What knife (or mfg/maker) has impressed you most recently?

For me impression comes from difference between performance and expectation when buying. I didn't expect very much from BM Pinnacle when I bought it as I bought it just because it was cheap. While useing it, it turned out to be a great knife far above my low expectation.
 
I must disagree. I think the W-H CF series is the ultimate in lightweight gentlemen's knives (but certainly not the last word in gentlemen's knives in general, just the lightweight catagory). Personally, it's a T10-CF lancet, but I did recently see a T-12 with a "Black Diamond" blade that featured a beautiful W-H finished Boron Carbide blade finish. It was awesome looking. I have only had great experience with William Henry knives and Matt Conable. Great company.

jmx
 
Hmmm.
Benchmade is making alot of people do the happy dance with the new balisongs, and the Axis AFCK, and the forum knife, and the new fixed blades, and their usual excellent customer service.
I'm in disbelief at the quality of the large and small Sebenzas by Chris Reeve Knives I've acquired this year-beyond impressed.

...but the manufacturer that's really floating my boat is Camillus, Camillus, Camillus:)
The Beckers offer great performance at an unbelievably reasonable price. The 154CM Talon gave me an excellent rendition of a Simonich design at a price I could afford. The D2 ArcLite is a great and practical little fixed blade at a great and practical little price.
From what I've seen and heard here, their customer service is excellent, and they're one of the few, if not the only manufacturer with such a complete line-up of knives. Have to love what they're doing with their collaborations, and just look at the makers they're working with:eek:
I've never been a fan of particular brands, but if I could only choose from one to cover all my knife needs, it would definitely have to be Camillus.
 
CAMILLUS! Will & CO. have really impressed me in the last 2 years. Between the BK&T line, the Darrel Ralph collaborations, and the OVB line(upcoming). They are the most innovative maker of working and using knives around. Fellkniven is a close second.
 
Manufacturer:

I too must cast my vote for Camillus. Now this is not to denegrate Spyderco, CRK, Buck, William Henry, and all the other great houses out there at all. They too are outstanding.

But what folks must appreciate is that Camillus has thrown off it's staid old conservative thinking and embraced new projects and collaborations that put the firm into a whole new light.

From my knothole Will Fennell must be looked upon as a behind the scenes shaker and mover as many changes coincide with his joining their team: The expansion of the Cuda line with collaborations with Simonich and Ralph. Their willingness to introduce a commercial knife of Talonite. The development and use of 0170-6C carbon steel. The reintroduction of Ethan Beckers great designs. And now the return of the OVB line with a collaboration with the Master Jerry Fisk.

Regardless of who is responsible for the invigorating of Camillus' product line, this company is the one who has made the biggest transformation while retaining and even improving its quality. For that it garners my vote.

Custom makers:

Here the field abounds with quality folks. The two that jumped out at me several years ago when I commissioned the original Talonite Projects are still on the top of my list. Rob Simonich and Trace Rinaldi. Not only great designs and execution but true gentlemen to work with.

Certainly I wish I were well heeled enough to acquire pieces from others whose work I admire including Darrel Ralph, Tom Mayo, Ken Onion, Jerry Fisk, Bill Moran, and many others, but alas such is not the case.

Personalities:

Will Fennell, Sal Glesser, John Foresman, Gary Graley, Scott Evans, and Walt "Doc" Welch come to mind. No, not custom makers, but true gentleman who represent a great deal of what is great about this hobby. Will is a manufacturer's rep, Sal the CEO of Spyderco, Gary a custom sheath maker, John an active member of the Buck Collectors Club, Scott the president of Edge-Works, and Doc Welch another knife-nut like me. Over the last few years these gents I've had the pleasure of interacting with have come to epitomize the best in both friendliness and the spirit of this hobby. Without folks like this, the makers and manufacturers cited above, and others of like conviction, we would all be much poorer!

Life is good!
 
For custom makers I've been extraordinarily impressed with Neil Blackwood's work. His fit and finish is excellent. My knife came hair-poppin' sharp (one of the sharpest I've seen), and Neil's D2 has proven to hold that edge and resistant staining entirely.
 
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