In need of guidance buying my first custom knife

knife2knowya

knife2knowya

Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
88
Hi all,

I'm new to bladeforums and new to custom knives.

I own a number of nice production folders from top manufacturers (i.e. Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, etc.)... But I'm now looking to pickup my first custom/semi-custom knife and I could really use some guidance from the community.

I'm not particularly looking to reach out to a knife maker directly and specify the exact details of every aspect of a knife I'd like made, then wait months if not years for it to be created for me... Rather, I have a half a dozen knife maker's in mind who's work I truly admire, and I'd like to find the best way to window-shop available custom/semi-custom knifes by these knife makers.

Thus far, I've been using tapatalk to monitor the knife exchange sections of these forms in hopes of catching something that pops up which fits my taste, but that's what it feels like finding a needle in a haystack (not to mention that everyone else is so quick on the draw to snag anything worthwhile that I doubt I'll have much success this route).

I've also found a bunch of custom knife dealer websites which seem to randomly add a new custom knives every every once in a while, but again, this feels like I'm waiting for something that might never come.

Anyone else have any suggestions on how best to go about the process of buying my first custom knife?
 
To give you guys a better idea of the kind of knives that suit my fancy, take a look at this pinterest board I've created: http://pin.it/yx1c_bS

Basically looking for a custom/semi-custom tactical folding knife. I'm a fan of Todd Begg, Ron Best, Brian Tighe, Eric Ochs, Kirby Lambert, Brian Nadeau, Rick Lala, Van Barnett, Ron Appleton, Rick Barrett... among many others (and yes, I realize much of the work of these masters can cost as much as a new car, but I felt it was relevant to give some names to narrow the scope of what I'm looking for).

Thanks!
 
Many of the popular knife makers have filled books, so the knife shows, sometimes dealers, and secondary markets may be your only choice. So you may want to start by checking for open book makers.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
Many of the popular knife makers have filled books, so the knife shows, sometimes dealers, and secondary markets may be your only choice. So you may want to start by checking for open book makers.
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Thanks for your suggestion.... Just to make sure I'm clear, these guys are examples of the (online) dealers you're referring to, correct? ... And by secondary markets, you mean the knife exchange section of this forum and similar sections on USN?

Can you share another other specific places I might want to look? Thanks for your help!
 
m021478 said:
Looking to pick something up sooner than the next custom knife show in my area, but thanks for the suggestion.
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It's just going to lead to headache. You'll get in a knife you've listed after, something won't be right, it isn't as comfortable or as well built as you like and now you are stuck with it trying to sell in a very soft market.

I have handled every knife (or the same model) in my collection before I bought it. I have sold off every knife I have ever purchased where I didn't know what I was getting into ahead of time.
 
Scurvy092 said:
It's just going to lead to headache. You'll get in a knife you've listed after, something won't be right, it isn't as comfortable or as well built as you like and now you are stuck with it trying to sell in a very soft market.

I have handled every knife (or the same model) in my collection before I bought it. I have sold off every knife I have ever purchased where I didn't know what I was getting into ahead of time.
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... and there's the hard truth :moody:. Not the kind of hobby for an impulsive buyer I guess. I do appreciate the feedback though.

Now that I know as much, can anyone share a link to an updated list of upcoming knife shows?

I live in Los Angeles. I see that the Solvang Custom Knife Show is coming up later this month and it's just a 2 hour drive from where I live. Is this a good option, or is this more of a high-end custom knife auction for people much richer than I am?
 
I been collecting for many years, one thing said to me long time ago and I think about it, " Buy what you like, not what you think will be a good investment and go up in price"
 
m021478 said:
Thanks for your suggestion.... Just to make sure I'm clear, these guys are examples of the (online) dealers you're referring to, correct? ... And by secondary markets, you mean the knife exchange section of this forum and similar sections on USN?

Can you share another other specific places I might want to look? Thanks for your help!
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Online Dealers , some of which are brick and mortar also. Secondary market is knife exchanges such as they have here and Ebay is another source. If you decide on a specific knife you can put in a want ad. You are in as good a local as any for knife shows, I believe. I don't know the dates , but I believe there is a California knife show(oct 2016,Garden Grove) that is pretty big and Plaza Cutlery has a show(this is from memory so you will want to research it). The Gathering is very big and in las Vegas.
I don't dispute Scurvy's opinion that hands on is the best, but for some it is not always easy to do. I have learned what I like in a knife and can now buy fairly well without handling the knife. The learning process was a bit costly though.
 
Jack1951 said:
I been collecting for many years, one thing said to me long time ago and I think about it, " Buy what you like, not what you think will be a good investment and go up in price"
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I'm not buying as an investment. There are plenty of other more lucrative things to invest in if all I was concerned about was money.

I'm buying for beauty. I'm buying for the feeling I get when I hold it in my hand and can't help myself from starring at it. I feel that way about a few of my production knives pictured below, so I know how I'll feel when I have a proper custom knife in hand.

production-knives.JPG
 
Visit the custom&handmade forum here, and click on makers names, sometimes they have a homepage listed,
check their sites to see if they have anything available.


1234,,,:)
 
Peter Hartwig said:
I don't dispute Scurvy's opinion that hands on is the best, but for some it is not always easy to do. I have learned what I like in a knife and can now buy fairly well without handling the knife. The learning process was a bit costly though.
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The problem is it's hard to judge quality from pics. I've also been burnt by knives that look amazing and I know for my style only to be let down by sharp liners, crappy detents, poor action, poor fit etc.
 
