I have a dream of the "perfect" knife...help me

Sproles

Sproles

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
700
Okay-- I know that EVERYONE here has their idea of the perfect knife...at least for them. Some people might have one idea, and someone else might have another. Some like clip, some like tanto. Some like tip-up and some like tip-down. Some like liner locks, some like rolling locks, etc.

IF...I wanted to have someone build my perfect knife for me, who would I go to? Also, how much lee-way do they have on lock types? Is liner and lock-back about it on lock styles? I love liners for their ease of use, but i know that there are other types that are stronger. Also, what should I expect to pay for a custom...truly custom, folder? Any advice on this subject, please advise.

Also, if you don't mind give me YOUR perfect knife characteristics (and why) in these areas:

My perfect knife would be for everyday carry, and the possible (always have this in mind) defensive needs that might arise. My current everyday carry knife is the BM Stryker with combo edge.

(1) Blade steel
(2) Blade style (clip, tanto, etc.)
(3) Blade length
(4) Carry set-up (tip up V. tip down)
(5) Handle material

My KEY question is WHO should I talk to about making this knife?

Thanks for your input...you guys are always a great help!

David

------------------
David P. Sproles
Eagle Scout Class of 1988
dps2970@hotmail.com
 
Well David, here are my choices for a daily user;

(1) Blade steel - CPM420V (or S90 now, I think), much better edge holding than your current ATS-34
(2) Blade style - slight drop point with plenty of belly, more useful than the dropped tanto IMO
(3) Blade length - 3 1/2"
(4) Carry set-up - tip down
(5) Handle material - Titanium frame lock with anodized handles, much stronger than a liner-lock while remaining more simple than some of the new varieties

Give Darrel Ralph a call and see what you can come up with with either one of his Apogees or his EDC (Every Day Carry) with the Dominator blade. You won't be sorry. Good luck and it is sure to be an interesting thread.
 
Been there done that.
wink.gif


http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum64/HTML/000638.html

There are some things you need to consider.
How much money do you have to spend?
How long are you willing to wait?
What do you want different from what's being made now?

I knew what I wanted, down to doing the drawings before I selected who would make it. I looked around a lot to make sure that it wasn't sitting already made on some makers or dealers website, or at a knife show in my area.

Next, I made a short list of makers who showed similar but not exactly what I was looking for. I didn't want to wait a long time, and I didn't want to pay for some makers name, but I wanted someone with good word of mouth from people I trusted. Because I was ordering this knife blind, because I hadn't handled any of the knives from the makers on my list. Art Washburn was my first choice, and I was lucky he wanted to do the project. You can see how the knife progressed on the thread above. I've carried that knife every day since I got it and the thrill hasn't worn off yet. I hope you're just as happy with your first custom folder.
wink.gif


------------------
"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
My perfect, personalized custom knife would be something much like a Polkowski 'Urban Kukri' except only 5 inches long, the top edge sharpened, a more pronounced upper and lower guard (double edged), and the first finger groove slightly deeper. Top it off with a nice thin IWB sheath and that's my perfect custom knife. ATS-34 is good enough and I'd want at least two of them. I know it will never happen but that's what I doodle and dream about at work when I should be, well, working.
 
I'll tell you now...this really is a trick question. If there was an answer to this question, we would not be here. The Holy Grail of knives has not yet been found.

Each person has to base their choices on personal preference. Look at the internet dealers...they have lots of pics, and you can figure out who makes something you like. Construct a list of various makers you're interested in, and begin contacting them.

Good luck in the eternal search.

~Mitch

------------------
My Hobby Page
 
Well, if you are serious about getting your dream knife made you've made a good start by listing the things you like in a knife. The next thing would be to visit one of the large shows (if you have not done so already) and see if any of the makers make something close to what you want.

Unfortunately the top names in the business have lengthy wait times and some are not taking orders until they catch up with their backlog. If i was going to get a knife made and didn't want to spend too much money, i'd look for a new maker who's willing to work with my ideas. Some of these guys produce work close or equal to anything from the big names but at more affordable prices.

My own dream knife would be something like this:
- CPM440V blade of 3.5". Large enough to matter but small enough to be carried comfortably done in a clip point or wharncliff style.
- Liner lock or integral lock. I prefer simple stuff without coil springs or intricate gizmos. If a liner lock, it should be recessed slightly to avoid accidental opening.
- Hard-use handle material like G10 or micarta. A big part of owning a great knife is using it. And with G10 or Micarta I can probably use it until the last days of my life and still look as good as the day I got it.
- No clip. Haven't found a clip design that feels as comfortable as a clipless knife although some are close.


Good luck in your quest
Andrew Limsk

------------------
"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Look around at all of the different dealers sites. Take time and really study the knives they show. If you can, go to a show and handle some of the knives. You will get an idea of what you like and what you don't like.

It's hard to go wrong with Darrel Ralph, but there are a lot of quality makers out there. Hopefully, you will get some names of lesser known makers in response.

For me, steel is not quite as important as it is to others. Bottom end would be 440c. Blade style, I personally like a nice Persian influence. Blade length 3.5 - 4". Primarily I like tip up, but I can be flexible. Handle material - now I'm into carbon fiber that has some texture to it.

How much can you expect to pay. Most likely you will be at around $300 to start. Could be less, but not by much. Lock types will depend on the design of the knife and if there are any Patent rights to consider, Axis lock comes to mind.

 
"The Holy Grail of knives has not yet been found.", are you sure Mitch????
biggrin.gif

<img src=http://members.aol.com/bowiemaker/dbbsideview.jpg>


------------------
Take care!! Michael

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Along the same lines...does anyone out there know of a good maker(s) who is -willing- to work with you to produce a personalized knife and not just his or her own custom work?
 
Moving Target,

A custom knifemaker is someone you will work with your designs. If they are only willing to work with pre-determined models, without much deviation, I would not consider the knife a handmade, but not a custom.

Of the four customs I have, all the makers (Gene Obsorn, Ray Rogers, Tom Mayo, and Larry Davidson) were all willing to work with my designs, or my "modifications" to their existing models.

~Mitch


------------------
My Hobby Page
 
I am almost positive we will see this in a few...
smile.gif


My perfect knife would be self sharpening. Just decide what edge angle you want to have and program your sheath. The imbeded microprocessor will test the edge every time you sheath your knife and efficiently restore the edge using a set of precision parallel lasers. Every time you pull your knife it has exactly the edge angle you wanted.

I can't wait

 
Not2Sharp that is a GREAT idea.

On the other hand, being Not2Sharp, you have disclosed your Invention publically, and have thus invalidated any patent you may want to file on this fantastic idea which Could have made you very very rich. Of course, making a practical working model of your laser guided sharpening sheath could be tricky

Paracelsus, very amused
smile.gif
 
Para,

He did say "perfect" ?!?

Oh well off to goof-up yet another money making scheem.
smile.gif


N2S
 
You may want to check out http://www.mvforge.com/
There are some folders and a range of Japanese-inspired super-swords. (Hack concrete cinder blocks to bits with a 1mm edge and merely scuff; bend 160 degrees before breaking, etc...)

He (Howard Clark) mostly does swords, and I don't know how much you can customize, but I can't say I've ever seen such great metallurgy in a blade, so it'd be worth it to at least check out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top