Favorite Custom Knifemaker

Haven't got into any customs yet so I can only comment on what appeals to me visually. There are a lot of makers knives that I would love to own. That said, there is one guys designs that appeal to me the most and that's Steve Sando.
http://knives.mylamb.com/hunting.htm
 
My favorites
Tony Bose, Gene Shadley,Terry Davis, Joel Chamblin, can you tell I`m a slipjoint nut.
Bill Ruple
 
For Custom Folders I would have to go with Matt Cucchiara. I just can't get his knives fast enough out of him and the secondary market. I like beefy custom framelocks with recurve blades and thats what Matt provides along with an outstanding fit and finish and unique Timascus and Titanium clips as well now.

For Fixed Blades I say David Winston makes some of the cleanest knives around. His fit and finish are really PERFECT and even with a mag. glass its hard to find a flaw. His prices are insanely low as well
 
Darrel Ralph. Blends classic design into modern folders, one of the strongest locks out there. (Madd Maxx). Just a darn good guy. :)
 
For current makers, it would be unjust for me to name any single person. As has been mentioned there are tons.

I would narrow the list down to the folks who I am emotionally strong with. There are a plethora of folks who make a quality, near-perfect knife. The distinction goes out to the personality and character in built in the pieces. The nebulous 'soul', if you will.

Having said all that, I DO have an all-time favorite: Hill Pearce. No longer making knives, and I have a monthly conversation with him to keep him posted. He qualifies on all counts.

These threads are always informative. Keep 'em comin'.

Coop
 
My favorite maker is Kit Carson. Like Dave said, the man behind the knife is more important then the knife. I am proud to call Kit a friend.

Kit's son-in-law, Mike Obenauf, is also a great maker that I am proud to call friend.

I am mainly into custom folders. I will say, that I have found a couple of makers that do simply amazing fixed blade work at unbelievable prices. Geno Denning and Wayne Hendrix offer some of the best bang for the buck in custom fixed blades of any maker I have seen or met.

JR
 
I would love to own a LH D/A Charlie Dake double bolster 4.25 inch blade fighter. :eek:
 
i love Daniel Winkler knives, native american and cowboy style.

someday.....
 
RGRAY said:
I would love to own a LH D/A Charlie Dake double bolster 4.25 inch blade fighter. :eek:
Click to expand...


Rick, I'm a big fan of Dake's DA autos too, I have 2, had a third a while back, sold it like an idiot and wish I hadnt. For the $$$, if youre looking for a very stylish, VERY well made lockback DA auto, it's hard to beat Dake.
 
I am not what you would call a knife expert by any streach of the imagination...but I do have a favorite...RON NEWTON. Not only is Ron one of the finest custom knife makers today...he is a good friend. I have watched Ron go from an exceptional welder who never made a knife...to the top of hill and respected by oh so many.
 
My favorite is JW Smith. His tactical are very clean and are absolutly perfectly made, fit and finish on them is amazing.

I also really like my Lee Williams SR1 (fit and finish is in same league as JWS and the design is terrific) and my Lightfoot LCC.

I really like the looks of stuff by Carson, Obenauf, Marlowe, Chris Smith (JW's son) and Kirby Lambert.

I'm just getting into custom knives so I havn't had much experience yet but I know what I like. I like cleanly designed, bolstered linerlocks and all of the makers I've listed make knives of that style.
 
Jens Ansø (maker of the only custom knives I own myself) Jens' style is unique and his work is outstanding!
Others would be Mike Snody, Steve Ryan and Bod Dozier and although I have never seen or held one of his knives, Jerry Fisk! Fantastic knives!

Here's a couple of my favorites from Jens: :)
gents3.jpg


Porcupine Dagger and Nasty Necker
 
There are a lot of good makers out there, and I have collected many knives from a variety of makers. However, I find it easy to boil the list down to my absolute favorite maker: Don Fogg.

JD
 
I've had good dealings with several custom makers, but my favorite is probably Günter Böhlke. He's a great designer, a brilliant craftsman, and a delightful person to deal with. If you aren't familiar with his work check out his website at http://www.boehlke-messer.de/.

Here's a picture of the beautiful piece he made for me.


3-1/4" S90V blade and an ironwood grip

--Bob Q
 
well..........arpod bojtos because i would like to own one of his pieces more than any other maker. also, d'holder, murray carter, ron gaston, ruffin johnson, ed kalfayan, de leon, and russel easler. there are so many that are really great makers.
 
Firstly let me say I don't own a single custom. Why? Becuase I am a poor guy of 18 years on his way to college. ;)

I will eventually be buying a custom though, and when I do I should be able to narrow my list down easily. For one, I don't like tacticals. Two, I would never buy a custom folder. Three, I'm not a big bowie fan. So basically I love hunters and utility style knives! Especially drop points.

By pictures alone, my favorite makers are Bob Dozier, Loveless, and Jens ANSØ.
-Kevin
 
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