Do you prefer customs to mid-techs?

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
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I've never really been a fan of mid-tech knives, because they seem to be in kind of an unattractive valley as far as price and quality goes. Meaning, for me, I can get the materials and quality needed for a durable, modern, and long-lasting knife for much less than the price of a mid-tech, but then I can get a higher level of fit and finish, more design flexibility, and much more influence in the final design by going custom. Like many would say, you can have half a dozen production knives from $75 to $150, or a good limited run mid-tech, but you can also have a half a dozen mid-techs (like some picture threads show people with a few Striders, Hinderers, VECPs, etc) or you can have a custom at around $2500 to $3000 (or you can spend five to ten times that if you like). You really go from one extreme to another, maybe a production company pumping out 100 knives per day of a particular model, to a maker taking 100 hours on the one knife. And the numbers get much bigger in both directions, with the mid-techs sitting in the middle.

I haven't made that jump to the $2000+ level yet, but that's also because the full custom knives I have ordered in the past were all around or below the price of those mid-techs anyway. But if I do take the next step up the price ladder, this looks like the direction I am heading, because I can't see myself picking out from a pile of knives that are roughly the same at a dozen online retailers once I spend more than around $300 each.

I looked at what I have spent on this hobby for the last 20 years, and I don't regret what I've gotten; while I also realized I could have had a few really choice pieces along with a lot of the other stuff I've bought with the money I have spent.
 
One point I'll make, and probably take heat for, is that knife buyers on this forum and others expect the highest tolerances, F&F. Mid-techs, for the most part (there are exceptions), have the expensive CNC equipment, etc. to build knives with consistently high quality. Not all custom makers can do that (although some can and do).

I have been very happy with the build quality and F&F of CRKs, Hinderers, and William Henrys. All very tight, solid knives.

I'm buying my first custom, so when I get it (soon I hope) I'll let you know if there is a difference.
 
I have both kinds and nothing gives me the joy that a CRK provides (and I am far from a fan boy). Something about the quality, the tolerances as my friend Locutus says, the inlays and how it all works together.

I guess there is no single answer to this question (which I asked myself many times).
 
To me, a custom knife is not CNC or waterjet. If a mill is used, you better be cranking the X and Y by hand.
 
I don't mind it if it is done to custom specs and not just one out of twenty that were already sitting on the shelf, but this thread is a good example of not using computer controls. He actually doesn't use power tools for all that shaping, just files and sandpaper. Notice how he says it took an additional 60 hours just for the inlay work.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1059006-One-for-Solingen

One of these, a Lake, Walker, Appleton, etc are pretty much one of my dream knives.
 
I am one who went backwards on this issue. I was a custom only collector first and never understood why someone would pay $400-$800+ on a semi production, like CRK, until I actually bought my first and handled it for a period of time. Then I got it. I now love the fit and finish of CRK and William Henry in particular (perhaps will expand my base of semi's from there). That said, there is nothing like the incredible array of customs that I can view, handle, research and buy. I enjoy getting to know the makers and especially having them made "just for me" by commissioning a peice. I currently have two on order from custom makers.

Recently I learned that CRK will make to my specs (within limits) and have ordered matching Mnandi, Sm Sebe and Lg Sebe in mammoth bark. About the same wait as a good custom maker. I see that as best of both worlds and props to them. Now that I have seen the light it has only opened up the possibilities for me rather than limiting it to one or the other.
 
I've got some great customs for less than several mid techs. I love my mids but I love my customs more. I have a Demko Ad-10 coming for less than I paid for one of my Striders, and it is exactly how I want it.
 
Charlie Mike said:
To me, a custom knife is not CNC or waterjet. If a mill is used, you better be cranking the X and Y by hand.
Click to expand...

Completely agree on this.

I prefer customs because many good ones can be had for the same money as a lot of mid-techs and of course the luxury of being able to choose finishes, materials, etc.
 
i dont know what a blindhorse bushcrafter would be described as. i think mid-tech, but that doesn't mean its not a fantastic and very respectable bushcraft knife with a great price tag and its the knife i choose

i even had them add red liners
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For me it really depends on what I want or need.

All of them have their place I believe. :)
 
I prefer to go Custom on most of my fixed blades, and a few of my slip joints.
But I've sold all of my custom locking knives in favor of mid-tech and below on those. I've found I like the mid-tech Sebenza design over the custom locking knives I've had, and held at Blade.
 
Both on Youtube and on the forums you hear reviews of Customs where the reviewer mentions that it is going to, or just coming back from, the shop because of blade play or something similar. All were gorgeous knives. Many were from South African makers. I heard enough that I was scared away from customs for a long while.

My very first custom folder is supposed to arrive today, and the first thing I'll check for is blade play :)

Ken44 said:
I prefer to go Custom on most of my fixed blades, and a few of my slip joints.
But I've sold all of my custom locking knives in favor of mid-tech and below on those. I've found I like the mid-tech Sebenza design over the custom locking knives I've had, and held at Blade.
Click to expand...
 
I can't speak to custom folders as I have no interest in them but I've had the opposite thoughts as far as fixed blades. The knives I've gotten from "mid-tech" or even "low-tech" companies have been better knives then the customs I've had. Sure some(SOME) of the customs have had F&F above those knives but in the end the non-customs worked better.
 
I find that most mid-techs dont give me the same amazment of a real hand built knife. And are usually pretty close price wise from what i have looked at. But there is so much wiggle room in the definition of mid-tech that i can go either way. I cant say i like one more then another but i generally do not find mid-techs at prices that i think are reasonable. But to each his own, and if i was ever given the chance to fondle a mid-tech i wouldnt judge the owner on the price he spent on it at all.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Both on Youtube and on the forums you hear reviews of Customs where the reviewer mentions that it is going to, or just coming back from, the shop because of blade play or something similar. All were gorgeous knives. Many were from South African makers. I heard enough that I was scared away from customs for a long while.

My very first custom folder is supposed to arrive today, and the first thing I'll check for is blade play :)
Click to expand...

Do tell!
 
I prefer midtechs because of the longevity and proven track record of the company. With a custom, unless they're a well known maker, you don't know exactly his skill set and what to expect. Now take a CRK for example, there are countless reviews of their knives so it gives the consumer a clearer idea of what kind of product they will receive. I dig the idea of working with a knife maker and supporting "the small guy", but I would have to know the maker pretty well before I drop a few hundred or thousand on one of his knives.
 
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