What was your first true custom?

True custom to me means that I commissioned the knife to be made the way I wanted, not just a handmade that I picked up somewhere. That being the case, my first true custom is a 6 inch Sid Birt Damascus hunter with rope filework all the way around the handle. It has African blackwood scales, a visible temper line and a slight Persian influence. I dressed a deer with it, cleaned it, and put it up. I check on it from time to time to remind myself that they made some great knives in the 70's and 80's. It might be time for that one to go hunting again this year.
 
My first was a wharncliffe fixed blade. It was made by Allen Blade and I sold it after he showed everyone he hadn't changed, and what kind of a maker he was. Back in 99 or when ever that was.
 
First Twin said:
True custom to me means that I commissioned the knife to be made the way I wanted, not just a handmade that I picked up somewhere. That being the case, my first true custom is a 6 inch Sid Birt Damascus hunter with rope filework all the way around the handle. It has African blackwood scales, a visible temper line and a slight Persian influence. I dressed a deer with it, cleaned it, and put it up. I check on it from time to time to remind myself that they made some great knives in the 70's and 80's. It might be time for that one to go hunting again this year.
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Well, my custom was made specifically for me without me giving any input as to what I wanted at all. Then surprise, surprise, my Christmas present. Was this a "true custom", or not?
 
Larrin
The thread starter used "True Custom" without stating what he meant. I was just stating what I consider my first True Custom and clarifying what I meant by the term. I sure didn't intend to belittle custom or handmade knives in any way. That is exactly what I build and collect. I have "just" picked up a bunch of handmade knives over the years, many more than I have commissioned, and remain the proud owner of everyone of them. My Moran dagger was picked up by my wife for me. It isn't custom to my way of thinking but it is a heck of a handmade.
As for your knife, someone gave the maker direct input for you. In my way of thinking it's custom.
 
First Twin said:
Larrin
The thread starter used "True Custom" without stating what he meant. I was just stating what I consider my first True Custom and clarifying what I meant by the term. I sure didn't intend to belittle custom or handmade knives in any way. That is exactly what I build and collect. I have "just" picked up a bunch of handmade knives over the years, many more than I have commissioned, and remain the proud owner of everyone of them. My Moran dagger was picked up by my wife for me. It isn't custom to my way of thinking but it is a heck of a handmade.
As for your knife, someone gave the maker direct input for you. In my way of thinking it's custom.
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I wasn't being completely serious, I was just trying to mess with you. I forgot to use a sarcastic looking smiley. :foot: :)
 
Larrin
I probably would have missed the sarcastic smiley anyway and I don't mind being messed with. You aught to have a twin brother like mine.
My original post needed some softening up anyway.
Charlie
First Twin
 
Gene Ingram pocketknife in D2. It was the knife that taught me that D2 and I were not meant to be friends. Its the only knife I've EVER had rust. I ended up selling it cheap because I couldn't do anything with it. Sad, though. I have another pocketknife from Gene, and couldn't be more happy with it- this time in 440C and beadblasted.
 
Kit Carson medium Model 4 with carbon fiber scales and a Talonite blade. Kit made it for me in 1999, and i still have it. I think it's a keeper. :D

View
 
A J.D. Clay drop point hunter back in 1976.A knife that's still in my collection today.
 
I wish I had started earlier, so it will be several years before I know if I am a hobbiest, serious hobbiest, collector, or serious collector. :)
But, I did decide to begin with one of the best. My first commissioned knife by Don Hanson in Oct. 2005. This walrus river-hunter is 10" overall with a 5 1/2" blade.
Off to a good start. :thumbup:


WalrusHunter-Don.jpg
 
First Twin said:
That being the case, my first true custom is a 6 inch Sid Birt Damascus hunter with rope filework all the way around the handle. It has African blackwood scales, a visible temper line and a slight Persian influence.
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I would LOVE to see this one--old or not. Really. Can you take a crappy, errrr, suitable pic? ;)

Coop
 
My first handmade knife I bought from Les Robertson before he even had a chance to put a picture of GenO's new (at that time) Model #6. I cannot in all honestly call it a true custom.
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My first True Custom was made to my design by JA Lonewolf. I liked the first knife so much I ordered five more just like it. I sold four of them and JA refused to make any more after that.
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My first true custom folder was made to my drawings by Art Washburn. I thought for the longest time that I would never buy another linerlock, because this one was so perfect. I did have Art make another just like this for a friend that wanted one. Rick Dunkerly when he saw my knife thought that Art should add the pattern to his line, he didn't.
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First True Custom was a Swiss-style dagger I designed and had made by Rick Genovese from Colorado Springs, CO. Nickel silver guard and pommel, 440C mirror-polish blade, ivory scales with silver oval escutcheon. The sheath as nickel silver with red felt lining and and a silver frog. Pretty chunky as I recall - no photos unfortunately. Made in 1977 and Rick said he would never do another.

I stupidly sold it at the 1985 NYC Custom Knife Show. I always wondered where it ended up.
 
Here you go Coop. A couple of pictures of my Sid Birt. Hope they are good enough to tell what it is. When he made the knife, it looked like he polished the knife after he etched it. This showed the damascus and temper line faintly. Other than using it, the knife remains the way Birt made it.

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Charlie Mathews
First Twin
Twin Blades
www.twinxblades.com
 
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