What are your 5 favorite Custom Knifemakers, and how did your first hear about them?

In no special order-

Walter Brend/Soldier of Fortune Mag. 1987

Jerry Fisk/Fighting Knives 1992 or 94 (?)

Tim Zowada/Knives Illustrated issue #1, 1987 i beleive.

Don Fogg/varoius mags. and his web site

Rob Hudson/I wasnt a big fan until i met him and actually saw his work in person at the last Guild Show.

My list could go on, there are a few more but today, i have chosen the 5 listed.

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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson



[This message has been edited by RMLamey (edited 16 December 1999).]
 
Chris Reeve

Scott Sawby

Michael Walker

C.O. Morris

Cliff Polk

Heard of all first in Blade and Knives Illustrated magazines. Met all but Chris Reeve at knife shows.
 
Top 5 whose knives I own or have on order:

Bailey Bradshaw - International Knife Directory a couple of years ago

Kit Carson - Bladeforums

Stamascus/Ed Van Hoy - Bladeforums

Chuck Hallberg - Bladeforums

Chuck Ward - knifeart.com

I want to include AT Barr on there somewhere, but I'm not on his list just yet.

I don't read the knife rags much and I've never been to a show (which has got to change), so all the makers I've ever heard of have been through the internet.



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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Chris Reeve - Blade, and Tactical Knives magazines

Allen Blade - He answered a question I asked on the forums, we got to talking and next thing I know I am ordering a knife(great guy by the way)

John Greco - Tactical Knives and Blade Tech

Darrel Ralph - Apogee heard about him on BF, read about him in various mags.

Phil Hartsfield - Various books, magazines and other articles

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The vague and tenuous hope that GOD is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the conscience of millions.

*A. W. Tozer

2 Cor 5:10



[This message has been edited by Scarman (edited 16 December 1999).]
 
Maybe my name will show up in this thread next year!!!!Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
  • Bob Dozier. The first knife maker I knew by name, when I went camping as a kid one of my Uncles friends carried a Dozier skinner. They just referred to it as “The Dozier”, so that’s what I thought skinners were called for a long time. He still puts out great designs and quality products.
  • Chris Reeve. I first handled a Sebenza almost ten years ago at a knife show in Southern California. I was amazed at the simplicity and ruggedness of the design, but at the time it was far out of reach, cost wise. Things have changed for me, and CRK has only improved its output in the interim.
  • Darrel Ralph. I saw his high-art knives at shows and in Magazines for years, but was not aware of his working knives until I entered the Forums and saw the Apogee coming to life. I jumped on the chance to own some of his work, and have not regretted it for a moment. A great guy to work with, an artist in every sense.
  • Allen Elishewitz. I didn’t hear his name until he started to do design work for Benchmade, while I was a bit “out of the loop”, knife wise. I have been watching him closely of late as he developed the Bolster lock and entered the Integral Lock Arena. I hope to receive my first piece by him this week.
  • Lynn Griffith. We met right here, Lynn; in the famous “What makes a Tactical Knife” thread. You listed whom you marketed knives towards, I said Too Bad I’m Not Among Your Potential Clients, and we struck up a friendship from there. It turns out you make one of the finest Hand Tools that I have ever used, and are one heck of a guy to boot.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
Lynn Griffith. We met right here, Lynn; in the famous “What makes a Tactical Knife” thread. You listed whom you marketed knives towards, I said Too Bad I’m Not Among Your Potential Clients, and we struck up a friendship from there. It turns out you make one of the finest Hand Tools that I have ever used, and are one heck of a guy to boot.
Click to expand...
I remember that. I must admit, you taught me something there. You honor me greatly by referring to my knives as tools, but not half as much as I am honored to have your friendship.





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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

My website
GriffithKN@aol.com


 
1. Bob Dozier: First saw his knives at Martin Rettings.
2. Keith Coleman: Personal contact.
3. Mark Boyer: The Internet.
4. Pat Crawford: Various magazine articles.
5. Phill Hartsfield: Personal Contact.
 
In no particular odrder:

Ron Frazier- he can do it all and is a good friend to be around.

