Knife Manufacturers that are not talked about much?

Enzo Birk is a Finnish company that makes Scandi grind and full flat grind fixed blades in a variety of sizes, and also a folder. Good ergos, good fit and finish, with good options for both steels & handle materials (but the full range of options is usually not available with any single dealer -- you have to shop). Bare blades & kits are also available -- so you can customize the ergos & materials and put more of yourself into your knife.
 
There's also Helle from Norway
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And Silver Stag out of Washington
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Sorry that the pics aren't better.:oops:
 
these companies make inexpensive 'industrial grade' blades. Hyde is probably known for their putty knives and scrapers. this one https://hydestore.com/hyde-tools-60090-square-point-knife-wood-handle.html appears to be made of 80CrV2, ones I tested were Rc58-59. good knife for sharpening practice, took less than an hour to make it full flat grind with 10dps microbevel. I have a couple in the shop for general use, one in tackle box, one in car tool box, and one in kitchen.
C.S. Osborne makes leather working knives and tools. https://www.csosborneleathertools.com/category/knives-sheaths the #7 Sloyd is a nice small paring knife.
haven't bought from them but R Murphy has been making knives for a long time: R Murphy https://www.rmurphyknives.com/store/kitchen_home.html
 
G. Scott H. said:
Is this American companies only? If not, I'll mention Fox Knives (they actually do have a USA made line under the FOX USA banner). I have a Fox Desert Fox folder and a couple Ontario XM-1s and an XM-2, which are made in Italy by Fox. All are excellent knives.
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This is not limited to American Knives only. Love to hear about under the radar knives from anywhere!
 
warning given. Post edited for content
this is the sort of deal I found for Hyde knives, can't beat less than $4 each for a functional knife.
 
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The takeaway message from this thread so far is basically every knife company that has not been mentioned often.
 
Have you guys heard of a small company out of Oregon called Benchmade?

Just kidding!

Some of the "unheard of" knife companies for me were Italian. I had heard of Lionsteel but not Viper and Maserin.
 
IMG_2861.JPG IMG_2533.JPG It was mentioned earlier, but Guardian Tactical is worth another one.
Great knives from a very cool US company.
Joe
 
I am often rather hesitant to buy a knife from an unknown maker/manufacturer even if it looks "good". Why? Because I have no idea about their reputation, history, and often the steel used. If the steel is not highlighted in some way, I mostly assume it's 440A. It took a couple years before I was willing to buy a Great Eastern made slip joint.

I was pretty impressed with the STEEL WILL knives I looked at the other day (not sure if it's one word or two). Steel will is a US company, I assume much like some of the other companies that don't make their own blades.) When looking at their folders, I had never heard of the company and was interested to the point of handling a number of different models. The store wasn't real busy and the sales person was very friendly showing me stuff. I was told here (in my thread I started) that VIPER makes them in Italy. I bought the Cutjack model which seems like it's built real well (3" flipper >Italian made, liner lock, M390, ball bearings, G10, good F&F, even grinds) and very sharp out of the box. They have Chinese made models that are less expensive... liner locks, frame locks, and I read here back locks). I am not really comfortable with frame locks operationally and really a rookie with opening and closing them.

There are so many custom or handmade knife makers these days. I only know the bigger names or ones often mentioned here on BF. But, some of these non BF mentioned makers often hang on other forums, and show and sell from there. There are a couple on Rimfire Central that I like and have purchased stuff they made.
 
many cater to a much smaller niche than the bigger companies that cater to many if not close to all niches.

many of those brands designs just dont interest me much if at all. i realize my opinion and view is only for me.
 
Brands like Southern Grind and Spartan get some love. There is a very specific reason that you don't hear DPx discussed much on BFC. ;)
 
I've heard great things about the Spartan blades butting lock flipper folder. Would love one of those. Been thinking about it.
 
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