User Reviews?

Lots of guys have posted up using reviews of their blades. Joe Paranee and Lorien come immediately to mind. But they're not all grouped in any "user" sub-forum, so a little searching is required.

Roger
 
The Wilderness & Survival Skills subforum has quite a number of reviews of custom knives built specific to that market, and a few threads that pit several makers knives head to head. But they're also not grouped together in any sort of review or user subcategory within that forum, so you'll have to do some searching.
 
I don't do 'comparison reviews' as I feel that each knife serves its own function. Also, I choose and buy my own knives and don't have knives sent to me for testing, so I'm really not qualified. I often choose work knives based on weight, size and shape. Materials are often part of the equation but as long as they are appropriate to the design of the knife, I'm not very picky. I have lots of experience using big knives especially, so I know what I'm looking for in a knife.

Now, if one maker were to send me more than one iteration of a model of knife, that I was required to send back when I was done with it, to do some 'official' comparison testing that would be different. Keeping the knives would create a conflict of interest, which I would try my best to avoid.

I would not test similar knives from different makers head to head, because I think that it would be very difficult to remove personal bias from the equation. Propping up one maker by stepping on another is not my scene.

I just am throwing this in because my name came up. Unfortunately I can't help with the OP's question.
 
I never thought about it before, but I'm pretty much with Lorien on this one.

I don't think you see custom comparison reviews very often, because of the infinite variety available. The whole idea of a custom is that you get EXACTLY what you want, therefore alleviating the need to compare and make decisions between multiple products that "ALMOST" fit the bill. Comparing customs would be more like splitting hairs over personal preference.

It is probably more common for a user to compare several factory pieces, and have a custom built that combines the favorite features of many into one.

If it is reviews you are looking for, MSG. Kim Breed does a test and review of a different knife in Blade Magazine each month. Lorien has also posted several reviews of knives he has bought over the years.

IMHO, reviews are for those who don't know what they want. Customs are for those who do.

Adam-
 
I also agree with Lorien to a point. I never really gave thought of doing a comparison review as I just did personal reviews of custom knives on a knife to knife bases.

I have compared like sized custom knives in use but on most occasions the steel's, handle material, shape, grind etc were all different enough that it just wouldnt be a fair comparison.

Now say if you wanted to compare 2 Chute knives from 2 different makers as its the same style that might be fair. But to compare my Neilson hunter with my Buxton or Gossman etc would not be as they are very different in weight, shape and feel.
 
DesRosiers said:
I never thought about it before, but I'm pretty much with Lorien on this one.

I don't think you see custom comparison reviews very often, because of the infinite variety available. The whole idea of a custom is that you get EXACTLY what you want, therefore alleviating the need to compare and make decisions between multiple products that "ALMOST" fit the bill. Comparing customs would be more like splitting hairs over personal preference.

I disagree that you always get exactly what you want with a custom. That could be due to limitations of money, the maker's abilities or willingness to accommodate you, or even the construction and design that might limit one's choices.

It is probably more common for a user to compare several factory pieces, and have a custom built that combines the favorite features of many into one.

If it is reviews you are looking for, MSG. Kim Breed does a test and review of a different knife in Blade Magazine each month. Lorien has also posted several reviews of knives he has bought over the years.

IMHO, reviews are for those who don't know what they want. Customs are for those who do.

Maybe I am misunderstanding you here, but are you saying that you would not welcome a full-blown review of one of your custom-made knives??? IMO, a review has nothing to do with whether a knife is custom or production, but it has to do with informing prospective buyers of your knives regarding your knives features and capabilities. Just because a knife is a custom knife does not mean that everyone already "knows a lot about the knife and can't benefit from a review". Of course, a favorable review may bode well for a maker in terms of added orders; a poor review can have the opposite effect.

Adam-
Click to expand...



.....
 
DesRosiers said:
If it is reviews you are looking for, MSG. Kim Breed does a test and review of a different knife in Blade Magazine each month. Lorien has also posted several reviews of knives he has bought over the years.

IMHO, reviews are for those who don't know what they want. Customs are for those who do.

Adam-
Click to expand...

Good stuff imo, Adam!:thumbup:

I would also say that each of us has different ways of using knives, and the methods that work for one might not transition favorably to the methods used by another(say in the case of thick or thin edges).

Let's also be clear here, the OP was asking for COMPARISONS in the body of his post, not just a review....say something like a Jason Knight/Adam Desrosiers chopper shootout.....Jason and Adam are friends and co-conspirators....how does a review by Joe Blow help them in any way, I wonder?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
My query in my post was because the search options for reviews tended to show exclusively single knife creation projects .... or "Show Reviews" .... but little said regarding the use and performance of a knife or of a comparison of knives ... so I thought I would ask if they were done ....

There are some .... but not a lot that I can find or have found so far.

I am always looking to learn more or simply enjoy a read but aside from some makers who might have articles on their claimed performance of their knives etc ... which were a bit confrontational rather than a review of the knife in use .... I have'nt found any articles at all. So I wondered if they were done ?