Wayne Whitley- he is a good friend and makes the best forged knives I've seen. Met him at the first knife show I ever went to and we have been good friends ever since.

Van Barnett- He is a very nice guy and one of THE BEST knifemakers I've seen.

Virgil England- no explanation needed
Saw his work in magazines.

Wolfgang Leorchner - because he does everything with his hands. He makes the most elegant knives out there. I first saw his work in magazines then I got to hold one of his blades at a show.

I know you only asked for five but I have to mention:

Don Fogg
James Batson
Tim Scholl
Edmund Davidson
Mike "Whiskers" Allen
Tom Anderson

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
Kit Carson - Met at the Blade Show 1989

Ray Appleton - Met at the Blade Show 1988

Darrel Ralph - Met at the Las Vegas Knife Classic 1997

Wolfgang Lorchner - Knife Magazines

Bob Lum - Magazines and Shows

Koji Hara - Met in Seki Japan 1997

Doh!!!! That's 6

 
1. Jerry Hossom. Heard his name at gun and knife shows, did a websearch on him and found www.hossom.com

2. James Piorek. He was mentioned in passing in Greg Walker's book. Did a websearch on him and found www.bladerigger.com

3. Bob Lunceford. Met him in the Rockies, shooting black powder years ago. Uses Steve Brooks hammer forged blades in his knives. Antique and authentic looking.

4. Whichever Kami working for Himalayan Imports made my 20" Sirupati. Came across HI here on Bladeforums. Thank you Bill Martino!

5. Gene Martin. Did a websearch on him, and found he was very supportive and offered advice and encouragement on knife and sheathmaking. Oh, yeah. He makes great knives too! www.customknife.com/Knives.html

These guys are great.

Matt

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Zog was never Z.O.G.
 
RJ Martin Saw his work at www.robertsonscustomcutlery.com


Steve Corkum Saw his work at www.knifeart.com

Gary Bradburn Met him here.

Ernest Emerson Seen him Everywhere, don't own any of his knives but love the look and feel of hose I have seen.

Allen Elishewitz first saw his work in Mags and first bought one of his knives from Les.
 
Ron Gaston-NY Custom knife show 1985
Wes Hibben-NY Custom knife show-1989
John W. Smith-from various purveyors
Bo Randall-various books and mags
Bob Dozier-mags and shows

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

Dave
Wharton,NJ


 
Gosh....I love these favorite threads
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1. Ed Fowler. I read about him in Blade and was floored by his writing ability and then I picked up his book, Knife Talk and I consider it one of the best written books on any subject that I have ever read. On a whim, I called him up and could have talked to him for hours. He is a very engaging man. I ordered a 5" Proghorn from him and was told there was a 5 or 6 year wait. I was totally surprised when his wife wrote me in October and told me the knife was ready. Since then we have exchanged a number of letters and I am honored by his friendship. Oh yeah...his knives aren't bad either.
2. Drew Gleason. I was surfing the For Sale thread late one night and saw his symmetrical concept hunter. I thought it was a thing of beauty and I bought it. I was so impressed by the knife and the quality of his character that I bought the 2 other knives he had for sale before someone else did. We then started a wonderful friendship and am proud to say that Drew Gleason is a true friend.
3. Lynn Griffith. Chris Christman from TOT Knives called me one day and said, "Greg, you got to get one of this guy's knives. They fit in the hand like a glove. Well, I ordred a Sniper and a Bowie and have to admit that I was very impressed and Lynn is a nice guy to boot. I have really enjoyed getting to know him. The Sniper is used probably more than any other knife I own.
4. Matt Lamey. I was looking for a back issue of Blade and Matt offerred me his issue. He then mentioned he was starting to make knives and I told him I test knives for folks here in Kodiak. Well, he made me a camp knife that was so tough, I named it "Mutha" (short for....well you can guess
wink.gif
). Matt's knife making ability has progressed so much and so fast that I think he is probably the most under-rated maker from this forum. He is very self confident, too since he donated one of his knives for testing in the 7 and 9 inch test and they did very well. It is always a joy to talk to him on AOL, too.
5. Gary Graley. I know, Gary doesn't make many custom knives but he does make custom sheaths that really complement my knives so I am mentioning him. He is also another good friend and I am proud to know him. His sheaths amaze the heck out of me and he finally shared his secret on how to make the welt feel like marble...of course I can't make my sheath welts feel like that.

