Name your TOP 5 Custom makers & why, (& you have to own at least 1 from those picks)

STR said:
For lock back folders I have not kept up much. Can't say I have ever bought one that is a custom makers work.
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Not nearly enough of them IMO.

I would absolutely love to get a user grade custom 4" bladed semi-tactical folder with a lockback and pocket clip. Talk about the proverbial needle in a haystack...

I think I know why but that would probably be another thread entirely and could get ugly ;)
 
"I would absolutely love to get a user grade custom 4" bladed semi-tactical folder with a lockback and pocket clip. Talk about the proverbial needle in a haystack"

Chad, unless things have changed, the last time I checked, Steve Mullin of Pack River Knife Company(one man shop) makes a knife as you described, but it is a mid-lock which I prefer. Check it out.

This thread specified custom makers. William Henry is not a custom maker. Matt Conable is, or has been in the past.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
This one gave me pause. I have a LOT of fine customs, and it is really hard to boil it down to only five.

There is a theme from all six of my choices. (I waffled on a pair....;))

Hill Pearce: Relatively unknown but very distinct maker and style. Only the guys who have been following my work know about him. I feel gratified for drawing his work back out to the mainstream for appreciation. No longer making knives, we have monthly conversations by phone. Truly a personal friend and a superb craftsman.

David Broadwell: A maker who is capable of all manners of clean work. His sense of flow is among the finest in the world, his execution is also on top, and the folders have simply the creamiest smoothest action. He likes to dialog and stays on top of informing about his client's work from my experience.

Tai Goo: Once you aquire a taste for Tai's knives you understand the 'mystique'. That mystique is explained as a VERY creative mind and an uncanny 'think out of the box' approach to his builds and designs. He has no ABS degree, nor feels the need for such a title. His work is respected by some of the best in the forging world.

Darrel Ralph: I have rarely seen such another maker with a complete array of products that carry his name like Darrel. From factory designs to kits to his own lineup, he is also truly a gifted businessman. His handmades define sturdily built and quality fitment well beyond 'good'.

Bob Terzuola / Kit Carson. I only own one from each, and I can't decide which maker is more satisfying to own. Both of these guys are veteran makers who have given years to the custom world and are still involved. Both of them have work that is envied worldwide.

The most important aspect I admire from ALL these guys is their ability to inspire and/or 'give back'. More important than design, fit and finish.

Good thread, Steven. Sorry I came so late to the party.... ;)

Coop
 
Bob Lum: Because his knives and my concept of what a knife is mesh at many levels. Plus he among the best grinders on the market today.

Don Fogg: Mastersmith and amazing tempering.

Bill Pease: Just clean elegant lines.

Phil Bogusweski: Flipper action supreme.

C. Gray Taylor: Same as Pease.
 
Neil Blackwood-creative,innovative in both fixed and folders.Immense talent.

Jerry Fisk-His Sendero model,perfection in a lightweight,strong,do-
anything knife.Check out the dressed up Sendero in Dr.Daroms
new book(page 127).

Don Fogg-his Japanese inspired pieces are to die for.

Jerry Hossom-great designs,perfect fit & finish,and handles that are world
class.

Wally Hayes-Another master of the Japanese style who can make any
anything and do it to perfection.
 
Warren Osborne-not only alot a interesting designs, but consistently near flawless execution EVERY TIME! Besides he's a great guy and the value is there. You simply cannot go wrong with an Osborne knife.

Kenny Steigerwalt-Ken has been doing more stuff "outside the box" (his box, mind you) and I think that is good even though I'm not a big fan of some of his new designs. Super guy. Great value. Top of the game at pearl carving, fluting and pique work.

Fred Carter-Classic designs, flawless execution, sole authorship

Scott Sawby-Innovative lock, superb execution and intersting designs. His aesthetics from the '80's and '90's have a more modern feel than many of the "new" designs of today.

Ron Lake-enough said
 
SR Johnson
George Herron
Rod Chappel
Ted Dowell
Jess Horn

What is there to say?
 
