Semi-Production/Custom Knives

[okbohn]

What lines of knives would you guys consider semi-production knives? I am thinking of knives that are hand assembled and finished with GREAT care.

Knives like Bark River, Canal Street, Great Eastern.... and what other companies fit in that space?

 

[T.K.C.]

All the brands that you mentioned, are, in my opinion just production. They do not come even close (to me.) to being close to custom.

Chris Reeve knives come closest to being custom, for a production company.

 

[Willieboy]

Al Mar, Bark River come to mind.

 

[DavidZ]

You typed in all caps, "GREAT" care. If by that you mean excellent, or outstanding fit and finish, Chris Reeve and William Henry fit that bill. The ones you mention are great knives, but not in the same league as these IMHO.

 

[okbohn]

thanks for the feedback...any more?

 

[StretchNM]

Bob Dozier knives. I'd consider his product to be semi-production / semi-custom.

 

[barrabas74]

I would say William Henry, lots of personal attention and detail but put out nearly identical knives time after time with many "one offs" as well.

 

[JPD1998]

IMO the answer might not be as simple as some think. For example the OP asked about knives produced by companies specializing in traditional patterns.

Many traditional patterns usually have a greater amount of hand finishing as compared to some other types of knives. Combine that with unique natural handle materials or hand jigging and some might say that these types of knives are semi custom or at least hand made.

If you consider that a custom maker is capable of producing low quantities of identical knives , are these in fact custom or hand made? Of course if I call a maker and ask for unique features , this would be custom. But recently I inquired about a knife from a custom maker who told me that he produces batches of identical knives and offers them for sale, are these custom or handmade?

Don't misunderstand my post, this subject confuses me as well...

 

[okbohn]

What I see is that these smaller companies that take real pride in their work produce a product at a level above the standard production line. They occupy a hybrid type of space in the market.

I am going to check into Chris Reeve's knives.

JPD is right, there is a bit of fuzziness on the full definition of the various levels of making a knife.

Are Randall knives made in a shop with a number of employees or does a single maker make the knives? so are they customs, or production?

Just thoughts....

 

[Irezumi]

All the brands that you mentioned, are, in my opinion just production. They do not come even close (to me.) to being close to custom.

Chris Reeve knives come closest to being custom, for a production company.

Bark River is definitely semi custom