Most under rated maker?

Les
Thanks for pointing out to me about Siska and Smith. I have been seeing them at local shows now for quite a few years as a matter of fact we all live pretty close to each other in Mass.The question was underated and those that I mention seem underated to me in that they are seldom mentioned here.Although you have been mentioning Siska quite a bit lately now that you carry more of his knives. Anything else you want to tell me about other New England makers I'm all ears.
Bob
 
I'll have to nominate the maker of the only custom folder I have at the time (which is about to change!). Chuck Ward.

The folder is really a work of art; integral bolsters/liners with perfectly dovetailed ironwood scales, beautiful mirror polish on the blade and bolsters, perfectly ground. And it cost $50 less than my Sebenza! (Which is a great knife in its own regard)

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Trace Rinaldi and Ed Schott both get high marks in my books. Bob Dozier is very good indeed, but I don't think he's really underated? Then again, maybe he is.

My Pimp Daddy Sifl, Sean "Puffy" Perkins, makes some crescent fresh cutlery that appeals to my industrial side.

We've got a lot of forum members that are well on their way to becoming fine makers in their own rights. It's always nice to see some of the work that the people here have produced.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Roy Helton-makes some of the best folders
around and he can dress em up too
Phil Boguszewski-I dont know about the West
coast but in the East he's not
that well known.
Bill King-I don't know if he's still making
knives but they sure were good
value.
Andy Shinosky-used to just make interframe
folders but now makes Frame-locks
and other tactical types.
 
Yes indeed, Chuck Hallberg. Great guy to work with and when your knife comes you open the box and it's like, "ohhh myyy".
smile.gif
I can't recommend him highly enough.

Jack
 
Hi Strider,

It's interesting how people view makers, like Siska. I have acutally carried Jims knives in inventory for most of the last 10 years.

You do bring up a interesting point. I am amazed at how many people in custom knives today who view world class makers as guys they never heard of.

Primarily this is the makers fault for falling off the radar screen.

Some one mentioned Roy Helton and Phil Boguszewski as unheard of or underated makres. Guys, these two make, technically, as good as it gets in a tactical folder. Bob Lum is another one who seldom gets mentioned.

How about guys like Bill Harsey, Bill Herndon, Roy Genge, Jim Hammond and Peter Bauchop.

Andy Shinosky, he has been making excellent knives for at least 12 years!

I do have to admit it is almost impossible to keep up with all new makers out there. Seems like a good one pops up every day.

As for underated, the aforementioned makers are only underated by those who have not seen their work. Under appreciated may be a better term.

Strider if you get a copy of Knives 99 or 2000, it will list by state the makers in it. That is probably the best guide out there.

I think this is an excellent thread. I am always interested to hear about new makers.

Les
 
"Under-recognized" (least by me till recently): Steve Mullin. Check out his nice site at:

www.nidlink.com/~packriver/index.html

Again, I just recently learned of his work, but he's apparently very well-respected and has been making knives for 25 years -- custom, handmade, and now "semi-production," too.

His Pack River folder was very favorably reviewed by Joe Talmadge about a year ago; perhaps one of the "best-kept secrets" comparable in form, function, and price to the William Henry folders and the mighty Sebenza.

Or maybe folks already know of his work? Haven't seen his name, except in those archived reviews...

Glen


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DISCONFECT (dis kon fekt') v. To sterilize the piece of candy you dropped on the floor by blowing on it, assuming this will somehow “remove” all the germs.
 
I would like to second ROBB's suggestion of Bill King, he makes a great folder and an awesome auto.

Most of all I would say Ken Steigerwalt. Not only is his work in the very top class, but he keeps his prices reasonable!

Another Steigerwalt is next for me!

-Michael

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Chefget's Knife Page


 
In the good stuff, but kind of unknown category I say go with Kurt Meerdink. Really primo work from a guy who knows using knives.

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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum


 
Yekim and donovan,

Thanks for the tip on Chuck Hallberg! I Just ordered a camp knife from him today.

Ryan

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
I'll add in my vote with the other Rinaldi fans. I'm especially impressed that Trace didn't slip under Les' radar, what with all the other custom makers whose work he's seen. I've owned three Rinaldis, now holding at two. I gave one as a gift to a very close friend of mine, and he put away all his production fixed blades. Very nice stuff.

And yes, he gave me a penny for it.
wink.gif


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Don LeHue
Royal Oak, Michigan

The pen is mightier than the sword...outside of arm's reach. Modify radius accordingly for rifle.

 
Underated/misunderstood but highly overpriced:
Phill hartsfield
People just don't seem to understand his style/finish. He, on the other hand,just doesn't seem to understand realistic pricing. I'm sure there is a happy medium. When is the last time you saw someone cut the edge off (in one continuous ribbon) of a blowhard makers knife in front of him? Thi is a true story! A certain blowhard (we all know who) was badmouthing Phill's work at a large knife show and was instantly silenced when a hartsfield customer asked to see one of his knives and proceeded to cut the edge right off the thing! unbelievable, but true.
-Redleg out.

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"Blessed is the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..." excerpted from Psalms 144.

 
Sure, I'll do a review... look for it sometime in February or early March.

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
My vote would go to Mike Irie also. I just talked with him yesterday (what a great guy)
He had a table full of custom work. He may be getting the picture. For value and price he's very close to the top. He has a long way to go to be overpriced.

John Yeackley

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http://www.toptexknives.com/yeackley.htm My contribution to the world of knife fanatics.


 
I first heard of Gen O Denning here in the forums. I saw two of his small hunters with stag and CPM-154 mirror finished steel on Les Robertson's table last weekend at the Chesapeake show and had to have them Both (they were supposed to be gifts, but now I don't know if I can part with them). They are stunning. Very nice feel in my hand and impeccable workmanship. I can't find anything wrong with either of them. Very reasonable price for such high quality work.

I also like Herb Derr's damascus hunters. But fit and finish needs some improvement. They are priced very fairly considering the time and energy that goes into his forge work. His sheaths have improved a great deal as well in the last couple of years.

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 16 December 1999).]
 
Perhaps a better term to use to describe Bob Dozier would be under- recognized? Sure he has been turning blades out for a long time now and is dubbed as the master of mastering the simple. That is quality functional knives at a no nonsense design and price. Or perhaps he is lowkey? I guess there are many out there who are looking for something dazzling and pricey to fit their idea of an ideal knife. Bob pretty much stays out of most of the limelight. But do take a peek at his latest writeup in TK Mag!

L8r,
Nakano
 
This is a good thread!
Les mentioned Roy Helton, he does make some of the best tactical folders. The fit and finish is up there with Lightfoot. Yet too many people say 'Roy who?'.
However, my vote is for Charles West. He has been around a long time and he makes one of my favorite tactical knives. The parkerized bolsters are dovetailed and cover the pivot, he calls it 'hiding the uglies' and the fit and finish it amazing. He spends way too much time on these knives for a comparitively paltry $350. You will have a hard time finding a greater bang for your knife buck.
How do you think he stacks up Les, since your experience is far greater than mine?
 
my vote goes for ..
ernie mayer from black claud knives.
and rob patton who makes really nice work
for a very deacent money.
scorpio.
 
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