R.J. Martin and J.W. Smith are....

[Kohai999]

imo, the best in the business of tactical knives, bar none.

This is MY opinion, and I want to share with you all what goes on in my mixed up little balding head.

I like variety of designs, top notch execution and fair value.

Tactical knives were designed from the beginning to be "field grade" versions of the pieces with a high mirror polish and ivory or pearl handles. It was a way for makers to not have to compromise their prices and still make the "presentation grade" knives for higher cost, but still offer something to "the users" or "the newer collectors".

Then....Emerson Knives happened, and Ernie himself doesn't really understand it, and then Strider, and Busse and Rick Hinderer and Scott Cook....everyone is wanting this stuff.

Ok....the bottom line is that you can turn it for premium monies, and if you are "flipper" that is your bottom line. The only maker from the above group I've not had is an Emerson....I like old Emerson knives, when the used to be "presentation grade" and I'll be damned if I'm going to fight 200 other people at a show for one...slotted screws and all. I own and appreciate a Strider neck knife that I had DLC coated....and I have a bunch of Busse Knives, EVERY one modded by my friend Bill Siegle or Tom Krein....'cause they came to me....less than sharp.

Ok...why R.J.?

1. He has gotten Best Tactical Award at Blade Show for the last 4 years....he didn't get it because he is handsome or has a charming personality.

2. He has been making knives about as long as I have been collecting them, and they keep getting better every year.

3. Range of styles-Japanese, tactical, folders, fixed blades, Jimmy Lile hollow handle style, bolos, chisel grinds, bolsters, no bolsters, bead blast, satin....

4. The cost is such that you can afford to use it, and HARD, get it cleaned up and sell it for close to what you paid.....even if you are counting your pennies, you can get a kickass Martin knife for less than $500.

5. He WORKS....he is in the shop like he has a job....he makes knives, not excuses.

Why J.W. Smith?

1. He is an AKI member, his art knives are something to behold. He makes the damascus, the gold screws and thumbstuds, checkers and pique works the pearl or ivory scales...and he builds every tactical knife with the SAME attention to detail.

2. He takes the time to listen to what you want in a knife and to make it for you. He understands what a knife is supposed to do, and he makes it that way. It will fit your hand, it will have the pocket clip where you want it...it will work perfect, right out of the box. I got a knife on the secondary market once, a Large Evolution Liner Lock....had a stain on the blade from the crystalline structure during heat treat or something....he made me a new blade at no cost....no questions asked.

3. He pretty much sticks to folders, and he makes them all with elegant and refined design.

4. Equally affordable to R.J.'s knives, just different....the also hold their value quite well.

5. I have been carrying the same Evolution for the last year, it has become my go to knife, and I have a hard time thinking about putting it up.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi STeven,

Thanks for the tip...Im going to make a note to check out their work!

Anyone else I should take a look at?

BTW, with regards to tactical folders...quality and being good....aren't necessary for a makers work to be in demand.

 

[SharpByCoop]

...but this thread is worthless without pics.

Because I can, allow me help put things in perspective:

RJ Martin:

(Ummmm..... this would be MINE! )

JW Smith

Missing MANY of the other great knives these guys make as tacticals, this is a prelude....

Both of these makers have an impressive skillset, and both of them are solid businessmen. Highest accolades.

Good post, STeven.

Coop

 

[Kohai999]

has spoken!

Thanks Jim!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[petah]

Thanks Mr.Garsson.

 

[Lorien]

ah, Coop we can always count on you buddy.
I'd pick these as two of the top for sure. Saavy, smart dudes. Todd Begg would probably fit on this if I were the one makin it. Maybe Shane Sibert as well.

 

[rbslaughter1]

Ahh, I learned a good bit by reading that Steven. I have been looking at RJ and JW knives for to long now... Time to scratch that itch I think.. Coop just carpetbombed your thread with great examples....Best Regards, Rich :thumbup:

 

[Kohai999]

ah, Coop we can always count on you buddy.
I'd pick these as two of the top for sure. Saavy, smart dudes. Todd Begg would probably fit on this if I were the one makin it. Maybe Shane Sibert as well.

Todd is a very good maker. I like he and his wife Tanya both and have spent time with them...the work is not in the same vein....some is, but right now, Todd is having fun making cleavers of various types for big money. This is something that neither R.J. or J.W. would EVER do.....not to mention that Todd has been making knives for about 1/2 the time those fellows have.

Shane is also an exceptional maker with a very, very long backlog(as in not currently taking orders)....and LESS than 1/2 the time making knives.

