List your favorite Custom Knife Maker and why they are!

L

Les Robertson

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Oct 10, 1998
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Ok, the last thread is closed. Lets focus on what this thread is about. Custom Knives.

The purpose of this thread is to help educated the rest of us. Obviously, there are a lot of excellent knife makers out there that many of us do not know.

So if you have a favorite custom knife maker that you think many of us have not hear of post it here.

Also, feel free to include photo's and/or the makers web site/phone number/fax number/address.

Some of my favorite makers are:

David Broadwell, no one makes a better sub-hilt fighter! I consider David to be one of the top 5 makers in the world.

Walter Brend, his tactical knives.

Rod Chappel, big, curvey knives that were way ahead of his time.

George Herron, the best maker to ever come out of the South East.

Willie Rigney, arguably the best pure dagger maker ever.

Buster Warinski and Doug Casteel. The other two dagger makers in the arguement.

Fred Carter, one of the best fighter makers ever. He taught Dave Broadwell.

Jerry Fisk. The heir apparent to Bill Moran. If you are a fan of the ABS and don't have a knife from Jerry or one on order....what are you waiting for.

RJ Martin, the best tactical Japanese style knife maker in the world.

Butch Vallotton, the man who put the D in D/A tactical's.

Schuyler Lovestrand, the best maker you never heard of.

Jim Siska, arguably the best value. I sure wish I could get more of his knives.

Obviously this list could go on and on.

Let's hear from the rest of you.



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Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.
 
OK heres my contribution not in order of preference just as I write them down here
J.D.Smith
Jim Siska
Jim Turcek
Jim Ence
(Lot of Jims here)
Lowell Oyster
Norm Bradsley
Stanley Fujisaka
Lloyd Pendleton
Charles Oches
H.H.Frank
Mike Walker
Steve Johnson
Wayne Valachovic who although retired made some of the best danmascus folders going.
Hell I could type this list all day but these are the makers I think of first when I think custom knives.
Bob
 
In My openion Bob Sky (Robert Hajovsky) was one of the best I have had the privilege to meet an talk to.
 
Most of these are on a personal level and having seen their knives, I don't own nearly enough of these:
Koji Hara
Darrel Ralph(soon)
Peter Burt(great man, under-rated) http://209.90.222.2/dragon/
David Broadwell
John Jensen http://www.magnus-design.com/
Jens Anoø (ansoknives@hotmail.com, can't remember www)
Aaron(there are more, I'll post later)

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amacks@nist.gov
Don't forget to pay your taxes...they eventually become my knives:)

 
Guys,

Don't just put the names. Include why you like the knives. What is it that attracts you to them.


If you were trying to sell one to someone who had never heard of this maker, what qualities would you point out. How is are these qualties different or better than other makers in these categories.

See my job isnt as easy as you thought.
------------------
Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.


[This message has been edited by Les Robertson (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
From my limited knowledge of the custom knife market, my favorite makers in no special order are:

Tim Zowada- Very stylish clean work, the sharpest knives ive ever handled. (the one i have actually "rings" when you thumb check it).

Jerry Fisk- The most comfortable knives ive handled, great finish. He really makes a knife come to life. His Commenchero aka "Pit Boss" is my favorite knife...nothing fits my hand better.

Don Fogg- Dont know of anyone that puts more of "himself" into a knife...lots of character.

Walter Brend- If i were going into harms way, i would want a Brend...way overbuilt, comfortable, give you that "secure" feeling.
Wish he were still making "his" knives...
Imagine a Brend #2 or #5 in CPM 3V!!!!

Jim Siska- Fit and Finish, comfort, style...did i mention fit and finish?

Rob Hudson- Unique. In my opinion Robs Damascus is the best out there. His "Persian Fighter" was my favorite knife of the Guild Show. Any how, He also makes some good work knives(ask John Johnson).

Paul Lebetard- Way under rated, virtually unheard of. Grinds as good as Siska, Brend etc... Great Prices, turnaround etc... Will build to customer specs, so on and so forth... Very nice fit and finish, excellent sheath work (wet molded, form fitted, very nice).
If anyone wants to call him his # is 228-826-4137. Tell him Matt sent ya!
He also restores & reconditions knives.


I could list a few more...Flournoy, Dean, Crowell, Connors etc...


[This message has been edited by RMLamey (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
First off in terms of knives I am only into function. Looks are nice and I might have a couple of details added, but I would never get interested in a custom maker because of the way the knife looked.

Anyway based on that what I am interested in is a maker with a really strong grasp on why he does what he does in the manner he does it. If I ask a question about a particular design "Why that way" and get a "Because I like it that way" answer - I'm done.

I have no time for people who either don't know why they are doing what they are, or just as bad don't have the time to discuss it with it me. I want the purchase of a custom knife to be a learning experience and thus it is necessary for me to tear each element of the knife apart and know "how come".

As an example of a *once* custom knife maker who does exactly this, I have talked to Jerry Busse lately about a half dozen times. Mainly about various aspects of material properties and how they related to limiting geometry in knife design.

Yeah, I know Les, Jerry no longer makes custom knives, I just used him as an example of the attitude I look for.