Thanks TAH. Recieaved a 1991. Herron Simi Skinner from R.W. Loveless. a couple of months ago. Bob knew that George and I are old friends and gave me a hell of a deal. Hope to Have one of Bob's soon. My dealer and Good friend Lou chow has quite a few Loveless's. Lou Collects Loveless. Moran. Lake. Henry, and Lovett I feel very privaliged to be in such company. These are also my pick to collect with Mcburnette added. Why a Lovett, Heck, I cant afford to keep one HA....HA! Thanks M. Lovett
 
1) Daniel Winkler - Awesome period pieces and fit and finish with distinct style.
2) Steve Dunn - Nice wide blades on his Bowies. Damascus and engraving are very nice.
3) Elishewitz- Very smooth opening folders.
4) Joe Kious - Beautiful high end folders. f&f and style are outstanding.
5) Bob lay - Beautiful Bowies and Hunters at great prices.
 
Kohai999 said:
Hey All,

It's been a little slow around this place lately, so I thought I pick an activity that we all like, and get some discussion going. I WILL jump all over someone for being negative to another participant. If you don't agree with the choices, keep it to yourself or go offline. This is intended to be fun, informative, and educational, not immature, mean-spirited or a drag.

I'll go first(this is based upon what I currently own, I like Larry Fuegen for the # 1 spot, just don't own one yet, due in October)

In order:

1. Harvey McBurnette- Sole authorship, innovator(mid-lock folders), top quality workmanship, great person, made big folders that really pocket well, function as designed and look better each time you look at them. He will be missed, and is missed by me. He was a gentleman, as well as an excellent knifemaker.

2. Bob Crowder- Great knifemaker. His pricing is some of the best in the business, his communication skills are top notch. He not only listens to his customers, but encourages their input. He can design and grind just about any fixed blade on the planet, and he rarely repeats himself. Even the same models look different with the treatments that he gives them. His wife makes the sheaths, and they complement the knives perfectly

3. Warren Osborne-It's all in the details. He is a knifemaker's knifemaker. Every maker that I show his work to just shakes their heads in wonder. His lockbar seams are practically invisible when the blade is open. His grinds are crisp, precise and overall designs are elegant. He will not use substandard materials on his knives, ever.

4. Jim Siska-He has been making knives longer than I have been collecting them. He has a unique style, all his own. His prices are reasonable. His satin finish is top quality, his grind lines are sharp and crisp. The knives balance perfectly, and the construction methods are sound. He stands behind his knives 100%. He makes his own sheaths and they are as good as any custom sheath makers' work that I have seen.

5. Scott Sawby-I love his self-lock. It is a creative design, that is done with an elegance very much unsurpassed in this business. He makes a knife so slim and light you wonder why it doesn't break when you open it. As long as he has been making knives, and as much press as he gets, he is still relatively unknown. He delivers on time, and his attention to detail is breathtaking.

Thanks.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
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I've had a Sawby self lock for seven years now, one othe best knives I'll ever handle. -john
 
don fogg - for all the obvious reasons, as well as the more subtle ones. here is a smith whose work is uniquely his own, while still exploring different styles and feels. my fogg pieces are ones i spend a lot time handling and admiring. nice eastern influence to his pieces too that i really dig. nothing wild and over the top, nothing as simple as just wrapping the handle. good solid blades where the function drives the form, but the form is still beautiful.

bailey bradshaw - attention to detail and the ability to do it all. i've only got the one piece from him, but that tachi is a true marvel.

tom ferry - truely amazing damascus and a great guy to deal with. he nailed the look and feel i was after with just a few short emails. finally got a chance to meet him at reno this year, and i'll definitely be getting something else from him.

john davis - someone else i had the pleasure of meeting this year at a show. also a master in the damascus field. someone who has a good sense of design too - the d-guard i have from him is a monster, with a nice forward curve like a d-guard should have.

greg covington - this was a piece i picked up that is not normally my style. a straight up bowie with no eastern influence, no fancy flourishes. but it is a great piece. he really impressed me with his attention to fit & finish, great handle shape, great blade shape and really reasonably priced to boot.

there are of course lots of other makers whose work i also love - but i'll play by steve's rules here and stick to five. these are the ones whose work i keep coming back to in my particular collection, as it stands right now.
 
Well, since I currently only own 2 custom makers at this time. (I have knives on order, does that count? If so DDR & Scott Cook.) Ok, I own a Peter Atwood Solar Arc, whistle, Bug Out Bar, and Prybaby. And I own a R. Hinderer Firetac!! I love the texturing on the Firetac, and it is just plain smooooooooth to open, and built like a tank. The Solar Arc is just spectacular, the snake skin finish. It is a small beautiful and very solid knife!! It is comfy in the hand. Also, important to ME, is the fact that both knives have dual thumb studs/ disks, that I CAN open with either hand. I intend to get MORE of both makers work! Both Mr. Atwood and Mr. Hinderer are wonderful gentlemen!! I have enjoyed communicating with both of them.PS: I would like to David L. Mosier to this list. I do not own anything of his now, but he is an incredible maker!! His work is fantastic and is a really nice man to deal with!!
 
