Impeccable Knifemakers, who are they?

Daniel said:
Nobody has mentioned Vince Evans.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

How could that happen?

Two other makers that I think should be mentioned are Des Horn and Glen Waters.

Did anyone mention Yoshindo Yoshihara?
 
I'd like to add another vote for Kirby Lambert. Best quality and consistency I've seen from a tactical maker, he's outstanding!!!
 
Impeccable makers,

Main Entry: im·pec·ca·ble
Pronunciation: (")im-'pek-&-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin impeccabilis, from in- + peccare to sin
1 : not capable of sinning or liable to sin
2 : free from fault or blame : FLAWLESS

While number 1 may not apply to him, but number 2 certainly does and
that would be

Tim Wright

a few other makers that spring to mind and some were mentioned already

Tim Zowada
Don Fogg
Hiro Ohta

and from a mid-custom maker
William Henry is right up there in fit and finish on the majority of their lineup

But those that do not know of Tim Wright, his folders are an amazing piece
of work, he creates the very screws that go into them as well as making
the tools to take the knife apart, and inside the tool are a set of extra
screws, just in case, as well as a small vial of oil that you can inject to
keep things going smoothly, here is a shot of a folder taken apart, only
two screws to remove! unfortuantely, like a knuckle head, I didn't get
a shot of the knife altogether, duh! but believe me when I say it is a work
of art in and of itself, this knife Tim made will be going to his father, who
he greatly admires.

timothy2.jpg


timothy6.jpg


G2
 
Daniel Koster went way beyond the call of duty for me. For details see disappearing Damascus thread.
 
I'll add

Ron Best - Incredible integral design knives

"Willy B" Ellis - Fantastic detailed carving and engraving

Gil Hibben - Even if you don't like his art knives, his hollow grinds on his hunters and folders are as flawless as I have seen. There's no substitute for 50 years of experience.
 
I have delt with the following and they go beyond the call.
1. Daniel Winkler
2. JR Cook
3. Jerry Fisk
4. Tai Goo
5. PJ Tomes
6. Lonnie Hanson-tomahawks
7. Brett Gatlin
All were super nice, and their products outstanding.
 
marcangel said:
That was the point of this thread to begin with, to judge the maker not by just the product, but how the transaction goes, irrespective of personal issues.....
Click to expand...

Some people are not reading the entire thread.

IT IS NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST!!!!

The thread was started and has gotten some good input from those that can comprehend/play by the rules......and some infuriating input from those with a) VERY little experience with custom knives and/or b) no regard for the criteria used to judge impeccableness.:D

Three glaring examples:

1. Darrel Ralph may just be fine and impeccable and all, but is his step-son with Darrel's foot-up-his-butt deserving of the title "impeccable"? Maybe, but no one else has granted that title in this thread. Maybe someday. Great advertising, though.:mad:

2. Rod Chappel? Rod Chappel? You mean the Rod Chappel that was thrown out of the Knifemaker's Guild for taking deposits and not delivering the goods? IF Rod was a really, really active knifemaker today, you would see one of those Allan Blade/Newt Livesay type threads where he was tarred and feathered (justifiably) for not delivering. I say this with a great deal of knowledge and fondness for Rod, but I would not give him a deposit.

3. Gil Hibben? Probably, but not for the reasons given. Gil is a master at washing out grind lines. He is also a super guy, very giving of his time and his knowledge, and his fantasy knives are very creative. Gil works so fast at making a knife that you almost have to judge his work seperately from that of his contemporaries. I have owned examples of Gil's work from the '70's and from the '90's and in both cases, the hollow grinding was...adequate.

Come on guys, don't just pick your favorite makers/the ones that you have gotten knives from/can afford. Stretch your minds, and ask questions of yourselves, and re-read the definition of impeccable.

Rant off!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I would like to add Tim Galyean. His designs are very unique and the mechanics of his folders are perfect.
 
Danbo said:
No, you can't. But, I will. Every Nick Wheeler knife I've ever seen has been as close to flawless as a human being can make.
Click to expand...

That is because on average, Nick makes 1 1/2 knives per year!:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
There are several makers listed in this thread I would have picked, but I don't need to repeat them (especially since some have been listed more than once). But one guy I don't think I saw listed is

Willie Rigney

I never met the man or even spoke to him so can't comment on his character, but I sure like the knives - both the damascus art daggers as well as the stainless blades. Very nice and very well made (at least to my moderately experienced eyes).
 
I bought knives from many good makers. If I was to choose those that delivered "almost perfect" work, here they are (in alphabetical order):

ANSO, Jens (sheepfoot necker)
Blackwood, Neil (small fxed blade)
Hanson, Don (bowie)
Lake, Ron (interframe folder)
Mayo, Tom (framelock folder)

I got very good knives and business from other makers, but as it isn't the subject I wont list them here.
 
shadow57 said:
I have delt with the following and they go beyond the call.
1. Daniel Winkler
Click to expand...

Daniel makes great knives, but to call them impeccable is misleading, IMHO. I have one in my possession where one of the shoulders is not radiused or cleaned up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top