I'm pretty much done with production knives

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Knives are just like religion, politics, and taste in females. As you get older, you become more persuaded that you know exactly the best characteristics that a knife should have, and when nobody makes exactly that, you have no choice but to go to a custom maker.

The last production knife I bought was a Kershaw zdp mini-cyclone, which was pretty nice except that I would like to strip out the assisted stuff, put some holes in the handle slabs to make it lighter, and make the manual opening smoother. One of these days I see if somebody like STR can do all that for me.

If you want a zdp blade, production is almost the only option. I can count on one hand who uses it (William Henry, Spyderco, Kershaw, and Yuna of Thailand). No doubt there are others, but those are the only ones of whom I am aware. I would not call William Henry 'custom,' since they don't take orders.
 
"If you want a zdp blade, production is almost the only option. I can count on one hand who uses it (William Henry, Spyderco, Kershaw, and Yuna of Thailand). No doubt there are others, but those are the only ones of whom I am aware. I would not call William Henry 'custom,' since they don't take orders."


I'm not really all that concerned about zdp.I already have a few.I'd be happy with 154CM,S30V,D2,3V & various carbon steels.I'm more interested in the fact of having a custom knife made to my specifications.
 
I've come to the opposite conclusion . Due to the quality , and variety found in top tier Production knives , I find it tuff to justify customs . To each his own .

Chris
 
Butch, from Butcher Block Knives is a very good up and coming knifemaker that's becoming well known for his work. He's a good guy, and honest too. He's definetely not afraid to tackle the heavyweights like 10V. Very nice grinds, and good finish too.

As far as production knives go there are most definitely a few knives coming out of Spyderco and Kershaw that push the edge in production knives as far as they can. Spyderco for instance put out the S90V millie, the 52100 utility "mule" with more coming out in steels such as CPM M4, etc. Kershaw has their own series of excellent "sprint" runs in steels like SG2, CPMd2, etc.

I've had custom knives from well known makers that weren't as well made or finished as the product coming out of these companies lately. They keep getting better and berrer too, working with well known custom makers, steel companies and in Spyderco's case even sponsoring people in competitions to learn and advance the science and the art, as well as spread the gospel.

Yeah, I'll buy production knives or customs as they catch my eye. Joe
 
The Mastiff said:
Butch, from Butcher Block Knives is a very good up and coming knifemaker that's becoming well known for his work. He's a good guy, and honest too. He's definetely not afraid to tackle the heavyweights like 10V. Very nice grinds, and good finish too.

As far as production knives go there are most definitely a few knives coming out of Spyderco and Kershaw that push the edge in production knives as far as they can. Spyderco for instance put out the S90V millie, the 52100 utility "mule" with more coming out in steels such as CPM M4, etc. Kershaw has their own series of excellent "sprint" runs in steels like SG2, CPMd2, etc.

I've had custom knives from well known makers that weren't as well made or finished as the product coming out of these companies lately. They keep getting better and berrer too, working with well known custom makers, steel companies and in Spyderco's case even sponsoring people in competitions to learn and advance the science and the art, as well as spread the gospel.

Yeah, I'll buy production knives or customs as they catch my eye. Joe
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The new Benchmade 480 is, on paper and in picture, a production knife on level with a custom. G10 and Winewood handle, S30V (OK, that's a tried and true steel, nothing new), blue anodized titanium liners, a brand new lock, called the Nak-Lok, the backspacer on the knife is machine cut to look like it was professionally filed into a nice twisted design, and it will likely sell for about $130. (head over to the Benchmade forum and find some pictures... I'm not sure if I can link it)

The Spyderco 75mm Persian is another knife with an incredible design, tried and true steel (VG-10), micarta, and 10/10 fit and finish. (I have no experience with the other version)

There is no reason that production knives cannot use the same materials as customs, and also come out perfect as far the quality of the knife goes.
 
You have almost every production knives you want of the ones available in the present[. Who knows what production knives will come in the next years?

Wish I could afford only to buy customs, but I still am a poor student.
 
I have two custom folders and about 48 production folders. I seem to like the production knives better. The customs don't get used. Nearly all the folders see pocket time.
 
I keep saying that I will get through production knives and move onto customs as well, but I highly doubt that will ever be the case. There is just to much good stuff out there within the production world.

