What do you look for performance-wise?

When purchasing a custom knife that is being bought for performance, what questions do you ask the maker? Do you go into specifics about how the maker tests his knives, how the heat treat is done, etc. or do you rely more on factors such as what you've heard about the maker from forums/magazines and what steel he uses? If you go into a lot of detail regarding how he tests and heat treats his blades, what answers are you generally looking for?

Ryan

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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


 
Mark W Douglas

Mark W Douglas

Joined
Nov 16, 1998
Messages
1,345
Mine's a loooonnnggg story. Ask Darrel Ralph, talk about going into details! Phone calls, many emails, I wanted a perfect knife for my likings and he came through for me! I only wanted the best from construction of the handle and lock down to the blade material and style. That's what I ask for in looking for a knife. The rest of the information he volunteered on his own. I got more info than I bargained for!
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I wanted this knife basically from reviews of it and seeing pics of it really did me in! The specs were exactly what I wanted. Yeap, reviews and pics is what I originally go by before going into more depth of the knife and maker. Course, I was already sold on it before I even started conversing with DDR.

Mark

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"THERE IS NO FEELING LIKE AN APOGEE FEELING"



[This message has been edited by Mark W Douglas (edited 05-18-2000).]
 
Heat treat and tempering process is a key to me even if it is going to be a "wall hanger" or safe sitter.

I weigh information from all sources I can get may hands on and I couple those things with the style of knives for which the maker is known for as well as a healthy amount of trust and passion (for knives) that usually arises from my conversations with the maker.

I honestly look for all those things before I order a knife from someone. So far, keeping to those guidelines has worked for me.

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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.
 
I tend to read the reviews of others who have knives by that maker. Obviously, the maker is trying to sell knives, and may be slightly biased (even if it is completely unintentional), so hearing that others are happy with his/her work is good. Then, I like to start discussing what I want with the maker, and see what my 'instincts' tell me about whether I will end up with what I want.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
I want the knife to be able to cut cleanly, with low resistance, and to be able to hold the edge through repeated cutting.

Blade geometry, heat treat, blade design, are all important factors. I prefer flat-ground blades over hollow, and I like chisel -ground blade the best. My favorite is the zero-chisel grind, such as on Emersons, Martins, and Hartsfields, but they are difficult to sharpen.

 
Here's a twist, call the maker and ask him. If you like what he suggests you'll probably like his knives. Remember, no two knives from the same maker are the same. Most custom makers adapt their knives to suit the wishes of the buyer, so whatever you read may not reflect what you really want in a knife. Tell the maker how you plan to use the knife. He'll likely make it the way you want it, but don't expect a knife to be all things to all uses. If you want to chop concrete, don't talk about being easy to sharpen.

We live in an age of instant communications. Take advantage of it.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
To add to what Jerry said, most makers will probably make any small modifications to their designs that you want. However they've worked hard on those designs and some may get a little cranky if they percieve that you are trying to completely redesign their knives.
 
All I want from a maker is that they be open and honest. If they are and you are the same then the result will be positive even if you never buy a blade from them.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 05-24-2000).]
 
Cliff is right on the money with the comments about being honest, open, and upfront. Anything else is asking for trouble!
As for me and the performance factor.....
Performace is very subjective, as each maker establishes his or her own standards. The trick is to never be satisfied, and to always strive for more. I personally favor a blade that has the best of all the qualities that I can bestow it. I will give up a little in one area, in order to achieve a balance in another. Edge retention is very important, but not at the cost of durability, or ease of sharpening. I learned a long time ago not to get hung up on Rc hardness levels. I think that some makers use that as hype, and it just doesn't mean that much.
I like a blade that blends edge retention, durabiltiy, and ease of sharpening into one package. The performance of a blade is not contingent on any one factor, but rather the proper execution of many, to create the whole.
Asking lots of questions is the key. Your ideas and the maker's may not always line up, but that doesn't mean that either is wrong, simply different.

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.caffreyknives.com
 
i agree with Jerry and Ed completely. Especially Jerry's comment about instant communication. If my customer is gonna buy a knife with his hard earned money, i will more than gladly spend a good deal of time explaining to him exactly what i do, and tailor what i do to meet his needs in a knife.

As a customer, i always ask a volly of questions to a maker about steels, heat treat, construction methods etc. If they are reluctant to discuss any of the above, i go no further with the interest to purchase. If they are open, and as Ed and Cliff say, HONEST about what they do, and dont try to B.S. me with some sort of super duper steel or method, then i will probably buy what ever i was inquiring about.

What do i look for? comfort in the handle, over all ergonomics, cutting ability, edge holding ability etc.. the same as everyone else wants.

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"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
Thomas Jefferson

www.lameyknives.com
 
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