how much is this job worth?

[Malty Falcon]

For a relatively inexpensive knife, I would just buy another one, it will cost a LOT less than a custom knife maker making you a new one.
I would expect a high end knife maker to just laugh at you, and recommend one of his own fabulous creations.

Good luck rehabbing your Ontario SP43! They look burly.

 

[Hashishiin]

It's a common thing in a lot of industries.

Everything bad is blamed on the last person to touch it.

It's not universal - but - I've seen it happen a lot.

Makes your decision all the more reasonable. Sucks that people make it that way. If people were accountable, then I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue.
Good luck to you! I love a nice dark quality carved cabinet, grew up with some, so I love them.

My Kraton-handled Ontario SP-1 plus a cabinet that survived a fire from my childhood home.

https://imgur.com/a/qx8QjBW

 

[Dogpiss]

What don’t you like about kraton? There are many compositions. Or do you not like synthetic handles in general? Or possibly hidden tangs?

I agree with the answers so far, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if he’d consider making you a handle.

I actually really like the shape of the handle, and the feeling is nice.
(Not sticky, soft, or gummy)
I kinda just want a new one because old school looks cool,
I imagine it to look less threatening to joe blows, like grandpa's hunting knife instead of paramilitary wannabe
and because although how beefy the grip is feels good, and stable,
I could likely make do with MUCH less,
and it being so beefy makes it less convenient to carry.
I daily carry a fixed blade (utica sportsman) behind my right most belt loop,
and it mostly doesnt bother me. pretty big difference in handle thickness though

I like the SP series. Wonky grinds, but... big and tough. My "do anything with it" knife, my SP-1.
No, it isn't rude to ask for a handle if he does that sort of thing. You want a handle for the knife - not a knife. When you want a new knife, you'll ask him. I am sure he will not be offended by the mere question.

I do love the sp series though. I had an sp48 for a while. I'm a big fan of full flat grind.
nothing wrong with a hidden tang I figure, especially if it's 3/16" x 1" all the way to the grommet
might have to pick up an sp1, since I havent been able to find a 46 for sale for the last couple years

if he says 150 though, and though I dont doubt the job is worth that much,
It might just be worth buying something with a different handle, like and el gigante or bark river
and just use that as the reason to get practicing
I asked him once if he did hidden tang, and he said he'd always wanted to try.

 

[DangerZone98]

I'm a cabinet maker.
I make kitchen cabinets.

I make the carcasses and the doors.

If you came to me and told me you had the carcasses but only wanted me to make the doors, I would politely decline and refer you to an online custom door maker.

The reason is, that I'm being asked to put my name on someone else work.

Tread lightly when you ask is all I can say.

Not the OP, but interesting insight. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[killgar]

Photo courtesy of member Crag the Brewer.

Ontario model SP53, but I imagine all the tangs are relatively the same.

I don't doubt that there are at least a few members of this forum who could, and would, make a new handle for your knife Dogpiss (strange name).

Have you considered a leather stack handle with matching brass or nickel silver guard and pommel? They can look really nice and have an old-fashioned look to them.

 

[Hashishiin]

I actually really like the shape of the handle, and the feeling is nice.
(Not sticky, soft, or gummy)
I kinda just want a new one because old school looks cool,
I imagine it to look less threatening to joe blows, like grandpa's hunting knife instead of paramilitary wannabe
and because although how beefy the grip is feels good, and stable,
I could likely make do with MUCH less,
and it being so beefy makes it less convenient to carry.
I daily carry a fixed blade (utica sportsman) behind my right most belt loop,
and it mostly doesnt bother me. pretty big difference in handle thickness though


I do love the sp series though. I had an sp48 for a while. I'm a big fan of full flat grind.
nothing wrong with a hidden tang I figure, especially if it's 3/16" x 1" all the way to the grommet
might have to pick up an sp1, since I havent been able to find a 46 for sale for the last couple years

if he says 150 though, and though I dont doubt the job is worth that much,
It might just be worth buying something with a different handle, like and el gigante or bark river
and just use that as the reason to get practicing
I asked him once if he did hidden tang, and he said he'd always wanted to try.

Easy decision, I'd say. Buy the Arbolito my man! That's what's up. I want one of those.