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Significant difference in quality between JW Smith and Lambert?
- Thread starter rye_a
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 3,148
John Smith is a technically advanced knifemaker of the highest caliber. I once had the opportunity to sell about 40 of his knives once and they were all well done and identical.
His knives are classics.
Kirby Lambert is also an excellent knifemaker and in my opinion makes a more stylish, "current" knife using more modern materials and styling .
You really cannot go wrong either way.
PS-I have owned and handled knives from both makers.
His knives are classics.
Kirby Lambert is also an excellent knifemaker and in my opinion makes a more stylish, "current" knife using more modern materials and styling .
You really cannot go wrong either way.
PS-I have owned and handled knives from both makers.
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
I think is says excellent things about Kirby and his work to be so favorably remarked upon thoughout this thread.....I know I'll be looking a lot more closely.:thumbup:
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2001
- Messages
- 677
A few clarifications. For the time capsule when it is opened and a few DVD's with this forum are found- 
John W Smith is in his 50's- 52 or 53- that is as of this morning when we communicated on the subject. Re the shmohawk who said he was in his 60's....John will visit him soon.....
Kirby Lambert is 35- he had a good laugh over this and certainly wishes he was 20 again.
JWS's reputation for his work is legendary- there is no doubt that he definitely is considered my many as one of the finest knife makers over the last 15 or so years and will continue to be so.
I feel that he puts the same attention to detail and soul in his $5000.00 art folders as he does in a tactical (he calls them Utility) folders for $500.00.
Kirby Lambert does make his own Damascus- he has done so from the beginning of his career around 10 or so years ago when he was working on knives under the tutelage of Brian Lyttle in Calgary.
Kirby's first knives were made using his own Damascus and I am proud to own one that he gifted to me.
He also made Damascus on a trip to David Mirable's shop in Alaska a few years ago with Greg Lightfoot. There was a cool story on that trip in Blade Magazine written by our late friend Holger Enge.
Kirby also does made what he considers art knives- Damascus blade, Damascus bolster, natural handles etc.
These are mostly dressed up versions of his tactical folders but nevertheless considered true art knives by most- tactical upscale dress folders.
Both Kirby and John are wonderful guys to deal with or just to chat with. Both answer the phone when it rings and are happy to talk to collectors/users about their needs.
This, in my opinion, is very important and is often an integral part of the custom knife experience- as very often one is not just buying a knife to use or to collect but often is establishing a relationship with the maker.
So, like Les says- do your homework, and like I say (right here for the first time) buy with a bit more of your brain than your heart.
I am sure many will agree that you can't go wrong with either of these gentleman.
Take care guys and have fun!
------------------------------------
HELLO MY NAME IS NEIL AND I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO MONEY.
John W Smith is in his 50's- 52 or 53- that is as of this morning when we communicated on the subject. Re the shmohawk who said he was in his 60's....John will visit him soon.....
Kirby Lambert is 35- he had a good laugh over this and certainly wishes he was 20 again.
JWS's reputation for his work is legendary- there is no doubt that he definitely is considered my many as one of the finest knife makers over the last 15 or so years and will continue to be so.
I feel that he puts the same attention to detail and soul in his $5000.00 art folders as he does in a tactical (he calls them Utility) folders for $500.00.
Kirby Lambert does make his own Damascus- he has done so from the beginning of his career around 10 or so years ago when he was working on knives under the tutelage of Brian Lyttle in Calgary.
Kirby's first knives were made using his own Damascus and I am proud to own one that he gifted to me.
He also made Damascus on a trip to David Mirable's shop in Alaska a few years ago with Greg Lightfoot. There was a cool story on that trip in Blade Magazine written by our late friend Holger Enge.
Kirby also does made what he considers art knives- Damascus blade, Damascus bolster, natural handles etc.
These are mostly dressed up versions of his tactical folders but nevertheless considered true art knives by most- tactical upscale dress folders.
Both Kirby and John are wonderful guys to deal with or just to chat with. Both answer the phone when it rings and are happy to talk to collectors/users about their needs.
This, in my opinion, is very important and is often an integral part of the custom knife experience- as very often one is not just buying a knife to use or to collect but often is establishing a relationship with the maker.
So, like Les says- do your homework, and like I say (right here for the first time) buy with a bit more of your brain than your heart.
I am sure many will agree that you can't go wrong with either of these gentleman.
Take care guys and have fun!
------------------------------------
HELLO MY NAME IS NEIL AND I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO MONEY.
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
John W Smith is in his 50's- 52 or 53- that is as of this morning when we communicated on the subject. Re the shmohawk who said he was in his 60's....John will visit him soon.....
Well I added 8 years or so to John(he doesn't look a day over 58 I swear) and subtracted around 8 years from Kirby, so it's a wash
I look forward to visiting with John, he is welcome at my house any time.
Thanks for chiming in Neil, good stuff!
Best Regards,
SHmowhawk Garsson
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2010
- Messages
- 590
Old post, I know... but,
As someone who is currently "doing his homework" for his first custom folder, I for one appreciate the candid discussion. I am seriously considering a Lambert inferno and have walked away from this post with a lot of great information. It annoys me when people are only positive when they review and look over obvious flaws, something that happens in reviews of everything. I liked the comment about reviewers reassuring their recent purchase. I also feel that any maker would appreciate good quality constructive criticism. Although bad mouthing without reason or understanding is totally unacceptable.
That being said, I think I have decided on ordering an Inferno. This seems like a phenomenal knife and a great introduction into the world of customs. I am looking forward to speaking to Mr. Lambert and taking the leap.
Lord help my bank account.
As someone who is currently "doing his homework" for his first custom folder, I for one appreciate the candid discussion. I am seriously considering a Lambert inferno and have walked away from this post with a lot of great information. It annoys me when people are only positive when they review and look over obvious flaws, something that happens in reviews of everything. I liked the comment about reviewers reassuring their recent purchase. I also feel that any maker would appreciate good quality constructive criticism. Although bad mouthing without reason or understanding is totally unacceptable.
That being said, I think I have decided on ordering an Inferno. This seems like a phenomenal knife and a great introduction into the world of customs. I am looking forward to speaking to Mr. Lambert and taking the leap.
Lord help my bank account.