Is It A Custom ?

A

akivory

Joined
Feb 5, 2001
Messages
808
In reading the thread about Randall knives it seems as though the name custom is
subjective.I see most knife makers websites that they have set designs that you order from.
Is it more of a custom knife if I chose the materials and styles ?As a maker becomes
more successful he can buy better equipment and do less hand work and hire help. Some
of the specially companies were started out by quality makers.At what point is a knife no
longer a custom ? Just something to think about

Chuck.
 
I try not to think about it too hard, it just gives me a headache and makes me cranky :grumpy:

This is one of those ongoing debates that have no real definitive answer. The Knifemakers Guild does have a set of standards for their members, but it hardly matches Webster’s definition of "custom".

As a customer you have to decide what level of "sole-authorship" you are looking for in a knife, and check with makers to see if they live up to your standards.
 
Whether it is custom has nothing to do with whether it is machine made or handmade.

There are two definitions that are widely in use which is the source of the confusion.

The first is the official definition for custom as is found in the dictionary- made specifically to fit you (much like a tailored suit as opposed to off-the-rack).

This means that the handle is made with you hand in mind. The blade physical specs (length, width, thickness, grind, finish, other design features and balancing point) is determined by you.

The other prevailing industy concensus on definition of custom-made refers to the knife being handcrafted personally by a particular individual.
 
Hi Chuck,

Since America is home of the "BRAND". The Knifemakers Guild some 35+ years ago used the word "custom" as a branding term for advertising purposes.

So there are two definition of "custom" when it comes to custom knives. The literal definition and the branding definition.

Is every knife made by a custom knife maker a "custom" (literal defintion)? No.
However, the first one they made (if it becomes a model that they sell several of) was a custom (literal definition). Both are also "custom" (branding definition) knives.

Since there are those who only want to use literal definition's. If qualifying a knife category requires a literal definition, then why is the term "hand made" even used.

As literally, there is no such thing. All knives are made using some kind of tool(both power and non-power tools). Even flint napped knives.

However, hand made remains a viable category in not just knives but in other commodities as well. Furniture, clothing, etc. Use the term hand made, some use hand crafted.

So like the branding term "custom". Hand made is also used (while being taken out of true context) to identify a particular type of construction technique(s).

When in doubt call the person who's name is on the knife. If a sales department or shop foreman answers the phone. There is a pretty good chance it's not a "custom" (branding term).
 
Very well stated Les!
Thank you!
 
Hey guys,
I enjoy reading some of yall's thoughts on this topic, it seems to get stretched every way possible. I don't want to mislead people when it comes to what I'm doing in my shop & how I go about making my knives.
Whether someones knives are true customs is always up for debate, & whether or not they are handmade is always up for discussion too. I myself have custom handmade knives at the top of my website & on my brochures but I guess it depends on who you talk to, to whether mine are what I advertize them to be.
I cut all my pieces out of larger pieces of stock by hand, but I do use a bandsaw. I use a bader beltsander to hollow grind my blades & I hold the blade with vise grips & a push stick, but I'm still using a machine to grind with. I use patterns for the style of my knives, either paper patterns or some I've cut out of thin metal, if it's a fairly popular model for me. And I do draw some patterns by hand & some on my computer with a cad program. But even there none of my knives will be exactly the same, in fact if I'm building two of the same models, the blades or that fact any of the pieces will interchange.
I did have Larry Chew get some pieces lazer cut out a couple a years ago when I first got into making liner locks but didn't want to be held to the one pattern, so I used up the 8 sets & havn't had anything done by lazer since. I also had Larry Davidson mill me some pieces out on his CNC Mill for a set of 7 trappers I built for a customer that wanted the exactly the same and a few other things. But I really like making one knife at a time & just doing what works for that knife.
Back to the custom question, If a customer calls or emails with particular requests I do my best to please him. I'll try to use his or her drawings or their comments to make their knife specially like they want it if they don't like the examples of the knives I have on my website. If they want a blade shaped different or if they want something they've seen on my page but would like to make changes with it, I can do that to.
I've had a customer ask for a three bladed knife on my website & through time on the phone & through emails decided on basically the same knife but with 6 blades. And some will omit a blade & have a different style of blade put in its place.
I want to please all of my customers & build them the knife they want if it's the kind of knife I like to build. I don't build swords or bowie's & don't really care to make fixed blades but will build some. If a customer tries to order something like that from me I try to lead them in the right direction to someone that can build what there wanting. My main thing is that I want to please everyone & I know that's asking too much but I always want to do my best & I don't ever want to mislead anyone.
I appreciate the way you guys approach this issue. Well I've rattled on enough, just wanted to comment. Talk to yall later, God bless, Dwayne
 
Well i love my Randall's and i used to think they were custom knifes, heck i still do to some degree if not all the way, all most all of my Randall's where made when Bo was still alive, what a guy he was and a great maker for sure.

Used to think Les was just full of bull on Randall Knifes being production knifes, but he love knifes way too much to think he doesn't know what he's saying, so even if i still think of my Randall's as custom knifes or not, i'm not putting Les down anymore over this one, just two deferent opinions is all and everyone thinks theirs is the best opinion anyway, that's only human.

Bottom line, all my Randall's have gone in some cases way up in value, so i'm happy no matter who calls them what and they sell very fast at the right market price today.

James
 
Thanks Les,
What made me ask the question was my recent order of a William Henry “custom”.I
personally am not picking up knives for the investment. I like quality knives . I started
collecting knives by trading handle material for them . If I had a lot of extra money I
would probably do the research and collect quality customs.For the last twenty years I
have made my living selling ivory and my sculptures. I have had about four true collectors
who bought the best of my art work . The value of their collections has gone up
considerably. The rich get richer by buying things they like that go up in value.
The knife market is huge . There are many levels. It seems as though there is something
for every one.

Chuck
 
APM, the definition of "custom" is mostly dependent upon what is trying to be sold by the seller. Your Randalls are just as custom as knives sold under a single name that in fact represents more than one man's work, just more honest in their representation. When pressed to name the names, though, few admit it.

You're fortunate enough to enjoy the quality of your knives without getting caught up in the silly syllogisms perpetrated by the industry and its apologists.
 
For me if I am selling the knife it is a custom, and if I am buying the knife it is hand made. :) That's about how I feel about the hole custom vs hand made subject.
 
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