If you cannot see the diversity in the body of work and see how long these two makers have been at the top of their game, and still possess an understated humility and amazing work ethic.....I cannot help you see, Lorien.

That you would mention Todd Begg and Shane Sibert in the same category as R.J. Martin and J.W. Smith at this time confounds me.

While I appreciate your sharing your thoughts, it makes me sad.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[LorenzoL]

Todd is a very good maker. I like he and his wife Tanya both and have spent time with them...the work is not in the same vein....some is, but right now, Todd is having fun making cleavers of various types for big money. This is something that neither R.J. or J.W. would EVER do.....not to mention that Todd has been making knives for about 1/2 the time those fellows have.

Shane is also an exceptional maker with a very, very long backlog(as in not currently taking orders)....and LESS than 1/2 the time making knives.

If you cannot see the diversity in the body of work and see how long these two makers have been at the top of their game, and still possess an understated humility and amazing work ethic.....I cannot help you see, Lorien.

That you would mention Todd Begg and Shane Sibert in the same category as R.J. Martin and J.W. Smith at this time confounds me.

While I appreciate your sharing your thoughts, it makes me sad.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Well, you are putting J.W. Smith in the same category as RJ Martin, so...
You are expressing your opinion and others are expressing theirs, just don't assume you are the sole holder of the truth. And lose the condescending tone.
Very few makers out there can match RJ's skill, probably Shane Sibert would be one of them.

 

[martinr]

Why don't we make it the top three tactical makers and put Phil Boguszewski up there with John W. Smith and R.J. Martin. His field grade knives are a little more expensive and he is no longer taking orders but the quality is second to none. He does a couple shows per year and always has a lot of knives available in his drawing/lottery so it isn't impossible to get one. He has been making knives for over thirty years, now about 50 per year, from field grade to dress/presentation grade. He has a variety of designs, uses various handle materials from G-10 to pearl and is a perfectionist, which equates to STevens term "top notch execution". I was told by a reliable source that at the last Solvang show Phil had more slips dropped in his boxes for his drawing than any other maker at the show. That is pretty impressive when you consider who the other makers are and the type of collectors at that show. So, I'd put him in the top three, in fact, I'd say he's numero uno. But, he's my favorite maker and whenever I look at my knives from any maker I always think he's right there in every way.

 

[Kohai999]

You are expressing your opinion and others are expressing theirs, just don't assume you are the sole holder of the truth. And lose the condescending tone.

My opinion is based upon years of observation and time spent with these knives, comparing them against the work of just about every other tactical maker WITH the exception of Phil B.(the work that I owned from him in the mid '90's is not quite as refined as his current stuff)....If I am correct, Lorien is making his opinions from pictures, and possibly some quick handling. Got anything else?

Why don't we make it the top three tactical makers and put Phil Boguszewski up there with John W. Smith and R.J. Martin.

I haven't spent nearly enough time with Phil's knives, nor have I seen the range of work from Phil to match the two others to personally agree with you Martin, but I definitely see where you are coming from and appreciate the discussion.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Buffalohump]

STeven, I'm not sure if I agree with yr definitation of tactical knives. To my mind a tactical knife is designed primarily as a weapon and as a utility blade second.

In terms of materials and finish, yes the tendency was towards the more prosaic but the design is really where a tactical knife differs from other knives IMO.

To my mind this is where Emerson really made a tremendous impact. With his designs, that is.

CQC-6 and 7, the banana (CQC-8), CQC-11, CQC-15, CQC-12. These are all classic 'fighting folders'.

In terms of their fit, finish, materials, etc quite ordinary but in terms of ergos and singularity of purpose, quite exceptional.

And I think Pat Crawford, Kit Carson and Bob Terzuola also deserve a mention.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Well, you are putting J.W. Smith in the same category as RJ Martin, so...
You are expressing your opinion and others are expressing theirs, just don't assume you are the sole holder of the truth. And lose the condescending tone.

+1

IMO that post ventured beyond condescension . . . into antipathy.

BTW, I think most so-called tactical knives - such as those pictured here - are grotesque. That is just my personal opinion. I hope that does not make anyone too sad.

 

[LorenzoL]

Steven, based on my experience of actually owning a lot of those so-called tactical knives I can tell you that I can name you dozens of makers that I like better than J.W. Smith.
That's my personal taste, so was Lorien's.
And those years of experience you mention as being a major factor in the skill of a given maker are actually useless if you don't have a gift in the first place. Look at Tim Galyean: J.W. Smith could make knives for another thirty years and he will never match Tim's work.
Again, I am talking about grind quality, general F&F, smoothness of the action and design creativity. As Buffalohump noted above, I believe that fancy materials don't have anything to do with tactical knives, whatever that term means.

