knifemaker?

spyken

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Joined
Apr 29, 2002
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does anyone know of any knifemaker who can build me a 4.5inch S30V tactical-looking fixed blade with full convex ground blade with G10/linen micarta scales (somewhat similar to the Strider knives) for under $80? would appreciate contact details, webpage details etc. Thanks!

what about folders for under $120?

thanks again....

spyken
 
you have to be kidding, $80 would not cover the cost of materials, s30V is not cheap buddy.
 
oops! :o ....how about D2 then? what would be reasonable prices?

spyken
 
If you are looking for a 'custom' knife then I can presume you are looking for something that is better made than most [no flames just yet] production knives.
To think a Maker will make you a quality knife for the kind of money you are looking at is just not going to happen.

I don't know who told you D-2 is "inexpensive" steel. You really will not save a whole lot of money when you are talking a knife with a four-inch or under blade.

For the kind of money you are looking to spend, buy a kit-knife and built it yourself. If you don't want to, there are several kit knives on E-bay that sell for around $120-$150.

But in a custom knife, you get what you pay for and for a custom folder at $120.00, the Maker would have to be your brother..........
 
haha, I will take all this in my stride.... I guess I was kinda hoping that I could have a "feel" of custom knives with my limited budget (remember reading somewhere that someone mentioned that you could get custom knives for 50-80 from certain knifemakers, I may have misread :o ).

thanks! no intention of "devaluing" the knifemaking industry by my proposed budgets....I was under the impression that a budding / part-time knifemaker would be willing to consider taking up the challenge of producing such a knife.

ok, so my question again - what are reasonable budgets?

cheers!

spyken
 
If you are looking for a good, no-nonsense custom tactical for under $150, you might want to check out Newt Livesay's work...most of it is in tool steel but he does make some pieces in D2

http://www.newtlivesay.com/

Another option is Don Crockett, an up-and-comer...he makes great tactical folders in/under the $150 range

my friend and fellow forumite cockroachfarm has this nice piece

hcf3p.jpg


you can see Crockett's work here:

http://photos.yahoo.com/crockbite57

Yet a third option would be John Greco...VERY solid pieces at incredible prices

http://www.bladeart.com/artists/john_greco/john_greco.htm


RL
 
Originally posted by spyken
(remember reading somewhere that someone mentioned that you could get custom knives for 50-80 from certain knifemakers, I may have misread :o ).

You didn't misread, you can by certain handmade knives from certain knife makers, I know, I have several. Including a few from ABS Master Smith PJ Tomes. Just don't think you can order any knife you want, with any material you'd like in that price range. :rolleyes:

Heck, I know guys that are making and selling DDR's Kit knives for more than what you're willing to spend. My suggestion is to look around for a while, save your money, until you find a maker that does the style of knives you like and works close to your price point. Contact him, let him know what you want and find out his price and wait time, then order your knife and continue to save. You can buy any kniffe you want, if you're willing to wait and to give up something else to get it. ;)
 
Originally posted by Rifter
you have to be kidding, $80 would not cover the cost of materials, s30V is not cheap buddy.

There's no question that spyken is being wildly optimistic as to what he can purchase for 80 bucks, custom or not, but are you telling me that a hunk of s30V and a couple of linen micarta scales costs more than $80?
 
ichor,

I am a hobby maker, so I know how much some of this costs. S30V is a more costly steel. It also is tougher to grind, which means more belts. $20 for belts to grind this knife probably isn't unreasoable. Add to that the price of the heat treat (READ: send to Paul Bos). Add to that price the cost of the micarta. K, maybe the materials won't cost $80, but they won't be cheap, for sure. Plus there are the incidentals, like filters for masks, bits for drill and millimg machine (Strider Knives mortises the tangs into their g-10 with a mechanical fit, that requires a mill- the poster wasnted it like Strider Knvies! Assuming this is what he wanted...). Did the guy want g-10 pins too? Those aren't cheap. Nickel Silver pins are more than Stainless pins. Screws are even more. And then add the cost of the sheath material, $80 is probably a good estimate!

Spyken, one option you have is to ask on SHop Talk if anyone coudl amke you a 4.5" tac blade for around $80. Leave the details at that, and see if anyone will bite. There are a bunch of newbie makers here who may make you a knife for near your price. Just don't expect S30V! But then, of course, you are gettign a newbie made knife. IT wouldn't feel like a Carson, for sure. But you may be able to get a custom for enar your price. A year ago I got a 4" MEUK from Allen Blade for under $100.
 
Hmmm...I haven't priced it out myself, but I think the materials could cost more than $80! :eek:

BTW, I am looking for a small, custom fixed blade and I'm hoping it will be less than $300! :eek:
 
Hey Steven Send me a E - Mail
I Can do you a Fixed Blade for $ 300.00 But no Ivory / Pearl Ok ?? I Think the Material's Ect For the "Poster's " Knife are Probably about 70 Buck's But then only 10 Dollars for a Week's Work !! This is Not a "Fair Wage " :eek: :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Pinoy Knife
Hey Steven Send me a E - Mail
I Can do you a Fixed Blade for $ 300.00 But no Ivory / Pearl Ok ?? I Think the Material's Ect For the "Poster's " Knife are Probably about 70 Buck's But then only 10 Dollars for a Week's Work !! This is Not a "Fair Wage " :eek: :rolleyes:

I can see $70...only question would be what the smallest bit of S30V you could get...

BTW, I'll email you. :)
 
Originally posted by Crayola
ichor,

I am a hobby maker, so I know how much some of this costs. S30V is a more costly steel. It also is tougher to grind, which means more belts. $20 for belts to grind this knife probably isn't unreasoable. Add to that the price of the heat treat (READ: send to Paul Bos). Add to that price the cost of the micarta. K, maybe the materials won't cost $80, but they won't be cheap, for sure. Plus there are the incidentals, like filters for masks, bits for drill and millimg machine (Strider Knives mortises the tangs into their g-10 with a mechanical fit, that requires a mill- the poster wasnted it like Strider Knvies! Assuming this is what he wanted...). Did the guy want g-10 pins too? Those aren't cheap. Nickel Silver pins are more than Stainless pins. Screws are even more. And then add the cost of the sheath material, $80 is probably a good estimate!


Ok, now I see. We're not just talking about a piece of steel and a couple pieces of micarta, all the expenses. Do we include the power bill, telephone and garbage?
 
Originally posted by ichor
Ok, now I see. We're not just talking about a piece of steel and a couple pieces of micarta, all the expenses. Do we include the power bill, telephone and garbage?

Yes! :p

You wouldn't believe the cost of abrasives until you tried making knives! Sanding belts are expensive, especially when you got through a dozen to make one knife! :eek:

...and that is forging the blade to shape! :eek:
 
Originally posted by Steven Roos
Yes! :p

You wouldn't believe the cost of abrasives until you tried making knives! Sanding belts are expensive, especially when you got through a dozen to make one knife! :eek:

...and that is forging the blade to shape! :eek:

Now that you mention it, the last time I had to buy just a few sheets of quality "sandpaper" at the hardware store I thought I might have to take out a loan. ;-)
 
Originally posted by ichor
Now that you mention it, the last time I had to buy just a few sheets of quality "sandpaper" at the hardware store I thought I might have to take out a loan. ;-)

So you can imagine what it would cost if you are talking about a pack of sandpaper belts!
 
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