Generic knives

craytab said:
I get what you're saying op, I've got a few customs I won't ever be parting with for just this reason, some production models as well. Going the custom route does make it a bit more special.


The argument of not being able to afford something that is relatively inexpensive isn't a good one, and won't hold water in an enthusiast environment.
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Usually it is the same people buyin a 200$ knife every two weeks who say, i can never afford a 500$ knife!
 
Quiet said:
Oh, trust me, I understand where you're coming from. I think the cheapest knife in my current EDC rotation cost...well, it's a lot. And most of them are either midtechs, or hand-made/finished.
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I have a couple josh mason fixed blades. I love the japanese style he does. He makes amazing stuff. I can't afford quality hand made balisongs though. Hell, high quality production balisongs start around $300. My grail is a Terry Guinn bali, but at $1000+, I'll have to wait til I win the lotto :D
 
craytab said:
I get what you're saying op, I've got a few customs I won't ever be parting with for just this reason, some production models as well. Going the custom route does make it a bit more special.


The argument of not being able to afford something that is relatively inexpensive isn't a good one, and won't hold water in an enthusiast environment.
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"Relatively inexpensive " is entirely subjective . Hard to really understand if you've always had plenty . I'm not arguing against full customs , just saying most are out of range for many who are just as much "enthusiasts" as anyone .
 
Lots of customs can appear "generic" when looked at in a group of their peers. Lots of makers are looking to cash in on popular knives; they don't wish to innovate.

They survive by confirming the popular mood; thus the current glut of titanium framelocks with a flipper tab, some nifty annno/cnc and a weird blade grind.
 
DocJD said:
"Relatively inexpensive " is entirely subjective . Hard to really understand if you've always had plenty . I'm not arguing against full customs , just saying most are out of range for many who are just as much "enthusiasts" as anyone .
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This one only ran me $150 on the secondary market and the craftsmanship on it is amazing!

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DocJD said:
"Relatively inexpensive " is entirely subjective . Hard to really understand if you've always had plenty . I'm not arguing against full customs , just saying most are out of range for many who are just as much "enthusiasts" as anyone .
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Are these the same people who buy lots of 60 dollar knives?
 
DocJD said:
"Relatively inexpensive " is entirely subjective . Hard to really understand if you've always had plenty . I'm not arguing against full customs , just saying most are out of range for many who are just as much "enthusiasts" as anyone .
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"Most", except for all of the guys selling amazing knives for $300 or less in the Makers' section, every one a full custom, hand-made product. This isn't about who's had "plenty". Anyone can stack nickels together from each paycheck until a month, a few months, six months, whatever it is, they have hundreds of dollars saved up.

Also for the record, every single person I've ever seen say that's not possible, has multiple outlets where their disposable income goes. They consciously choose to spend their money on those things instead. That does not equal "I can't afford a custom". It means those folks would rather spend their money on something else. Very different concept.

So, the fact remains, that there are customs very much in the reach of virtually every member of this board. It just depends on whether or not, you wish to do the responsible thing and set aside those nickels until you're ready. I've been a member here for five years, there's never been a time where I wasn't seeing SUPER affordable customs in the Makers' section.

Stack those nickels, man.
 
DocJD said:
"Relatively inexpensive " is entirely subjective . Hard to really understand if you've always had plenty . I'm not arguing against full customs , just saying most are out of range for many who are just as much "enthusiasts" as anyone .
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I have and have had some hand made customs I bought from makers here that cost less than those cold steels you always post pictures of. So it is subjective. Your production knives cost more than a few of my custom hand made knives.
 
Given how pretentious the OP seems, I'll go ahead and say "why buy something that was designed by someone other than yourself with little input on the design?" It seems like if your paying that price, you should take the time to research materials and shapes, and design something for your own hand. It's not "custom" unless it's bespoke. I like Charlie Mike here and Dylan Farnham for stuff like this.


Next person should say "Well then why don't you learn to make your own knives?" Its all relative.

That said, I Just grabbed a production Perrin push dagger in 440c for 30.00 and it's not bad at all. Sheath is great.

I have owned "customs" with lesser fit and materials than productions of the same price as well...
 
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W. Anderson said:
Given how pretentious the OP seems, I'll go ahead and say "why buy something that was designed by someone other than yourself with little input on the design?" It seems like if your paying that price, you should take the time to research materials and shapes, and design something for your own hand. It's not "custom" unless it's bespoke. I like Charlie Mike here and Dylan Farnham for stuff like this.


Next person should say "Well then why don't you learn to make your own knives?" Its all relative.

That said, I Just grabbed a production Perrin push dagger in 440c for 30.00 and it's not bad at all. Sheath is great.
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This isn't a standard bodyguard, this one was made to my specifications. So.....


I had Matt make me a custom I drew up as well. As have many others, here.
 
Regarding customs....

Can most people here afford a custom from one of the makers here? Sure. But I think you need to make a big distinction between a $1000 custom, made to your exact specs, and a $130 one you find in the marketplace.

This is NOT a dig at those making affordable knives. In fact, I've been considering one for quite some time now. And yes, there are other expenses that are tying up my funds. But the 'affordable' knives are often cut from blanks instead of forged, made to the makers standard design 'template', and have few custom touches. This isn't to say they're not worth the money, or don't have soul, but you're still buying something pre-made vs. custom designed just for you. If you contacted one of them, and had them build to spec, you're most likely going to start getting out of what most of us consider affordable.
 
shinyedges said:
This isn't a standard bodyguard, this one was made to my specifications. So.....


I had Matt make me a custom I drew up as well. As have many others, here.
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Oh I totally get it. I just wanted to point out that "handmade" and "custom" aren't the same thing, and that some quality production knives can surpass the quality of handmade at similar pricing.
 
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