The Knifemaker's Niche

[BackwoodsInventions]

One nice thing about custom, hand-made knives is that you can pretty much order what you want. But when working with a specific knifemaker, it might make sense to limit your options to those within the knifemaker's niche. When getting to know a knifemaker, I like to figure out things like, what type of knives he specializes in, what handle materials he prefers to work with and what distinctive features he applies. You might like natural woods, but if the knifemaker doesn't, go with something else--or someone else. That happens to be the case with Pete Truncali who specializes in folders. When ordering a knife from Pete, consider a handle made of Armadillo or Prickly Pear Cactus. Why? Because--as you probably guessed--Pete's from Texas! Of course, Pete offers other types of handle materials, like bone, coral or shell. He just thinks these materials look better on his folders compared to natural woods. Thoughts? Other examples?

 

[DanGraves]

From a knifemaker's point of view I think what you say is right on the money. I think this has to do with a maker's developed style and what they see in their mind as a completed knife. I feel this is true for me as I work with Ivory, India stag and African Blackwood mainly. I also would like folks to look at one of my blades and know it is made by me without having to look at a stamp. Just my 2 cents but I think you are right.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I agree to a point, but if a maker is willing to, and really wants to work in a new style or use seldom used material, I like to give that maker a chance to work outside his/her comfort zone.

 

[John M Cohea]

I prefer to make(and most known for) frontier style knives and hawks, but on occasion a customer will order something that is out of the norm for me, and if it is something I feel I can do I am usually happy to give it a shot.