Recommendation? Dad's Retirement Gift

NDGuy

NDGuy

Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Messages
335
Hi all new to the forum.

My dad is retiring next fall and I am wanting to buy him a custom hunting knife. He's worked his ass off for the same company for 35 years and has sacrificed a lot for raising us kids. I want to do something special for him that he can use and enjoy in retirement. Looking for a 7.5-9" fixed blade, preferably something with a focus on breaking down big game. I also want something with a beautiful wood handle and leather sheath. Zero interest in anything synthetic or kydex. I would prefer to be able to send out my own handpicked knife scales to the maker. I don't mind waiting if need be and my budget is around $350 but would stretch to $400 if need be.

What are your suggestions? Currently looking at Gene Ingram, HFB, Lucas Forge, Evers Forge, and Dozier/Crotts knives.

Much appreciated!
 
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If all else fails. Buck will customize some of their knives. Not a true custom, but still very nice quality, and no worries about missing the deadline. Good knife smiths have wait lists, and less than a year might be unrealistic?

With your budget you could get a matching 110 and 119 with your choice of handle material. Or my choice would be the 916 Bowie with the elk handle and nickel silver guard.
 
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Dan Graves

Not sure if still on board. Makes beautiful knives typically in your price range. Forged Damascus I've seen. Not sure if works in other steels, might want something stainless for hunting, breaking down large game..

He might be worth a look. I've no personal experience as yet but heard nothing but good things and his work is heirloom quality by the looks..

Best of luck on the hunt.
 
check out Aaron Wilburn (mastersmith). His website is WilburnForge. Has some available now in figured Maple and ironwood for $400 with hand made sheath. Also agree with the knifemakers here on our knifemakers forum. They do a great job in your price range.
 
Good luck with your hunt, once you get some ideas, the exchange is a good place to look, as mentioned, but try to narrow it down, the cool thing I see that these are already waiting to be purchased and you will not have to wait for the custom to be built. Which can take a long time for an order. One I really like the look of and simple steel and good leather work is Lon Humphrey Brut de forge, usually thick 1095 steel, but the way he grinds the blade makes for a good tough and sharp edge. There is a good web site that sells knives that usually keeps a good supply of his work available. They usually go for about 250.00 on up, but I have found good bargains for his work......on the individual fixed blade for sale section on the forum...also, some me of my other favorite work is done by GL Drew, he is a hunter who makes knives, so he knows what a hunter needs. Now, I have always wanted to try a Buck 124 Frontiersman, beefy but not so big that you cannot carve up a few deer. Maybe, as mentioned before, have the Buck Custom shop make it in a different steel if you want other than their standard 420HC, maybe like in 5160. A paid supporter here I can mention is Copper & Clad, they have some special Bucks.
 
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NDGuy said:
What are the differences with all these sales forums?
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There is a maker forum who usually are the craftsmen who make the blades, by forging or stock removal, there are custom kitchen knives, folders and fixed blades. The individual sections are people who are selling their knives they have collected some or bought, and there are sections for fixed blades ( production or custom sometimes), folders, traditional knives like they used to make, and custom knives (either fixed or folding),I find a lot of fixed blades in both the individual fixed sections and the custom knives. There are also dealers that sell custom and production knives, such as Knife center, etc. Hope this helps, be careful, it can be addictive and bad for your wallet!! :D
 
I'm just throwing this out there-

But first, welcome to Bladeforums, I think it's great that you want to get your dad a knife for his retirement.

Ok, here's the point I wanted to make-

I don't know your father, so my point might be completely irrelevant. But many times in my life I have seen people purchase expensive knives for someone as a gift, only to have the recipient refuse to use it for fear of losing or damaging such a "nice" or expensive knife. And instead they keep using whatever they had been using all along, and the expensive gift stays home, never to be used.

For "outdoors" type of people, I've always liked Buck knives for gifts, for the following reasons-

Even people who aren't deep "into" knives have heard of Buck knives. And even when they don't know what the quality brands are, they still regard Buck knives as quality knives. Buck knives has developed such a good reputation over the many decades that they have reached an almost legendary status in the minds of many people. And of course, Buck knives are capable of handling a wide range of outdoors tasks.

From my experience, Buck knives are considered "nice", but not so nice that people aren't willing to use them.

Like I said, I don't know your father. I don't know how he would react to an expensive custom knife as a gift, or what his knowledge is of the knife industry. So if I'm way off the mark, no offense intended.

I can only assume your dad is a great guy since you want to get him such an awesome gift. :)



.
 
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killgar said:
From my experience, Buck knives are considered "nice", but not so nice that people aren't willing to use them.
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No very good points, I appreciate it.

If he doesn't use it, I won't mind as it's his decision. He just never buys himself nice things so I am taking the liberty for him. He takes care of things very well so I am not worried about him losing it.
 
Robert Erickson is great to work with and get exactly what you want. I would recommend checking out his website and contacting him to discuss what you are thinking about having made.

I have a hunting knife made by Carl Colson also that is a beautiful piece. He does excellent work too.

If you want a truly special leather sheath for it I think Robert sometimes sends stuff to Claude Scott or you can contact Paul Long (goes by sheathmaker here on the forum) about a special sheath.
 
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Love my Hinderer - The Emmett

Not sure about the scales but if you like that wood, I'm sure you could have something arranged from someone who could do some engraving or something along those lines. It also comes in other handles which you could probably send off to someone who does custom work.

Emmett_Vintage-series_walnu-600x450.jpg

Emmett_Vintage-series_walnut_1-600x450.jpg

Emmett-leather-sheath-600x450.jpg
 
Phillip Patton is one I can definitely recommend without reservation.

Amazing fit, finish, diverse materials, stellar pricing.

He has a Bowie on the exchange currently to get a feel of his fit and finish. Look through his past sales and get a sense for what he has put out.

Diverse styles. Forged, and stock removal, classic or more modern.

I've been looking at, using and owing customs for 30 years. Patton has continually impressed me with his pieces. I own one of his hunters, hidden tang and the fit and finish are better than customs costing 2-3 times what I paid for it.

Others who I've talked to feel the same about his work.
 
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Thought I would add a quick picture too ... first one is from Robert Erickson ... W2 with a hamon line with Ringed Gidgee on the handles and green micarta bolsters it has black spacers and pins.
4D9D89EE-B81A-42EE-A6C8-C7A3307E3EBD_1_201_a_resized_1.jpeg

This is from Carl Colson CPM154 satin finished blade with Curly Koa wood handles ... shows the sheath it came with from Carl also.
20201221_131952.jpg
 
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