Name your favorite maker(s) and why.

Originally posted by samwereb:
Darrel Ralph, hands down.

The man is an authentic genius, not to mention a generous, thoughtful man. His designs are truly inspired and exemplify applied innovation.

Form follows function, and many popular makers are following Darrel, and without proper credit!
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The Bose boys are my picks.The slipjoint folders these guys produce are some of the best in the world.If you have never handled one of there knives,next time your at a show,pick one up and see what your missing.
 
Darrel Ralph. Super designs, super materials, super craftsmanship, super guy. He is my favorite mostly because a couple years ago he set out to make the best using folder you can get, and he succeded. All his designs are functional, ergonomic, and have a personality unique to each knife. Another reason he is my favorite is because he is making a bunch of us what will undoubtedly be the coolest balisong ever.

Second mention goes to Ernie Mayer of Black Cloud Knives. What Darrel is to the folder, Ernie is the the fixed-blade fighter. His designs are innovative, unique, superbly functional, and have a design sense that is organic, exotic, even slightly flamboyant without being flashy or in any way imparing function. His knives handle better than any others I've tried. I own about a dozen of them or so. Love 'em all.

David Boye. Best cutting knives I know of. Again, the superbly functional designs with an earthy design sense. Boye Dendritic Steel is unique, stainless, supreme wear resistance, as beautiful and unique as Damascus. Teamed with Francine Martin of the Boye Knives Gallery you can get a fantastic cutting tool etched with a beautiful design, customized to make it one of a kind.

Kevin McClung. Extremely durable, functional, and ergonomic. Mad Dog knows what he thinks makes a great tactical knife, and I am in very strong agreement, especially in 3/16" thicknesses. His combination of fully enclosed composite handles, differentially hardened tool steel blade, and precise ergonomics make them some of the best and most durable cutting tools available.
 
This may sound crazy, but I am mentioning 3 makers, whose knives I have on order but do not currently own. Why do I already list them? Customer service. I have no Doubt Max Burnett, Geno Denning, and Ed Caffrey make fine knives. If I had doubts, I would have never contacted them about a knife. The reason I ordered from them? They responded to my enquires and answered my questions. I e-mailed several makers, probably 8-10, and the others never even e-mailed me back. Darrel Ralph is always quick to reply, but I am going with fixed blades right now, as they are less expensive. While these 3 have great prices and do great work, that was not what sold me on the knives. The fact they cared enough about their customers to answer the questions and respond means a lot to me. After all, if it wasn't for customers, they wouldn't have a business.
 
I'll second Rick's pick of Jeff Harkins. I just received one of his Kracked Tac models and it has left me speechless. That's why my post ends here.
 
Right now I'm just gonna name one knifemaker whose folders are definately on my wish list.I first examined and admired his work at a Miami show where someone was offering several of his pieces.Definately unique and a perfectionist Mr.Owen Wood.The asking price was U.S.$1500.00 and up!Beautifull work.eg: http://www.arizonacustomknives.com

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Right now I'm just gonna name one knifemaker whose folders are definately on my wish list.I first examined and admired his work at a Miami show where someone was offering several of his pieces.Definately unique and a perfectionist Mr.Owen Wood.The asking price was U.S.$1500.00 and up!Beautifull work.eg: http://www.arizonacustomknives.com

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One of favorites is Greco knives. Made by the
husband and wife team, John and Sherry Greco.
Simple, functional, and reasonabley priced.
 
My Favorites are Darrel Ralph and Tom Mayo. Both make very nice products and will not hesitate or charge extra to make left handed folders. The Apogee and TNT are my favorites. Although not custom, I think Chris Reeve Sebenzas are top notch and are of a quality that easily outshines those "cookie cutter" so called custom makers that outsource most of the work and they just put the pieces together.
 
With all due respect to the great makers I get to Chat with most nights; Darrel, Kit, Tim, Allen Blade, Alan Folts, Mike Cooper, Max Burnett, Art Washburn and others. As well as the makers who add so much to BladeForums by posting there.

When it comes to my favorites there are two that stand out in my mind because of their unique styles and characters, nobodies knives look like these two. They are as different as they can be. They are Ed Fowler and Ray Appleton. If you know their work you'll know what I mean, if you don't, I don't have the words to explain it.

I heard a rumor that Ron (Rays son) will be at the NYCKS with a colaboration of Fowler and Appleton. Where Ed made the blade and Ron made the handle. I don't know if this is true or not, but for this KnifeKnut that would be a dream colaboration come true. Ron sent me an E-mail several months ago that he had something very special in the works, but he never mentioned this. This I have to see.
 
Just as an update, the Fowler/Appleton colaboration knife is true, I held it and had the chance to sit and talk with Ron for quite a while, an awesome maker in his own right and a great guy. Not surprising when you consider Ray Appleton is his father and Ed Fowler delivered him as a baby....cool huh?

Ron, is working on putting out a line of more affordable knives, rather than the one of a kinds his Dad is known for. The Appletons are waiting the release of the Outdoor Edge "COSMOS" as much as I am. This will still probably be the only chance I'll get to own anything designed by Appleton.

PS, Ron had several knives there at the show, all had to be borrowed from their owners.
 
Al Polkowski...

...no big technical reason why - his knives just seem to fit in my hand just RIGHT. Nearly every one of his full sized fighters feels perfect. If I could own only one knife, it would be one of my Polkowskis. It's as simple as that.

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It is Us against Them. Whoever they are.
 
RJ MArtin RJ Martin! LOL...seriously -- I jhave three of his pieces...just picked up the Trek, part of Les's Vanguard series -- it is a superb blade!

Also was impressed by Larry Harley's stuff (great person, too), Darryl Ralph's work, and Dozier'swork.

A guy named Wally Hays from Canada had some sweet Japanese style blades at his table.

This was my experience at the NY Custom show, duly recorded...

~Brian.
 
Nate Clark, the 22 year old made me this Debonair.

He was taught by the Vallottons.

This is the finest knife I have handled.

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RICK - Left Handers Unite
 
There are lots of great makers out there, and who am I to judge,but my two favorites are Bill Moran and Phill Hartsfield. No one has to say anything about Moran, he has innovated so much. Hartsfield is the one who really popularized the Japanese style blades that are so popular today, and his knives cut phenomenally. Both of them are wonderful to talk to and deal with. Most of all, when I hold their knives in my hand, it feels special. (So call me wierd.
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[This message has been edited by yitz (edited 11-19-2000).]
 
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