Top 3 custom makers?

It's interesting to see the folks that are more plugged into the custom scene struggle with this question because of course they know everybody and can't choose 3 among the many they like (and don't want to play favorites)! But for someone like me who doesn't know too many makers, doesn't go to shows, and is just getting into the customs, it's a pretty painless question to answer. There are many I like, but I would say my top three are:

Rodrigo Sfreddo (because he looks like me, makes superior knives on inferior equipment, and is a leader in the field despite very little early formal training)

Jerry Fisk (because I like the look of his knives, he's a consistent staple of a great maker over time, and he seems to be a good guy)

Flavio Ikoma (for his outrageous and extremely creative design work and his eye for proportions and practical considerations without sacrificing aesthetics, and for thinking outside the mold)

So I guess you could say I like the Brazilian school of knifemaking. Seems like the folks down there are good at thinking outside the norm when it comes to new technical ideas and design. I also like a brutally deep hollow grinds, but there are almost no makers that do this aggressively enough for my taste. I tend to compare aggressive hollow grinds to the work of the late Jody Samson, which sets the bar very high. And I prefer to buy and collect the knives of makers who are upstanding, warm, and sociable people. Who are still humble enough to talk to a new collector. Since I don't know many makers, if anyone thinks of other makers who fit my fav criteria, feel free to mention their name to me.
 
Balislinger said:
........I also like a brutally deep hollow grinds, but there are almost no makers that do this aggressively enough for my taste. I tend to compare aggressive hollow grinds to the work of the late Jody Samson, which sets the bar very high. And I prefer to buy and collect the knives of makers who are upstanding, warm, and sociable people. Who are still humble enough to talk to a new collector. Since I don't know many makers, if anyone thinks of other makers who fit my fav criteria, feel free to mention their name to me.
Click to expand...

All these makers are alive(with the exception of Loveless), and grind very deep hollows:

Thad Buchanan
Bob Crowder
Edmund Davidson
S.R. Johnson
Schuyler Lovestrand
Bob Loveless/Jim Merritt
Jim Siska

There is a starter for you, it is by no means inclusive....just off the top of the head.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I'll play....
I am very fickle with what I like and don't like. These artist hit all my check lists.
Kirby Lambert, David Moisier, Darrel Ralph.
 
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IMO, a question like "top 3" is one that really cannot be answered. Hell, even for a knifemaker, trying to nail down your 3 biggest influences can be tough unless you are a hardcore fan of one maker. I got slightly hooked on forged blades back in the late 80's and early 90's after seeing the work of Bill Moran, Robbie Hudson, Jay Hendricksen, Bill Bagwell, Al Pendray, Jim Crowell, Charles Ochs and Sean McWilliams. As far as blade shapes go, i still owe a lot to guys Like Crowell, Moran and Jerry Fisk. But if you asked me what influenced things like handle and fitting design once I started making knives, then the field gets a lot bigger. I make hunter handles that are similar to pieces from Burt Foster and Heather Harvey that I saw in Knives 2005. But for Bowies and such, I have been most influenced in the last few years by guys like Russ Andrews and Don Hanson. Now that I am looking at new types of handles like frame handles, I am looking more at stuff by John White, Tim Hancock, Steve Dunn and others. Keeping trackof allof these guys can be tough. LOL
 
1. Ernie Emerson
2. Ken Onion
3. Jerry Fisk

In that order...
 
Hi John

Actually the thread title is "Top Three Custom Makers". Not My Top Three Custom Makers or Your Top Three Custom Makers.

I stand by my post about titling the thread "My favorite Knife Makers". :D
 
I'll play, among those that I like my favorites right now are:
Scott Sawby,
Ken Steigerwalt
Steve Hoel
Next week? we'll see.......
 
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