"perfect user" recommendations

R

rprocter

BANNED
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
6,872
i am new to custom knives and am very impressed by the number of folks who can make an outstanding knife.
what i want in a knife is a "perfect user", meaning perfect construction, excellent steel turned into an excellent blade; a knife that fits the hand like an extension of one's own body and cuts what it is designed to, easily and smoothly. aesthetics is important too; the knive must look good, very good.
so far i have 2, a T. A. Davison 3 3/4" clip blade slippie (#317) and a Gaetan Beauchamp FB 8 3/4" with dyed european red deer handles.
i have not had a chance to try either, but am extremely pleased with my 2 choices. both arrived this last week; their use is imminent, and i will be surprised if i am disappointed.
i am not interested in knives that may be fine works of art, but not superb cutters.
so i would like suggestions, based on personal experience, of knife makers whose work i could check out, that you feel is what i am talking about.
roland
p.s. 2 more on their way: Rusty Preston 2 blade folder; and Todd Orr 4" Whitetail FB
 
Ed's knives are special. On an unlimited budget I would own a 3.5" bladed Pronghorn.

But I would also encourage you to look at Burt Foster: you'll have many more options regarding blade/guard/handle style/material/construction, and you can take your wife out to dinner with the $1,000 you save:)

John

BTW, I could name 10 other really good makers, but I personally like Burt's stuff most, and figure that others will weigh in with many other options.
 
John Frankl said:
Ed's knives are special. On an unlimited budget I would own a 3.5" bladed Pronghorn.

But I would also encourage you to look at Burt Foster: you'll have many more options regarding blade/guard/handle style/material/construction, and you can take your wife out to dinner with the $1,000 you save:)

John

BTW, I could name 10 other really good makers, but I personally like Burt's stuff most, and figure that others will weigh in with many other options.
Click to expand...
Can't argue with you on that reccomendation, John.
 
Both Ed and Burt would be great selections for providing the "perfect user", however there's many custom makers that would deliver just what you describe.
 
My vote would be for a Don Hanson...this is a knife I use daily; creamy mastadon ivory, carved mosaic damascus bolsters with a carbon blade (don't know the steel...)

Cut like crazy, and since it is a general utility knife for me it does everything from heavy gauge cardboard to rainbow trout. Holds a hellava edge. A simple kydex sheath with pocket clip and it is the perfect companion! :D

hanson_kydex.jpg


hanson_pants.jpg



-Michael
 
it sounds like you have a couple of great ones there. There are so many great makers out there it would be hard to narrow it down too far. How about Don Hanson III.

Chuck
 
I'm rather partial to this particular knife by Brian Lyttle. Not too large for easy carry, won't stain at the pattern, sharp, and will totally take down for cleaning if necessary

orig.jpg
 
Ooops, forgot to mention Burt Foster. Got one of his flaired up blue collar knife with 52100 steel and caramel bone handle slabs, one heck of a cutting machine !

The blue collar knives are not that expensive either, but excellent user.
 
1) How much are you prepared to spend?
2) How long are you prepared to wait?

Roger
 
thanks for all the suggestions. i have a Dozier whittler which i find excellent for field dressing game. altho. it is individually made, the personality is a bit generic, whereas i find my 2 "real" customs seem to have a more personal personality.
how much am i willing to spend ? well i have a problem that way. if i see a knife i really like, i often buy it even tho. i cannot really "afford" it. my children will inherit knives in place of money (they are NOT impressed !)i have followed up on each recommendation so far and will check any others provided. purpose is to follow the work of the recommended makers and if one comes up i really like, then i'll go for it. (of course many of these folks rarely have an unspoken for knive) roland
 
I'm going to have to say Jerry Halfrich or Joel Chamblin on this one. Their waits are reasonable now and both make an awesome knife with impeccable fit and finish.


There are others in the less expensive price range like Ken Erickson who just keeps getting better with each knife made. Even Halfrich and Chamblin are reasonable. You can find their work online (each has their own webpage) or here using the search.
 
Chefget, I'm pretty sure the steel is 1084, this one was made before I got heavily into W2.

It is good to see one of my knives being used, and every day to:thumbup:
 
I can't speak about other makers, but I am very happy with the "Blue Collar" and "Personal" knives I have from Burt Foster. As soon as I got them I asked to be put back on his waiting list for another go!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top