Favorite Custom Knifemaker

Out of the customs that I OWN... my two favorite makers are Craig Camerer and Terry Primos. I'm sure that there are going to be other "favorite" maker's knives that I will own in the future... just don't have them yet! I'm definately not done with either Craig or Terry for that matter either.
 
I love Trace Rinaldi's designs, and some of David Dempsey's offerings are fantastic. Bob Dozier's could be the best users for the money.
 
lifter4Him said:
Easy question.
Kit Carson/Ed Fowler.
To me the man behind the knife is just as important as fit and finish.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with Dave, Kit and Ed would be the top of my list, but my list is kind of long. There are just so many makers that not only is their work outstanding, but they're also some of my favorite people on the planet. I'm not going to list them all here, they know who they are. I'll tell you who I'm going to miss seeing at Blade this year, Rob Simonich.
 
Bob Dozier: got my first custom from him. Good to deal with and great knife for the money... I hope to own more of his knives soon...

Ron Leuschen: A Canadian friend that puts out quality forged knives for the user and collector. Good to talk with and deal with.

Bill Burke: Got my first Pronghorn from him. Talking to and dealing with Bill is like talking with a life long friend. If you ever get him on the phone you might as well relax and enjoy the conversation. Top shelf knives that you can use...
I hope to own a lot more of his knives...

Terry Primos: I really like his hunters and bowies. Got a hunter coming.

Ed Fowler: My last but surely not the least. I've never met him but have talked with him on the phone and he has had a great influence on my knife likes,outlook,and appreciation and I hope to own one some day.


These are the ones I have come in contact with and there is not a bad one in the bunch.


Dean
 
Devin Thomas, if you like his damascus, you should see his knives. Of course, you'll be lucky if you ever do see one.
 
I have a Filicietti bowie and a Buster Warenski sub-hilt fighter which are, in my opinion, the most finely crafted and visually appealing knives in my collection.

Other knives I own which I think are exceptional were made by Bob Dozier, David Dempsey, Terry Primos, Tony Huffman, J.P. Holmes and R.J. Martin.
 
my fav custom makers are ernest emerson (hard to find though), pat crawford(have 3 of his, really like them), darrel ralph, brad duncan (i really like the whiplash, was thinking about ordering one, but brad requires a prepay, nothing against brad, but homie dont play that), tom mayo, bob terzuola and bob lum.

the best knife for the $$ is imho from john greco, his fixed blades are built like a tank, i cant imagine breaking one. i am sure his folders are good too, but i dont care for the styling myself.

greg
 
Koji Hara makes some of the sweetest gent's folders available.
Bob Lum also makes nice Japanese influenced knives
 
it's funny but when it comes to handmades I seem to gravitate to fixed blades - it's not that I don't have some handmade folders - perhaps I am just spoilt by the quality one gets with a humble Victorinox SAK.....

Nevertheless here are some folders that I liked enough to own:

Fred Slee -
fSlee.jpg


Russ Easler -
rEasler.jpg


Ralph Kessler -
rKessler.jpg


The one thing that pics can't show is the feel of the action -
for example on the Ralph Kessler semi humpback skinner - it "walks 'n' talks" with a silky smoothness........

Also the Kessler is an integral bolster -
ie: the liner and bolster is made from one piece of steel -
rKesslerSpn.jpg


The Russ Easler is also an integral boster - but he goes one step better in the way the bolsters are undercut/dovetailed to fit the stag scales -
rEaslerSpn.jpg


Anyone knows if Ralph Kessler is still active making knives?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
Daryl Ralph. Basic design. Nothing "unordinary looking" like a kerambit. VERY popular. The Wilson Combat models are my favorite. Why don't I own any of them yet? :rolleyes: It must be because of my empty wallet. :(
 
lately, my favorite would have to be Chase Axinn of Chax Knives. he's a real great guy. definatly and up and comer! his designs are very useful and his materials are top-notch. i bought one of his designs (a small warncliffe fixed blade called "the Cutter's Delight" in M2 and sculptured G10) with my own choice of materials a few weeks ago and i'm very pleased with it. i commisioned another, an 8" recurved camping knife called the Keemosabe. that'll be here this week. then, i designed a neck knife that suits my needs to a tee. i sent him the sketch and he made a pair of neckers of my design! not many makers that will go as far as Chase to win your business! it's a pleasure to send him my dollars and even more of a pleasure to use his knives. alot of bang for the buck and you won;t be waiting for a year.....yet ;)
 
For me,

1. The Strider guys - Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer's custom pieces are deadly, purpose built tools.

2. Jens Anso - I love his Scandinavian design look, and his Damasteel pieces are a bargain.

3. Kit Carson/ Mike Obenauf - Simplicity, utilitarian and well designed by both members of the family.

4. Wally Hayes - I love the look and feel of his Japanese forged blades.
 
there are many fine knifemakers


my 2 favorites are

bailey bradshaw

and of course ... tom mayo .... he is the only "knife person" i have ever invited to my house!!! first rate maker and a great guy. i am glad he is having the success he is having .... i miss the era of a month or 2 wait for one of his knives though :p :p :p
 
Josh Smith is the first guy that comes to mind. Look at his new website to figure out why, though you really have to handle one to see what I mean.It appears he has been making knives for 40 years. Go figure, time machine I guess!
 
also wanted to add bud nealy, he makes some great edc fixed blades, very neat designs, good ergos, great sheath system (MASS), hard to beat for fixed blades ya are gonna carry daily........


greg
 
I think all the custom makers whose work I really like come down to one thing... simple, good materials, no-frills, tough and usable to the extreme and good craftsmanship coupled with great price. These would include...

Rob Criswell
John Greco (retired)
Bill Seigle
Ted Frizzell (mineral Mountain)

Some higher end stuff that I really like (these follow the same standards as above but a little more pricey)

Jerry Hossom (knows how to grind- a master of balance and weight)
Walter Brend

Peace-
Cam
 
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