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thesouthernguitarist

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I have been thinking off and on about getting myself a traditional custom knife, but I have no idea who I would have make it. Could someone possibly name some well known knife makers, and give me their strong points and whatnot? If I do get a custom knife, it would be something of the Serpentine Jack or Peanut sort. Also, It would most likely have jigged bone handles of some sort. My budget would be somewhere around $300-$350. So, any reccomendations? I really know next to nothing about custom knives, so please enlighten me :D
 
It's not a custom, but have you seen the A.G. Russell Pinched Peanut?
I saw one on the 'what traditional knife are you totin' today?' thread, and after a quick google, fell in love with the mammoth ivory version.
I'm considering selling a kidney.
 
Time to do some research and a little homework so you can make a good decision and get the best bang for the buck.

One thing you should do is narrow down all the features you are looking for so you can realistically appraise the price.

Aside from going through the various threads and posts in this forum, a great place to get ideas about patterns and prices is in the "knifemaker's sale area".

You'll also want to check the "custom knives for sale by individual" listings to get ideas about patterns and the kinds of prices that different makers command.

Once you've narrowed down the list of makers whose work (and prices) fit your ideas and wallet you can make contact with them via email, PM or phone and go from there.

If you need advice about the work of a given maker I'm sure that many of us on this forum will be able to provide some background from personal experience.

A maker whose work might fit both your taste and pocketbook is Mike Alsdorf. His work is considered excellent and his prices are very reasonable. (I don't know Mike or own any of his knives but have been impressed by the level of feedback he gets for his offerings.)
 
Also, how does Great Eastern Cutlery compare to a custom knife? If I were to just purchase a GEC, would I get the same quality, or close to it?
 
Blues said:
A maker whose work might fit both your taste and pocketbook is Mike Alsdorf. His work is considered excellent and his prices are very reasonable. (I don't know Mike or own any of his knives but have been impressed by the level of feedback he gets for his offerings.)
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Mike Alsdorf is the first name that came to mind.

He makes the patterns you are looking for, his work is amazing, his prices are more than fair and his wait time is fairly short for custom work.
 
thesouthernguitarist said:
Also, how does Great Eastern Cutlery compare to a custom knife? If I were to just purchase a GEC, would I get the same quality, or close to it?
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I would say that one of the Case/Bose collaborations would be close (it would also be close in price). GEC knives are great, but the fit and finish wouldn't be what you get on a custom.
 
thesouthernguitarist said:
Also, how does Great Eastern Cutlery compare to a custom knife? If I were to just purchase a GEC, would I get the same quality, or close to it?
Click to expand...

That really depends on what you are looking for in the knife and how you define quality.

I have a few high dollar custom traditionals, and I do not feel slighted in the least with GEC. They work, they have respectable FF, they are made in the USA and they have good steel heat treated well from what I can tell. That is not to say you wouldn't prefer a custom over one. It really depends on what you are looking for IMO. To some people customs are a whole new ballgame and they would not consider production after they get into them. To me, I like both. GEC is a no nonsense brand that I don't feel bad using, I actually enjoy using mine and like it more and more every time I do.

Kevin
 
I think it may be best for me to get a GEC before I get a custom. I'm not sure tho. I was just on Mike Alsdorf's webiste and I really like his work. No prices listed tho
 
I would highly recommend you check out John Lloyd , just got one in from him , and I love it , and well within your budget . :)
 
GEC's won't compare to a decent custom knife. I have lots of GEC's and although I don't have any customs, I have seen enough in person as well as pictures on this forum to know that there is no production alternative to a nice custom folder.

That being said I highly recommend GEC and one would be a legitimate stepping stone before you shell out money for a custom knife.

Also Alsdorf does have some impressive work on his website's gallery. I like the equal-end in mammoth.
 
I posted this in the John Lloyd thread , while a bit bigger than 3" , I would say closer to the 3 1/2" but have not measured it yet , just basing the size on the Baby Bullet Trapper (R1173) it is styled after.

This maker will certainly be able to satisfy you.

IMG_0028x.jpg
 
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