my knife journey - or quest to find what's right for me

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I'm relatively new to the forum, and really impressed by the users/members knowledge and experience.

My first knife many years ago was an SOG PE which I carried around and used. Then got tired of in and uninterested so it sat in my drawer for years....
My next purchase was as an Al Mar from AG Russell. Nice light knife, but blade style was too pointy for me and it was sticky opening/closing. Put it in the drawer next to the SOG.

Then I learned about gentleman's knives and the deep carry option. So I bought a Buck Vantage, the smaller one to try out and decided deep carry is right for me. My son now has the Buck.

My first higher end knife was going to be an EDC gentleman's knife. So after alot of reading on this board, I purchased a William Henry E10 and love it! It's the right blend of many things to me. Is it perfect? no, If I had my choice, I would do the scales differently. But I really enjoy carrying and using it. It's light, really smooth opening and easy to open, with a deep carry clip.

But every time I look around, I can't stop reading about this Sebenza...and I really like the Insingo blade profile. so large one or small one? hmmm
Well after putting both in my hands and thinking about what's right for me, I got the Small Insingo. But that clip has got to go!
I prefer my folder to look like a pen in my pocket, not a knife.

So I ordered a Sage 2 clip from Sypderco and well..., it's ok, it's only been a day since I put it on. I think I can make the wire clip hold better with a filler base, to keep it from rotating. It rotates because the wire is round.

Next on the list, I've ordered a WH Gentac B30 Damascus and a Rockstead Hizen. I want to see what all the fuss is about.
I've also ordered a Seamus Uber but that is month's away.

So this is my journey for the quest of what's right for me.

Lastly I do want to rant about something and I hope I don't stir up a fuss her....this is just my opinion and my rant, you don't have to like it or agree with it but I know I'm opening myself up here. The rant is about the use of the word custom and my experience with trying to obtain a custom knife.

The term "custom" is used alot, to purchase a knife that is not production or semi-production. Custom in this context means - "made or performed according to personal order" I'm not really seeing most of the custom knives as custom. I'm seeing them as hand-made. I think that's very different.
If I call several custom knifemakers (and I have) most of them are selling hand-made knives of a variety that they specialize in and they have some general stock and experience with. Sure I can make requests about steel and scales and such, but the primary design is set to what the knifemaker has designed and accustomed to working with and selling. I'm seeing this handmade knives rather than custom knives. Just my opinion.

The 2nd part is not so much a rant as it is an observation. I'm amazed at the backlog of work knifemakers have and the length of time required to obtain a custom or handmade) knife. I've tried contacting several knifemakers in an effort to get someone to build a knife that I want to my specifications, It seems difficult to even get a reply to an inquiry....

Ok I'm done ranting, thanks for listening

P.S. so you know about my background a little, it's primarily in manufacturing engineering and operations management for about 20 years,
Currently I'm at a an aerospace machine shop. I've also owned and operated 3 collision shops (auto body and paint)
P.P.S. yes I know the first pic is blurry ...but I'm at work on the phone with tech support...

 

[BladeChick777]

Loving the clip on that Sebenza... I may need to do that mod...

Anyways, in response to what you said.
Yes, handmade would be a good term to use. However, there are makers(look around on here) that will make knives the way you want them. Though it may end up costing a little more, but it's worth it in the end.

As far as finding the perfect knife for you, I think all of us have had this issue. I've found a few that feel like they were made for me. The Large Sebenza is my perfect knife pretty much. Though I may change the steel if I could.
If your issue with the WH is the scales, you can have some new ones made the way you want. And that may be your best bet on that one.

Then again, I have perfect knives for me in different categories too. Perfect EDC, perfect hard use knife, perfect slicer, perfect slip joint, etc.
And often, for a lot of us, that perfect knife changes overtime as do our preferences and tastes.

It's out there somewhere and you'll find it. And along the way, you get to try out some awesome knives. =]

 

[OHALLUM]

Just how big is that "drawer" of yours? There really isn't "one size fits all" in the knife world. I understand your frustration in looking for "THE" knife. But, the real fun for me is in the hunt.

One option, is to take the one you have that is closest to THE knife, and have a reputable knife builder customize it just for you. Good luck in your quest.
Another option is to check out the various kit knives, and build one that fits you.

Omar

 

[Sonnydaze]

Loving the clip on that Sebenza... I may need to do that mod...

Then again, I have perfect knives for me in different categories too. Perfect EDC, perfect hard use knife, perfect slicer, perfect slip joint, etc.
And often, for a lot of us, that perfect knife changes overtime as do our preferences and tastes.

BladeChick has pretty well nailed this. I have various "perfect" knives in different categories, and they do change over time. I just hope my checkbook will hold out. I've pretty well gone the route, from $100 folders through Hinderers, and now am re-defining my taste within the mid-range price region, as well as having acquired a taste for fixed blades. My goodness!

 

[Zookie]

Yea, there's no such thing as perfect, but I do love almost every knife I buy.

I keep the ones I really enjoy and sell the others for the next knife on my list. It's a fun process and it's never ending since there are so many knife makers coming out with new models.

It's about the ride, not the destination .

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

"the perfect is the enemy of the good" someone famous said this.