What type of knife are you looking for? What is your budget?

Don't buy a custom knife just to "buy a custom knife"... Buy what you really like and enjoy. For example, I enjoy the traditional aspects that Rockstead incorporates into their designs, so I just bought a Kiku Matsuda fixed blade. To me, the Kiku will represent a style that reflects my personal interest and values in knives.

Scurvy092 said:
The problem is it's hard to judge quality from pics. I've also been burnt by knives that look amazing and I know for my style only to be let down by sharp liners, crappy detents, poor action, poor fit etc.
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I definately agree. However, not all of us can afford to spend $1,000 on a knife and spend the costs that come with traveling to a knife show. Sometimes we take a gamble by looking at the pretty pictures of a knife we've been searching for. For me, those gambles have payed off:thumbup:
 
Blues Bender said:
What type of knife are you looking for? What is your budget?
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This pinterest board I've created and pinned knives from around the web shows should give you a sense of what kinds of knives "do it for me".

Basically looking for a custom/semi-custom tactical folding knife. I'm a fan of Todd Begg, Ron Best, Brian Tighe, Eric Ochs, Kirby Lambert, Brian Nadeau, Rick Lala, Van Barnett, Ron Appleton, Rick Barrett... among many others
 
I think if people did a search, they would be surprised to see how many custom shows there are.

Even if it's a show where a lot of the hot names are not gonna be there, chances are a dealer will be there and they are a great resource to check stuff out.

If you can afford a 1000 knife, you can afford a $700 knife and $300 for some gas and a hotel room.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I think if people did a search, they would be surprised to see how many custom shows there are.

Even if it's a show where a lot of the hot names are not gonna be there, chances are a dealer will be there and they are a great resource to check stuff out.

If you can afford a 1000 knife, you can afford a $700 knife and $300 for some gas and a hotel room.
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There really isn't much out my way, and yes, I've looked. Now take into factor the many people that don't live near any major cities and such. Besides, I'm not the type to go to a knife show anyways.

Things are not always as black and white as you make them out to be. If a certain knife costs $1,000 and that's your budget, then going to a show would most certainly put you over budget. However, a certain dealer might have said knife available for $1,000 and taking a gamble may allow you to score the knife you've been searching for.

I've bought customs that were not what I was expecting them to be. However, I've had more good luck than bad and it's been a gamble I've been willing to take. Also, who's to say that you will find the exact knife you're looking for at a show? Perhaps the maker only has the knife you want in damascus and not the M390 blade you've been searching for, or perhaps the scales are carbon fiber and not lightning strike cf.

There are so many things to factor in, but I do understand the point you are making. Once one steps into custom territory, it's a constant uphill battle:)
 
All I can say is to not be in too big of a hurry and don't be afraid to put in the time to do some research before purchasing. Every custom I have bought, I spent copious amounts of time researching before buying, and I'd like to believe that it has paid off for me as I have never felt the need to sell or trade my customs for another. I knew exactly what I wanted and would wait patiently for that particular knife to come up for sale at the right price. Also, if you haven't found out already, youtube can be a great resource to you if you have a particular knife in mind that you want to check out but are unable to handle it in person. No, it's not the same thing as holding it in your hand, but it's better than going in blindly. Many of the knives you have pictured on your pinterest board have youtube videos dedicated to them.
 
Blues Bender said:
There really isn't much out my way, and yes, I've looked. Now take into factor the many people that don't live near any major cities and such. Besides, I'm not the type to go to a knife show anyways.

Things are not always as black and white as you make them out to be. If a certain knife costs $1,000 and that's your budget, then going to a show would most certainly put you over budget. However, a certain dealer might have said knife available for $1,000 and taking a gamble may allow you to score the knife you've been searching for.

I've bought customs that were not what I was expecting them to be. However, I've had more good luck than bad and it's been a gamble I've been willing to take. Also, who's to say that you will find the exact knife you're looking for at a show? Perhaps the maker only has the knife you want in damascus and not the M390 blade you've been searching for, or perhaps the scales are carbon fiber and not lightning strike cf.

There are so many things to factor in, but I do understand the point you are making. Once one steps into custom territory, it's a constant uphill battle:)
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That's why I said dealers were good for checking stuff out, not for buying necessarily.

So you've been eyeing a custom for a while, you go to a show and see he has that model but it's a full dress one. You check it out and it's everything you hoped and dreamed for. Great, go home and wait for one with the options you want or try to get on the maker's list. If it's a disappointment, lesson learned.


A quick google search shows at least 3-4 small custom knife shows within a few hours of where you live as well as a major knife show within an easy drive in Kansas City for the weekend.
 
Scurvy092 said:
That's why I said dealers were good for checking stuff out, not for buying necessarily.

So you've been eyeing a custom for a while, you go to a show and see he has that model but it's a full dress one. You check it out and it's everything you hoped and dreamed for. Great, go home and wait for one with the options you want or try to get on the maker's list. If it's a disappointment, lesson learned.


A quick google search shows at least 3-4 small custom knife shows within a few hours of where you live as well as a major knife show within an easy drive in Kansas City for the weekend.
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Personally, I like gambling. Life is too short to wait:D:p

What/where are these 3-4 shows near me? The only one I'm aware of is the Badger Knife Show in Wisconsin. Is my Google-Fu really that weak?
 
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