customs, whats the average wait?

T

Triq

Joined
Oct 1, 2009
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I'm thinking of having my first custom knife made and was wondering how long on average it takes for most makers to make a knife? By the way i understand that this could be retty subjective due to order volume and such but im just looking for a rough figure. Thanks in advance, and any pics of custom doglegs would be great.
 
Most custom makers that I've dealt with have waits of about six months to two years. Some are a little less and several are much longer and some aren't even taking names.

You might want to keep an eye on the maker's for sale area here, you can usually find what you're looking for if you wait a while.
 
It's highly variable, depending on the maker. Usually, I've had to wait between 1-3 years, depending on how popular the maker's knives are.

- Mark
 
Thats what i was afraid of, I'm not nearly that patient. I guess ill have to go with stock and just suck it up (that its not exactly what i wasnt).
 
Triq said:
Thats what i was afraid of, I'm not nearly that patient. I guess ill have to go with stock and just suck it up (that its not exactly what i wasnt).
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I felt the same way, but if you get on a maker's list, I found that I just tend to forget about it. Then one day they contact you and tada, it's time! Just put it out of your head and keep buying other knives in the meantime.

- Mark
 
Mark J said:
I felt the same way, but if you get on a maker's list, I found that I just tend to forget about it. Then one day they contact you and tada, it's time! Just put it out of your head and keep buying other knives in the meantime.

- Mark
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I agree, it's kind of fun waiting, it gives you something to look forward to.
 
Mark J said:
I felt the same way, but if you get on a maker's list, I found that I just tend to forget about it. Then one day they contact you and tada, it's time! Just put it out of your head and keep buying other knives in the meantime.

- Mark
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Yep, that's pretty much exactly the way it works for me, too. It can be like Christmas in July.

James
 
I am on a 1 1/2 year waiting list for my first custom slipjoint. Only about 3 months have passed since I got on the list.

I agree that it gives me something to look forward to and besides, if I get inpatient, I can always buy a custom from the "Knifemakers Market" forum. There are great knives popping on there all the time.

Like Mark J said, just get on someone's list and forget about it. That's what I'm doing and I think I will be glad I did.

Just go ahead and do it.:thumbup:
 
Another aspect of this is that if you have a one or two year wait and you really want the knife, this period gives you time to save away the payment amount little by little. Think of it like a layaway plan. Then when your name is up, the more you saved, the nicer the knife you can get built.
 
texasflyfisher said:
Another aspect of this is that if you have a one or two year wait and you really want the knife, this period gives you time to save away the payment amount little by little. Think of it like a layaway plan. Then when your name is up, the more you saved, the nicer the knife you can get built.
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That's always been my plan, but I've never quite been able to make that work. :confused:
 
I just got my first from Brent Cramer and it was just under a year. It was well worth the wait!

I'm also waiting on one from Enrique Pena and it's aproaching a year. I can't wait much longer!
 
Is also nice, to get on the list, and then when the time comes, if he pattern you picked is no longer perfect to you... you can pick again.. I lets you take he imeto reeeeeaaallly know what you want.

I've not done it for a knife, but I waited 14 months for a custom hatchet(Lee Reeves Nessmuk)

G.
 
One of the good things about a long wait is that it gives you time to save you money for what will be to most a big purchase. With a real long wait, like me on Ken Erickson's list, it will be necessary with his higher price tags, though you certainlt get what you pay for. :)
 
Some waits can be surprising short for makers you thought were 6 months+ out. I remember once I emailed a highly regarded slipjoint maker and he was ready on the spot. It threw me off because I thought I would have time to squirrel away the money!

You have to remember that it's just a projection and sometimes your number comes up faster than they said it would. Then again, sometimes they're spot-on in what they told you... I waited on Kawamura's list so long I forgot I had even sent him an email two years before.

My suggestion is to comb all the good purveyors and then contact the maker you are most drawn toward if you didn't find what you were looking for. You can PM me if you need assistance on the purveyors as I frequent them nearly once a week.
 
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