I got my first custom!

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
I just got my first custom knife! It's an Elishewitz Phantom left handed model. Here is a pic.

elishewitz.jpg


This is by far the smoothest of any knife I have ever owned. That includes the Sebenza I had to get rid of to buy this. I have only one question. The liner engages all the way to the far side of the rear of the blade. It doesn't go off the blade or anything, but I am wondering if this is a problem, or is this how a knife is supposed to lock up? I'm used to production knives, so the quality is different.
 
Congratulations Lanny on your new acquisition and welcome to the world of custom knives. I hope all is well. We haven't spoken in a while.

Ideally, you would like the liner lock and blade to meet either mid-way on the back of the blade, or closer to the right side (since this is a left handed model) of the blade (when the blade is facing you)without the edge of the liner protruding over the edge of the blade. But, as long as the liner isn't hanging over the edge, and the lockup is tight (no vertical or horizontal shake) it should be fine. Of course the more bend in the liner, the less strength that it will have under EXTREME conditions. But, will you be using the knife in that fashion??

If it bothers you, contact Allen Elishewitz, I am sure that he would help you out with it no problem.

My experience has been that when using a liner lock, the majority of the pressure is not really put on the lock itself but on the stop pin in the cutting process. The lock itself is just one component in the knife (albeit an important one). There are other contributing factors that can cause the lock to be compromised in use. One of which is the rigidity of the handle. If too much side pressure is put on the knife during the cutting process (it is squeezed too tight), and the liner rests close to the edge of the back of the blade, the side pressure could move the liner off the edge. I personally have never seen that happen.

If the knife can be potentially used for protection which could include potential stabbing, the liner lock may be more prone to failure due to potential backward pressure. Thought that may be only in extreme use.

I have had a number of liner locks that had liner locks beyond half way, (mostly spyderco models, not customs), but with no incidence.

If you decide that you want to send it back to Allen for work, check the knife over well, especially the lockup (lateral, horizontal and vertical). If there is a problem, make sure that you are as specific as possible about it.

Send me an email or call me about it if you would like to discuss it further.

Again, this is my experience and opinion. Some may not agree.

Thanks ;)
 
What Bob said. And the good thing about custom knives from a fine, respectable maker is that if you want it tweaked, then tweaked it shall be. Get in touch with Allen, and let him know exactly what you want. While the knife is 100% workable in it's current state, it won't take much more than asking to get it precisely the way that makes you happiest.

Welcome to the dark side! There's no going back now!
 
Hey BOB!

Thanx for all the info. You are as always very knowledgable on this subject. I bought this knife to use and enjoy, not to sit on a shelf, so I am not too worried about a very small thing like where the liner sits. I am just curious if this is going to wear quickly or not. I'm sure I will end up sending it to him for tweaking, but I can't do it right now because I must play with it and cut things:D
I was rotating between a Socom Elite and an LCC before I got this knife. Although the latter company is very good, it doesn't compare in my eyes to a custom. Especially since I am a lefty, and this knife is specifically for me. Not I must stop myself from selling the remainder of my knives to buy another custom. Must Stop....But can't....the urge is too big...ARRGHHH! Oh well. Guess I gotta go get another. And so the Sickness begins.
 
nice,verrry nice.
allen makes some fine blades.
he's on my 'gotta have it' list.
 
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