silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 20,039
I have come to a crossroads in my knife usage, and have to ask. I have phased out a lot of my "tactical" designs for a more semi production and traditional flair. I am looking at amassing some traditional productions, some semi productions like Bark River and CRK, maybe Striders. I have bought/traded and even won a few customs, but my tastes are ever changing in those. I got advice on customs several years ago, but want to post again.
I currently own the following customs
Gossman Knives PSK that I will be getting handle scales for and making a sheath for
Gossman Knives camp knife that is too big for me, I will be getting a smaller knife of the same design, but with handpicked ironwood scales
Bud Nealy Cave Bear
Bud Nealy wood handled custom with leather sheath, supposedly the last one he made?
So, that is a small start, but anyway, I am looking for custom knives that I won't feel bad using. I am getting a camp knife from Larry Nowicki either next month or August, and the aforementioned knife from Scott next year.
As for what I am looking for, customs that can be used for camping, fishing, every day carry etc. This would include folders with fixed blades. High end steels are preferred, stainless and tool for the folders, carbon and tool steels for the fixed blades. I would say my holy grail of knives would be a tie. Anything by Daniel Winkler, or a folder with mammoth ivory scales, damascus or gold bolsters and a damascus blade. These are unattainable for me right now, and I don't know if I could bring myself to use them. There are many makers out there right now who are in my price range, who are reputable, and who do great work. However, I have no idea where to begin. After several years of looking at the custom market, I know what I want, but I don't know what I need. One of my problems with productions was that I amassed a lot, but didn't use that many. Now, while I would like to have everything out there, I can't afford anything I don't use.
So, I've looked at as I look at guns. What void am I filling? While I can't afford a custom gun, I can afford a production gun. While I can't afford a lot of custom knives, I can afford a few. So, breaking it down, if I were to start from scratch, I need the following.
an EDC sheeple friendly folder, possibly a slipjoint or small lockback/linerlock with friendly lines, for during the week, tool or stainless steel okay
a larger EDC folder for big tasks, to be used on the road, and in knife friendly areas, again, tool or stainless steels
a fixed blade edc, probably same lenght blade as the larger folder, again tool or stainless steel
a 6" blade for camping made of tool steel
a stainless folder, hopefully with a marlinspike, for fishing duties
a stainless fixed blade for fishing duties (can one handle cutting rope, lines and cutting up bait)
maybe a small work knife fixed blade for at home, maybe 3 to 4 inch blade, tool steel I guess, maybe a neck knife
And, if I had some dough, I would throw in a nice special carry knife that could take a beating, but would knock em dead with looks.
Now, to any right thinking individual, that list is insane. But we are knife collectors, and an even rarer breed, custom knife collectors. Like I said, I want everything under the sun, but I think that list is a good place to start. Hell, include custom kitchen knives.
I currently own the following customs
Gossman Knives PSK that I will be getting handle scales for and making a sheath for
Gossman Knives camp knife that is too big for me, I will be getting a smaller knife of the same design, but with handpicked ironwood scales
Bud Nealy Cave Bear
Bud Nealy wood handled custom with leather sheath, supposedly the last one he made?
So, that is a small start, but anyway, I am looking for custom knives that I won't feel bad using. I am getting a camp knife from Larry Nowicki either next month or August, and the aforementioned knife from Scott next year.
As for what I am looking for, customs that can be used for camping, fishing, every day carry etc. This would include folders with fixed blades. High end steels are preferred, stainless and tool for the folders, carbon and tool steels for the fixed blades. I would say my holy grail of knives would be a tie. Anything by Daniel Winkler, or a folder with mammoth ivory scales, damascus or gold bolsters and a damascus blade. These are unattainable for me right now, and I don't know if I could bring myself to use them. There are many makers out there right now who are in my price range, who are reputable, and who do great work. However, I have no idea where to begin. After several years of looking at the custom market, I know what I want, but I don't know what I need. One of my problems with productions was that I amassed a lot, but didn't use that many. Now, while I would like to have everything out there, I can't afford anything I don't use.
So, I've looked at as I look at guns. What void am I filling? While I can't afford a custom gun, I can afford a production gun. While I can't afford a lot of custom knives, I can afford a few. So, breaking it down, if I were to start from scratch, I need the following.
an EDC sheeple friendly folder, possibly a slipjoint or small lockback/linerlock with friendly lines, for during the week, tool or stainless steel okay
a larger EDC folder for big tasks, to be used on the road, and in knife friendly areas, again, tool or stainless steels
a fixed blade edc, probably same lenght blade as the larger folder, again tool or stainless steel
a 6" blade for camping made of tool steel
a stainless folder, hopefully with a marlinspike, for fishing duties
a stainless fixed blade for fishing duties (can one handle cutting rope, lines and cutting up bait)
maybe a small work knife fixed blade for at home, maybe 3 to 4 inch blade, tool steel I guess, maybe a neck knife
And, if I had some dough, I would throw in a nice special carry knife that could take a beating, but would knock em dead with looks.
Now, to any right thinking individual, that list is insane. But we are knife collectors, and an even rarer breed, custom knife collectors. Like I said, I want everything under the sun, but I think that list is a good place to start. Hell, include custom kitchen knives.
