High End Production or Custom?

A

Andrew Carlson

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Aug 31, 2012
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With Christmas coming up, I'm looking at some more expensive knives with the hope that I'll have some extra funds! I think I'm willing to go to around $400, so what are the pros/cons of high end production folders (like a sebenza or something) and custom folders on that price range, and what would you recommend for a first time high end buyer?
 
You could get a Bad A$$ custom for that but it would take a while before it was ready though. I would get a Demko.

Unklfranco
 
Those are sick! I looked up a few and they seem really solid. However, I'm more in the market for a "dressy" folder, since I don't really use my folders that hard (I use my HK fixed blade and a leatherman for the heavy stuff). Do you know any makers that do nice "dressy" work?
 
Custom, there is no substitute.
Look for "Well Established" makers, the rest don't last long!

You should be able to do real good for your budget.

Custom, 100%, not many productions can compare!:thumbup:
 
Wow, I can't believe I'd never heard of Henry! Those are really classy, lol! Not exactly what I'm looking for right now, but they will definitely stay on my list. There seems to be tons of Sebenza lovers on BF, and I'm really interested in why. What is it that makes it worth almost ten times as much as my Kershaw Leek framelock? I'm definitely not bashing CRK, I actually want to know what makes them awesome.
 
Andrew Carlson said:
Wow, I can't believe I'd never heard of Henry! Those are really classy, lol! Not exactly what I'm looking for right now, but they will definitely stay on my list. There seems to be tons of Sebenza lovers on BF, and I'm really interested in why. What is it that makes it worth almost ten times as much as my Kershaw Leek framelock? I'm definitely not bashing CRK, I actually want to know what makes them awesome.
Click to expand...

A Sebenza is just a knife...and at the same time its not! Good luck ;)
 
Andrew -

If you can appreciate work from a perfectionist, the tightest tolerances in that range, beautiful attention to detail, a great cutter, a knife that feels amazing in the hand, a knife that has been created to be the perfect EDC, and something so beautifully simple it makes you smile, then a Sebenza is very worth it. He uses good materials, 100% USA made, he's a perfectionist, has machining and knife making down to a science, has won several awards, and has a huge following. Chris makes great knives.

But if you expect it to out cut a $100 knife.. you'll be disappointed. A Sebenza is a work of art. The craftsmanship is amazing. And if you can appreciate all of that, then a Sebenza may be the knife for you.

The Attention to detail, fine craftsmanship, tolerances, artwork, simplicity, materials, where it's made, and perfectionism is what makes the Sebenza 10x your Leek.

Custom knives are great as well and you can't go wrong with a Custom. You can't go wrong with a Sebenza either.
 
I think if I were to spend $400 on a folder right now, I'd get in touch with Alan Davis.

I love my Umnumzaan very much, the craftsmanship is superb, but I think I could do better for the money.
 
Custom all the way. In that price range you could get a frame lock or liner lock. Why get a production or mid tech that every one already has any way. Get a one of a kind custom.
 
A custom is what you should look for.
A real custom takes it's time and is worth it.
The advantages of a high quality prodo are it's avaliability, the predictable price and constant quality.
The customer service should be able to handle your needs.
That said the borders are flowing in this world.

Questions like: Is the knife "A" worth x-times the knife "B"? can only be answered by yourself; handling both helps a lot.

red mag
 
Thanks for all the help guys! I think I'm gonna go custom. I had a really good experience with Robert Carter on my first custom build (2 fixed blades), and I do enjoy having knives that no one else has! I was just wondering if you thought I could get the same quality out of a custom, and it seems like you can!
 
Playing the part of the devils advocate, there are some important considerations to going with a high-end production knife such as a Sebenza. I've had a few customs as well as "semi-customs", and I've found that at the same price point ($400-500) the consistency of quality has been higher with the CRK's/VECP's/DDR's than the true customs. Now at higher price points ($700-1000), the quality of customs is almost always consistent with the semi-customs. Additionally, there are other issues to consider such as warranty work, service, availability, etc.

All that said, you can find good custom knives at the $500 level, but you really have to look hard, rely on recommendations, and there is often a wait time involved.

Not trying to talk you into or out of either path, only putting some of my experiences on the table. Happy hunting!
 
I'd look at Gareth Bull's work and also consider a custom slip joint--they are a pleasure to use, and fit the dressy requirement perfectly.

DJK
 
I bought a Wilson Combat/CRK 'StarTac' Umnumzaan 9/10 to commemorate a life-moment. Sadly, I can't just look at a knife - it has to go into my pocket... and there comes the 'instant patina'! My wife followed it up with a plain small Sebbie in S35VN 7/11. Still - super nice knives - but so are a bunch of others. A ZT-0561 is a super knife - operationally & functionally, awfully close to my 'zaan. My wife bought me a BM 470-1 Shoki 7-11 - and it sees a lot more carry and use than the small Sebbie - as does my newer 482 Megumi. Both a ZT-0560/561 and a BM 470-1/482 together will likely run you just less than $400 - and you'll have a heavy duty worker - and a handsome "Gent's knife".

CRKs are great... if you can afford them. Great workers, too... if you can afford them. My pair of CRK folders has a Nyala fb, a real bargain, as company - and I am afraid that's it for my CRK collection. Yep, super-fine tolerances - supurb workmanship, even if they, too, use CNC machines for production. I guess I like canned tuna over caviar, too. Can't drink anymore, but I never was much for wine or champagne. Scotch or a brew was my poison - and made last Thursday was okay with me. Heresy, but I still count a Buck 110 as one of my all-time favorite knives!

Good luck with your choice. Just recall that, with the Y-axis representing perfection, while the X-axis is cost, you will asymptotically approach perfection with increased cost. A large expenditure in moola makes a small improvement in quality, once a certain price point has been reached. Don't expect a big buck knife to jump out of your hand, magically open, do a pirouette, and then bow and close for you. Bragging rights are a plus... until someone says, "You paid how much for a pocket knife?". They will likely expect that pirouette... Good luck!

Stainz
 
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