What do you guys think about CUSTOM KNIVES..

[22-rimfire]

I have maybe a dozen custom fixed blades. I have been moving back to factory blades the last couple of years but I have purchased a couple customs during that time period.

 

[Acesn8s]

I feel as though all the knives that I buy are custom in as much as I choose to buy knives that fit all the requirements that I'm looking for. Sure with each knife there may be a compromise with one or more of elements, but this would be true of a custom knife as well. The idea that there's some uniqueness is not important to me. Most of the knives that I have are one offs in as much I haven't run into anyone else who have them, aside from the folks on this forum. So as much as I can appreciate all that goes into a custom, it would be paying extra to attain what in my minds eye is already mine.

 

[gooeytek]

I like customs and heavily customized productions. I like having something that no one else has, or very few have.

 

[Birnando]

Are they to expensive for you? Or do you not believe in the performance aspect compared to the veteran knife producers? I ask because I would love to see some growth in our community. Custom knives are works of art that usually will excel in their given tasks. I believe they cut BETTER then any production piece I have carried. And the mechanics seem to last longer. How can we get some of you into the custom community? I have been wondering for a long time. Customs can be expensive but some are very reasonable, and work VERY well. Used ones come around for sale and make GREAT additions to your pockets.

I have owned and used many Spydercos, Benchmade Emersons, Puma hunters, Emersons popular models, Paragons, Microtechs, Gerbers, Cold Steel, etc... and nothing compares to my handmade carry knife that is with me everyday. I'm even talking function, not beauty.

To me high end production or mid tech knives does everything I need, and want, in a knife.
I can view it before buying, I can read testaments online as to their pros and cons and there is a good chance of actually getting what was described.

I did look into custom knives for a while, and don't mind paying for a quality piece, but most seem more designed towards being photogenic rather than actual usage.
Just look at Begg Bodega's.
The maker even feels the need to inform us, on his web-site, that select models are actually made to be used...

No, until the custom market starts to focus on actually delivering the best possible knife in the best possible steel for its intended use, I have zero interest in most custom knives.
Some experienced, and even relatedly educated makers do exist, and their products are to some extent interesting to me.
It does appear to me though, that the majority of customs are made out in the shed by a maker that started out because their regular career went down the drain with the US economy.
I will not accept those as an upgrade to most any mid-tech knife.
Quite the opposite in fact.

 

[SENGVIN]

I love customs and currently selling all that are not customs except few users

(custom made by me ^^)

 

[Bigfattyt]

I am not a custom knife snob, but I do like both. I have only owned about 4 customs. I the tried out another few to provide ffeedback on design.

I also use some expensive production knives (400 to 1000 range).

One thing I have learned is that I like thinner edges. A knife with a thick primary grind will never perform as well for me, even if adjust the edge angle thinner.

I see a lot of customs with edges that are either ground too think, or primary bevels that leave way too much meat behind the edge.

This can be true for expensive or cheap knives.

My one custom folder is a large J.Oeser gunstock. As far as I know, it is still the only one in the world. He designed it with my input, to the size I wanted. The finish I wanted, with the handle materials, blade shape, pull style, grind etc, etc. It has been a pleasure to own and use.


That does not mean I don't carry production knives as well. What it has done, is changed my interest in expensive production knives. Now, I think, I could get a custom for that price....

 

[sunandsteel]

I love customs and currently selling all that are not customs except few users

(custom made by me ^^)

Those look outstanding and look like they fit like a glove.

 

[SaintlyBrees]

Only customs I have are JK handmade knives. They aren't very expensive, can choose from his lineup or design your own and he will make it. Typically takes a couple months to get it. He makes a fine knife. I asked him about his warranty when I did a shootout involving one of his knives. He told me if it breaks under normal use(batonning is normal use) he will replace or refund your money. That's a pretty good warranty IMO.

This.

A lot of people here have talked about looks vs usability. The thing about John's (of JK Knives) knives is that they are very usable. In fact, although I have close to 20 fixed blade knives, my favorite knife to actually use is a knife he calls "The Tool". Designed by Mykel M and brought to life by John, this is a perfect fixed blade in most ways. This is true of most of John's knives. Not just something pretty, but something very usable as well.

The tool is the middle knife:

I also own his Hunter's Hatchet, and while I have not yet used it for cutting up game, it does do a nice job chopping up small branches, firewood, etc.

So, IMHO, John makes great, reasonably priced, user knives. And he will make a knife to your specs. The middle knife above is a modernized replica of a knife that my grandfather used to carry. I can't recommend him enough.

 

[BladeScout]

That top knife in the first pic looks good. I quite like that.

 

[flipe8]

I've only owned a handful of custom knives. All of them were nice, but none were to the level of F&F I've had with my high-end productions. They just weren't. Maybe it was a blade off centre, or a clip that was mounted proud of the end of the knife, or screws that were stripped, or a handle that wasn't the same thickness from one side to the other, etc... None of these things were horrible, but they were immediately noticeable. And to be quite honest, less than acceptable for the prices paid, IMO.

