Ordering a Custom knife (PICs Added)

I'm with Tony and James on this one. Every maker has their own style. I am curious though, Is the picture of the knife requested from a photo you found somewhere, or one you own? I don't recognize the makers, but was the knife/maker from the photo requested unavailable?
 
james terrio said:
...I gotta side with the maker on this one.

For all practical purposes, it's the same knife, just in his style.
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Agreed, A fine looking copy of the original, without stepping on toes.


Got to give the maker a change to make it his own.



Big Mike
 
First of I don't want to make it seem like it's your fault. This is not my intention.
I don't know if you've ever ordered a custom knife, or custom anything for that matter (a lot of the times ordering one offs involve the same back and forth process).

I too would side with Tony, James and lessismore on this, actually I did before the pics were posted.
First, if you wanted exact, then you should have asked for exact, my guess is that the maker would have said no... It's just wrong to do that.
Second, if you wanted exact you could have just bought the one pictured (unless it was a one off, then you could have contacted the maker)
Third, if the finger grooves were the important part you should have said so.

Again I don't want to make it seem like it's your fault the knife didn't meet your expectations ordering a custom is a process and it sounds like the process wasn't completed. I can't lay blame on either you or the maker, there things that just weren't done.

And if you're totally not loving that knife, contact me, I may be interested, it looks like a fine blade to add to my rotation!
It must meet a few requirements though. (Size, maker, steel, and cost)
 
That actually looks pretty good, and as Big Mike said, it's a fine copy without stepping on any toes. That handle looks like it might even be more comfortable to grip, with the added palm swell. However, being custom, you should get exactly what you want.
 
Did he have permission to copy the original knife design? I would have a huge problem with ANY knife maker that WOULD copy someone else's design.
 
As stated earlier I have ordered dozens of custom knives over the past 15 years. Lately past 8 years or so they are mostly Historic reproductions. So in those cases for the most part they are pretty close to looking exactly like the pic I send.

With that being said on others when a picture or specs were sent the maker would respond with any changes or difference or suggestions. In this particular case they only change the maker indicated was he prefered to do the sheath in leather rather than kydex.
I thought if he took the time to mention that, he would have also mentioned changing the number of finger grooves from 4 to 2 also that he was going to do a hollow grind instaead of a full flat grind.


And yes I do agree when all is said and done it is a fine looking knife and can't wait to have it my hands to see how it feels. As I stated in my opening comment I was not picking on the maker, just opening up a discussion

Thanks to all for your comments
 
If you wanted that exact knife you should have ordered it from that exact maker

You asked a maker to knock off another's work. He made you his version, if you at not pleased do not except the work and buy one from the original maker
 
I think it looks like a good interpretation without being an exact copy. As JParanee stated. If you wanted an exact copy, get the original.

In the customs I have ordered, I find it very important to be exact in all things I want. For instance. I have big hands. So when I do custom orders I almost always insist on at least a handle length of 4". If it is a knife design I came up with, I also make cardboard cut outs so I can get a bit of a feel for it. I also like to send the cardboard cutout to the maker so they can get a feel for it too. I also like my knives thin, so I generally ask for thin stock, and thin behind the edge, preferably about .010" behind the edge. I also consult with the maker on if that is a good target for the steel and what a good target for final RC ect is for my uses. I try and cover every base.

I think full communication is very important. I don't like feeling like I am a nuisance either. One of my favorites to work with is David over at OTK.
 
For what it's worth, thanks for posting this. I haven't ordered a custom, but if and when I do, I'll be better equipped on how to go about it. :thumbup:
 
I dunno man I think these guys are right about you could ha e went with the original maker. However as far as knock offs and such there are many knives made in someone else's style such as Loveless, Dozier, Dauntless etch. I unlike the others do not believe it is an accurate representation of the original design. Me personally, just the type of guy I am, I would still purchase the knife because it is a nice knife and was made for you. If I was very unhappy I might ask for a price break but probably not. If you really hate it don't take it I'm sure the maker will have no trouble selling it. Lesson learned either way and probably worth the knife to have learned it. Next one could be thousands.
 
