Timothy La Combre

[Ramrodmb]

It's a pretty far cry from my original picture, but to be fair, it isn't like the design has a template. I told Timothy afterwards, when he asked if I liked the knife, that I have never designed a knife before, have virtually no knowledge of knife making, and therefore had few expectations about what could be done. I've been following Timothy La Combre long enough now to know that he has a pretty individual approach to knife patterns. Could I have gotten an exact representation of my design from another maker? I'm sure I could have, but part of why I chose Timothy was because I knew he would contribute his own artistic vision to the knife. That made it worth it for me. Maybe that's unusual, but I think it turned out to be a patently human artistic endeavor.

Cool Joshua, I am glad you are so happy with it! Nothing matters beyond that. It looks very capable.

 

[JTB_5]

I like your attitude Joshua. "I'm sure I could have, but part of why I chose Timothy was because I knew he would contribute his own artistic vision to the knife. That made it worth it for me. Maybe that's unusual, but I think it turned out to be a patently human artistic endeavor." Says it all for me too.
Of the few customs I have asked to be made I made it clear to the maker what I specifically found important but otherwise I told them - I am asking you to build the knife because I like your style/artistry and skill, + you are a knife maker and I am not. In the end this needs to be a Maker Name built knife not a Ray knife. (Or words to that effect. ) I haven't been disappointed.

Your La Combre is unique - that in itself is win. Certainly looks like a capable knife. I didn't see the original concept sketch but that's history. You like it and there you go

Enjoy. Ray

You get it! Thanks for the comments and kind words.

Cool Joshua, I am glad you are so happy with it! Nothing matters beyond that. It looks very capable.

Thanks! Stay tuned for a full review when it arrives.

 

[joeradza]

I like your attitude Joshua. "I'm sure I could have, but part of why I chose Timothy was because I knew he would contribute his own artistic vision to the knife. That made it worth it for me. Maybe that's unusual, but I think it turned out to be a patently human artistic endeavor." Says it all for me too.
Of the few customs I have asked to be made I made it clear to the maker what I specifically found important but otherwise I told them - I am asking you to build the knife because I like your style/artistry and skill, + you are a knife maker and I am not. In the end this needs to be a Maker Name built knife not a Ray knife. (Or words to that effect. ) I haven't been disappointed.

Your La Combre is unique - that in itself is win. Certainly looks like a capable knife. I didn't see the original concept sketch but that's history. You like it and there you go

Enjoy. Ray

Well said Ray. There is only one knife that I had input on and then let the maker do his thing. It's become one of my most treasured and commented on.

 

[dispatch184]

I love it!!!! I have a huge amount of respect for Tim for all of the same reasons you stated. Really cool knife

 

[dispatch184]

 

[JTB_5]

I love it!!!! I have a huge amount of respect for Tim for all of the same reasons you stated. Really cool knife

Thanks, Drew!

Nice one! That blade shape reminds me of the douk douk.

 

[Leslie Tomville]

That is an awesome looking knife Joshua! I cannot wait to see your photos. Congratulations! Tim is a true artist. I got my La Combre in a trade with Drew. Like yours, it is not conventional. However, it has become one of my all time favorites, and one of the few customs that I never consider selling. I believe it is precisely because he puts his soul into the knives that they become so special. You just have to go along for the ride and let him do his thing.


View attachment 1074562

 

[JTB_5]

That is an awesome looking knife Joshua! I cannot wait to see your photos. Congratulations! Tim is a true artist. I got my La Combre in a trade with Drew. Like yours, it is not conventional. However, it has become one of my all time favorites, and one of the few customs that I never consider selling. I believe it is precisely because he puts his soul into the knives that they become so special. You just have to go along for the ride and let him do his thing.


View attachment 1074562

Thanks, Greg! I remember when that one was on the exchange. It looks sturdy, with very nice contrast between the dark wood and bolster/shield.

