The Top Custom Maker(s) Active Today?

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cm_bushman

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Oct 22, 2012
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I've never ordered a custom knife, but I've always admired a few makers and their work. My problem is that the custom world is so large and varied, it's hard to get a grip on all of the different makers. This got me to wondering about the best of the best, since it is such a wide field.

So, in your opinion, who is/are the best active custom makers today and why? Who has the best F&F, the most elegant designs, the most intricate details, the best materials and innovation, or the best combination of everything that makes great knife? I'm talking the absolute summit of the art and/or science of making knives, price high, low, or astronomical, and quality unsurpassed.
 
The better customs (questionable) come from makers with such a long waiting line, that I'll never live long enough to get one. Or wouldn't pay that much...
Or would change my mind by the time my number came up.
I cannot answer your question, but I will propose an alternative. I'd suggest someone who is actually "available" and does a great job, whether fixed or folders, and can get you out a custom in a reasonable period of time...say 4 months or less.
Not many come to mind. But Alan Davis does: beautiful custom work; buy his offerings from KnifeMaker's Market here on the Exchange or contact him to order one to your own specs.
I'm also very happy with Bill Akers of BackWoods knives. I have several of his that are above and beyond beautiful...and functional. I have, perhaps, five others that I've purchased from the KnifeMakers Market, and you can see, in advance, what you're getting...the size, the blade-steel, the pivot system, their feedback and relevant posts in the ads from their admirers.
This is where I'd go for a custom...and you don't have to pay more than about $400 or so for a great knife.
 
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cm_bushman said:
I've never ordered a custom knife, but I've always admired a few makers and their work. My problem is that the custom world is so large and varied, it's hard to get a grip on all of the different makers. This got me to wondering about the best of the best, since it is such a wide field.

So, in your opinion, who is/are the best active custom makers today and why? Who has the best F&F, the most elegant designs, the most intricate details, the best materials and innovation, or the best combination of everything that makes great knife? I'm talking the absolute summit of the art and/or science of making knives, price high, low, or astronomical, and quality unsurpassed.
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Tom Krein, David Williamson (Ozark Tradition Knifeworks), Gareth Bull, Lucas Burnley, W.R. Bladeworks, Kingdom Armory, Bailey Knives, Brad Southard.
There are a lot more out there.

David is one of the few right now that I am aware of that has a short waiting list, and will use any state of the art high wear steel. And his pricing is really, really good for the materials he offers and fit and finish.
 
I would love to see someone try and argue that Mike Snody isn't one of the top makers in the world.

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cm_bushman said:
I've never ordered a custom knife, but I've always admired a few makers and their work......
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If you have access to the "search" function, start there.

These kinds of questions always turn into a popularity contest, and that is really unecessary.........also, there is a massive variety of styles, and a top maker in one style may not work in another style.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
As with most things,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Lots of beautiful, well done work here to choose from.
Dozier
 
This is a simple three step process.

1. Look through the sticky at the top of this forum that says "Sharp By Coop, Gallery of Handmade Knives".

2. Make notes about which makers, knives, styles and details blow YOUR mind and make YOUR mouth water.

3. Contact those makers
 
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Kohai999 said:
If you have access to the "search" function, start there.

These kinds of questions always turn into a popularity contest, and that is really unecessary.........also, there is a massive variety of styles, and a top maker in one style may not work in another style.
Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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You are 100% correct in my opinion.
 
i4Marc said:
This is a simple three step process.

1. Look through the sticky at the top of this forum that says "Sharp By Coop, Gallery of Handmade Knives".

2. Make notes about which makers, knives, styles and details blow YOUR mind and make YOUR mouth water.

3. Contact those makers
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This is such a good answer!
 
i4Marc said:
This is a simple three step process.

1. Look through the sticky at the top of this forum that says "Sharp By Coop, Gallery of Handmade Knives".

2. Make notes about which makers, knives, styles and details blow YOUR mind and make YOUR mouth water.

3. Contact those makers
Click to expand...

Better to study actual knives as opposed to studying knife photos.
Go to Blade Show. No better place to examine many knives from many makers in a short period of time.
 
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Kevin Jones said:
Better to study actual knives as opposed to studying knife photos.
Go to Blade Show. No better place to examine many knives from many makers in a short period of time.
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Blade might be a good place to start, but since he was asking about the best of the best, the problem is that too many of the top makers (IMO) in various genres do not exhibit knives at Blade anymore. In some cases, IMO you may need to attend other shows like the AKI, Tactical Knife Invitational, maybe the ABS Show or Knifemakers Guild Show or Arkansas Show, maybe shows outside the U.S., etc. to actually see the work of some of these makers.

As for the original question . . . IMO these is no answer. Too many different types of knives. The makers whose work I admire the most when it comes to forged fixed blades would not be the same makers whose work I admire the most when it comes to embellished folders, or when it comes to stock removal knives, or when it comes to traditional folders, or tactical folders, or art daggers, or . . .
 
I would start with the Blue Chip Makers.
Moran, Loveless, Walker, Lake
In addition there are too many more that are worth mentioning to mention them all
Dave
 
Read knife magazines, visit forums, check out dealer sites, talk to makers, dealers and collectors, go to knife shows, handle lotsa knives, etc, etc, etc - spending a few years doing it - and maybe you'll have then formed your own opinions.
 
Ellis said:
I would start with the Blue Chip Makers.
Moran(Decent model=$3,500+ shoots up from there in a hurry)
Loveless(maybe starts at $5,000 for a good one)
Walker(older models=$3,000-$4,000, Bladelock Zipper=what, maybe $75,000 at this point?)
Lake=($6,000.00)?
In addition there are too many more that are worth mentioning to mention them all
Dave
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Dave does give good advice, but it is hard for new collectors to heed that, unless they are well heeled to start with or have incredible discipline.

I have one Loveless, it is a gem to be sure, but it was almost 25 years from the time I started collecting before the stars aligned for that purchase.

Good luck and may you have great fortitude as well as fortune.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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