Shift said:
I dunno man I think these guys are right about you could ha e went with the original maker. However as far as knock offs and such there are many knives made in someone else's style such as Loveless, Dozier, Dauntless etch. I unlike the others do not believe it is an accurate representation of the original design. Me personally, just the type of guy I am, I would still purchase the knife because it is a nice knife and was made for you. If I was very unhappy I might ask for a price break but probably not. If you really hate it don't take it I'm sure the maker will have no trouble selling it. Lesson learned either way and probably worth the knife to have learned it. Next one could be thousands.
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Just remember is the case of Loveless, he is deceased. And every maker I see doing Loveless styles say XXXX's version of X Loveless design as homage. Far different than just taking his work and copying it as their own. And with that statement I am not referencing this thread's contents either.
 
For all of those who are jumping in stating I should have went to the orginal maker. I did originally I asked for it to made a little larger than the orginal as I have big hands and was told by the maker it was not a problem he told me 6 to 8 weeks after making a deposit and waiting a year I heard nothing but excuses why he did not get to it. When I asked for my deposit back he told me to give him one more month and it would be ready. I did, I received an email telling me it was complete, I sent in the balance and received the smaller version of the knife. I contacted the maker and he told me that he thought the regular model would be good enough. I informed him it was not what we agreed upon. I sent the knife back and waited a few months more for the refund. When I asked him if there was an issue with my request he told me he really wasn't interested in making fixed blades any longer and was focusing folding knives. No problem just wish he would have told me that in the first place.

As far as makers copying other makers designs I hear what everyone is saying, My specs requested were different from the makers specs. Also as some else pointed out you would not see any drop point hunters if people did not mimick Loveless no chute knives ect. certain knife companies would not exist as they are Randall copies.

Less people would know and appreciate custom made and well made knives if they have not purchased the cheaper poorer copies first.
 
lmbhami said:
For all of those who are jumping in stating I should have went to the orginal maker. I did originally I asked for it to made a little larger than the orginal as I have big hands and was told by the maker it was not a problem he told me 6 to 8 weeks after making a deposit and waiting a year I heard nothing but excuses why he did not get to it. When I asked for my deposit back he told me to give him one more month and it would be ready. I did, I received an email telling me it was complete, I sent in the balance and received the smaller version of the knife. I contacted the maker and he told me that he thought the regular model would be good enough. I informed him it was not what we agreed upon. I sent the knife back and waited a few months more for the refund. When I asked him if there was an issue with my request he told me he really wasn't interested in making fixed blades any longer and was focusing folding knives. No problem just wish he would have told me that in the first place.

As far as makers copying other makers designs I hear what everyone is saying, My specs requested were different from the makers specs. Also as some else pointed out you would not see any drop point hunters if people did not mimick Loveless no chute knives ect. certain knife companies would not exist as they are Randall copies.

Less people would know and appreciate custom made and well made knives if they have not purchased the cheaper poorer copies first.
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I can totally understand and was not accusing you of anything. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with a maker too.
 
lmbhami said:
For all of those who are jumping in stating I should have went to the orginal maker. I did originally I asked for it to made a little larger than the orginal as I have big hands and was told by the maker it was not a problem he told me 6 to 8 weeks after making a deposit and waiting a year I heard nothing but excuses why he did not get to it. When I asked for my deposit back he told me to give him one more month and it would be ready. I did, I received an email telling me it was complete, I sent in the balance and received the smaller version of the knife. I contacted the maker and he told me that he thought the regular model would be good enough. I informed him it was not what we agreed upon. I sent the knife back and waited a few months more for the refund. When I asked him if there was an issue with my request he told me he really wasn't interested in making fixed blades any longer and was focusing folding knives. No problem just wish he would have told me that in the first place.

As far as makers copying other makers designs I hear what everyone is saying, My specs requested were different from the makers specs. Also as some else pointed out you would not see any drop point hunters if people did not mimick Loveless no chute knives ect. certain knife companies would not exist as they are Randall copies.

Less people would know and appreciate custom made and well made knives if they have not purchased the cheaper poorer copies first.
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There is obviously more going on here then stated the Original Post.


Custom knife rule 101: The more money you give the maker up-front, the less control you'll have in the outcome of the project.


Big Mike
 
STeel130 THanks. did not take it as you accussing.
Big Mike did not mention all of the issues in orginal statement as I do not harbor ill feeling towards orginal maker and did not feel the need to bring up an issue I had with him
Its just a pety peave of mine when people start talking about copying other makers work.
I understand both sides of the argument. I am not condoning copying another makers or companies work.

IT happens and sometimes the copies are better than the orginals, does not make it right but happens in every industry.
 
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