 

[JTB_5]

Just an update. I haven't received the knife yet, in part because Timothy had to remake the sheath after the first not meeting his quality standard, and in part because I decided to buy a second knife from him, for which he is throwing in another sheath, free of charge. But lest the anticipation fall by the wayside, here is a picture of the second knife:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQaTozBju7/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

 

[Will Power]

Nice Shadow that one

 

[JTB_5]

Nice Shadow that one

Thanks, Will!

 

[Fodderwing]

It's a pretty far cry from my original picture, but to be fair, it isn't like the design has a template. I told Timothy afterwards, when he asked if I liked the knife, that I have never designed a knife before, have virtually no knowledge of knife making, and therefore had few expectations about what could be done. I've been following Timothy La Combre long enough now to know that he has a pretty individual approach to knife patterns. Could I have gotten an exact representation of my design from another maker? I'm sure I could have, but part of why I chose Timothy was because I knew he would contribute his own artistic vision to the knife. That made it worth it for me. Maybe that's unusual, but I think it turned out to be a patently human artistic endeavor.

I like your attitude Joshua. "I'm sure I could have, but part of why I chose Timothy was because I knew he would contribute his own artistic vision to the knife. That made it worth it for me. Maybe that's unusual, but I think it turned out to be a patently human artistic endeavor." Says it all for me too.
Of the few customs I have asked to be made I made it clear to the maker what I specifically found important but otherwise I told them - I am asking you to build the knife because I like your style/artistry and skill, + you are a knife maker and I am not. In the end this needs to be a Maker Name built knife not a Ray knife. (Or words to that effect. ) I haven't been disappointed.

So very well said....... twice.

 

[JTB_5]

Timothy sent me a tracking number. 3-6 weeks and I'll have some pictures to post of the knives and sheaths. Start the countdown!

 

[JTB_5]

I suppose this thread is long overdue for an update. Today marks the 80th day since Timothy shipped the knives my way from South Africa. We've been in continual communication. Timothy indicated that the typical time for an international package shipped through the regular mail is 3-6 weeks, but sometimes worse for shipping to the USA, up to eight weeks. After eight weeks both of us set about to inquire where the knife might be located. Since South Africa doesn't pay the USA for tracking on their packages (even though they carry an international routing number), the USA won't track it once it arrives. On my end, neither USPS or customs had any record of the package. After some inquiry on his side, Timothy discovered that the package had been in a bag with some illegal items and was returned to South Africa. They said it would be resent with a new shipment and could be another 3 weeks or so before it arrived. That was about two weeks ago.

To his credit, Timothy has already twice mentioned making replacements for the knives, but I've asked him to wait until we know for sure that they aren't going to make it. I told him today that it would be poetic for the package to arrive today, "Around the world in 80 days!"

Still, there is no telling how this one is going to turn out. I'm still hopeful that they knives will get here, eventually. In the meantime, I am rather disappointed with the postal service. I'm not sure how an entire bag of mail could be returned when only a portion of it was illegal. I'm hoping it was an understandable oversight and not laziness or carelessness.

Stay tuned for more!

 

[tmd_87]

I suppose this thread is long overdue for an update. Today marks the 80th day since Timothy shipped the knives my way from South Africa. We've been in continual communication. Timothy indicated that the typical time for an international package shipped through the regular mail is 3-6 weeks, but sometimes worse for shipping to the USA, up to eight weeks. After eight weeks both of us set about to inquire where the knife might be located. Since South Africa doesn't pay the USA for tracking on their packages (even though they carry an international routing number), the USA won't track it once it arrives. On my end, neither USPS or customs had any record of the package. After some inquiry on his side, Timothy discovered that the package had been in a bag with some illegal items and was returned to South Africa. They said it would be resent with a new shipment and could be another 3 weeks or so before it arrived. That was about two weeks ago.

To his credit, Timothy has already twice mentioned making replacements for the knives, but I've asked him to wait until we know for sure that they aren't going to make it. I told him today that it would be poetic for the package to arrive today, "Around the world in 80 days!"

