Sunrise River Custom Knives

T

TAutry

Joined
Dec 19, 1999
Messages
118
I just read the review of Sunrise River's Maxi Skinner by Jeff Randall in the new Tactical Knives. The knives pictured are all beautiful and the Maxi Skinner gets a big "thumbs up" from Randall. It looked and sounded pretty good, but then I noticed that all the blades looked familiar.

I looked in the 1999/2000 Texas Knifemakers Supply catalog and found all of the blades that were shown in the article. I looked at the Sunrise web site and found more of the blades in the catalog. Is this a coincidence or is there a connection?

I am not throwing stones. I am just curious. I, myself, am currently working on my fourth handle and sheath project. The guy it is for, knows that I did not make the blade.

Again, I'm just curious.


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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!

[This message has been edited by TAutry (edited 08-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by TAutry (edited 08-15-2000).]
 
Perhaps Jay is actually the person who grinds the blades for Texas Knifemaker's Supply? I know that several custom makers have done similar things for supply houses over the years.

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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice
 
Hey y'all,
I've known Jay for awhile. First off, I'd like to say that Jay is one fine gentleman who I would trust completely. Jay does grind his own knives and does a good job. To my understanding, he does not grind knives for Texas Knifemaker's Supply, he grinds his blades for himself and sells them under the Sunrise River Custom Knives name. For any of y'all that have any questions about Jay or his knives, here's a link to his website www.SunriseCustomKnives.com

I just didn't want everybody out there wondering about Jay and his knives.
Chris
Top of Texas Knives
www.toptexknives.com
www.toptexknives.com/christman.htm

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Thanks for the replies!

Jeff I do enjoy your knife reviews and serious tests. I have emailed Jay as you suggested.

Senator, I had thought about the possiblity that Jay Maines might be a blade source for Texas Knifemakers Supply. I just failed to note it. Thanks for the assist.

ToTKnives, I didn't mean to cast any dispersions on Jay Maines or Sunrise River Custom Knives. I have edited my original post to remove anything that might do that.
Thanks for posting the Sunrise link. The knives are beautiful and according to Jeff's review top notch in function.

[This message has been edited by TAutry (edited 08-15-2000).]
 
Hi Travis,
Your curiousity about my blade styles is admirable for a begining knifemaker.

Yes, I do grind all my own blades, but I didn't always. Ten years ago I started out as you are now, making knives from blade blanks from Jantz Supply, T.K.S., and Bob Engnath. I did this for 2 years, giving them out as gifts to family and friends. This was supposed to be just a hobby to help pass the long, COLD, MN winters. But, like most men's hobbies it "Got-Out-Of-Hand", just ask my wife!! Before long local sportsman started asking for my knives, and I had to make a business decision. I decided that I enjoyed what I had been doing, so I started investing in equipment. This took about another year, before I was ready to grind and polish blades. In looking around for blade designs to offer, but with no knifemakers around to see how its done, I decided to stay with the styles my friends and customers liked, and that seemed to have a universal appeal. Namely thoses knife blades that I had been useing from the supply houses, had the clean, simple lines that
make great knives. So with their blade blanks as guides, I started to learn how to grind blades, and I've been following their styles ever since. Having the leather sheath patterns already worked out for the "Kit Knives", was another factor in going this route. Being just a Part Time maker, I work 2 jobs, doesn't give me 10-12 hours a day to spend making and designing knives, like the Full Timers. So for now, I use the Supply Houses like T.K.S., for my guideline, heck I even use some of their blade knames. Hopefully this trend will chance when I retire in about 10-15 years, and can then devote much more time and effort into this hobby. As it is now, I only make and sell about 50 knives a year, thats about one a week, which keeps me happy and wanting to make more.
I hope you enjoy making your kit knives, and will catch the " Knife Bug" enough to want to continue.
Be sure to post some photos of your work, so the rest of us can how your doing.
Best Regards,
Jay Maines
Sunrise River Custom Knives

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This is really cool. When I first read this post, I saw potential for serious flames. What a great (sometimes dysfunctional) family this is!
smile.gif
 
Gotta throw my $.02 and join in the praise for both Travis and Jay. You guys both handled a really "explosive" situation, tactfully and like gentlemen. You both deserve a big round of applause. Sometimes people start typing responses with their emotions and things get out of hand. Travis, from my viewpoint you bowed out gracefully on what really could have been construed as "throwing stones". Jay, you're at the top of your class in class. You answered Travis' question with poise, warmth and genuine sincerity. Even offering encouragement! Made my day to see how this was handled. Right On!

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"But if we took out all the bones it would'nt be a crunchy frog."
 
Jay,

A most sincere "Thank You" for your kind, gentle and generous reply to my poorly presented curiosity.

Your post has reminded me that the quality of an individual is usually seen in the quality of his work.



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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
 
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