BM Balisongs
Striders
Sebenza
Kershaw Tyrade
Zt Series

A WHOLE BUNCH OF SPYDIES FROM THE PAST AND THE FUTURE :D

Barong
Khukri
Lums
Ramco Laguole (spelling):o
G10 Police
Mule Team

Customs are customs (that explains it all), but some production pieces really tug at the heart strings :D

aj
 
I like my new Ray Rogers custom folder so well, I doubt, I will want a production folder again.


Sag.
 
Want a 'production' fixed blade made like a custom - even down to using your supplied handle material? Try a Bark River... seriously - top drawer quality - and very affordable and available from stock in Micarta, etc. Great A-2 blades - and a lifetime warranty.

Look at a Buck 110 lockback - they all belie their $25 cost at Wally World. Now call Buck Knife's 'Custom Shop' - they'll make you a 'custom' 110 - like you want it. My nickel-silver bolster, flaming koa handled, and tear-drop Damascus bladed custom 110 is a beauty - and I got it in less than two months - for well less than half of what the cheapest Sebenza would cost.

Custom knives are much like custom guns. You'd best love them as they are delivered - it's unlikely you'll ever recoup your investment. Also, use them as they were intended, and that value drops more quickly. Me, I'll stick with production pieces I like - in both genres - make that Bucks and S&W revolvers for me! It's a great country - we can each do as we please.

Stainz
 
I love buying, receiving, handling, collecting and having quality knives.
Custom, production, and semi-custom like the Buck Custom Shoppe 110.

For sure - the special blast you get when you deal directly with a maker who makes
a tool/work of art exactly to your specifications is something very special indeed.
And the result is something very special to own (and even possibly use).

But if I only bought customs, I wouldn't have some production knives that I really like;
some of which I carry often.

(Just a few examples: the Spyderco Delica 4 in ZDP-189; the Benchmade 913 Nitrous Stryker,
and the Camillus Model 4 lockback with its huge gleaming brass bolsters, razor sharp carbon steel 4" blade,
and all the history associated with it...)
 
There have been a lot of good points made here.So good in fact,I'm inclined to rephrase what I originally posted.
I love production knives.There's no doubt about that.I would just like to focus more of my attention on customs is all.
Contrary to the name of this thread,I am in no way done with production knives,especially with Spyderco coming out with models in CPM M4.Just recently got interested in Bark River.I really like that Benchmade 480 too.Guess I should've given the subject more thought before posting.:o

So go ahead guys commence the name calling....flipflopper,hypocrite,etc:D

You guys never cease to amaze me with your infinite knife knowledge & powers of persuasion:thumbup::D
 
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cdf said:
I've come to the opposite conclusion . Due to the quality , and variety found in top tier Production knives , I find it tuff to justify customs . To each his own .

Chris
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I agree, and up to now have always favored customs, the only exceptions being CRKs. Right now Kershaw has many models that I want, I also have many models of Kershaws, and have been impressed with their offerings.

:thumbup:
 
I enjoy both factory and custom knives. I tend to use my factory knives harder, and gain a different appreciation for them compared to some of my customs that don't get used as much. Recently, my collection has shifted back to high quality factory knives over customs.
 
This argument is like the Blond VS the Red Head Vs the Brunette. Trying to settle on one leaves no room for experimentations.
 
I like both. Currently trying to get with Pat Crawford to order an XL Kasper. With the collaborations between production companies and knifemakers growing in scope, there results several production knives that are close to custom style and worthy of my money! One example is the Kershaw Tyrade. During the last quarter of 2007 I was toying with the same idea of collecting only custom folders, and CRK's, but there are just too many nice production knives available for me to cut them out completely.

It all boils down to the fact that I like knives.....all knives!
 
I tend to buy custom knives if I'm looking for something special. And once a production knife reaches a certain price point, I am strongly motivated to buy a custom instead.

But there are still plenty of production knives that catch my eye. Thousands of knives I don't have but wish I did, with new models being released every year, and even completely new companies starting up. :thumbup:

And it so happens that both of the brands that I semi-seriously collect were production brands, Schrade-USA Old Timers and vintage Bruckmann pocketknives.

Additionally it seems I have particular difficulty saying "No" to a good closeout sale! :(

I gonna upgrade my membership here so I can take advantage of all the great customs I drool over here on a daily basis
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FYI, you don't need a paid membership to buy from the Knife Makers For Sale Area. The sellers have already paid a KnifemakerMaker membership fee to list their knives there, and are more than happy to sell to us Basic members. :)
 
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