What is a "custom-made knife?"

L

Lurker

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Jan 8, 2002
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Doesn't the term "custom-made" mean that something was made to a certain customer's individual specifications? If so, a custom-made knife would only be "custom" for that one individual. If he sells it to someone else, it's not customized for that person, therefore it's not a "custom knife" for him. It may still be a great knife, hand-made, one-of-a-kind and a work-of-art, but it's really not custom to a different owner.

For instance, if I have a suit custom-made to fit me perfectly, then I sell it to my friend, it probably won't fit him perfectly, or even as well as a well-chosen off-the-rack suit. To him, it's not a custom suit. It's just a hand-made suit. The suit is only custom for me.

It seems to me that many "custom" knives are resold and traded or made without a particular customer in mind, so they should really be called "hand-made" at that point instead of custom.

By the same token, if I wanted a Sebenza, which is not considered a custom knife, and I called CRK and ordered a left-handed, damascus bladed, double-thumbstuded one with a unique graphic design engraved on it, whoudn't that knife be custom-made to my specifications, and therefore be a custom for me (although not necessarily hand-made)?

What am I missing here?


PS: Thanks, and with all the recent trolling on the board, I should say that this is not intended as a troll post. My apologies if it appears that way. And no offense to the custom makers on the boards. I am not knocking your knives or the process, just wondering about the terminology.
 
People understand a lot easier when you say" Hi im a custom knifemaker", rather if you tell them youre a " handmade knifemaker" they look at you like youve got three horns coming out of your head. Its also a catchall term, if not totally correct, it well describes what we do, and the products we make, as most us build one knife at a time ( even if we do it in batches ) by hand, and we are the only ones who work on it from start to finish.
 
I have never said this to any member before. But there is always a first time. Use the search function, this subject has been done to death, I don't know how many times.
"what are you missing here"? Well, you forgot to mention Randall knives.:rolleyes:
No offense intended. :D
 
What you are bringing up here has been gone over hundreds of times on these forums. It never seems to lead to a concensus. I do not see that just because a custom knife has been sold to someone else that it is no longer a custom knife. You really have to be getting picky to think that the designation of a knife should change when it goes from one person to another.

The point you raise about getting a Sebenza ordered the way you want it makes sense. That would technically be at least a customized knife. Should we call a hand made knife that is a set pattern with set options a custom knife? Maybe not, but personally I don't think that it matters. Custom Knife has come to be used as a term for any knife made by a maker rather than a manufacturer. As far as I am concerned that is just fine.
 
Marlowe and KWM, that sounds reasonable. It's a good generic term.


MJH, sorry to bring up a topic that's been done to death. I tried a search on "custom" and some other variations, but got either zero or everything not relevant. I guess I'm not too handy with the search feature. My apologies. I don't understand the reference to Randall Knives.

If anyone could suggest a good search string I would appreciate it.

Thanks for the replies.

[edit: I took the advice below and searched "CNC" in the custom forum and I now realize that this topic is a real can of worms. I was truly just confused about the terminology, but I am not interested in reviving a controversy. If it were possible, I would withdrawl the question.]
 
Try going to the custom forum and just go back a few months by title. I am sure you will find something. I can save you a little time though, no one has ever established a set of rules that has been widely accepted. It is like arguing politics. Nobody ever wins.:D I am going to move this to the custom knife forum.
David
 
I you limit your search to this forum. Great keywords are: Sebenza, CNC, Guild should keep you busy for a while :).

Despite all the hoopla, it really does not make a difference, but it seems to for some folks for some reason. It is also interesting that no knife-organization that I know of has ever tried to nail it down.
 
The custom suit analogy is a good one. You can also consider though that there are elements of a knife that might be customized while the general design is not. This subject can wear you out if you let it. It does me at times... :)
 
Sebenzas are probably more "custom" than some of the so called custom makers. Sebenzas are 95% handmade. Yeah this subject has been debated ad nauseum. Buy what you like, who cares what some people what to label it as? Sebenzas are great knives and Chris Reeve is a true gentleman that cares more about the quality of his knives than some "custom" makers.
 
Originally posted by Scott Dog
Chris Reeve...cares more about the quality of his knives than some "custom" makers.
Click to expand...

Yeah, like WHO?

Chris is a true gentleman and he turns out a great product, but where do you come off with stuff like that? :confused:
 
Yup Jerry, maybe a little. :D

No argument as to Chris and Anne and the quality of their knives. I own and use several of their knives and consider them friends, but we gotta get some of the Sebenzanistas out of their caves a little more often to show them around and introduce them to some folks. 'Cause the "custom makers" they hang around sure are not like the ones I have gotten to know over the years. :D
 
a "little" over the edge?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: In my limited experience into the world of customs (2002 being the first year I am trying to go custom only), I have found every knife maker I have chosen to work with very open, very helpful, very caring, and always willing to insure that I shall be pleased to death with the finished product. To say that any of them do not care about the quality of their own work, made with their own hands, their own blood and sweat and their own time is way off base and simply wrong.

A true knife Maker only wishes to make absolutely perfect knives, and anything less than perfection is upsetting. When the finished knife is shipped to the buyer, even accomplished Makers are on "pins and needles" as they wait for the word that the "Knife is beautiful".

I am sorry I have to disgree with your statement About Chris Reeve being supreme to other makers. That statemet is patently false...............Ira
 
Originally posted by Lurker

By the same token, if I wanted a Sebenza, which is not considered a custom knife, and I called CRK and ordered a left-handed, damascus bladed, double-thumbstuded one with a unique graphic design engraved on it, whoudn't that knife be custom-made to my specifications, and therefore be a custom for me (although not necessarily hand-made)?
Click to expand...


:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

and if I ask a tailor to sew on different buttons and a patch on an off the rack suit does it become "tailor made"

Can somebody please fix the forum software so that the word Sebenza is banned on the CUSTOM forum?

Thanks

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
I really don't mind that someone thinks that their Sebenza is a great knife. It is, as are the other knives that Chris makes. What I do take issue with is stating that he cares more about the quality of what he makes than some of the custom makers out there. That is a very inflammatory comment that is not backed with any specifics. If you have personal experience with some makers that do not care how well they make their knives, then let's hear about it. If not, I think comments like that have no place on this forum.
 
Originally posted by KWM
I really don't mind that someone thinks that their Sebenza is a great knife.
Click to expand...

I don't mind either...I just wish we weren't hammered with it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...especially on the CUSTOM forum...C-U-S-T-O-M F-O-R-U-M!!!!!!!

RL

Ok, I'm editing my post because I didn't realize that this was moved here from the general discussion forum...I'm still leaving my comments above intact...they are not directed specifically at Lurker but my frustration is still there...
 
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