Forged, Stock Removal or Both?

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
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Obviously, stock removal knives make up a very large percentage of custom knives that are made and collected.
However, I’m interested in the division or distribution of these knives in the custom’s marketplace from both maker and collector standpoints?

So my questions are:

• How many makers only make stock removal knives?

• How many makers only make forged* knives?

• How many make both? And if so, what is your percentage of stock removal made vs. forged?

*(and for simplicity of discussion here let’s bypass the fact that forged knives are usually ground to some extent to get the finished product)

• How many collectors only collect stock removal knives?

• How many collectors only collect forged knives?

• How many collect both? And if so, what is the percentage of stock removal in your collection vs. forged?

I will start. My current collection is entirely forged with the exception of one knife. I have owned other stock removal knives, most notably from D Holder. I may add additional stock removal in the future even though my passions lie in forged.

Makers, Collectors; how about you?
I thank you in advance for your participation.
 
I only forge, both blades and fittings
(and dont grind for fit or finish, thats why god invented files and stones ;) )
seriously though, Id like to try my hand at stock removal some day, that will be the third addition to my forge,the next addition is the armoring room. Ive got some old hand operated edge rollers that are saying " geez Mr. hurry up and use us" heh...after that ill likely take the time to build a 72 in belt grinder...thing is Im trying to stay pre 20th century tech right now. having alot of fun with how things were done pre-electricity
 
I make both, but forged blades make up about 95+% of what I do. My operation is geared towards forging; Its what I love to do.
 
My collection is all forged, though I have owned a couple of Rob Brown stock removal knives in the past and could very well do so again in the future.

I own three custom stock-removal knives: a Kiridashi by James McGowan and two kitchen knives by George Tichbourne. All of those knives have seen regular use, have performed very well and look good doing so. My other using knives are forged pieces by Burt Foster and by me.

My preference for forged blades is just that: my personal preference. It is not a statement that stock removal knives are inferior or unworthy in any way.

Roger
 
Kevin,

You made me go through my collection. :) Fortunately, I have a photo of each and every knife, so it's just a browse through an album, rather than a lengthy trip to the safe. (Another compelling reason for good photography ;)).

Anyway, I was impressed that I had as many forged fixed-blade pieces as I do. I have about (22) forged fixed compared to (21) SR knives. 50/50%...

In the folder category, SR is King. The only forged pieces I own are (4) damascus bladed out of (65). 7/93%

I like all of them, but I have an obvious preference for SR overall. Nuthin' wrong with that. :D

Coop
 
My collection is currently 95% forged.

I have two stock removal pieces from Nick Wheeler (yes, Nick Wheeler) and one from David Broadwell. I also have four on order, two from John Young and two from Rob Brown.

P
 
I forge all of my knives. Why? Because it's fun:D I make no claims as to the superiorityof forged over SR. The one advantage is that I don't have to use as much steel to make certain types of blades.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Kevin,

You made me go through my collection. :) Fortunately, I have a photo of each and every knife, so it's just a browse through an album, rather than a lengthy trip to the safe. (Another compelling reason for good photography ;)).

Anyway, I was impressed that I had as many forged fixed-blade pieces as I do. I have about (22) forged fixed compared to (21) SR knives. 50/50%...

In the folder category, SR is King. The only forged pieces I own are (4) damascus bladed out of (65). 7/93%

I like all of them, but I have an obvious preference for SR overall. Nuthin' wrong with that. :D

Coop
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Of course there's nuthin wrong with that, as there's nuthin wrong with preferring forged.
Perhaps we will show here that we are not necessarily all forged "OR" stock removal, but all just "custom knife collectors". :thumbup::)
 
I do both. Forged blades are probably 60-70% of my work. Since I make so many folders, I do a lot in stainless. But hey, if you want I will forge them too:D:D
 
