For the Day I May Get a Custom (Traditional)

KBA

KBA

Joined
Apr 27, 2014
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A few days ago I couldn't stop looking at a custom friction folder. I've never owned a custom and will probably only get one, if I ever do get one. My question is, do you go with a pattern you know that you will like? Or, do you risk it and go with a pattern you never have even handled?

A part of me says, play it safe due to the funds. Then there is a part of me that says, why buy a pattern you already use? If I ever get one it would be a special event carry not an edc.

Any thoughts on how to choose the pattern of your first custom?
 
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I played it safe with my first full custom order. Even so, there's still a lot that gets interpreted by the maker. You know the basics of what you're getting, but the maker's touches are what makes it a true custom!

Speaking of which, time to email Evan again! :D
 
Good questions Brett. There are many great custom makers out there for sure and just as many patterns. I have one custom made by Todd Davison and it is a jewel of a knife.

My personal thought is you need to decide on a pattern and closed length first. The rest is what you like for blade steel, handle material and other appointments like fancy bolsters and liners, etc.

I hope this helps some. :)
 
If you're buying it to use you are better off getting a pattern you know you will use. That's if you are going to commission the knife. If you're just going to buy something already made by a custom maker you have to place a couple other things in priority. Jess Horn isn't making any more knives, so if he's who you want a knife by you're limited to what's out there.

be warned, once you start buying custom knives it's hard to stop.
 
I went with a completely new pattern.

I was playing it safe with a grandad barlow. Then changed my mind to a large gunstock. J. Order drew up both for me, and I went with the gunstock. I had never held a gun stock before.
Really, it's up to you. If you have a knife pattern that fifits your hand, that might be a good route.
 
I'd suggest going to a knife show to buy your first custom. Buying straight from the maker gives you a good price and you get to know exactly how the knife was made and the man who made it. You will know if the knife fits your hand and can see any flaws that you might obsess over if you got it in the mail :)
 
What brownshoe said.
How close to atlanta are you? Big knife show there
in june with numerous custom makers.
there is a show in march in dalton ga, but not too many customs.
shoot me an email if you need more info
 
Jody744 said:
What brownshoe said.
How close to atlanta are you? Big knife show there
in june with numerous custom makers.
there is a show in march in dalton ga, but not too many customs.
shoot me an email if you need more info
Click to expand...

Thank you all for the suggestions and insight. That friction folder just got me thinking and the price wasn't that bad. I'm no where near ready to pick one up though.
 
Choose a pattern. Decide a size. Ask a maker to do it for you, and sort out the details with him.
Pick a pattern that you like and that you think will find comfortable, no matter if you have tried a hundred or not.
I'm sure that you have handled enough knives to know what fills your hand as much as your eye ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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