shop, although I'd rather make walking sticks at my shop than sell them there.

I don't know how the mark ups work, but every show, gallery, reseller, etc. has to make something and that can separate the maker and the customer from that "I got it straight from John Thomas at his place in Valdosta, GA" enjoyment of the transaction. That applies to a lot of things besides knives!

Thanks for your info!
 
The Buck Custom Shoppe will make you a stag handled 110 with BG-42 blade for about $120. Deal of the century IMO but I don't know that I would consider it "custom" but a lot of knife for the money.

I seem to recall recently seeing small slip joints from some of the lessor known makers in your $250 price range.

IMO a top of the top production/EDC folder is the CRK micarta inlay, large. But this will set you back almost $500.

Also IMO any TA Davison slippie less than $500 is a bargain also.
 
Les Adams from Dade County makes an edc and a tac folder for right about 200 bucks. I am carrying one right now as I type. He also makes tac. auto's that are excellant too for relatively cheap money considering. I like this Adams more than any of the other knives I currently have/carry, and that includes my RijBak folder which I think is probably the BEST made prod. frame lock out there. Anyways look around for his work you will be pleasantly surprised. Also don't forget W.R. Clark's early stuff. His PDK is stellar and can be had on the secondary market for less than 250 normally. These are outstanding customs too. keepem sharp
 
Lycosa said:
Yer ask'n the impozzible!
Click to expand...

I'm not asking if it's possible. I'm asking how it would happen if it were.

One of the more memorable speakers I've heard said (MOL) "Most things are accomplished by the folks too dumb to know what they're doing is impossible."

Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
 
That's why my wife married me! SEEK and you will find the knife, and price, of your dreams. Good luck.
 
I'd put in another vote for the Bradley "Alias I" production knife. It can be had for $200, less used, and in my opinion, is the best knife you can get for the $$$$. I carry one daily, and I'm very happy with it.
 
Although I haven't been deeply involved with production and custom knives for as long as many members here, I have come to the conclusion that a really good top of the line production folder is every bit as good a knife both functionally and cosmetically as most custom folders. I have had a few Customs and find that for the extraordinarily high prices that they cost they are usually more of a disappointment then anything else. I have had a Custom Brian Tighe folder and a Chris Reeve Large Classic Sebenza and the Sebenza in my opinion is by far a better knife. I will only buy quality Production folder now because I can get at least 2 great production knives for the price of one custom especially if the knife will be a collection piece. Limited editions are still more economical then customs.
 
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