Recomendation wanted for a custom auto - damascus, bone...

T

TerryL

Joined
Dec 28, 1999
Messages
103
Can anyone recomend a custom maker, or, know where to get an auto with a Damascus blade? I'd like someting built (or bought) with other than than aluminum handles?
I'd like it to be a utilitarian type similar to a LUDT, ... in the mid size range.

Thanks,
 
Hello Terry,
There are a bunch of good makers out there who would make you happy.
Some of the folks (only some) from the top of my head are
frown.gif
in no particular order)
Larry Chew
Johnny Stout
Darrel Ralph
Charlie Dake
Ralph Dewey Harris
Bill Saindon
Steve Hill
Rick Hinderer
Joel Chamblin
Mel Pardue
Kit Carson (you will most likely have a tough time talking him into an auto and he will most likely kick my @#$& for mentioning it
smile.gif
)
George Dailey

I have not handled ay of Gene Osborne’s (sp) work yet, but I have a good feeling I will end up owning one of his someday.
Check Les Robertson’s site (might be hard to find jigged bone there- private joke
smile.gif
) he always has nice ones.
Other sites: Arizona Custom Knives, Knife Art, Tripple Aught Design and Miami Knives are good places to start.

I see that you live in GA.
The Blade Show in Atlanta during the first weekend in June is one of the best places to shop around for one. (Take a day off and get there on Friday morning rather than Sat. or Sun.)


Jeez forgot the Vallottons - all four (Butch, Arey, Rainy and Shawn) seem to be doing some great work.
email me if you wish to contact any of these guys and I will send an address or a URL. Better yet the Links section of the formus will have info on many of these and others.

------------------
"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.


[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 01-09-2000).]
 
Gus,

Your list is why I asked what the budget was. You go from about $500-$1,200 before you even hit Damascus.

Also, to my knowledge Joel Chamblin does not make an auto. If he is, then he has "som splainin to do".

Additionally, you forgot Brian Tighe and Darrel Ralph (both are part of the Vanugard Series) and RJ Martin (Q38).

It's a tough list to keep track of.

Also, in good conscious I will not sell a knife with Jigged Bone or Mokume (Japanese for "something that should never be on a knife"). Someone has to draw the line!

Les
 
Larry Chew is the Auto king.

------------------

have a"knife"day
 
Thanks for the responses,

I'd really like a custom utilitarian auto. I've seen all the militaristic types, and love them, particuarly the Microtech.
But I'd like a Damascus blade, with perhaps a bone handle, or Micarta, and perfectly jeweled. I'd like this to be my full time carry, so it should be rugged, classic, and sized-perfect. The last knife I'll need to buy (when I get from Oz I'll buy some more).

Budget - I'll pay what it's worth.

Terry
 
Thanks for the responses,

I'd really like a custom utilitarian auto. I've seen all the militaristic types, and love them, particuarly the Microtech.
But I'd like a Damascus blade, with perhaps a bone handle, or Micarta, and perfectly jeweled. I'd like this to be my full time carry, so it should be rugged, classic, and sized-perfect. The last knife I'll need to buy (when I get from Oz I'll buy some more).

Budget - I'll pay what it's worth.

Terry
 
Terry,

I e-mailed you , so this for other readers. Jim Minnick has not been mentioned. He makes a really nice auto in the med - high
price range. His knives have a signature look and his wife's engraving is great.

Thanks,
Win
 
I highly suggest someone who does not get mentioned all the time like the others I see mentioned here. His name is Don Hanson III. His work is as fine as any I have seen. I fell in love with an auto he had at the Chicago show last year. The release was even in solid gold. Too bad it was already sold when I saw it.

Regards,

Tom Carey
 
Thanks Les, Weed, and Tom I always feel funny about recs. since I know I will leave some folks out, but I did not forget Darrel.
Both Jim and Don and I am sure there are others deserve mention here.
Between all of us at least we have the start of a who's who list of custom auto makers.
I did email Terry before I posted on the price ranges he could expect (500 to thousands).

Les, you may want to check again with Joel, he showed me one that he made. Maybe it was a "one time shot".
------------------
"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.



[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 01-07-2000).]
 
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