This is why I dig these forums. You got some seriously good references out of this post. Every single moderate cost maker I could think of got covered by others. And I'd never seen Don Cowles page before.
[side note: Atlanta Virtual sure did a professional job with Don's web page too. Very nice, clean, easy, functional, good looking, professional. All he needs is a 3 megapixel camera to really capture the detail of the damascus.]
I can say that the Geno Denning stuff is very superior fit/finish for the money. I mean screaming bargain. He'll undoubtedly raise his prices soon. He's a George Herron protege if that means anything to you. [Nice page here too! check out that George Herron roller bearing blade support jig for hollow grinding. Man, everything is clean and white too so he can find stuff he drops. Man, am I a slob.]
Joel Chamblin is making some fixed blade hunters now. His fit/finish is first class. I find a drop point to be the most practical and useful everyday utility knife in general. Joel is a quiet, unassuming guy. I'll bet he'd make you a 2-1/2" drop point if you asked. See examples under
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/chambhunt.htm
Consider having a "swinger sheath" built along with a belt sheath.
There are a bunch (4-5) of really great Japanese makers out there that do little baby Loveless drop points for front pocket carry in swinger sheath. You can catch them at bigger shows sometimes. One example I could find:
http://www.nordicknives.com/front.html
under "Custom by Artist"
see Yoshi Aida
That piece is $525 partly because he has a gorgeous piece of mastodon (if still there when you check the link).
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 02-18-2001).]
