Looking for a knife to be MINE

mtnbkr

mtnbkr

Joined
Aug 17, 2000
Messages
1,039
I've decided to take the plunge and buy a NICE knife. It'll mainly be for me to own and not for any specific purpose (I have plenty of "users". I'm not sure what path I should take and could use some insight.

I want it to eventually, if not immediately, be a knife that is *mine*.

What would be your preference:
1. Custom knife (kind of pricey)
2. Premium "factory" such as William Henry
3. MT LCC to be customized later

I *feel* like I should go for choice #1 because it will be "mine". However, I'm not keen on the long wait I've seen nor some of the prices. Choice #2 is a nice compromise IMO. #3 keeps haunting me because I really like the knife itself and because I've seen some nice customized examples.

What would you do?

Chris
 
Definitely custom.

There are some great makers that won't break the bank. Just look around. There are a lot of talented folks right here on BFC.
 
Chris, there is nothing that says Mine like your first true custom. There are makers here right under your nose that will be glad to work with you at prices not all that much more than a WH. As far as the waiting goes, heck you've waited this long so what's another month or two? Face it, if you go for choice 2 or 3, you're still going to want choice #1. Then you're really going to have a wait on your hands.
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Take the plunge!

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
PhilL is exactly right.

Find a knife design you like. Then dig around and find a maker right here on these forums who makes stuff the way you like it. There are plenty of makers here whose waiting lists are relatively short.

Trust me when I say that the wait is not long at all. A couple of months blows by like nothing. PhilL himself did a project not long ago with Art Washburn. That knife went from drawing board to PhilL's pocket faster than just about any project I have seen so far, and Mr. Washburn does fantastic work.

When all is said and done, you will have picked out a knife style, worked with the maker to have it just the way you want it, and you will own a finely crafted piece that is yours and yours alone. The whole experience is simply wonderful. If you don't have the cash right now, keep saving. By the time you have your project ready to go, you will have the cash in hand, or you will by the time the knife is completed.

Option #1, my friend. Only way to fly.
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Get a custom and while your waiting buy the LCC

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Mykl
Balisong, the folding fixed blade.
 
Cant say it any better than Phil did...but I'll say it anyways
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Go custom. I know some of the prices can be a bit nerve-racking. But you would be surprised at how low the prices can be if ya look around. This forum has so many makers who turn out the highest of quality for a more than fair price. Brad Duncan (search the customs section) is one I have seen pics of. From what I have heard so far, the quality is very good as well. You might give him a shout.

Also, are you looking for only folders? Are fixed blades a consideration? You can find really great fixed blades for prices that will make ya fall out of your chair because they are so low.

I used to worry about the wait as well, but after I finally started getting customs, the wait is really not that hard. And plent of makers can fix ya up faster than you think.

Let us know what ya decide.



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Richard Todd - Digital knife photography
icq 61363141
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Do your site a favor, get quality digital images!!!
New photos added!!!
 
Here's the thread that Vel was talking about.

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum64/HTML/000638.html

From drawing to finished knife, and a custom sheath less than one month. I've had the knife for about a month, it's my EDC and the thrill still hasn't worn off. I'm sure that Art is a little too busy for that kind of turn around time now, but the wait is part of the fun.

The longer it takes you to decide that you deserve a custom knife, the longer it will take to own one. My guess is you've already decided that a custom is what you really want. Go for it.
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If I can answer any of your questions or be of any help, drop me a E-mail.
 
I'd have to agree with Mykl...buy the LCC now...and order your first custom as soon as you figure out what you really like. Some makers have years long backlogs, others are just are just weeks. Let us know what you decide.

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
Good call referencing yer old thread PhilL. Very helpful to see a project in action.

Mtn, do check that out. And take PhilL up on his offer to e-mail him. I did a custom knife project that PhilL helped me through, and the results were simply better than I ever expected.

I'm guessing from your handle that you are a Mountain Biker. I can relate. When I went to buy my bike, I wanted it to be MINE too. I opted for the GT triple triangle frame with iridescent pearl paint. I upgraded the Shimano components, added bar ends and seat from Specialized, and by the time I was done, it was just how I wanted it. The price tag on that project was 3 times what I paid for my custom hunting knife, but I derive great pleasure in knowing that when I ride, I ride the bike that was just for me. Same goes for the knife project.

Now get out there and start shakin' the trees. Keep us posted, and we'll see ya over at the custom knife forum when you get your pics.
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My decision was to go custom.
You could also get one without that long a wait. I have just ordered a knife from Darrel Ralph that will be ready by the end of February. A 5 to 6 week wait is very reasonable. Some makers have waits of 2 years or more, but that is not usually the case.
Keith.
 
Try all three ways and whatever doesn't work can be sold off.
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Of course as it has been mentioned you could always have Greg Lightfoot custom make you an LCC.
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A Pat on the Back is only a few inches from a Kick in the Butt.
 
Thanks for all of the info guys. I thought a year or so wait was the norm. Came across several makers with mutli-year waits or not even taking orders. I was bummed that I couldn't get my knife sooner. I'll check around and see what other makers are available.

I did look at Lightfoot's LCC, but it's a bit much for me pricewise. What I want in a knife is a smaller version of the LCC (metal bolsters, etc) but less "tactical" looking.

Velitrius, I know what you mean about the mountain bike. My current bike is only about 3 years old and nothing original is left except the paintjob.

Thanks,

Chris
 
Custom all the way. Production knives, for me, are like snacks to carry me through until my meal is ready. But I haven't "eaten" until I've got a custom.
 
Having now had a couple of years under my belt, i now find myself moving towards customs to get my dream knife. Its a great time to be knife knut as there are lots of very talented craftsmen making probably the best knives in history.

If you don't want to spend too much money, one way is to try looking for some of the new makers. Some of these guys can produce work equal to anything the big name makers can do. Most custom makers will work with you on your knife - allowing you to put your dreams into real steel. BF member Phill had a knife made specially for him by Art Washburn in stag and damascus and turned out great. Art's Site is at http://adw.go-gbs.com/

Me, I'm having my dream knife done by Keith Coleman a veteran maker who builds some great knives at reasonable prices. Keith was very accomodating and friendly and gave me some excellent advise on improving my original idea. His site is at http://www.colemanmade.com/

Red

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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb

[This message has been edited by redvenom (edited 01-26-2001).]
 
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