What kind of knives do the makers make for themselves?

[golok]

OK, I am curious. I was trying to imagine what kind of knives do the knifemakers make for themselves.

What do these guys look for? What do they want in their own knife?

So they go for convex grind, flat grind, hollow grind, and why that particular grind?

What type of metal would they use? Why do they pick that kind of metal?

How long would that blade be? Do they want something fancy? Personally, I doubt that. I have this feeling that most knifemakers go for functionality. They will always make the kind of knife that works for them 100 per cent of the time. And they know they can depend on the knife 110 per cent of the time.

So, what kind of knife would that be? I guess it would depend on the individual and what kind of purposes he intends to use the knife for.

Any ideas, guys?

 

[etp777]

So far I've always made users for myself. O1, edge quench, etc. But last one was a bit fancy, because most of time when I'm making something for myself, it's because I want to try out some new method, or tip or something that I will later put into knives I sell.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I can't afford to keep or carry anything that I make! I did make my mom a paring knife out of a David Boye Cast dendretic blade blank. Desert ironwood scales and zero grind. It is very comfortable. Other than that I make knives that I would would like to carry, or would collect if I still collected.

 

[george tichbourne]

My own EDC is a stellite bladed folder with damasteel bolsters, mastodon scales and flat ground. Unfortunately it still is to be finished. I would like to make a new thumbstud with a garnet inset in it to compliment the scales, maybe this summer.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Well, I'm not a knifemaker, but I'm not NOT a knifemaker. Ummmmm, it's kinda grey.....

I have handfinished about 25 kit folders by now. Many with LOTS of hand work and some that were simply plain and nice. I decided early on, that if I really wanted to represent myself with my knives, I needed to put my best foot forward.

Subsequently my most involved kit folder is also an EDC. I spent about 20 hours on it and it was well-worth it to me. I am a firm believer that you ought to to represent yourself in this manner.

Anything less, and you may be making a nonspoken statement that your own knives, no matter how beautiful or delicate or well-built or heavy duty, are not good enough for usage.

I have heard of knifemakers who carry other's work in homage, and also of others who carry factory knives exclusively. I never gave this much thought until this same conversation came up once long ago on another forum.

Oh, I carry a number of EDC's--factory and true custom--but one of mine is always around to show and use.

Coop

 

[etp777]

Only reason I don't carry my own every day is that I have yet to make a folder or neck knife.

But my camping/hunting knives and truck knife are mine. That is a good point though Blade787

 

[TheBadGuy]

This is a great thread!! I have always wondered what Makers and Dealers collections looked like and things of this nature. Striper28 its hard for me to believe that carry a Benchmade or some lower end knife after I have seen some your creations. I definatly plan to take up knifemaking VERY SOON. Starting with the kits and if I get half as good as some here, I will make myself a REALLY decked out EDC

 

[beluga]

Yes, this is a great thread.

I know what Bill Moran carries; a little knife that he made.

That is one fine knife !!

 

[John R. Fraps]

This is a fun thread to read.
Hope there are lots of responses.

Most of the knives I love to make and sell are pretty tricked out Linerlocked folders with Damascus, Mammoth Ivory or pearl, jewelled thumbstuds, filework, heat coloring, etc.
What I carry is a small single spearpoint bladed sambar stag handled slipjoint that I made. Spring and blade are CPM S30V. Blade is flat ground because it is traditional in a slipjoint. Liners and integral bolsters are 416 Stainless Steel and highly polished on the bolsters.
I don't need a pocket knife in my shop as there are blades, x-acto knives, and other sharp edged tools all about, so the carry knife is just to use when out among other folks.