High end Custom Knives – Fixed or Folders?

[Gunnie 12]

What are the BEST in craftsmanship and materials used ….


So far from my research, Shane Sibert, Chris Reeves, Scoot Lucosha and Bob Dozier.


Recommendations?



Thanks in advance!

 

[So-Lo]

I can't really think of any well known custom makers that should not be on that list. Its just really a matter of what you like.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Reeves is a production knife , and not a custom.

to me : ( everyone has a diff opinion of high end as well ).
Custom Folders : Carson , Bose , Erickson , Shadley , M. Strider , Dwyer , Begg , Elishewitz , Burke , Nowland

Custom Fixed : Krein , Blackwood , Burnley , Hossom , David Wesner , Branton , Brock , Rinaldi.
Ones in bold I either have or have had. Italics are ones I hope to get this year ( if the stars all align ).

There are a ton more that are worthy , but those are the ones that trip my trigger and ones I would use.

 

[ROBB]

Folders: Michael Walker,Ray & Ron Appleton,Scott Sawby.Tim Wright,Van Barnett,Ron Lake,Fred Carter,Jack Busfield,Steven Hoel,Joe Kious,Jerry Corbit,Kaj Embretsen,Tim Herman,Howard Hitchmough,Ken Onion,Cliff Parker,Don Hanson,DC Monroe.Ken Steigerwalt.
There are many others I cannot think of,but these names are among the top.
Fixed:I'm no expert but I'll put Fisk,Don Hanson,Edmund Davidson,Rob Hudson,Kevin & Heather Harvey,Herman Schneider,Jot Singh Khalsa,Jim Sornberger,Dietmar Kressler,Reinhard Tschager,Dwight Towell,Conny Person,Steven Rapp,Buster Warenski,
Again there are many others I can't think of especially foreign makers of integal designs that are amazing.

 

[Lycosa]

For a FB, don't overlook Leu Custom. His Japanese style knives are amazing! As for quality folder makers, you have a nice lot to choose from. Have fun.

 

[JatMat]

I can't really think of any well known custom makers that should not be on that list. Its just really a matter of what you like.

A lot of names are missing from many of the posts, I would not correct any of them, because as quoted, it is a matter of taste in many respects.
Jim

 

[Gollnick]

This gets us to the whole issue of how you define "best."

Mr. Wylie, for example, lists Strider as among the best folding kinfe makers. Doubtlessly, his knives a among the strongest and if your definition of "best" is based purely on strength, then maybe Strider does belong on the short list of best folding knife makers. Mr. Wylie also suggests Bose for the same list. And yet Bose knives are not anywhere near as strong as Strider's product; Bose excells in other areas. So, you really do have to clarify what you mean by best.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

I was responding with , in my opinion were knives that I felt fit :

What are the BEST in craftsmanship and materials used

.

Granted there are plenty of names that could list , and read like a who's who of the custom world. I just relayed those that I have either handled , used or have experience with.