New To Knives Need Help on Custom Passion Project for Father

O

Okeana

Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
9
Greetings Everyone!

I've recently been wanting to pick up a new hobby and I have decided to get into knife collecting. Before I start just going out and buying custom made knives based on looks I wanted to do something special for my first knife. My dad recently had a liver transplant and has a new lease on life so I was thinking about doing a set of father son folders to celebrate. I am obsessed on researching things before I make any purchases so I wanted to get some advice from the experts in this great community on a few topics.

1. I want folders that can be used every day, but still have high artistic qualities that will hold up over time. This is something I want to pass down in the bloodline to my kids moving forward. What type of metal will hold up for a long time with care and what style blade is less likely to break under use?

2. What style folder would you get for the smoothest action both opening and closing. I want something that can be opened and closed with 1 hand and easily. He is closing in on 70 years old so I want it to be functional.

3. Do you have any suggestions as far as knife makers who specialize in folders or a have had great experiences with in the past ?

I am sorry if these are commonly asked questions or come off as uneducated, but I am new to the scene. Any advice would be great and If any of you knife makers are interested in this project because you can relate to my situation than I would love to hear from you.

Thanks Everyone
 
Okeana said:
Greetings Everyone!

I've recently been wanting to pick up a new hobby and I have decided to get into knife collecting. Before I start just going out and buying custom made knives based on looks I wanted to do something special for my first knife. My dad recently had a liver transplant and has a new lease on life so I was thinking about doing a set of father son folders to celebrate. I am obsessed on researching things before I make any purchases so I wanted to get some advice from the experts in this great community on a few topics.

1. I want folders that can be used every day, but still have high artistic qualities that will hold up over time. This is something I want to pass down in the bloodline to my kids moving forward. What type of metal will hold up for a long time with care and what style blade is less likely to break under use?

2. What style folder would you get for the smoothest action both opening and closing. I want something that can be opened and closed with 1 hand and easily. He is closing in on 70 years old so I want it to be functional.

3. Do you have any suggestions as far as knife makers who specialize in folders or a have had great experiences with in the past ?

I am sorry if these are commonly asked questions or come off as uneducated, but I am new to the scene. Any advice would be great and If any of you knife makers are interested in this project because you can relate to my situation than I would love to hear from you.

Thanks Everyone
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Budget?
 
I would like to keep it in the 400-800 dollar range for the set. May budget more just depends... this is always open for negotation.

I would like to get them before Christmas this year if time allows, but from what I'm hearing most guys have long wait list.
 
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Welcome to the forum, very cool and thoughtful of you. I think within your budget you will be able to get a couple of great knives, good luck!
So you're looking to spend between 200-400 per knife,, smooth one handed opening, would like to pass it down through future generations... Hmmm
Small Sebenza 21
Benchmade 940
 
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rcb2000 said:
Welcome to the forum, very cool and thoughtful of you. I think within your budget you will be able to get a couple of great knives, good luck!
So you're looking to spend between 200-400 per knife,, smooth one handed opening, would like to pass it down through future generations... Hmmm
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Yeah. Again the price is really workable. If it comes down to spending more to get something worth the price I totally will. I'm just not in the position to drop 2 grand on a single knife right now lol.
 
I don't think anyone could argue against a Sebenza. Yeah you could find an easier opening blade,, but I don't think a 70 year old needs an assisted opening or a flipper
 
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Chris Reeves Sebenza 21, Rick Hinderer XM-18, Strider SnG - to name a few.

Even sprint runs and exclusives from major brands like Spyderco and Benchmade.

Any modern steel will last several lifetimes with minimal care.
 
rcb2000 said:
I don't think anyone could argue against a Sebenza.
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We're my dad still alive & we were launching a knife collection, I'd mark the start with a pair of Sebenzas & use them for EDC. Only then, would I start buying "pure customs." But, that's just me.
 
Reading your prerequisites, the first thing you're likely to hear is going to be a pair of CRK Sebenzas, and it's a pretty good suggestion. You can get them in a large or small size, in the standard or insingo blade shape, with inlays of several different materials, graphics, or plain titanium - whatever configuration tickles your fancy.
 
First, congratulations to your dad. Modern medicine is an amazing thing.

I suspect this post will lead to more questions but I hope it is still useful :)

1. Most steels, especially those used in custom work, will last a lifetime if the knife maker knows what they're doing and does a good heat treatment, and if the owner looks after it. Stainless steels will require less maintenance and many will take and hold an incredible edge, but may be a tad slower to sharpen. Have you given any thought to what you are looking for? Do you want it to patina with use? Will you be using the knife in humid weather or near water? How big a knife do you want? Different steels are good for different things.

2. Knife style is very much a matter of personal preference. What do you envision the knives will be used for? Would a small fixed blade with a pocket sheath be an option (just another option and you may get more bang for your buck :) ). Most one hand openers should be easy to open and have a solid lockup. Those are marks of quality for one hand folding knives.

