Help me find cheap knifemakers. Please.

Walking Man

Walking Man

BANNED
Joined
May 28, 2003
Messages
9,606
Hello, everyone.
Some of my favorite knives are cheapo custom knives.
They usually have a lot of personality, no need to make unique marks of destruction, because they are already there. Okay, well, not exactly, but you don't perfect finish, but you don't expect it either.
I just a cheap Dick Atkinson folder whose quality is very good, but the knife is very basic looking.
Does anyone else like the "primitive" customs like I do?
Maybe I've just been forced to like them because of my wallet size, but I really do think they have a whole lot of personality with out the hype.
But what I'm also really looking for is the names of such cheapies.
A couple years ago I bought a knife from Running Dog.
Are they still in business?
Newt Livesay is very popular around here.
I'm talking about custom knives in the $150 and less range.
thanks.
 
I have a little fixed blade made by Louis Vallet that has a ton of personality and it was only $100. I don't believe he has a website though, but I have his card somewhere so I can get contact info if you want it. E-mail me if you're interested. I'll post pics of the knife when I get my camera repaired, it's really a beaut. I met him at Blade too, he was a hell of a nice guy. Very friendly and enthusiastic. He's a part-time maker, but does nice work. I'm with you, thousand dollar customs are great, but cheaper ones have lots of personality and a place in my heart (and wallet).
 
R.W. Clark makes some great fixed blades that are inexpensive. I wouldn't call them cheap! :D I have a MAU (modernized asian utility) knife of his with a kydex sheath...wonderful bargain, big bang for the buck! :cool:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
How about a Hendrix......

Not Jimi - but Wayne Hendrix of SC
fbda1131.jpg


These are some of my favorites by him -
left to right
Model #1 semi-skinner - 3 1/2" mirror polished ATS34, stabilized California Buckeye, 8" overall ~$125

Model #11 semi-skinner - 3 1/8" satin ATS34, Bocote, 7 1/2" overall ~$75

Model #11 as above - Cocobolo ~$75

Model #13 (model #11 above with guard) mirror polished, ivory Micarta ~$100

http://www.hendrixknives.com/

I'll post the detailed photos in the Gallery

EDIT: 1:46am EST June/24/2003 -
here's the link to the detailed photos in the Gallery -

Hendrix
 
Check out David Winston here at the forums. He makes some damn fine fixed blades for under $150.
 
Arrggghhh! Wayne Hendrix is supposed to be a SECRET. At the prices he charges, everyone will want one and I won't be able to get mine! :p
 
Originally posted by Klesk
Arrggghhh! Wayne Hendrix is supposed to be a SECRET. At the prices he charges, everyone will want one and I won't be able to get mine! :p
Click to expand...

Yes, now I want the #11 skinner too....:D :D :p

very nice - and for once, within my budget. what's his wait time presently?
 
Originally posted by spyken
Yes, now I want the #11 skinner too....:D :D :p

very nice - and for once, within my budget. what's his wait time presently?
Click to expand...

The best thing would be to click on the link to his website that was supplied by UnknownVT and either email or call him. He can be a little slow at returning emails sometimes, so it would probably be better to give him a call.
 
Gene Ingram www.gene-ingram.com

I bought one last year for my father in law and will probably end up buying one for myself in the not too distant future...

His work is very nice, clean, not too flashy, but very high quality. It's what a custom hunting knife should be.

Chris
 
I would not recommend Newt Livesay due to a very bad experience the first time I tried ordering from him. Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works would be a good choice, provided Ted Frizzel has improved his sheaths, or you are willing to buy a replacement elsewhere.
 
The next logical question after "help me find cheap knife makers please" is "help me to the ER I can't drive with no fingers!"

Spend a little pay a lot!
Buy the best buy once!
 
Originally posted by spartan_ajax
The next logical question after "help me find cheap knife makers please" is "help me to the ER I can't drive with no fingers!"
Spend a little pay a lot!
Buy the best buy once!
Click to expand...

Mebbe you should get some experience with the makers we are recommending. Low price does not mean low quality (the Gene Ingram knife I bought was easily equal in craftsmanship to knives costing twice as much). Your snide comments might make sense if we were talking about folders, but we're talking about fixed blades.

Chris
 
Originally posted by spartan_ajax
The next logical question after "help me find cheap knife makers please" is "help me to the ER I can't drive with no fingers!"

Spend a little pay a lot!
Buy the best buy once!
Click to expand...

I would be interested in knowing if you have ever heard of a user being injured due to the failure of a knife made by one of the makers named in the above thread.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you haven't. It's far more likely that the pleased customer kept all of their fingers and used them to count the money that they saved.

I can't speak for all of the makers, but the Greco kinves that I have are fine knives and extremely tough, even compared to ones that cost several times their price. I feel that in many ways they are better than some of the well-regarded high priced "hard user" knives.

Only suckers think that paying more always means that you will get more.

Also, just what would you consider to be the "best"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top