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska

 
1. Bo Randall! Read about him in a Fl newspaper article about 25 years ago!

2. Walter Brend. Knife magazines. Love the grinding style.

3.Lynn Griffith, Bladeforums. I now own almost as many Griffiths as I do Randalls!

4 Bill Simons. Met at Florida Knifemakers ASSC. show. Folder maker and long time Guild member. Turns out he lives 5 miles away and we visit each other often!

5. Gene Baskett. Older knife magazines. one of his folders is a prize possesion of mine!

Neil

[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 17 December 1999).]
 
BOB LUM-met him at spyderco booth at shot show 1997.
DARREL RALPH-met him with david bloch in the las vegas cllasic in 1997.
BILL BAGWELL- met him at the "RIDDLE"
ALLEN ELISHWITZ-saw him at the las vegas classic few years back and loved his work ever since.
JERRY FISK-i don't have one of his knives yet.
all i saw before in magazines but i'll not get into buying untill first hand look at the work.
scorpio.
 
In no particular order:

1)<h4>Mel "Madpoet" Sorg</h4>- "Met" him here on BFC and ordered several kit knives and one of his "production" knives. Excellent knives, excellent prices, and a great guy to deal with. His knives are incredibly comfortable to use, and I think he somehow integrated his very spirit into each knife. You can see a lot of them on my tribute webpage below.
<hr>
2) <h4>Rob Simonich</h4>- I think I found out about him on Bladeforums, too, and apparently I managed to buy one of the last of his Cetan Tanto kit knives. Soon afterward he really became in high demand! Great knives at good prices. Well thought out designs and the ability to do really fancy stuff when needed. All around nice guy!
<hr>
3) <h4>Dr. Lathe</h4>- Bladeforums all the way on this one. He has great-looking knives, and if you knew how many favors he was doing me right now you'd think the guy owes me his life! He has original designs, the abilities to execute them fast and with precision, and some unique handle treatments.
<hr>
4)<h4>Ross Aki</h4>- Bladeforums. Ross specializes in machetes but has a lot of great designs going on. His knives are pure function and are beautiful to boot. I like the work ethic behind the machetes, with every aspect being aimed at customer service.
<hr>
5) I dunno. I like my own sheaths an awful lot!
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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 
This list is not in order, but in order of the way I met them...

1. Wayne Clark-at a knife shop in southern California, I was looking at some Spyderco's and Benchmades when I noticed the knife in the salesman's pocket. He took it out and showed it to me; it was a Wayne Clark custom. The smooth opening killed me! Two years later, when I had some extra money, I remembered Clark's name, called up the knife shop, and ordered a Model #3.

2. James Piorek-I called him up once to ask for his address for a catalog(I also read his name in Greg Walker's book) and ended up ordering a V-Gar system. The V-Gar was so good I ended up ordering a Jashido Compact and a couple of CKB-Alpha's!

3. Bud Nealy-a training buddy of mine had one of Nealy's Aikuchi's, and of course I had to have one, so after getting Bud's brochure, I ended up ordering a Pesh Kabz and a custom Mini Max for my wife.

4. Jerry Busse-saw his ad in Tactical Knives #1, got a brochure, loved the look of the Mean Street...got it three months later. It's under my pillow right now.

5. Pat Crawford-met Pat at the recent Chicago Knife show. Always loved the look of his KFF's...got a titanium handled one a couple of months ago.

Of course, next year I should get some knives I already have on order, so my list may change.
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In no particular order

1) Bo Randall
2) Jim Hammond
3) S.R. Johnson
4) Kit Carson
5) Darrel Ralph
6) Michael Price (The California gold rush Maker, hope the name is right)

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www.simonichknives.com
 
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