3. Maker. This is a hard one. Partly because there are so many and partly because it's a matter of personal preference. I strongly suggest you have a look at the knife makers area of the Exchange here, look at some old threads and get an idea of what/who you like. Be very wary of buying "custom" knives from some websites where you can't readily identify the maker.
 
Welcome to BFC !!!!
You may also want to look at production folders in matching sets, unless you want it personalized, some production knives are quite breath taking and are more readily available such as Chris Reeve Knives, William Henry, Zero Tolerance, Rick Hinderer Knives to name a few.
You can read here and get a good grasp on what's being produced today and the quality of most any knife you'll ever look at.
Most of the custom makers have a long backlog of orders and probably couldn't meet your timeline.
Good luck in your hunt.
 
Now when you say Sebenzas is that just a brand of knife or style ? I think part of this project is celebrating the father son relationship, going through major health issues, and getting a second chance at life. I know it sounds corny, but I don't really wanna order a knife from an workshop catalog. My father has two full sleeves of tattoos back from a generation when tattoos were rare to see and one thing taught me was that each one had a very special meaning to him. The reason I bring this up is I want the maker to be as passionate about the project and get something from it. I don't know if that makes sense and maybe its corny as hell.
 
Okeana said:
Now when you say Sebenzas is that just a brand of knife or style ? I think part of this project is celebrating the father son relationship, going through major health issues, and getting a second chance at life. I know it sounds corny, but I don't really wanna order a knife from an workshop catalog. My father has two full sleeves of tattoos back from a generation when tattoos were rare to see and one thing taught me was that each one had a very special meaning to him. The reason I bring this up is I want the maker to be as passionate about the project and get something from it. I don't know if that makes sense and maybe its corny as hell.
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Not corny at all, very cool man.
Sebenzas are often considered the pinnacle of folding knives, some disagree, many more agree though. I don't know if you could work out a custom job with them,, but I can guarantee you would triple the cost at least..
Good luck with your search!
 
Okeana said:
Now when you say Sebenzas is that just a brand of knife or style ? I think part of this project is celebrating the father son relationship, going through major health issues, and getting a second chance at life. I know it sounds corny, but I don't really wanna order a knife from an workshop catalog. My father has two full sleeves of tattoos back from a generation when tattoos were rare to see and one thing taught me was that each one had a very special meaning to him. The reason I bring this up is I want the maker to be as passionate about the project and get something from it. I don't know if that makes sense and maybe its corny as hell.
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Depending upon where you live, a father-son trip to the Chris Reeve Knives factory in Boise, ID would make the purchase of a pair of Sebenzas all the more meaningful. Add to that the ultimate graphics CRK can do as well as how they treat visitors/customers...you'd be hard pressed to beat the experience.
 
Chris Larrikin said:
First, congratulations to your dad. Modern medicine is an amazing thing.

I suspect this post will lead to more questions but I hope it is still useful :)

1. Most steels, especially those used in custom work, will last a lifetime if the knife maker knows what they're doing and does a good heat treatment, and if the owner looks after it. Stainless steels will require less maintenance and many will take and hold an incredible edge, but may be a tad slower to sharpen. Have you given any thought to what you are looking for? Do you want it to patina with use? Will you be using the knife in humid weather or near water? How big a knife do you want? Different steels are good for different things.

2. Knife style is very much a matter of personal preference. What do you envision the knives will be used for? Would a small fixed blade with a pocket sheath be an option (just another option and you may get more bang for your buck :) ). Most one hand openers should be easy to open and have a solid lockup. Those are marks of quality for one hand folding knives.

3. Maker. This is a hard one. Partly because there are so many and partly because it's a matter of personal preference. I strongly suggest you have a look at the knife makers area of the Exchange here, look at some old threads and get an idea of what/who you like. Be very wary of buying "custom" knives from some websites where you can't readily identify the maker.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

1. We live in Cincinnati so it does get very humid and we have radical changes in weather. I haven't looked into patina at all. I was looking at Damascus blades, but I am curious if that makes a stronger blade or just for looks. As far as size goes I am 6'5 and he's 5'5 ( dont ask my mom is tall =) ). So I want his to be a bit smaller. Im thinking 3 1/2 to 4 inch blade

2. I know he was always more partial to folders than fixed blade. I saw some folders where you run your finger across the top and it slides open what style of folder is that ? As far as blade type I am torn between persian, drop tip, and clip point. Ive also seem some cool looking folding dagger style knives, but i don't know how practical those are.
 
101N said:
I'd go with an Olamic folder: Wayfarer or Rainmaker.
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YEAH! This exactly. :thumbup:

Having read your latest post, Olamic would be able to give you that level of custom that you both desire and could afford.

ETA: I'm glad to hear your dad is better! That certainly is something to celebrate!
 
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