Favorite Custom Knifemaker

Ookpik

Ookpik

Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Messages
1,301
Who is your favorite custom knifemaker? Why do you like their knives?

I like Rick Hinderer’s knives. The designs are distinctive and easily recognizable as his. The fit, finish, and precision are amazing. The frame lock is very strong. You have a choice of cool handle colors, or bead blast gray. I think his knives are underpriced. It’s too bad I don’t have more money.
 
Barry Dawson. One of the most experienced knife makers still in the business. His knives can be found at, what I consider to be, very reasonable prices since his work is largely overlooked by newer collectors.
 
Danbo said:
Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to pick just one favorite.
Click to expand...


That’s OK. Tell us who you like and why. I’m hoping to hear about different knifemakers and what makes their knives special. I know what I like, I just don’t know who makes it. What should I be saving for?
 
Jürgen Schanz of Germany, not b/c of his single pieces. It´s b/c of all things he does. From simple customizing to own designs or custom design. Very good heat treatment. Very quick service. You won´t wait long.
 
Like Danbo said, it's hard to pick just one. After becoming interested in Customs and making the decision to spend the money on handmade knives rather than productions in the future, I found there were so many makers whose knives I wanted. However, I quickly learned that it's not practical to spend thousands on knives and that I should set some limits.

I did lots of research, browsed the purveyor's sites, maker's sites and lots of searches at BFC for individual maker's names. I setteld on a few that I *really* wanted. I now own three Obenauf folders and a Scott Cook Lochsa. I like folders, and since Scott Cook currently only makes one folder, I likely won't buy another by Scott Cook until my custom Lochsa order comes up sometime in 2005.

Mike Obenauf's knives are some of the best available at any price IMHO. I'll continue to buy his knives as I love the designs, aesthetics, value and [especially] workmanship and materials. The other custom maker I'd like to buy from sometime soon is Tom Mayo. His knives also 'speak' to me for a variety of reasons.

There are others I like, but for the near future, say in the next 12 months or so, I hope to buy a Mayo folder and an Obie mini model 2 framelock. Next year is still undecided, but Mike Obenauf is still a favorite.
 
patrickb said:
Like Danbo said, it's hard to pick just one.
Click to expand...

David Boye - legendary knifemaker - innovative and practical designs - author of this book that many a knifemaker studied...
0615116590.01._PE_PI_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://www.boyeknives.com/about.cfm

Bob Loveless - wish I could afford one - lots of knives out there are based on his designs - including the almost universally pervasive drop-point hunter.

Bill Moran - wish I could even get one - "father" of American bladesmithing and the re-introduction of Damascus steel - just basically an all-round nice person.........

Bill "Gordon" DeFreest - elegant Loveless/Herron styled knives - especially the drop-point and humpbacked hunters - his knives look more elegant and flowing to my eyes than his influences - and that is saying a LOT.

Hendrix - (not Jimi - but Wayne) - has got to be some of the best looking and affordable handmade knives out there.....
http://www.hendrixknives.com/

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
Oldtime makers: Rudy Ruana- Solid knives for a good price, you can't a better knife in the price range. I also love the combination of the aluminum grips with the inlayed stag scales, it's a nice blend of the traditional and the modern.

They're still my favorite knives bar none, I always stop to admire them when I see them at a show. Ruana still makes fine handmade knives, but they're along the lines of a very small family run shop now, instead of a one, or two man shop. You can see their line here: www.ruanaknives.com .

____________________

Modern makers.

Ed Fowler- Don't own one, but another maker who's work always catches my eye. He seems to really understand how to make a good using knife.

Gil Hibben- Don't judge him by the United stuff, Gil can turn out a mighty fine tradition knife, I also admire that he's willing to take chances with designs, grinds, etc....

Modern folding.

Kit Carson- Really nice knives for very good prices, considering he could probably charge a lot more for the quality involved.
--------------------

I've kept it to the main four that sprung to mind, but there are tons more, if you count retired makers and if you used sub-groups like balisongs, traditional Bowies, slip-joints, etc.... My fingers would get tired from all the makers I'd mention.
 
I have always been in love with the old school folder makers, the guys who make them with a lock on the back

Jess Horn, Steve Hoel, Jack Busfield, Ron Lake.........and that guy whose name sounds like the Terminator..............Tim Herman...........in no particular order
 
Don't own any but I think Bob Lum makes some beautiful knives. Also admire Bob Terzuola for his classy tacticals.
 
Man, when people ask for a favorite ten I find it impossible to narrow things that much. My one favorite maker? Not a chance!

Jerry Fisk, Ron Newton, Michael Connor, J.D. Smith, Bailey Bradshaw, Roger Massey, Tai Goo, Shane Taylor, Harvey Dean, James Batson, Wild Bill Caldwell, T.M. Dowell, Ron Lake, Brian Lyttle, Andre Anderrson, Tim Hancock, Daniel Winkler, Larry Fuegen, James Rodebaugh, Bill Burke, Ed Schempp, Rodrigo Sfreddo, Don Fogg, Don Hanson and Joe Flournoy are twenty five of my favorite makers. I could continue this list until it contained at least another two hundred and twenty five names. There are so many fine knifemakers out there, and I love it.
 
For folders that I just go gaga over it's got to be John Smith's art knives and the stuff Joe Kious puts out. They're beyond slick and beautiful. I also love Stanley Fujisaka's stuff with those cool ano'd bolsters. For working knives, I'm waiting with baited breath for a large serving of Mayo.

John
 
Mike Snody and RJ Martin. Both very versatile and very talented. There are many many many talanted makers that you can choose from, and these just happen to be two that I like.
 
I'm gonna put my plug in for Bob Cumming. He built me exactly what I wanted based only on phone conversations. I think thats pretty good.
 
Keith,

I've been trying to find Wild Bill Caldwell for a project.

Can you assist?

To answer the question----no one specific in folders but long knives will be Bill Bagwell, Greg Covington, Bailey Bradshaw to name a few.

Thanks

Brownie
 
My favorite custom maker would be Jon and Josh Graham at www.grahamknives.com The work they do is vantastic.Their design's are flawless and so is the workmanship.I own several and plan on buying more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top