The other big thing for me is the wait time. If I can get onto a list(IF) of a maker I really want something from, it might be years before my turn comes up. Hell, I don't want to wait an extra 30min in the dentist office! In my opinion, life is too short to be waiting for "stuff". Some guys love the wait. That's cool, but that's not me. Some day that might change, but that's where I'm at now.

I'll give up the uniqueness of a custom for the consistency and availability of a good high-end production.

 

[Natedog351]

To me high end production or mid tech knives does everything I need, and want, in a knife.
I can view it before buying, I can read testaments online as to their pros and cons and there is a good chance of actually getting what was described.

I did look into custom knives for a while, and don't mind paying for a quality piece, but most seem more designed towards being photogenic rather than actual usage.
Just look at Begg Bodega's.
The maker even feels the need to inform us, on his web-site, that select models are actually made to be used...

No, until the custom market starts to focus on actually delivering the best possible knife in the best possible steel for its intended use, I have zero interest in most custom knives.
Some experienced, and even relatedly educated makers do exist, and their products are to some extent interesting to me.
It does appear to me though, that the majority of customs are made out in the shed by a maker that started out because their regular career went down the drain with the US economy.
I will not accept those as an upgrade to most any mid-tech knife.
Quite the opposite in fact.

There are plenty of makers actually that strive to make the best knife possible and continue to try to improve their knives as best they can.
One of the best examples of this is Jake Hoback he's now came up with his own HRD system his own way of off setting the pivot to prevent the pivot from loosening on top of trying to always work with the best hard use steels there is started pocketing the inside of his knives to cut weight etc.

Really your being hugely disrespectful to makers by saying theyre only making knives because their first career didnt pan out...do you even understand the amount of work and knowledge they have to have to make the knives they do? Seriously some makers have advanced degrees in engineering etc but they choose to make knives because its what they love to do.

 

[BladeScout]

To me high end production or mid tech knives does everything I need, and want, in a knife.
I can view it before buying, I can read testaments online as to their pros and cons and there is a good chance of actually getting what was described.

I did look into custom knives for a while, and don't mind paying for a quality piece, but most seem more designed towards being photogenic rather than actual usage.
Just look at Begg Bodega's.
The maker even feels the need to inform us, on his web-site, that select models are actually made to be used...

No, until the custom market starts to focus on actually delivering the best possible knife in the best possible steel for its intended use, I have zero interest in most custom knives.
Some experienced, and even relatedly educated makers do exist, and their products are to some extent interesting to me.
It does appear to me though, that the majority of customs are made out in the shed by a maker that started out because their regular career went down the drain with the US economy.
I will not accept those as an upgrade to most any mid-tech knife.
Quite the opposite in fact.

Wot!?

 

[BladeScout]

I've only owned a handful of custom knives. All of them were nice, but none were to the level of F&F I've had with my high-end productions. They just weren't. Maybe it was a blade off centre, or a clip that was mounted proud of the end of the knife, or screws that were stripped, or a handle that wasn't the same thickness from one side to the other, etc... None of these things were horrible, but they were immediately noticeable. And to be quite honest, less than acceptable for the prices paid, IMO.

The other big thing for me is the wait time. If I can get onto a list(IF) of a maker I really want something from, it might be years before my turn comes up. Hell, I don't want to wait an extra 30min in the dentist office! In my opinion, life is too short to be waiting for "stuff". Some guys love the wait. That's cool, but that's not me. Some day that might change, but that's where I'm at now.

I'll give up the uniqueness of a custom for the consistency and availability of a good high-end production.

Im frankly surprised at how many here have had a bad experience with custom knifemakers.

How ever, there are many makers and many customers out there - maybe the fanatic custom fans are all over in the customs forum

 

[SaintlyBrees]

That top knife in the first pic looks good. I quite like that.

Thank you! That is actually the same knife as in the middle of the second picture and there is a story behind it...

My grandfather was a subsistence farmer and literally lived off of the land. They made do with whatever was around. He needed a knife, he made one. He had a knife that he carried in a sheath for as long as I knew him (he died when I was quite young). No one in the family knows what happened to that knife although we suspect that when Grandmother moved in with my Aunt, she may have left it behind in the farm house. Anyway, as time passed, I decided that I wanted a knife similar to what Granddad had, so I went to a local blacksmith here in Chama (Curtis Green) and had him make me a knife to my specs to resemble Grandad's as much as I could remember. He did. It was Primitive and rough, just like Grandad's. Then I found John and asked him if he could do a modern rendition of that knife. I sent him the primitive version and told him to put his touch on it. The knife you mention is the result.

Both John and Curtis did great jobs getting me the knife that I was looking for. :thumbup:

Pics of both the original primitive and John's more modern version. This is a heavy duty knife. Note the blade thickness in the case of both. American Elk handle on the primitive and ironwood on the modern:

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hello!

