Looking For A Custom Maker...

W

wallgrenj

Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
100
Hi There!

I am working on a drawing of my small dream knife and I am looking for a custom maker, willing to make this knife for me. I will send the maker my drawings and instructions, when we have confirmed the job.

Specifications:
It's a boot knife with a 3.5” dagger blade:

Blade Material: Full tang, hollow grind, S30-V stainless steel
Blade hardness: Heat and Cryo treated by Paul Bos to RC 59-60
Blade Coating: Matt black Boron Carbide coating- blade & tang
(Maybe also going for a 2nd piece, but with Talonite blade...)
Blade Length: 89.78 mm (3.53”) total, 79.87 mm (3.14”) cutting edge
Blade Thickness:4.54 mm (0.179”) (very thick, but I like it sturdy!)
Handle Length:111.24 mm (4.38”)
Overall Knife Length: 201 mm (7.91”)
Handle Material: Removable contoured black G10 handles (using 2 Torx screws, one each side- size 6 (Driver size: T15)).

I would highly appreciate if you (the Custom Knife Maker, or anyone which can suggest a maker) send an e-mail directly to me at: wallgren@singnet.com.sg

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks and Regards,

Jorgen
 
If the specs that you listed are "general" and the knife does not have to be EXACTLY to those specifications, you may find someone willing to make it. If you insist that all the dimensions must be exactly as listed, I think your going to have a difficult time finding a maker. The reason I say this is that most of us who have been Makers for any length of time have had someone send us a request/order with specifications such as those you listed. Most makers won't touch it! Generally knifemakers tend to be creative types, who know what does and does not make a good knife. Speaking only for myself, I do my best work when a customer gives me "wiggle" room on the design. By giving a general outline of your desired knife to a maker, you will be relying on his/her knowledge and experience to create a knife that will generally be better looking and better working than if you hold him/her to such tight specifications. Knifemaking is more and art than a manufaturing operation......I think you would get more response from makers if you're flexible on your design.
 
Hi Ed Caffrey,

Ok, sounds fair. But if I then in return get a knife, which blade length and handle size does not very closely follow my measurements, then the knife will not fit my hand and usage as nicely. :eek: I have my drawing of what I would like to have, but I am open for suggestions- as long as the knife are not too far away from my original request. Otherwise, I just do not get my dream knife- right... ;)

But as I said, I am always open to suggestions- but would like to know what's going on. Not just get a surprise when I receive the knife and suddenly maybe it's not even a boot knife anymore. :)

Anyway, I really hope that I can find someone willing to do this for me- and I am looking forward to a reply.

Thanks and Regards,

Jorgen
 
Jorgen,

A quality custom knifemaker like Mr. Ed Caffrey is fully capable of making a knife to your general specs that will outperform your usuage expectations and will be a truly stunning piece of functional art.

I sent a trace of my hand when I ordered my first custom knife. The knife could not have fit me any better if the knifemaker was at my house grinding the knife and using my actual hand as the template for grip dimemsions. I wanted something practical and not scary looking. What I got was stunningly beautiful. Burgundy Micarta and mosaic pins with stunning blade geometery and shape. The maker knew what I wanted to do with the knife and the length of the cutting edge. His knowledge far exceeded mine and he created a blade that has been a joy in real world use for over 5 years now.

I would suggest you take Ed's words to heart. Tell the maker what you want to the knife to do. The general style and fit you want for your hand. Send an outline of your hand traced on paper to the maker to use for sizing like you do with shoes ordered from afar (sized and shipped based on an outline trace of your feet). Look at a similar sample of the style of knife you are ordering and get a clear description of the modifications or differences from the picture.

You will be amazed with what you receive when you find a good custom maker to craft your knife.
 
Hi Sid,

Thank you for your reply! I understand what you mean and fully agree and it's a fact- a Custom Knife Maker has the knowledge I do not have. And therefore, will be able to make a great knife based upon some general information of what I would like to have.

But I realize also that it is my problem here- I actually know rather exact what I want (style, dimensions, materials etc). So I still wonder how much details, I can give to be accepted as a customer? And would the resulting knife, be my "dream knife" or not...?

Yes, I will deffinately take input and suggestions from a Custom Knife Maker- but then again- I would like to have a knife as close as possible to my "dream knife". For example- if the input is that the blade thickness doesn't need to the that thick, but should be thinner since it will then cut easier- then it wouldn't work for me. I simply like a rugged, sturdy small knife of good materials.

I start to realize I am in trouble here in my quest for my dream knife! Kind of depressing! So if I can't find a Custom Maker, I guess I have to stick to my Fallkniven G1 for the time being. :(

Thanks and Regards,

Jorgen
 
The reason you do not have a long line of makers bidding on the knife is the precision you appear to require. The specs are those that a CNC machine shop would work with not a custom knifemaker.
 
Yea that is a "Custom " Alright , let's see here i read 3 1/2 blade length, 4 1/2 handle , not sure how wide ? i think it is very specific , but if that is your "Dream Knife" that is it . i may be willing to make it , send me a e- mail , we can talk about it but it won't be cheap! Ed is correct Sometimes you need to allow some flexibility here as for Dimension's in a Custom .:D
 
Hi All!

Now I start to get it! :) I just gave those measurements since my drawings has them. But I do not require to have exact measurements- so no CNC machine necessary. :) I just want my dream knife to be about that size and I am open for modifications as long as I am informed about it.

Thanks and Regards,

Jorgen
 
From your specs its sounds like a very cool knife.Theres alot of makers out there that will make a knife to those specs for a VERY reasonable price. Its alot of fun to get a knife made to your specs.
 
Hi L. Uebelein,

Thank you! And yes, this will be my first custom knife- so I am very excited! And as you mentioned- for 'a VERY reasonable price'...yes I am trying to figure out what that means. :-

Regards,

Jorgen
 
Jorgen,
Noticed that you are in Singapore too! Nice to have anor one of us on the forums. BTW, you're not planning on carrying that boot knife in plain sight are you? The local climate is not "knife friendly" I think....
Regards,
Spyken
 
I would recommend Ron Duncan he goes by Magnum on bladeforum, he does a lot of s30v and does really great work. I don't work with stainless so its out of my hands.

Good Luck

Bill
 
L6Steel might be a good candidate, too. Last I heard, he was doing some fun stuff with S30V.
 
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