Have you ever bought because of the maker

Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 2, 1999
Messages
27,468
Morning folks, I was thinking about the number of times that I have bought a knife because of who made/designed it and figured that might be a common thing that others might have done as well.

A few examples
David Boye knives, I’ve spoken with him and his wife and daughter on the phone and they all were just down to earth kind of people that I could appreciate and of course the book he wrote has started a lot of knife makers over the years, which I bought directly from him and he signed it for me.

Warren Osborne, I had admired his designs and one year my work took me to his home town. So I called him and asked if I could stop by and visit his shop. He said he was just packing up for a trip but he had a little time and said sure. I had a great visit he showed me his shop and the tools he used in making his folders. He has past away but a major influence in the industry. Very kind of him to make time for me.

Gayle Bradley, his designs are no nonsense and are directed to the person who uses a knife day in day out. I have had the folders several times and this morning I was thinking of getting one again. From the video interviews with him on YouTube you get a sense of how down to earth he is.

Many more out there that have inspired me to buy, post about who might have caused you to buy because of the person behind the knife

G2
 
I think with custom knives the person can be a big part of it. I don't think I would buy an ugly/bad knife even if I liked the person, and occasionally I might buy a very nice knife from someone I don't particularly connect with (within reason). But in a marketplace with many different options of similar quality, the person you are buying from is a major element. Might as well support a person that you can get behind. It's definitely something that custom makers talk about. Letting some of your personality out on social media can help show people who you are, for example.
 
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist deserves a mention. Word of mouth and some research led me to his knives. I’m relatively new to his knives, and I’m glad I found them. Not only are his knives top notch, he stands behind his products 1000%. He’s also Uber-interactive with his customer base, not because he feels obligated, but because he wants to be. Can’t beat that combo in my book.

Tony Mont Tony Mont is also a great maker. His knives are amazing quality at an incredible value! He makes no-nonsense, hard use knives with a traditional touch. Super awesome guy, heard a lot of great about him on BF and that’s what lead me to him.
 
Not the maker specifically as I am drawn to the product first. There are people I like personally whose work (culinary, artistic, or otherwise) I do not care for. There are smiths whose work I adore but whom I do not know personally. There are also knife makers and other artisans (saddlers, fellow horse trainers, chefs, scholars, et al.) whose personal traits and beliefs I find absolutely odious but whose work I hold in the highest regard. So it is vitally important to me that I do not allow the personal to get in the way of the professional. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case I might stay away.

As a Russian once said, "Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater as this is a waste of perfectly good baby soup!"

Zieg
 
Some good points, a knife may be interesting but the designer or maker could be someone who you can’t support.
G2
 
From makers I new yes. From makers near where I live yes. I have been in shock how many knife makers have popped up here in Idaho. When I moved up here in 1974 from Lawndale Ca. my next door neighbor was the first homemade knife maker I new. I could not afford one of his. He offered to make me one for a hundred bucks but that never happened . Bob loveless did make some nice ones.
 
Nowadays I don't buy knives made by persons/companies that I have not bought from or that do not have LOTS of positive feedback by others. I don't blindly by knives just because who or which company makes them. I do prefer certain manufacturers (Hinderer, Benchmade, and Spyderco are my current favorites). Have not gotten into custom makers yet. Wanted to try out a CPK DEK1 but gave it up after seeing how hardly people compete for it.
 
I guess this is like restaurants. Some of us eat at big name chains, some eat at mom and pop shops, and others will get on a wait list to dine on the cuisine of a famous chef.

I've never purchased a custom, or semi custom, or quasi custom. I own SAKs, Cold Steels, Moras and Bucks. I guess that makes me a fast food junkie ;)
 
Absolutely.... with customs. and really with lots of Others too.
Both buying, and Not buying because of who someone is.
Look at Becker. We are going to buy KaBar's knives because we like and believe in Ethan so much.


I believe a maker is ultimately a Brand.
We buy their art, so we can feel like we are part of whatever they are hocking.
In all different ways.
 
Yes.

Des Horn
Andre Thorburn
Deon Nell
Dave Skinner
Andre van Heerden
Gayle Bradley though the production piece.
Tom Krein Production piece
John Arnold
Trevor Burger
Derrick Rauch
Stuart Smith

To name a few.

Mainly South African makers as I know them over the past + 10 years
 
For sure. Bought three David Mary David Mary knives, and we’re working on an order for a fourth. Three of them are/will be kitchen knives that I was planning to buy from one of the global brands, and in fact were one click away from being ordered, until I saw his work. The other I had no intention of buying until I saw the blank in progress, and it just called to me. Outstanding blades and craftsmanship, and an all around good guy to boot.
 
Danny Linguini said:
For sure. Bought three David Mary David Mary knives, and we’re working on an order for a fourth. Three of them are/will be kitchen knives that I was planning to buy from one of the global brands, and in fact were one click away from being ordered, until I saw his work. The other I had no intention of buying until I saw the blank in progress, and it just called to me. Outstanding blades and craftsmanship, and an all around good guy to boot.
Click to expand...
I'm sure he gets a third of his business because he's such a stand up guy. :D
 
Every now and then I see somebody post a pic of an interesting knife. Some have websites or other means of contact. I do not use social media so those are inaccessible to me. One in particular that I was very pleased to be able to find who is in Austria is Paul Baleta. He made this knife for me which I think is absolutely stunning.

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Sure. My Dozier K1 General Purpose, though I never met Bob Dozier personally. I have corresponded with Lynn Thompson and Mike Stewart. I wrote to Lynn Thompson around 1990 abut his advertising practices and received a very polite and satisfactory response, as well as an offer to buy his original tanto (a second, with a tiny blemish) at a price I could afford. Still have that knife. I also wrote to Mike Stewart about A2 steel for a review I was doing of his Professional Woodland model, and he kindly wrote back. I had already acquired a Marble's Fieldcraft and a couple of Marbles Campcrafts in 52100, made when he was at Marbles.
 
I own many knives by makers that either were, or have become good friends. It's the best part of this whole thing of ours. And the friends we've made along the way here, as well.

The knives are just an excuse. A great one, but still, only part of the equation. (And I love my knives.)

I thank my grandpa for getting me addicted somewhere around 1958 or so.
 
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