Bladescout, there are good and there are bad makers out there for sure. Sometimes I feel people are focussing on protecting their investment a bit too much.

Regards,
Alex

 

[mwschilling]

This is a topic of particular interest to me. I collect mostly customs but have also taken an interest in Randall, Chris Reeve and William Henry to name a few. In collecting these production knives I found myself always looking for unique examples of each (ivory and burl wood Randalls, Honduran Rosewood CRK's). Then I realized that customs are the ulitmate in unique because they are truely unique. I am getting ready to sell off all my Randalls (except perhaps a few special ones) and CRK's in order to fund more customs. I really enjoy going to shows and meeting custom makers. I have bought some they had on their tables at shows and have ordered others to be made for me. All my knives function properly (hunters cut game, folders carry well and cut whatever needs cutting). Whether its a Randall I carry in the field or a custom hunter, for me it is all about the experience and using the blade. I do have some that I will never use (fancy mammoth and damascus, gold inlays, etc) but those server a different purpose. They are more like art to me and display them proudly in my home. I understand some people say "I would never buy a knife I'm not going to use" but I see both perspectives.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, its just a matter of opinion. For me, I enjoy collecting knives and using some of them while displaying others.

Regarding having a bad experience with a custom maker, I for one have yet to experience this. If you are concerned about it, try sticking to custom makers from ABS or Knifemakers Guild and/or those who have established a reputation for quality. That's the best thing about Blade Forums, someone on here is bound to have info on any perspective knife maker.

 

[Blades&Bullets]

I don't own any Custom knives YET. I haven't bought any knives for myself at all since I graduated/married/moved. I'm considering getting one for my Dad for Christmas though, maybe a Shaerk. It is nice to support independent business owners/craftsmen when possible. That is why I saved my money when I was 21 and got a custom leather rig built for my CCW. I loved the attention to detail and quality materials that went into making it. I'm sure it is the same with the knives made by skilled knifemakers.

 

[BladeScout]

Thank you! That is actually the same knife as in the middle of the second picture and there is a story behind it...

Great knife, great story.
Cant put a value on that.
The only way you can top that story, would be to go back and actually finding the original knife!

Hello!

Bladescout, there are good and there are bad makers out there for sure. Sometimes I feel people are focussing on protecting their investment a bit too much.

Regards,
Alex

For sure. Both good ones and bad ones out there. Ive just been lucky, I guess.
What do you mean by the second part? That people are too keen on protecting their customs and dont use them as intended or what?

Regarding having a bad experience with a custom maker, I for one have yet to experience this. If you are concerned about it, try sticking to custom makers from ABS or Knifemakers Guild and/or those who have established a reputation for quality. That's the best thing about Blade Forums, someone on here is bound to have info on any perspective knife maker.

Good point and sound advice if a customer is in doubt. Some of those experiencing bad knives might have been unlucky in their choice of knifemaker.
Personally, Ive been lucky, as mentioned; Ive had no problems no matter which maker I asked to make me a knife.
A little homework on behalf of the customer is always in order. Time well spent.

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hello!

Bladescout, I enjoy looking for new makers a lot. That means taking the risk of ordering a knife a maker might not feel comfortable with yet as well. I do have some early work by a maker or two who went on to really get it going in the following years and who are in high demand now (absolutely justified from what my own current pieces show me). The early pieces were nothing to write home about though. I am perfectly fine with that and I have also found a lot of makers that got out more from what I ordered than I had wished for right away; also on these forums. Like I said, that's part of the custom fun for me.

The second part you quoted is something I have come accross a few times when talking to fellow collectors. Knives that are - from an outside perspective of one who has not just spent a few thousand bucks on it - not nearly as "perfect" as they are said to be, are raised virtually to heaven by their owners. This almost always makes me think of people trying not to sabotage the resale value of their knives (especially the ones that are not that great after all; as a matter of fact these very knives did surface on the used market rather quickly). Don't get me wrong, this is not directed at you or anyone here who is reporting their good experience with custom makers, not linked to specific knives. Such good experience definitely is possible, combining good research (for a maker who knows what he is doing), good communication (to get accross what one wants) and some good luck (even JS and MS makers and other master bladesmiths can have a bad day, I know that from my own experience). It is the reason why I tend to take grail-calls with a bit of salt though.

Regards,
Alex

 

[flipe8]

Good point and sound advice if a customer is in doubt. Some of those experiencing bad knives might have been unlucky in their choice of knifemaker.
Personally, Ive been lucky, as mentioned; Ive had no problems no matter which maker I asked to make me a knife.
A little homework on behalf of the customer is always in order. Time well spent.

While I don't wish to paint any and all custom makers with the same brush based on my limited experiences, I will say at least one of my knives came from a Master Bladesmith while two others came from extremely popular makers.

I want to make it clear, none of my limited experiences were horrible and would absolutely buy other custom knives if the stars lined up properly.