Help me find the right custom knife maker!

Rolex John

Rolex John

Joined
Dec 4, 2010
Messages
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I think I'd like to get a custom Ti framelock flipper. I've sampled the best of what the midtech world has to offer but it's left me wanting. Ideally, I'd like to work with a maker who will work with me on thinks like choice of handle scales, blade shape, finish on both the blade and Ti, and uses a higher end blade steel.

I've been watching a lot of Jim Skelton's videos and they've left me discouraged. My perception is that custom makers all have waiting lists going out many months to over a year. I'd like to work with someone who who is ready to work with me now, and can deliver a product in 30-60 days. Am I asking too much? Are there some guys I should be looking at?
 
Rolex John said:
I've sampled the best of what the midtech world has to offer but it's left me wanting.
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A month or even two is a relatively short period of time in the customs world.
What/which midtechs have you sampled ?

Doug
 
Very, very few makers will commit to producing a knife to your specs in 30-60 days. If time is that big of a constraint you would likely have better luck scouring the dealer sites for a knife that suits your taste.
 
brandon said:
Very, very few makers will commit to producing a knife to your specs in 30-60 days. If time is that big of a constraint you would likely have better luck scouring the dealer sites for a knife that suits your taste.
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OK...so who are the few?

I'm not really talking about making a knife from scratch. I'm talking about taking one of their "standard" framelock designs, picking out my own scale, blade shape and finish, doing a little anodization work here and there...nothing that should take more than a month or two really.
 
If you're into traditional tantos check out Pohan Leu...not sure what his wait time is but it was 2-3 months when I ordered my second one last fall.

For a custom framelock flipper, that's about as fast as you're gonna get it straight from a maker. Most guys have at least some sort of waiting list.
 
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evanPGH said:
If you're into traditional tantos check out Pohan Leu...not sure what his wait time is but it was 2-3 months when I ordered my second one last fall.

For a custom framelock flipper, that's about as fast as you're gonna get it straight from a maker. Most guys have at least some sort of waiting list.
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Not into tantos, but thanks for the recommendation.
 
No prob...I could give you a bunch of others but not with that short of a wait time.

Do you need something built the exact what you want or would you be ok with a piece on the secondary market?
 
evanPGH said:
No prob...I could give you a bunch of others but not with that short of a wait time.

Do you need something built the exact what you want or would you be ok with a piece on the secondary market?
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I'd be fine with something on the secondary market if it had what I was looking for. I'm not really needing something all that exact....I'm talking about taking one of their "standard" framelock designs, picking out my own scale, blade shape and finish, doing a little anodization work here and there...nothing that should take more than a month or two really
 
Rolex John said:
I'd be fine with something on the secondary market if it had what I was looking for. I'm not really needing something all that exact....I'm talking about taking one of their "standard" framelock designs, picking out my own scale, blade shape and finish, doing a little anodization work here and there...nothing that should take more than a month or two really
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Yeah the issue with the wait is that there's already x amount of people in front of you. The knife itself gets built pretty quickly once your name gets called.

If youre open to checking out pieces that are already made there are a ton of options. I don't know your budget but you have nice cars and nicer watches so I'll give it a shot and see how it goes.

John W. Smith, Jeremy Robertson, jason clark, Jens anso, Lucas Burnley, Les voorhies, Andre de villiers and Jeff vandermuelen all make great flippers in the $500-$1000 range.

There are many more but those are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head.
 
Wow...looked up all that you recommended and that was painful. You have to go to third party vendors...see what they have in stock. Didn't see much that grabbed me. :(

That price point is right in the ball park I'm seeking.
 
Rolex John said:
Wow...looked up all that you recommended and that was painful. You have to go to third party vendors...see what they have in stock. Didn't see much that grabbed me. :(

That price point is right in the ball park I'm seeking.
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What are your favorite production/midtech flippers?
 
evanPGH said:
What are your favorite production/midtech flippers?
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I like the looks of Hinderers and Striders....I just don't like either company. I like the looks of the Begg Bodega....but I'm not paying $1500+ for one of his knives. Does that help?

One thing I'm not fond of is the distressed/stone wash look (Curtiss).
 
Rolex John said:
I like the looks of Hinderers and Striders....I just don't like either company. I like the looks of the Begg Bodega....but I'm not paying $1500+ for one of his knives. Does that help?

One thing I'm not fond of is the distressed/stone wash look (Curtiss).
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Hmmmm...so you like a tac look but no distressing...well...Mikkel willumsen does some nice work in your price range. Doc shiffer may be worth a look as well.

If your morals werent involved you could get a custom strider on the secondary market for around a grand...but I wouldn't buy anything from him either...or Hinderer for that matter.
 
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