looking to purchase a japanese style tactical fixed blade, any suggestions?

Okay, I couldn't resist. Here is some completely gratuitous Fogg eye candy for you (all pics from www.dfoggknives.com):

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and one that's right up my alley:

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Cheers,

Roger
 
I personally think that Hartsfield is the most overpriced maker out there. I'm sure the grind and heat treatment are adequate, but calling a 50 grit finish "working grade" would be funny if it wasn't so ugly, and at this price it becomes ridiculous. IMHO, there is a big speculative bubble waiting to pop right there. (Note - I'm not saying his stuff doesn't cut, or that he isn't innovative.)

For half the price, Don Fogg will make something of similar size and exquisitely polish it to reveal a perfect hamon.
 
Go with RJ Martin, you will be glad you did!
(you can actually get his knives, which helps..Fogg, Snody,Hartsfield, and BladeRigger are pretty hard to come by)

Oh, and RJ makes the worlds sharpest knives I have ever cut myself with!
 
Its great to see so many makers names and pictures being posted, its been a big help. As it stands now I've narrowed my list of potentials to Don fogg, rj Martin, wally Hayes, and the new one that I hadn't come across yet, Jason cutter. i've been looking at hartfield's knives and though I like them, for the money I think I'd be better off with something else. rj martin has a little more modern feel then the others, but I really like what I've seen. the prices aren't bad either. Don Fogg's knives fit exactly with what i had in mind when I started this quest. A little heavy on the budget, but sometimes a beautiful knife requires you to break those financial barriers!! I dropped Don Fogg an email today to see how long the back order would be, looking forward to hearing back from him.
 
I have a Jason Cutter japanese knife and it is exception quality for the price! Don't have a Don Fogg. . . .yet. :D
 
If your tactical bent is something small and concealable, you cannot go wrong with a Hornet by Wally Hayes. At $175.00 USD, it's one of the best values out there - you get a brand new hand-made knife from a master smith and it's one beautifully ground spike of a knife. It comes with a kydex neck sheath that also goes IWB. I recently got one in left-handed and he delivered it so quickly. He's a very nice gentleman who is very respected in the industry.

www.hayesknives.com
 
Allow me to put in another vote for RJ Martin. I met the man this past week and he was nothing short of cordial. Also, he made me one heck of a knife. I admit, his Beanieball may not be the biggest knife, but it certainly is sharp! Its also a variation on a Japanese carpenter's knife, which is cool. I don't know if that was his intention, but that IS what the knife reminds me of. One sharp piece, and it shaved hair right away, which can be somewhat of a challenge with custom knives. Gotta love it!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Are Don Fogg's knives forged? How much do they run, about? - (OK, wiseguys, how much do they cost?!) :)
 
Yes, Don's knives are handforged. Prices vary, but I would think a simple, single edged wrapped tang piece without integral bolster would run $400 - $450. Gabe's example (with integral bolster) or a double edged piece would run $500 - $550, maybe?

Those are for fully polished blades, revealing the hamon, etc. I don't know if he would consider not doing the polish, but I suspect it would then go down by $50 to $100, depending on the level of finish.

Pieces with an actual handle would be more expensive.

In the secondary market, it could fetch higher or lower prices, it's hard to tell, with so few available.
 
I'm very pleased to see all the attention everyone has given this topic. I thought I would post a brief update and let everyone know how my quest for a japanese style custom has been going. I contacted Don Fogg about the Gents shiv, the one shown in Gabes thread. He said he's had such a good response to that knife he decided to open his order list for a very short time, so needless to say I ordered one. I was really struck by that knife!! Of course Rogers thread with several pictures of Don Fogg shivs didn't help matters much!! I had to have one. Pricing should be around 500, I'm not sure on how long the wait would be I was so thrilled to here I could get an order in for a similar piece I forgot to ask! :cool:

I've heard so many good things about rj martin i'm really interested obtaining something from him and it looks as though my newly emerged interest in japanese style knives will send my current collection in a new direction. Diversity is key! :)

Also, concerning cockroachfarms last thread, I'm really happy to see something posted about Kirby Lambert. I don't know much about him aside from he's a newer canadian maker, it looks like he's doing some good work. I'd love any additional info you could supply about kirby.

Thanks everyone!

Dan
 
Dan B. said:
...I'd love any additional info you could supply about kirby....
Click to expand...

Dan,

I just tried to email you the press release I did for Kirby Lambert, but your email inbox is set to "Off".
 
cockroachfarm said:
Dan,

I just tried to email you the press release I did for Kirby Lambert, but your email inbox is set to "Off".
Click to expand...


My email inbox should now be "on". Let me know

Dan
 
Dan B. said:
Also, concerning cockroachfarms last thread, I'm really happy to see something posted about Kirby Lambert. I don't know much about him aside from he's a newer canadian maker, it looks like he's doing some good work. I'd love any additional info you could supply about kirby.


Dan
Click to expand...


Kirby will be at the 10th anniversary Canadian Knifemakers Guild show this weekend...we hope to post another review with 50+ pics by mid-next-week..watch for pics of Kirby and his knives :)

RL
 
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