What the Traditional Knife Makers Carry

Lemmy Caution

Lemmy Caution

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Aug 17, 2013
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I suppose what got me thinking about this was once seeing Ken Coats's EDC, a 4 inch toothpick of his own making, which he said was his sole carry for more than 5 years. Any knife makers out there? what do you carry day to day? does the fact that you are making such fine works of art curb your need to constantly carry or collect new knives? Lets see/hear what the knife makers carry.
 
Not a knifemaker but this has also interested me as well. The knifemakers or knife company employees as well. Do they all carry their own knives or their companies's knives or do makers branch out to other makers or production knives to enjoy here and there as well.
 
Ryouchijtx said:
Not a knifemaker but this has also interested me as well. The knifemakers or knife company employees as well. Do they all carry their own knives or their companies's knives or do makers branch out to other makers or production knives to enjoy here and there as well.
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Yeah right? all interesting thoughts to me. I certainly want to include Knife company employees in this question.
 
This Dart EDC prototype in 52100.
20141218_144130.jpg


I stopped carrying this Zulu spear in A2, not because it's so beautiful, etc., etc., but because I messed up and ground the cam end of the tang too short and the action is kind of spongy in the middle. It drives me crazy. I'm going to make another soon, just haven't had time.
IMG_20130907_092856.jpg


Mostly I just carry a GEC TC clip point Barlow with spear secondary and saw cut red bone.
 
Brian.Evans said:
This Dart EDC prototype in 52100.
20141218_144130.jpg


I stopped carrying this Zulu spear in A2, not because it's so beautiful, etc., etc., but because I messed up and ground the cam end of the tang too short and the action is kind of spongy in the middle. It drives me crazy. I'm going to make another soon, just haven't had time.
IMG_20130907_092856.jpg


Mostly I just carry a GEC TC clip point Barlow with spear secondary and saw cut red bone.
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Nice stuff Brian. I saw what happened to your beloved TC Barlow. Condolences, but good to know GEc will put a new blade on for cheap. You should ask them to date stamp the new blade so you have a running history going.
 
I saw a pic of Ken's edc too. Made me want a took pick and I don't even like that pattern.
 
I had a custom fixed blade made by Leif Lambertson. We exchanged a lot of emails, not just about the knife, but hunting, fishing, etc. I asked him the same question..."what do you like to carry?"

His response: "I have sooooo many knives it's a little bit out of control. I try to mostly carry my own knives, because it's a little embarrassing when someone finds out you make knives and are carrying someone elses work. But I have a pretty big collection, so I do cycle through them..."

I think you'll see this hold true for many makers. They meet their peers and want to experience another person's work. I think it's great.

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the knife he made for me. It's going to be perfect for hunting season.



 
Jsega51 said:
I had a custom fixed blade made by Leif Lambertson. We exchanged a lot of emails, not just about the knife, but hunting, fishing, etc. I asked him the same question..."what do you like to carry?"

His response: "I have sooooo many knives it's a little bit out of control. I try to mostly carry my own knives, because it's a little embarrassing when someone finds out you make knives and are carrying someone elses work. But I have a pretty big collection, so I do cycle through them..."

I think you'll see this hold true for many makers. They meet their peers and want to experience another person's work. I think it's great.

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the knife he made for me. It's going to be perfect for hunting season.



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Beautiful knife there. What's the wood? Bocote?
 
I love my slip joints but I'm really liking the small fixed blades, such as the two beauties in the above posts.
 
I have a couple of knife maker friends that edc other makers work. One carries a Bobby Toole shadow pattern and a Bruce Bingenheimer. The other has a Ray Kirk with him everyday.

They both like to carry other makers knives because nobody asks to buy their personal knife that way. I can't count the knives one of them has made for himself only to have a collector "really want it".

Chris
 
Chris Montgomery said:
I have a couple of knife maker friends that edc other makers work. One carries a Bobby Toole shadow pattern and a Bruce Bingenheimer. The other has a Ray Kirk with him everyday.

They both like to carry other makers knives because nobody asks to buy their personal knife that way. I can't count the knives one of them has made for himself only to have a collector "really want it".

Chris
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Interesting that they wouldn't be happy to sell a used knife. They could make another, right?

Of course, we all get attached to certain knives, so I can see where it would be annoying to have to constantly say "No, I won't sell this knife." Having said that, I think it would be easy to say "No, I love this knife, but I'll be happy to make you one for $XXXX." You decide how many Xs.
 
Giving this one a bump. Would love to hear from more Knife makers. Evan what are you toting these days? Anyone know what Ken Erickson carries?
 
Hey Lemmy, yes that is bocote over G10 liners with carbon fiber pins. Steel is 52100. It's 7.5" OAL with a cutting edge of 3.25"
 
This one get a lot of belt time for me: 2.85" 1084 and curly white oak. I don't know if it's 'traditional', but it sure isn't tacticool.
I have SAKs, a case, and a new GEC #15. So far the GEC is my favorite traditional.

IMG_20120221_092512-small.jpg
 
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