 

[Kohai999]

STeven, I'm not sure if I agree with yr definitation of tactical knives. To my mind a tactical knife is designed primarily as a weapon and as a utility blade second.

1. The explanation I offered above was paraphrased from my recollection of an article in the Knives Annuals from the '80's or some similar publication.

2. To a soldier or law enforcement officer, just about ANY knife would be a utility blade first and a weapon second.

And I think Pat Crawford, Kit Carson and Bob Terzuola also deserve a mention.

All great makers(I own at least two from each maker) and I HAVE carried knives from each one, for over a year....I just don't find them AS compelling. For instance, the S30V blade on the Evolution was so well ground and heat treated that I have not had to take it to the belt grinder for a new edge yet....just the occasional ceramic stick and leather wheel stropping...this is for an edc.

And those years of experience you mention as being a major factor in the skill of a given maker are actually useless if you don't have a gift in the first place. Look at Tim Galyean: J.W. Smith could make knives for another thirty years and he will never match Tim's work.

Sure Lorenzo, whatever you say. It is YOUR opinion. I'm not going to debate you about it at length....I'm pretty sure that Tim would be amused with being included....he is another friend of mine, and a good one, so debating his inclusion is counterproductive. I didn't set out in this thread to be belligerent....so let us at least try to start fresh.

What I will not allow is this thread to turn into a popularity contest....if you want to list YOUR favorite tactical makers, start a new thread yourself, I'll make a few posts, and we will leave it at that. For the record, I have spent vastly more time with Phil and Sue Boguszewski or Todd and Tanya Begg, than I have with R.J. and J.W. combined, and I like them all a great deal.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Win Heger]

I've never owned a Smith or a Martin but I have owned my share of other tacticals. I always felt that John Smith's knives looked great, the guy is an AKI maker and it's terrific that he makes some "tacticals".

I think the true pioneers were Terzuola, Carson and Emerson. For my money I'll take an ATCF, Model 4 or a CQC6 over most other tacticals, I've owned all of them at one time or another. Here's three that have certainly stood the test of time!

How about Jeff Hall, been around awhile, builds a very nice "tactical". I have a Bounty Hunter and it's one over built knife!

Win

Here's my Emerson pre-tac. A lot of Walker goin' on here:

Two Carsons, a large M4 and a Thin M4:

An early ATCF, 50th birthday Gold plug, I think from 1994:

 

[Kohai999]

I've never owned a Smith or a Martin but I have owned my share of other tacticals. I always felt that John Smith's knives looked great, the guy is an AKI maker and it's terrific that he makes some "tacticals".

I think the true pioneers were Terzuola, Carson and Emerson. For my money I'll take an ATCF, Model 4 or a CQC6 over most other tacticals, I've owned all of them at one time or another. Here's three that have certainly stood the test of time!

All great knives Win(I particularly like that Emerson...Mary Emerson and I share a great fondness for Ernie's work of that type and era).....have you USED any of them, as in EDC?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Buffalohump]

Not familiar with that publication myself....

Look, obviously a folding knife is really not an ideal weapon at all. It would probably be stone last on a list of weapons of choice for anyone other than an undercover narc. I'm sure most soldiers would choose an entrenching tool before a folding knife even.

But purely in terms of our little world, where all these things assume an importance far above their station in life, I believe a tactical knife is a fighting knife.

1. The explanation I offered above was paraphrased from my recollection of an article in the Knives Annuals from the '80's or some similar publication.

2. To a soldier or law enforcement officer, just about ANY knife would be a utility blade first and a weapon second.

 

[LorenzoL]

+1 on Kit Carson. I never had the chance to buy a knife from him directly but when one I bought on a forum showed up with a small defect he took care of it as if I had been his customer for years. A gentleman in the true sense of the word.

I think Lee Williams cannot be left out of any "Best of" list:

Actually, there are too many to name them all, here are a few more guys that are on my list (sorry Steven, you started a thread about who you consider to be the best in the business, did you expect only those who agree with you to post?).

Mayo:

Gustavo Cecchini:

Todd Fischer:

Rick Lala:

Steve Ryan:

Peter Carey:

Michael Burch:

Jeremy Marsh:

I really need to get my hands on a Manaro and a Bogi, I am sure those two belong here.

 

[Kohai999]

Actually, there are too many to name them all, here are a few more guys that are on my list (sorry Steven, you started a thread about who you consider to be the best in the business, did you expect only those who agree with you to post?).

I gave you an option, you refused it, thread locked.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson