What do people think of Elishewitz?

Just in the last few months I was able to acquire my first Elishewitz knife. "No modern tactical collection is complete without one..."

Allen is a masterful machinist with a super clean shop, and and work ethic that allowed him to produce LOTS of pieces. Each one of them is stunningly well-made.

I won't draw Walker comparisons, but one of the aspects of a maker that makes their work collectible is their mark on the knifemaking world. As a past Guild president and one who consistently instructs and innovates, Allen's path is clearly marked with good fortune. So are the collectors with his knives.

Here's mine:

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Look at the stairstep thumbstud and how he fastened it with a screw AND a pin. The proud scales. The CNC (?) clip. The original pivot screws with the collars. The drilled vertically backspacer. There is a WHOLE lot of fine engineering going on. :thumbup:

Coop
 
Hi Allen,

Standing between you and Bob Terzuola is where I got my information. Perhaps you were still recovering from your nap. :D

Perhaps I misunderstood what you said, if that is the case, I apologize. If you sold out great.

I stand by my statement disagreeing with Dave Ellis.

Dave I visited your web site and did not see a single one of Allen's knives. Did I miss Allen's work on your site. You have a very keen eye and I think if you really felt that way about Allen's work you would have some of his work on your web site.

WWG
 
Thanks Steven, you really hit it on the head! I am not going to be the next Walker, I don't want to be the next Walker....He is who he is and I am who I am.

I must apologize to Mike, I wish I had more time to spend with you and Manuela this weekend; but I have been working on 4 watches that have been kicking my rear since day one and I have to wrap them up asap so that is why I couldn't stay at the hammer In. BTW do you still have the grinder that you modified to go 7,000rpm?

It is not that I don't want to listen to my customers and dealers but usually everyone is better served if I do what I want to do :) I get to put more creativity into each piece if I am just left alone in the shop to go freely.

Walking Man, the stair step thumb stud has a very positive grip and gives a lot of control over the blade. But I am also using dual round thumb studs from time to time.

Thanks Coop! Nice photo.
 
Feel free to go to my site to see several of Allen's knives, both D/A autos and balis... :D

Great work Allen!

-Michael
 
I like Allen's work. I've owned one so far and it was smoothest folder I've had to date. Here's a pic of it. Unfortuneatly I sold it a while back to fund another purchase (the same old story!!).

I really like the Anubus and have been keeping an eye out for one.






Keep up the great work Allen. I always enjoy stopping in at your site for some eye candy!
 
Allen makes really superior folding knives. The buttonlocks have no compare on the current market. I don't know a thing about his fixed blades, so no comment. I have owned and carried probably 10 different models over the past seven years. The fit and finish are superb and the designs are quite original. WWG - I get every AE web update email, and I assure you, all of Allen's knives sell out within 24 hours, more or less.

Allen - keep doing what you are doing, direct sales are the way to go IMO, I know dealers would like to make a living, but are really unnecessary. I suppose having a charming support person is a big help.

The SS buttonlocks are awesome. However, the round studs are a bummer. The checkered studs are good, the stairsteps are the best.

The new clips, are, ahem, uh, yuck.

Michael Walker - ?? Dave, I don't know you, but I don't see the parallel.
 
Architect said:
Michael Walker - ?? Dave, I don't know you, but I don't see the parallel.
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Architect,


I think, and could be wrong,;) that Dave is speaking to the parallel of superior machining.

Michael Walker is at the top of the heap, machining wise...Tim Wright is probably not far behind. Allen has the skills and has done so in the past, to create new mechanisms almost at will.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Allen's knives are amazing!! I had a Pirate, with green fibermascus scales......It was an incredible knife!! I LOVE his work.
 
No need Allen~! You looked a bit stressed and TIRED!!! I know exactly how you feel. I really had no business instructing at the Hammer in, as I just don't have the time. But then again, I feel I owe it. And I can't deny that I really enjoyed it, and seeing the eyes of the students light up when learned something new!!!

Had to get rid of that wild grinder. It worked like you wouldn't believe! It cut steel like a electric knife in jewelers wax. Unreal! But the sound was deafening. I ended up causing some nerve damage in my ears from it. Sounded like an old F-4 Phantom Fighter running up to full tilt for a carrier take off! Wow! What a rush!!! Sold it to Martin. He is still using it today. Well, with a few new bearings along the way-- Go figure. Manuela says Hi!

On a side note, as far as his stright knives go, I give Allen an A+. I rember a very trim tanto that Allen showed me back in the late 80, or very early 90"s. I had been raggging him at the time about his heavy knives. It was Very well thought out and executed. I think it was for our friend Brad H. It was trim, Light, and Fast! That is one Knife I wish I had in my collection!
 
Here is a folder Allen made for Blade to show off Black Timascus:

BlkTiElishewitz-s.jpg


BlackTimascus2-s.jpg


The craftsmanship on the knife is amazing. There are no gaps anywhere. The detailing on the bolsters is beautiful. The transition between the damascus and Timascus looks nice and does not clash. The diamonds on the spine of the blade are a nice touch. It is an automatic and the blade fires with authority but is subtle.
 
I have had up to ten of Allen's knives. The are, as far as I am concerned, about the best made folders of their type around. I would recommend them to anyone, except those who are looking to make a buck on them. They do not hold their value nearly as well as others. For what reason, I cannot fathom.
 
betzner said:
I have had up to ten of Allen's knives. The are, as far as I am concerned, about the best made folders of their type around. I would recommend them to anyone, except those who are looking to make a buck on them. They do not hold their value nearly as well as others. For what reason, I cannot fathom.
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I too am puzzled why they don't hold their value. I had a folding kris flipper, it was a brilliant piece of machining and design (all those in the creative line that I showed it too were amazed - architects, designers, design students) but it wouldn't move in the aftermarket :(.

I think some of Allen's designs are amazing, the type of surface texturing / embellishment he does is unparalleled. I only wish he used thicker liners in his liner locks (like 0.080-0.090). Never handled a button lock so can't comment on that.

I hope he has great success. And I hope to own another knife by him someday, when he starts taking orders again.
 
Let me qualify my statement.Allen is creating his own locking mechanisms,using guilloche on his frames.Making Knive's that really do not resemble anyone elses.
I think with a bit of smart marketing I will stand by my statement that Allen could well be the next Michael Walker.
WWG-You never know,we may be currently working on a project as we speak.
just my 2 cents
Dave
 
It's interesting that Allan's knives seem not to fare well on the aftermarket. That might be due to the radical design, or some other factor. I personally like his designs, in particular for "dressed up" pieces, and I added myself to his email list.

Another excellent maker whose tactical knives are not faring super well on the aftermarket is J. W. Smith. I don't know why but they regularly come up for sale at prices sub $400, even though the f&f is to my eyes impeccable, and the makers has a very good reputation. :confused:
 
It's interesting that Allan's knives seem not to fare well on the aftermarket. That might be due to the radical design, or some other factor
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Most folder makers that have super-inflated aftermarket prices make a very limited number of knives. Look at Ken Onion or Boguzewski for an example. Allen has been around for a long time and there was about 5 years where he almost pulled out of the tactical market to focus on other areas. Its all about supply and demand.
 
Anthony hit the nail on the head.

Its all about supply and demand.
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Early in this century Allen did an excellent job...from a business perspective of meeting the demand. To that point that market saturation occurred.

I started counting at shows what knives I was offered as trade ins when a show started. I counted the first 25. Almost without exception for a two year period the average ratio was 75% Elishewitz and and 25% Pat Crawford.

Both had tables at the shows with more than 20 knives on top and more underneath the table. Sell one, replace it with one from underneath the table. It actually gave the impression to some casual observers that Allen wasn't selling any knives...in fact he was selling plenty. As was Pat Crawford.

Allen now works in a price range that has few competitors. Folder collectors, in particular love to collect "all of them" in a particular category. Allen has put himself in his own market. Short term, this works against him....long term he may be the leader in that market..time will tell.

Dave, look forward to seeing that project.

Chuck, that is one cool looking knife!

WWG
 
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