-Cliff
 
Cliff
I'm curious since I have read all your posts on what you put your knives through here and on the other boards and wonder just what is it you do for a living or in your spare time? Sometimes reading your posts I picture you living alone on a mountain top somewhere with only a knife.Do you put your knives through these stressfull trials on a daily basis to survive or to do your job? In all the times you have used knives have they ever saved your life? Like I said I am just curious as to what it is you do that your knives have to be so powerfully built.After reading some of your posts I visualize you in the middle of nowhere hacking a city out of solid rock or felling trees with a light utility knife.
Bob
 
Strider, I generally don't discuss personal details on line, and have dropped you an email about your question.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

If you don't want to discuss your reasons for things. Don't make any posts.

This thread is about makers you like and why you like their work.

By the way, Jerry Busse was making custom knives up until he had his accident. I owned probably 4 or 5 Busse knives, 10 years ago. One of them is even in one of the old Knives annuals.

Cliff, you bring up many good points in all your threads.

But for this one, lets stick with the makers you like and why you like them.

I am trying to have this thread become a learning experience for all of us.



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Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.
 
Les :

If you don't want to discuss your reasons for things. Don't make any posts.
Click to expand...

I'll gladly discuss my preferences for knife design and how they are dictated by various sources of stress - but no I am not going to give personal details of my life on line which was more of the matter Strider asked. If this is a serious requirement that you want to make for posting in your forum please let me know.

I am trying to have this thread become a learning experience for all of us.
Click to expand...

Which is why I gave the details on what I look for instead of just saying who they were. If you want examples then Jerry Fisk is an excellent one. I have discussed knives with him in the past in detail and I look forward to using one of his blades hopefully in the near future.

-Cliff
 
Bob Terzuola - he is THE tactical folder maker. Great designs that combine form and function. One such knife that comes to mind is the Century Starfighter and MicroStar.

Greg Lightfoot - the man builds folders as tough as a Mack truck. Overbuilds his knives to withstand anything the user can subject them to without failing.

Kit Carson - Some of the best made liner lock tactical folders out there come from this guy. I have not heard one negative word about his knives.

Darrel Ralph - the man definitely is an artist
smile.gif
Builds some unique investment grade knives. His Apogee integral bar lock folder is definitely a work of art that works......hard! BTW, here is a picture of my Apogee, with a few extras that he doesn't do on his standard model: http://www.infinet.com/~browzer/da3.jpg

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Dexter Ewing
Knife Reviews Moderator
AKTI Member # A000005


 
Cliff
I never meant to dwelve into your personal life with my question.Since you post about knives and the uses you put them I didn't realize it was a no no to ask in what capacity you use them for.Again if I offended you with the question my apologys and will read your note when I get home from work.
Bob
 
Darrel Ralph because of his sense of line and flow, as well as his willingness to take a right-turn off of his beaten path and apply himself in new directions.

Bailey Bradshaw because of his pure excitement for knifemaking and his almost intuitive grasp of metallurgy as well as his willingness to share.

John Richter and Mike Lamprey because on top of producing excellent knives, they are incredibly friendly and interesting gentlemen - the process of working with them turns receiving their product into a "cherry on top" rather than the whole sundae.

John Etzler because of the massive potential that can be seen in everything he does, as well as his progressing realization of that potential. This guy is going to be awesome! What a treat to see genuine talent blossoming on the vine!
 
Tony Bose

I know Les closed the thread on underated makers but I think he made a good point.About 10 years ago I came across Mr. Bose name,and being a traditional pocketknife collector I called him.He said he had some knives in stock so I ordered one.It was beautiful!So I ordered another....from stock!He said he had come back from a show and had only sold one knife.He made a prototype swing gaurd Coke bottle and asked me if I wanted it...he said it was expensive,I bought it.That was 10 years ago and today I couldnt afford his knives if I could find them.....and Yes I still have the ones I bought...all except the coke bottle...which I sold for....lets just say more than I paid for it....Im looking for my next Tony Bose!
 
Pat Crawford, he makes great folders and is always pushing the envelope and willing to try new things and improve designs. For example the rolling lock.

Bob T, I think Dexter said it best.

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-Dennis-


 
With great interest I saw the name of Koji Hara posted above.
I have only seen a picture of one of his knives but every design feature appealed to me.

I like John Greco, no web site, because he makes anvil tough, innovative knives that a working person can afford.
John Greco has a mission in life.
He wants you and me and every other red blooded guy and gal to have a real knife for under $100.

Raymond Coon makes damascus daggers and knives of such subtle balance of form it seems improbable that the whole world doesn't know his name.

Of course, I like Gene Osborn for the "wicked" (nice guys can do wicked things, too) shape of his "slow drop point" folders, his rock solid integrity and ability to work with the customer, and his logo.

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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11
 
Hello! For me it's James Piorek, custom knfemaker extraordinaire. You want it? YOU got it!! And when he says you are going to get it, you get it. Who can ask for more? This guy is willing to go the extra mile to satisfy you, and make your knife fit you.

I've also had very pleasant experiences with Bud Nealy, another fine maker. Add Newt Livesay to the list. All of the above are gentlemen you can trust to do business with.
 
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