More options in the custom shop?

[strategy9]

Forgive my ignorance if this has been asked before, but I am considering a new nice pocket knife for my dad for father's day.
Now, I have given him a few knives over the years, and have found simply that he definitely prefers carrying a smaller knife, no clip, in his pocket... but he does prefer a blade that locks over a slipjoint.

I was thinking a custom 503 was perfect for him, but was disappointed to find brass bolsters were not an option, and neither was the blue wood handle...
Also wanted his initials engraved in the bolster, and I know it's a smaller space so engraving is a bit limited, but 3 letters should be doable right? I know a really good jeweler who does exceptional engraving also, so I can get around that, but now I am just curious, why are all options not available?

I mean, if one was to want to "custom order" a build on a knife, and the resources are certainly available in house, (blade steels, handle materials, etc. which are being used in other knives), then why aren't the all the in house available materials and resources being offered to customize said knives?

If I wanted a blue wood, brass bolstered, 154cm or 13c26 bladed Prince, knowing that Buck uses 154cm and 13c26 on some other blades, and brass bolsters + blue wood are available in other customs, why is that not an option for me in the custom shop?

 

[K-Lastima]

Yeah, I want a blue scale on the pile side and Cherrywood on top.

 

[strategy9]

Yeah, I want a blue scale on the pile side and Cherrywood on top.

Provided the cost reflects the workmanship and materials, if the materials and craftsmanship is available, and someone is offering "customs", why not?

 

[strategy9]

Not trying to be arrogant, just an honest curiosity question: why aren't they offering more options in the custom shop with materials that obviously readily available?

 

[DocT]

The Custom Shop is not like going to a true custom knife maker. They have limited offerings and brass is not something the 500 series is known for, anyway. The blue is gone because the factory that made the Dymondwood burnt down. If you want a better steel, you can move up to the 501 and get S30V.

Nice idea for a Father's Day present. Cherish him while you have him.

 

[strategy9]

Yeah, I was between the 501 and 503.

The 501 I had all ready in the cart; blue wood (which was listed as available for the 501), brass, engraved, mirror 420hc (my dad, while he uses a pocket knife frequently, a simple man isn't an avid knife guy, and would have a tough time sharpening s30v once it dulled).

Just a little bigger then what he typically carries, but the 503 was perfect sized, however when I noticed the options were far less I figured I'd ask why.

Thank you Doc.

 

[BuckShack]

You could look at the 55 for brass bolsters, it's the same size as the 503. It's a great knife too!

I hear what you are saying about more options in the Custom Shop, but I'm also happy for what we have available. And new stuff is added every so often, so always keep an eye open.

 

[BP_]

I wouldn't mind being able to choose between drop point and clip point, also. On all the custom shop folders.

 

[strategy9]

I wouldn't mind being able to choose between drop point and clip point, also. On all the custom shop folders.

Agreed.
I don't think Buck should just open the flood gates and just do whatever anybody wants done, and cater specifics, but for all the options that already readily available on some builds, I think it would be cool if they made those options available on all builds.
Would expand choices and make for some more really cool stuff out of the custom shop.

 

[strategy9]

You could look at the 55 for brass bolsters, it's the same size as the 503. It's a great knife too!

I hear what you are saying about more options in the Custom Shop, but I'm also happy for what we have available. And new stuff is added every so often, so always keep an eye open.

Yeah, I definitely appreciate that there even is a custom shop, I think that alone is great in so many ways in and of itself.

Considered the 55, back to the custom 501, and even other options from other brands, and decided being the simple guy that he is, I'm getting him a standard factory 503 + a buck stockman + a small vantage avid, all in matching wood, and I'll take them to my guy to have them engraved.

He really wouldn't appreciate a higher end steel like I do, but A trifecta of quality options , (all better then the flea market stuff he buys himself), to add to what I've already passed his way, rather then just one, would be more up his alley. Who doesn't like options?