As to some of the replies .... I find myself agreeing with "on the edges" comments .... owning and using a number of custom knives myself I don't think a "custom" knife is always a known commodity when bought or ordered .... at least not on a performance level .... looks wise and fit and finish can be seen .... but how the edge retention holds up or how well it feels in the hand is not going to jump off the page .... and if you want to know about how any given maker's knives are rated as a "user" there is little said.

Which is fair enough if the majority are here from a collecting perspective .... to be honest it was what I expected .... but did wonder if one or two were more into a "user" review ....

So thanks for the information and I will check out the people mentioned ....
 
PeterPHWS said:
As to some of the replies .... I find myself agreeing with "on the edges" comments .... owning and using a number of custom knives myself I don't think a "custom" knife is always a known commodity when bought or ordered .... at least not on a performance level .... looks wise and fit and finish can be seen .... but how the edge retention holds up or how well it feels in the hand is not going to jump off the page .... and if you want to know about how any given maker's knives are rated as a "user" there is little said.
Click to expand...

I agree with what your saying about a custom knife is not necessarily a known commodity as far as steel performance, feel etc. They arent like production knives in the sense that if I read a half dozen reviews about the BK10 I can go get an identical one and (as long as the HT etc are not messed up due to an inconsistancy) I can expect to have similar results as others. I might like or dislike other things about it but I can have a carbon copy of something that I see and I like and can have expectations.

With almost all of my custom knives that I have ordered unless I am getting something unique. I usually go for a style I have handled or seen from that maker and ask for small changes and I am fairly certain I'll get a similar feeling knife but with my changes. With the knives steel performance however you still gotta go use it to see how the makers blade really stacks up.

I'll admit that I havent really posted any reviews on my custom knives after use. I should start doing so and I hope this thread prompts others too as well. Its sort of silly really, I'll type on an on about a ZT300 or a Busse AD but I think I have posted one or two reviews of my custom knives over the years. Gotta call myself out on that one...
 
PeterPHWS said:
There are some .... but not a lot that I can find or have found so far.

.... but how the edge retention holds up or how well it feels in the hand is not going to jump off the page .... and if you want to know about how any given maker's knives are rated as a "user" there is little said.

Which is fair enough if the majority are here from a collecting perspective .... to be honest it was what I expected .... but did wonder if one or two were more into a "user" review ....

So thanks for the information and I will check out the people mentioned ....
Click to expand...

I eat... a lot, and enjoy fine dining when able. If the experience is great or really crappy, sometimes I'll do a review on Yelp or Chowhound....but for the most part, simply enjoy my food.

My neighbors had a young lady staying with them this summer, and brought her over for a barbecue featuring Big Green Egg smoked brisket on Memorial Day. She took pictures of everything, including salad and sauce....and recently got two internships on professional food blogging sites.

That is not something I would be interested in doing, but would certainly read her blogs from time to time.

Sort of the same mind concerning comparitive reviews. I like cutting stuff, but have never felt the need to measure, photograph and chart....although I will occasionally note observations.

Good luck and Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I buy from makers that are mostly known for the performance of there blades. I have been fortunate enough to hammer coins in half put them in vises and try and break them and just generaly use them. I do not always take the time to stop and photograph things to document them.


I am not one to buy a 1600 dollar knife take it out and beat the snot out of it for fun but when I have to I have .

I buy from smiths that break there blades every now and then to see how there heat treat is and I have been fortunate to happen to be visiting them and they let me have a go so I don't have to break mine:D

ya gotta love a smith who hands ya a knife and a pipe and shows ya the vice.

Most my tests are how an edge holds up does it chip out does it wrinkle does it hold an edge long.. how many deer can i skin before I have to sharpen it that kinda stuff.

I have two what i would call capeing sized knives that this fall will get put to the test on animals

If ya PM me I can tell ya who's work I do recommend and why
 
Last edited:
Many thanks guys ... JP I think you have a nice Khukri which I certainly would be interested in knowing about .... and certainly your deer knives ....

Infact I would welcome any "feed back" from anyone who has posted in the "chopper/camp knives" thread which shows some amazing knives .

The thing with turning a custom knife into a "user" is their cost .... as JP says .... and I have some in that bracket and perhaps a little less on average .... but you cannot easily afford to "speculate" when they have price tags like that .... so the opinions of others are always welcome ....
 
I can't afford to use crappy knives, buying custom made knives tailored to my requirements is a better value to me, in the long run.
 
Peter, I just did a pretty extensive review of the new CPM S35VN steel posted on my subforum. The knife is a new design but the review mainly deals with the steel. It's edgeholding and durability.
Scott
 
Peter,
The very first custom I ever had made for me was a bowie by Phillip Patton in W2. While I have several custom knives, this knife in particular has been begging for a review, but I simply have not had the time. I got the knife from Phillip a few years back and I think it is about time I step up to the plate. I guess you should "stay tuned". :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top