I do about half forged and half ground. And a good share of the ones I forge (full tang knives) are both. By that I mean that I forge from round stock to flat, forging in the tang and distal taper, then cutting and grinding to shape.
All my stick tang knives are forged as close to shape as I can. These only make up about 20% of my output.
Because my shop is not climate controlled, I like to grind knives in the summer, and forge them in the winter. :)
 
metalbender2 said:
I only forge, both blades and fittings
(and dont grind for fit or finish, thats why god invented files and stones ;) )
seriously though, Id like to try my hand at stock removal some day, that will be the third addition to my forge,the next addition is the armoring room. Ive got some old hand operated edge rollers that are saying " geez Mr. hurry up and use us" heh...after that ill likely take the time to build a 72 in belt grinder...thing is Im trying to stay pre 20th century tech right now. having alot of fun with how things were done pre-electricity
Click to expand...

Metaldender I am in no way trying to be sarcastic and admire forged cutting things but isn't filing or stoning removing stock . I have read long ago was that you end up with a better molecular structure on a forged blade making it potentially stronger than strictly grinding. I have often wondered , I consider a forged blade more interesting and craft like.
 
90% of my knives are forged. I'm wandering farther into stock removal mostly as a result of steel choice. If I could forge bg42 I'd use it :).

Matt
 
If you look through the list of makers in Knives 2008, you will find that the vast majority of makers work in the stock removal method. There are a small percentage of stock removal guys that also do some forging, usually the making of their own pattern welded steel. A higher percentage of makers that forge, also do stock removal.

I collect only forged knives, but that is likely to change. There are just far too many knives that I like that are made by grinding away all the metal that doesn't look like a knife.

Many of the collectors that I know collect based on what they like. The method that the knives are made by doesn't play a major role in their decision making process. Some collect makers, not knives. They don't really care how the knives are made, or what the knives look like. If it is, let's say a Loveless, they will purchase it. They don't care if it is forged, stock removal, or made by the use of magic spells.
 
I'm new to collecting and my collection (although small) is all forged knives. I have my eye on a few folders that are made by stock removal. My preference just lies with forged blades, they're what turned me on to custom knives.
Bob
 
Hello Kevin. I do both but the ratio is about 90% forged and 10% stock removal. I usually do stock removal only if the customer wants it. Say a stainless blade. I enjoy forging more.

Brion Tomberlin
 
I prefer the idea of forged because in my opinion those knives have more of the makers hard work put into them, making them seem more valuable to me. I suppose this is more relevant if the maker is successful. Of course many stock removal knives hold their value incredibly well if not equally. Its more of the feeling I get knowing the maker was involved from the start and oversaw every aspect of the crafting. Quality can come from both sides however and that really just depends of the treatment and steel etc. I tend to think of forged as more artistic.

I do own a few of both and carry stock removal knives due to price and ease of maintenance. However, I would be more proud to show off a forged blade.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
If you look through the list of makers in Knives 2008, you will find that the vast majority of makers work in the stock removal method. There are a small percentage of stock removal guys that also do some forging, usually the making of their own pattern welded steel. A higher percentage of makers that forge, also do stock removal.

I collect only forged knives, but that is likely to change. There are just far too many knives that I like that are made by grinding away all the metal that doesn't look like a knife.

Many of the collectors that I know collect based on what they like. The method that the knives are made by doesn't play a major role in their decision making process. Some collect makers, not knives. They don't really care how the knives are made, or what the knives look like. If it is, let's say a Loveless, they will purchase it. They don't care if it is forged, stock removal, or made by the use of magic spells.
Click to expand...

Odd IMO, but true.
There's a number of makers that I gravitate towards, however still before I buy I have to like the particular knife and it has to pass certain standards of execution, fit, finish.
 
I also like the uniqueness found if forged damascus. With a forged damascus knife, you know there aren't lots of other knives out there with the same pattern, unless by the same maker- adding to the artistry.
 
jonathan brand said:
I also like the uniqueness found if forged damascus. With a forged damascus knife, you know there aren't lots of other knives out there with the same pattern, unless by the same maker- adding to the artistry.
Click to expand...

Jon, I would like to take your point a little farther, in that there's NO two Damascus patterns or blades exactly alike by same maker or otherwise. That is one of the reasons I collect forged Damascus knives.
 
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