Prove me wrong!

Synov said:
Why not go even further? Why not say custom only refers to knives specifically made to a customer's specifications. So not even a one-off made in the maker's style is a custom. Of course, that would make the term mostly useless.

The usage of words changes over time, it's fine.
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Why would go that far? That’s the problem with humans. We always want to over-analyze and nitpick things to death. I think Mitch made his point pretty clearly. No need to add or take away from what he said.
 
Synov said:
Why not go even further? Why not say custom only refers to knives specifically made to a customer's specifications. So not even a one-off made in the maker's style is a custom. Of course, that would make the term mostly useless.

The usage of words changes over time, it's fine.
Click to expand...

Agreed, the use and meaning of words change all the time. That’s what this conversation is about. What do they mean or should mean.

Here’s AI’s opinion, starts of great. Then gets into the muck of what I personally feel is misuse of the term. Even AI is confused on what it really means. 😂

IMG_7510.jpeg

And then there’s this, which is what I disagree with. I don’t understand the need for a term such as semi or factory custom. If anything it’s completely unnecessary and inherently contradictory.

IMG_7511.jpeg
 
BP Green said:
Why would go that far? That’s the problem with humans. We always want to over-analyze and nitpick things to death. I think Mitch made his point pretty clearly. No need to add or take away from what he said.
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Because Mitch's argument is based on the more general definition of the word custom. It would more closely follow that definition to exclude everything but custom-made to the customer's specifications.

Ultimately, the meaning of words is determined by how they're used by most people in a specific context. In the knife world, custom refers to more hand-made, higher quality, smaller numbers, by an individual maker.
 
Synov said:
Because Mitch's argument is based on the more general definition of the word custom. It would more closely follow that definition to exclude everything but custom-made to the customer's specifications.

Ultimately, the meaning of words is determined by how they're used by most people in a specific context. In the knife world, custom refers to more hand-made, higher quality, smaller numbers, by an individual maker.
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I get what you’re saying but by your own words, that would make the term mostly useless. No need to go that far IMHO. Agree to disagree. I like his definition.

Edited for clarity: Even a knife made by hand is made to the maker’s specifications.

What’s the difference between one made to a maker’s specifications and a customer’s specifications?

They’re both made by human hands to individual visions.
 
...It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'manually' is. - Bill Clinton (probably)

This discussion / argument has been raging since the 90's (at least) at the "Guild Show" and online...and rarely has there been universal agreement on the terms or definitions.

I know 'em when I see 'em.
 
What about if the maker customizes a knife for you ?

For example my REK Kuros. Josh did a couple of hundred of these, if I remember right, and the frame is almost the same on all. But the blade on mine (hollow reverse Tanto) is unique, and influenced by my specs.

I have a couple of similar maker customizations from other makers too.
 
It might be "empowering" to make up your own definitions for words already in common usage , but it hinders actual communication . :rolleyes:

I believe most people would not consider that "custom" must mean unique / one of a kind .

I think that there are many levels of "custom" and "handmade" possible .

But , I will agree that both terms are overused and misapplied , for marketing purposes .

It's great that we have Custom Makers here on BF , that are fully transparent on their process .

Like David Mary David Mary . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup: You can follow right along , from design to getting set to ship out .

You can even have an input to the process , if you like . ☺️



Top one may be unique , IDK . Not super important for me , either way . Love it the same !
 
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If a maker has a number of patterns he builds but you can select the steel, the thickness, the handle material etc, I'd say that is customized. Not necessarily custom, but an argument can be made until both parties throw down.

When I had my first "custom" knife made by Kit Carson, in truth it was probably a "customized" version of his Model 4, despite me picking 420V and jigged bone handles, which he had never used on a Model 4 previously. At the time it was the only one of its kind.

Unless all parties agree upon the definitions, that's how wars start.
 
mitchnola said:
No, I would agree that there should be a sub category called custom set as previously mentioned with @Richard338 custom steak knfe set.

But in general I’m primarily talking about non kitchen knives. I think that would probably require a whole other conversation and considerations.
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Richard beat me to it, as I was looking for pictures.....

I don't think style of knife matters.

Custom, mid-tech, small batch, production, and handmade, will all have different meanings to many different people...
 
Synov said:
Because Mitch's argument is based on the more general definition of the word custom. It would more closely follow that definition to exclude everything but custom-made to the customer's specifications.

Ultimately, the meaning of words is determined by how they're used by most people in a specific context. In the knife world, custom refers to more hand-made, higher quality, smaller numbers, by an individual maker.
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I didn’t mean to intend or exclude custom made to a customers specs. If anything that absolutely will make a knife 1 of 1. Therefore a custom.

The point of clearly and simply defining a custom as a 1 of 1 was for specifically those reasons. An attempt to define a custom as it truly is and not as just an adjective to be thrown in front of expensive or sought after knives. Or as a marketing/selling point which it has become.
 
But you can get a custom paint job if the shop only makes the pigment available to you...and will not paint another in the same color. So then you have a customized vehicle with a custom (not available to others) paint job.


(Is it any wonder I'm retired from "Customs")
 
ferider said:
What about if the maker customizes a knife for you ?

For example my REK Kuros. Josh did a couple of hundred of these, if I remember right, and the frame is almost the same on all. But the blade on mine (hollow reverse Tanto) is unique, and influenced by my specs.

I have a couple of similar maker customizations from other makers too.
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I think as Blues Blues pointed out, the proper term would be customized. Just my opinion though.
 
Blues said:
But you can get a custom paint job if the shop only makes the pigment available to you...and will not paint another in the same color. So then you have a customized vehicle with a custom (not available to others) paint job.


(Is it any wonder I'm retired from "Customs")
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You are an absolute master of semantics sir! 😂

And I completely agree with all of it!
 
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mitchnola said:
Agreed, the use and meaning of words change all the time. That’s what this conversation is about. What do they mean or should mean.

Here’s AI’s opinion, starts of great. Then gets into the muck of what I personally feel is misuse of the term. Even AI is confused on what it really means. 😂

View attachment 3207539

And then there’s this, which is what I disagree with. I don’t understand the need for a term such as semi or factory custom. If anything it’s completely unnecessary and inherently contradictory.

View attachment 3207541
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just give them the billboard Mitch and call it a day.......
aubl57.jpg
 
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