How to find contact info for custom makers?

[precisionshootist]

How can I find contact information for a custom maker? Example would be Steve Voorhis, Joe Pardue, etc. Searching the old fasion way results in just dealers who are reselling. Finding any particular maker to commission a new piece is proving difficult. I just suddenly have the itch to commission a custom fighter, bowie or tactical style folder or maybe one of each. These would be users not safe queens. So my approach is searching large custom knife resellers to find a knife similar to what I'm after then attempt to contact that maker to see if they are taking orders or are interested if making what I'm after. I'm I going about this the wrong way?

Also if you have any suggestions for a maker that would do a custom version of a sub hilt fighter (Loveless style), A bowie (Bagwell style)?

Thanks

 

[WValtakis]

The index in the back of the "Knives 'XX" annual books has the most comprehensive list I know of.

 

[precisionshootist]

The index in the back of the "Knives 'XX" annual books has the most comprehensive list I know of.

Thank you! I will check into that source. It seems the days of contacting a "custom knife maker" and putting in an order are long gone. Back in the early days of "tactical folders" I Called and spoke directly with Pat Crawford before buying one of his large tanto folders. I also spoke with Emerson's wife about a CQC6 which at the time was $325 and about a year wait. These days by the time you find a maker that produces something interesting and desirable their books are closed, they aren't really interested or they are pricing their work at unrealistic levels.

 

[Win Heger]

I'll second the Knives Annuals for lists of makers, sometimes you have to really go back in time, though. I remember the old days, too, but by attending shows and meeting makers I was able to place a lot of orders.

Check out some of the makers on this forum, I know Tony Mont can do an exceptional Bagwell, maybe Tim Steinglass would tackle a Loveless style sub-hilt, most popular the Big Bear.

 

[Steven65]

If makers are tough to find the chances are that they don't want direct contact with customers or accept orders. Makers who do want those things tend to be readily accessible.

 

[precisionshootist]

I'll second the Knives Annuals for lists of makers, sometimes you have to really go back in time, though. I remember the old days, too, but by attending shows and meeting makers I was able to place a lot of orders.

Check out some of the makers on this forum, I know Tony Mont can do an exceptional Bagwell, maybe Tim Steinglass would tackle a Loveless style sub-hilt, most popular the Big Bear.

Thank you! I have been checking out some of Tony Monts' work on your suggestion. He could definitely do a nice Bagwell interpretation.

 

[precisionshootist]

If makers are tough to find the chances are that they don't want direct contact with customers or accept orders. Makers who do want those things tend to be readily accessible.

Yes, I think you are correct. It's been a long time since I've had any interest in customs as my main interest always was "user" knives and after acquiring several customs I came to the conclusion high end production knives were actually better and more reliable as users (at least that was my opinion and experience anyway). The exception for me is Randall made, those I have kept in my collection. Now all the sudden out of no where I have the itch to carry and use something that is hand made and one of a kind. Weird how that happens.

 

[argel55]

Now you would have to go back a few years to find a complete list of makers. Sometime recently they started only putting bios of makers who had pictures in that years Annual.