Good Custom/Handmade knifemakers under $100?

There are some nice little packages in the knifemakers for sale section on a pretty regular basis. It's not going to be a showstopper, but it's still far better than dumping your money on a cookie cutter production piece with a black plastic handle.

I would recommend saving $200-$300 and then looking at your options. There are some great knives in that range here. Ian Hall, TK Steingass and Matt Bailey come to mind. Buy once.
 
You can get a knife from JK Knives for that - with a basic handle and in a small size.

He had a basic series recently.

He also offers blanks that you can put your own handles on.

There is almost zero profit in a $100 knife - the knife maker has to make a living after all.

best

mqqn
 
Check out duckchildress in the knifemaker's market section; I am impressed by his work and have seen him post several less than $100. In his case I suspect you get more than you pay for.

D
 
dondford said:
Check out duckchildress in the knifemaker's market section; I am impressed by his work and have seen him post several less than $100. In his case I suspect you get more than you pay for.

D
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Yeah, I've seen these over there. I've never used one or even held one but they do look nicely finished. I don't know how he isn't in the hole after a week. In fact, he's got to be.

Maybe he's independently wealthy. :D
 
dondford said:
Check out duckchildress in the knifemaker's market section; I am impressed by his work and have seen him post several less than $100. In his case I suspect you get more than you pay for.

D
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I recently bought one of Wayne's knives on the exchange and I feel it is an outstanding knife for the money. His fit and finish are way beyond what I expected from a 100$ knife.
 
Sometimes.

Some starting part time makers are able to offer for that. Some are good, some are not.

It's important to realize that PRODUCTION knives made in the US usually retail for over $100.00. A Kabar USMC knife is $60.00....thats powder coated carbon steel with a leather handle and sheath....basic bowie knife but nothing special.

Start getting into good Benchmade, Kershaw and Spyderco knives? You are north of $150.00 real quick.

If you want a nice custom/handmade knife, it is very reasonable to expect to pay somewhere between $200.00-$300.00 for a basic model.

The costs of materials, tooling, and yes...labor, have all gone up in the last twenty years and this is a legitimate baseline. Take a look at the Maker's Section in the Exchange or even the "Custom Knives for Sale: Individual", sometimes you can get lucky.

To be honest, Custom/Handmade knives were NEVER designed for lowest common denominator consumers...they were ALWAYS intended to be sold to discriminating consumers who had SOME degree of disposable income. Doesn't mean you have to be rich, or drive a Mercedes....but handmade knives were certainly designed for consumers who own a running car and can afford to pay for gas and insurance....you get my drift.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
J. Doyle said:
Yeah, I've seen these over there. I've never used one or even held one but they do look nicely finished. I don't know how he isn't in the hole after a week. In fact, he's got to be.

Maybe he's independently wealthy. :D
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His knives are very well finished and feel great in the hand. Mine gets carried in a pocket sheath.
 
Actually, while the cost of EVERYTHING associated with making a custom knife has gone up, sometimes way up, the cost of many not the majority of custom knives has arguably stagnated and in many cases, gone DOWN relatively speaking, when you compare what they cost as say the Guild Show in Orlando or Blade Show back in the early 90's. Compared to the earlier days of the custom knife biz I would say that today, you can get what you pay for and then some pretty easily without having to look very hard at all.
 
JR'S custom survival and bushcraft knives makes a necker for $75-85. It's a really nice knife. 3" blade. He has an Instagram too. Jr's knives.
 
In that price range, have a look at the Grohman series.
Handmade knives with beautifull rosewood handles, stainless 4110 or carbon 70.
Great ergonomics, ideal in the hunting fields and for general bushcraft.
 
Take a look at JK Knives from our forum here. He makes some great knives. You have the Element 01 already mentioned, the Knecker, and a few other smaller knives of his that are under $100.
 
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Kohai999 said:
Sometimes.

Some starting part time makers are able to offer for that. Some are good, some are not.

...

To be honest, Custom/Handmade knives were NEVER designed for lowest common denominator consumers...they were ALWAYS intended to be sold to discriminating consumers who had SOME degree of disposable income. Doesn't mean you have to be rich, or drive a Mercedes....but handmade knives were certainly designed for consumers who own a running car and can afford to pay for gas and insurance....you get my drift.:D
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STeven is right on the money, literally.
Up and coming part-time makers MAY be a good value, but your selection will be limited as will data on quality. Handmade knives are a luxury market. Fortunately it's an accessible market, as opposed to motorcycles, cars, boats, etc.
 
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