My top five are
1)Ron Newton.Very clean knives.Great fit and finish.I have used his knife to skin,gut and butcher a couple of game animals and it was a pleasure to use.He puts an edge on his blades that is there with the best of them.I have also used his knife to cut branches and hanging rope and it performed wonderfully.His knives are not only great to look at,they are also great to use.
2)Jimmy Fikes. His knives have somthing special to them.Not in a mystical way,but in the way they feel in your hand and perform.Need to handle one to realize it.Very sharp knives and great users.I have not handled his really fancy ones to comment on those.
3)Corbet Sigman. An old time maker.He makes very clean knives.Fit and finish and grind lines are there with the best of them.His utility line of knives are among some of the best bang for the buck you can find.His knives come with a very sharp edge.
4)Michael Connor.A man acknowledged by many to have one of the best fit and finish among the ABS mastersmiths.Would like to have his knives,but his are among the most difficult of knives to find.
5)Greg Neely.Another mastersmith in the ABS.Not very well known.Also acknowledged as one whose knives are extremely clean.The ones I have seen are very very clean.
 
Well, my collection has grown and changed, so here is my revised list:

1. Buster Warenski - What more do you need to say? RIP Buster.
2. Herman Schneider - The percision and beauty of the piece. Incredibly clean work! Super nice guy too.
3. James Rodebaugh - Simple, honest, down-to-earth, and no-bullsh*t. Has every reason to be full of himself and isn't.
4. Robert Crowder - Never had a chance to meet him in person, but all my conversations via email have been a pleasure. Simply fell in love with his knife as soon as I saw it!
5. Bailey Bradshaw - Like people have said, incredible precision and attention to detail with an excellent eye for design.
 
I don't have that many.... But of those I own.....
Brian Tighe
Darrel Ralph
David Broadwell
Ron Gaston
Jot Singh Khalsa (Spyderco version :o )
Craig Camerer
 
I'm gonna stick to what I know best at this point, folders. I'm also gonna stick to makers whose knives I own(ed). In no particular order:
Tom Mayo
Bob Dozier
Phil Boguszewski
JW Smith
Kit Carson
However, this is artificial as I could just as easily add a few other names to the list (some of which I've never owned): Bob Terzuola, Scott Cook, DB Fraley, Ken Onion, RJ Martin, Don Hanson, Rick Dunkerley, Lee Wiliams, Bob Lum, and others.
 
I can't really answer this question... While I may have been collecting for a while now, I have come across, and now own, many knives by some great makers, some mentioned in this thread, and a whole lot that haven't...

John Fitch has been mentiooned numerous times...I have a Fitch trooper bowie (well, that's the name bestowed at least by the purveyor I got it from) that happens to fully epitomize what I think of when I think of a true combat bowie... and when you look at the piece critically, well, we all know why the name Fitch has shown up on a lot of lists...

I own a couple by Bob Crowder, too... Both are done in a style Bob has developed, but each is so unique that they are exemplary of his craftmanship... And, he's one heck of a guy to deal with, too!

Yes, I have one Fisk, a Sendero I got several years ago... Nuff said...

And Nick Wheeler, of course... I got my first from him years ago at the Puyallup WAC/NWKC show.. I think he cursed me a few times, but the Shredd Fighter Bowie came out the way I wanted it! And of course, I had to get another of his pieces... Which he wouldn't sell me until he "finished" it... Heck, as "un-finished" as it was, you all know why he's become so good so young - his work speaks for itself, and he is another class act to deal with...

But Gary Rodewald, a Montana maker, turns out some of the nicest ABS style work I've seen at shows... and of course I had to have one of his...

Now, that may be 5, of which I only added Gary...

But, I have to say that Audra Draper, Curtis D. Childs, Terry Primos, Scott Taylor, Shawn MacIntyre and several others turn out work of comparable quality and hold an equal place in my collection... And there are several I've dealt with over time - and every one of them has been truly great to talk with and/or deal with... Basically, I'd have to list just about every maker I own one by... Some may be better than others in certain areas, but I think most of you would find the level of work from each of these makers to be in the top 20% of what I think of as quality makers... and quality personalities...
 
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