If you had to choose one custom knife maker...

Again, this is impossible to answer fairly. But, looking through my collection for knives that absolutely have NO flaws, I can only name a few makers. Roger Massey, Harvey Dean, Tim Hancock, Richard Rogers and Darrel Ralph. In no particular order.

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
Darrel Ralph, because he has a total commitment to quality, because he is constantly evolving and challenging himself, and because he's a great guy to sit around smoking cigars with.
 
ok this is not easy.
i would have to choose either a dozier or a ruana
 
If I had to pick one, it would be *** David Broadwell ***
This guy is amazing. Not even close for #1.
He can do it ALL...
...from simple fixed to multi-thousand $$ sculpted broad-swords, tactical to art.
Incredible diverse talent.
In Top 10 on planet earth.

However, there is so much talent out there... how's this for a stream of conciousness/copout:

Fighters, art/display: Broadwell! , Lovestrand
Fighters, subhilt: Broadwell! Brend.
High end art stuff: Broadwell!
Flowing art gents folders: Broadwell!
Fixed "tacticals": Broadwell, RJ Martin, Siska, G Lightfoot, Brend, Bauchop
Hunting, fixed SS: Broadwell, Phil Wilson, Joel Chamblin, Bob Dozier, D'Alton Holder, Ted Dowell, Denning, Herron, etc. lots...
For forged straight knives: Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean, Tim Hancock, Robbin Hudson
Hunting, fixed CS/forged: R Dunkerly, Kirk Rexroat, J Fisk, H Dean
Hunting, folding SS: Kit Carson's Model 4 in drop point! Reeve large Sebenza (new), Broadwell LDC-107
Gent's liner locks: Broadwell, Michael Walker, JW Smith, Jerry Corbit, WD Pease Gent's rocker/spine locks: Ron Lake, Centofante, J Kious, J Minnick
Concealable tacticals: Bud Nealy (MCS!), RJ Martin (Kozuka), Al Polkowski
Autos: D Ralph, R Selvidio, Valloton, Charlie Dake, Minnick
Tac folders: Kit Carson, D Ralph, Broadwell LDC-107, JW Smith, Joel Chamblin, Terzuola, Reeve, Franklin HAWG (kidding ;-)
Talonite/Stellite: Doesn't matter, no heat treat required, just lots of grinding belts! Pick a design you like.
Custom puukos/Scandanavian: Roger Bergh!
For fancy mosaic damascus: Connie Persson, Roger Bergh, Kaj Embretson,
ABS Damascus: Jerry Fisk, Jerry Rados, Darrel Meier, Harvey Dean, Nick Smolen, Robyn Hudson
Stainless Damascus: Mike Norris stuff looks good and ALSO performs unlike most others, and he does San Mai with 420V. Next...
Investment: Michael Walker, Ron Lake, Jerry Fisk, Loveless
Integrals: Ditmar Kressler, Ricardo Velarde, Reinhard Tschager!! Ted Dowell.
Hard Use: Busse Infi, Ontario machetes (cheap), stuff outta 3V, Jerry Fisk.
Kitchen use, custom: any custom ATS-34 in reasonable designs w/ good heat treat.
Kitchen use, affordable production: Messermeister (after all, don't these get about a much use as any of your knives?)
Neck: Polkowski, Chew, Crawford, Ralph, Mike Yurco, RJ Martin
Filet knives: Phil Wilson (420V), Melvin Dunn (440V, 420V)


[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 02-04-2001).]
 
Larry Chew for his ability to design auto's from the inside out and for his never ending commitment to quality and customer service.

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Member--Texas Knife Makers and Collectors Association
 
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