Still, there is no telling how this one is going to turn out. I'm still hopeful that they knives will get here, eventually. In the meantime, I am rather disappointed with the postal service. I'm not sure how an entire bag of mail could be returned when only a portion of it was illegal. I'm hoping it was an understandable oversight and not laziness or carelessness.

Stay tuned for more!

Oh boy

 

[The Zieg]

I'd carry and use that daily on my farm. Terrific design!

Zieg

 

[MCar]

This is one of his budget knives, incredible snap, feels great, looks great, made it like I wanted it!!!

He calls the blade a cutlass style, no nail nick per my request

Outstanding blade shape! I may have to start saving my pennies!

 

[JTB_5]

Just popping in from my hiatus to give a very important update to this thread. The knives arrived!!!!!

After over 100 days of waiting (due to an unfortunate circumstance) I arrived home from a brief vacation to find a package in the collection of mail from our mail hold.

Behold!

Hasty pictures, but I wanted to say how happy I am to finally get these knives. The little fixed blade was an extra Timothy had thrown in because I had waited longer than he thought I should for the making of the knife. The middle knife I bought from him while I was waiting on the knife on the far right to be finished. The fixed blade has a perfect shape for working both with the three fingered pistol grip, pinch grip, and even choking up to do a forefinger on the spine. The clip point has excellent fit and finish (flush in all three), a stiff pull (just pinchable), and great action (centered too!). The custom that I originally ordered has great action as well, but is lacking in the fit and finish. Timothy did something new for the pivot pin, which ended up leaving a little blade play side-to-side. However, just because Timothy has such a high standard for his work, he offered me a full refund or a free future build. I don't imagine there are many makers out there who uphold such a standard just for a little blade wobble! All of the sheaths he made himself as well.

Anyway, I'm guessing that the long wait and the looks of this custom being so different from my original design might have put some people off from buying from Timothy who otherwise might have considered buying from him. I hope the end of this story helps anyone on the fence to realize that you are going to get a great knife from an honest, hard-working, and very skilled man when you buy from Timothy.

 

[cortopar]

No offense intended, and I’m really glad you like your knives, but this sounds like a total nightmare. I have many customs from many makers and never have I had a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blade turned into something with belly like that.

The words “lacking in fit and finish” have never come to mind. And I think you’re wrong that any reputable custom maker wouldn’t offer to repair/replace/refund a custom folder delivered 100 days late with blade play and poor finishing.

Wow. Either we have really, really different standards for custom knives, or you want to like the knife and builder very badly.

For anyone considering following in your footsteps, I hope they have similar standards or do some serious comparison shopping before ordering.

 

[JTB_5]

No offense intended, and I’m really glad you like your knives, but this sounds like a total nightmare. I have many customs from many makers and never have I had a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blade turned into something with belly like that.

The words “lacking in fit and finish” have never come to mind. And I think you’re wrong that any reputable custom maker wouldn’t offer to repair/replace/refund a custom folder delivered 100 days late with blade play and poor finishing.

Wow. Either we have really, really different standards for custom knives, or you want to like the knife and builder very badly.

For anyone considering following in your footsteps, I hope they have similar standards or do some serious comparison shopping before ordering.

Read the whole thread if you haven’t already. I took part in every aspect of review and could have asked for a different knife.

With regards to offering refund, I agree that most makers would offer replacement for lost knives but I insisted on waiting. I’m referring to offering a free additional knife or refund while still sending the knife I ordered as requested. I don’t think that is common, but please notice I didn’t say that no makers would do that. I only said I don’t think many would.

I get it that some people won’t like Timothy’s work—he is a bit eccentric and does things his own way. However, I think he offers a unique product at a better than reasonable price with a satisfaction guarantee that ensures you will get what you seek. Yes, I’m a unique case in that I was willing to do things others might not, but don’t let that difference take away from the other objective elements.

I will say this: if you order from Timothy, insist on courier mail