How do you score a custom?

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

Fresh outta warranty
Gold Member
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Mar 17, 2002
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How in the world do you guys score a custom knife around here? Seems to me a fellow would have to patrol the custom for sale forum 24/7 and be prepared to post an "I'll take it" reply to any and everything that's posted. And it would be a good idea to have a T1 connection also. No time to make up your mind and see if it's what you want. No sir. Just post an "I'll take it" and live with the results. If it's different please explain, but that's the idea I get after surfing the for sale custom folders section.

There's the original post advertising the sale, then twelve seconds later there's an "I'll take it" reply. Then there's a bevy of "congrats on a great custom!" replies.

There's just gotta be a better way. It would take fifty years to get the knife you really wanted by using this crapshoot method. Anybody know how a fellow could score a custom lockback traditional without refreshing the latest posts screen 1200 times a day? Thanks.
 
You could get the contact information for a maker and... maybe... give that person a call and ask to have a knife made.

I know, that's just crazy.

Never mind.
 
Contact a maker directly,order what U want
Do your homework
On & off line custom knife dealers provide a service,as well
-Vince
 
Is Knives Illustrated still being published? I used to get Ken Warners Knives Illustrated year ago.It's like a phone book with pictures of different makers work....You all know...
 
Okay then... Who does a good single blade lockback trapper or barlow style in stag or mammoth and can deliver within a reasonable amount of time?
 
With the stats (below) I'm shocked you'd have to ask! :eek: ;)

Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Seki City, Virginia
Posts: 1,263

Bottom line is to follow the good advice given above.
If you can't wait or find the knife you want online, (or get on the maker's list), there are many fine purveyors out there.

Or you can just pay Vince a commission and he'll fix you up. :p
 
i thought you was hinting at most makers no longer take custom orders at this time type of thing. that is what i ran into quite often when i was browsing slip joint maker's websites.

i will say nordic knives has a nice selection right now if you got the $$$
 
Harry,I'm on John Howser's list for a lockback,targeting after the Bladeshow,His wait time is not too bad & he makes a few styles of lockbacks.
Reasonably priced for exceptionally high quality work,and,like most custom knifemakers I've met,real nice fella.
Tim Britton has a great baby bullet lockback,you can easily locate one of those,too.
-Vince
 
Just got into traditionals and I don't subscribe to knives illustrated. I wouldn't know one maker from another. The only high-end "snooty" folders that I know of say AG Russell on them. I'm woefully ignorant of custom traditionals makers and have no idea (other than the for sale custom folders section here) how to learn more. I suppose I'll send off for a knives illustrated mag. What about this Ken Ericson dude here on the forums? Does he do lockbacks?
 
Harry Callahan said:
Just got into traditionals and I don't subscribe to knives illustrated. I wouldn't know one maker from another. The only high-end "snooty" folders that I know of say AG Russell on them. I'm woefully ignorant of custom traditionals makers and have no idea (other than the for sale custom folders section here) how to learn more. I suppose I'll send off for a knives illustrated mag. What about this Ken Ericson dude here on the forums? Does he do lockbacks?
Click to expand...

Yes,I have seen lockbacks from Ken,a bullet,if I'm correct & more recent a LB whittler
-Vince
 
Wow. Keep the names coming. As for "reasonable" amount of time, I'd say a year at the outside. Six months would be better. Lockback or linerlock a must. No slippies for these fingers. Thanks.
 
Two more names to drop,for a LB
Jerry Halfrich,Ray Cover
-Vince
 
Harry Callahan said:
What about this Ken Ericson dude here on the forums? Does he do lockbacks?
Click to expand...
I can think of better ways of framing that question and more appropriate ways of finding out the answer.
(Like asking that Erickson dude if he's taking orders presently, what his wait time would be if he is, and his price for the work.)

I'm just sayin'...
 
Ray Cover is no longer making lockbacks. (I've asked.)
Jerry Halfrich's wait list is a couple of years or more. (Unless he posts something in the sale area or makes it available via a purveyor.)
 
You can find Ray Cover lockbacks for sale,though.I think there was one for sale,recently,right here on BF's in the exchange
-Vince
 
Blues said:
Ray Cover is no longer making lockbacks. (I've asked.)
Click to expand...
I usually notice one of Ray Cover's lockbacks coming up for sale once a month or so in the for sale by individuals forum here and I would think that any of the better dealers could locate one (but there would that would obviously cost a bit more).
 
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Yes, Ray's lockbacks are posted pretty regularly both here on the forums and on the purveyor sites.
It's unfortunate that Ray has decided that he no longer wants to make them, however. That said, he's getting on a bit and wants to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Ray's knives are an excellent value imho.
 
VCM3 said:
You can find Ray Cover lockbacks for sale,though.I think there was one for sale,recently,right here on BF's in the exchange
-Vince
Click to expand...
Yeah, and it probably lasted 20 seconds before somebody posted an I'll take it. Hence my post. No offense to you guys, but put yourself in my shoes. No familiarity with the custom knifemaking world. Looking for a semi-rare offering (locking single blade traditional). And totally overwhelmed by these three second for sale posts. There's just gotta be a better way.
 
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