Customised knives but what aspects?

[golok]

I often hear collectors and buyers buying customised knives but what is often left out is which parts of the knife are changed and why.

Say, suppose I want to have a jade inlay in the handle which may be cocobolo, can the knifemaker source make it, if I provide the jade. Or I want the blade made of a precise length because of the length of my arms and the arm distance from my hip where the belt is located.

I doubt if there are many who are so precise in their specs but there will probably be a few.

I suppose people have different reasons for wanting different things.
I am particularly interested in knife collectors telling me why they want certain parts of the knife altered to their specifications.

Another question: Has there been an instance when the maker says "nope, that's impossible."?

 

[AncientSUL]

Hi Golok,

I have had a knife or two modified before. Usually a maker won't touch the blade because it has already been heat treated so it is too hard to drill into. I always like spyderco holes and asked a maker to put one on a blade that is already made and he said no because heat treated steel is too hard to drill through. But a satin finish can be done on a blade if you have scratches. Coated, beadblated or stonewash blades can be satin finish later on.

Another is if the handle is old, one may want to replace it. Or replace it with another material. Now, black seems to be on every factory and even some tac custom folders. Most of us are tired of just seeing black handles. So we replace it with a type of wood, or the more expensive materials. I was able to disengage the liner lock of a folder with my index finger.I asked the maker to replace the scales for me the the liner lock sit farther into the handle. At first he said it would be a lot easier for him to build me a whole new knife but I really like this folder already so he finally did it. I am real happy with it now.

I am sure you see all the forumites who wanted the Commander handle to have an intregal lock like the Sebenza. Many are getting it done by other makers like Reese Weiland. It is a personal thing. I think most knifeknuts have it in them. You get a knife and you immediately think of how you can make it better. What you like about it and what you don't like about it. To them it would be like the most awesome carry piece. These modifications are usually done on factory and custom pieces that is not that expensive to start with. You won't find someone customizing an art knife. But the $100-$500 knife, someone will get something done to it if he/she feels it needs to.

Liong

 

[golok]

Thanks Liong, that's a great answer.