What's some of the TOP custom knife makers at a reasonable price?? HELP NEED!

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Emerson

Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
289
I'm barely getting into custom knife collecting, so please school me. ;) What's some that you guys can recommend that is in my price range of about $250-$400(also secondary market prices). I like heavy duty knives and doesn't weigh over 6oz. Semi custom is fine also. FYI I already have a Sebenza. Also I don't collect fixed blades. Any help will be appreciated. THANKS!!:D
 
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you might be able to get a Demko in the $400 range. It's going to be hard to find any real custom folder in the $200 range, though perhaps some smaller fixed blades could be had.
 
Emerson said:
I'm barely getting into custom knife collecting, so please school me. ;) What's some that you guys can recommend that is in my price range of about $250-$400. I like heavy duty knives and doesn't weigh over 6oz. THANKS!!:D
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Top custom makers in the $250 - 400 price range....hmmm...your search will end up being short and unsatisfying. :D

In all seriousness, you will need to be more specific in regards to what kind of customs you're looking for. Folders....straight knives etc. Are you going to use or just looking to collect?
 
ThePharce said:
you might be able to get a Demko in the $400 range. It's going to be hard to find any real custom folder in the $200 range, though perhaps some smaller fixed blades could be had.
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Thanks I'll look into it. Not a big fan of his design though..I'm not into Fix blades.

morrowj_98 said:
Top custom makers in the $250 - 400 price range....hmmm...your search will end up being short and unsatisfying. :D

In all seriousness, you will need to be more specific in regards to what kind of customs you're looking for. Folders....straight knives etc. Are you going to use or just looking to collect?
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I only collect folders. Just for collecting. Thanks! Any??
 
Custom folders in the $250-$400 price range sounds like a tall order to me. Most folders from custom makers start around $400 and move up from there.

One knife you might want to take a look at is the HTM-DDR Gun Hammer. It's available at Darryl Ralph's website and it's in your price range.

Good luck. :)
 
Rick said:
Keep your eye on this board: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=753

Lots of great deals from low-to-mid priced custom makers, but you have to be fairly quick on the trigger - they often go within the first few hours.
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:thumbup:

Go to this forum mentioned by Rick. Theres usually a few folders in your price range on there. But expect the higher end of your price range. More like around $300-$500.
 
The only other option I can think off is to phone a few guys in your area that might help. Getting their phone numbers is a bit of a challenge sometimes, but well worth it.

The other option I can think of is Burger knives from South Africa. Do a search on them.
 
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Rick said:
Keep your eye on this board: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=753


Lots of great deals from low-to-mid priced custom makers, but you have to be fairly quick on the trigger - they often go within the first few hours.
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Very good link:D

Zombie Zeke said:
WDZ

What Rick said!
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I'm already on WDZ's order list, waiting..

CWL said:
With your handle, have you considered Emersons?
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I have a lot of Emersons already. Can't afford the customs.
 
bld522 said:
Custom folders in the $250-$400 price range sounds like a tall order to me. Most folders from custom makers start around $400 and move up from there.

One knife you might want to take a look at is the HTM-DDR Gun Hammer. It's available at Darryl Ralph's website and it's in your price range.

Good luck. :)
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Very nice looking knife but I don't like aluminum handles. If it's metal, it must be Ti.
 
Ok first of all you are not alone... You are in luck that most custom knives are made very well...however finding them is a royal pain in the ass and most places are subpar and usually out of stock. The best website I found was http://www.threelittleindianscustomknives.com/ they have just about every major knifemaker out there in your price range.

As for knife makers a lot of the famous "old Dogs" do not take orders any longer and if you find one can cost thousands...However in my humble experience I found talking to a really good knife store owner like Lawrence Amoroso can help you as he helped me because I had a lot of questions about flippers...you like thumb studs so you have different parameters as I do. There are 3 types of knives...production which are mass produced and have many compromises, mid tech knives that have common parts sharing and things subcontracted like knife grinds or scales, heat treating or hardware like screws and finally full custom knives that are made by 1 guy. Full custom and mid tech have the best quality but a mid tech knife won't have the same fit and finish as a full custom.

My favorite knifemaker is Randy Deucette http://web.mac.com/lacigars/Three_Little_Indians_Custom_Knives/Randy_Doucette.html

Randy is in Canada so the dollar favors us in the USA and he is relatively humble and has been making knives about 10 years and uses higher quality S30V where other guys use a cheaper CPM154. He is not an old dog and you pay more for product than you do "name" for his full custom folders that are around 550-750 bucks. Randy also likes people and will talk to you on the phone and he still takes orders and can get you your dream knife the way you want in a few months instead of a year PLUS like other custom makers if you can't find anything. I got this knife today and it is perfect for me with a 3 3/4 inch blade and a smooth flipper that kicks ass. http://web.mac.com/lacigars/Three_Little_Indians_Custom_Knives/Randy_Doucette.html#44

So I would call Lawrence at 917-577-1472 tell him DHaines sent you ;)

I do not endorse this site or anything and other makers to ask about and look for are
RJ Martin
Les Vorhees
David Mosier

Hope this was helpfull any questions feel free to e-mail me back.
 
dhaines said:
Ok first of all you are not alone... You are in luck that most custom knives are made very well...however finding them is a royal pain in the ass and most places are subpar and usually out of stock. The best website I found was http://www.threelittleindianscustomknives.com/ they have just about every major knifemaker out there in your price range.

As for knife makers a lot of the famous "old Dogs" do not take orders any longer and if you find one can cost thousands...However in my humble experience I found talking to a really good knife store owner like Lawrence Amoroso can help you as he helped me because I had a lot of questions about flippers...you like thumb studs so you have different parameters as I do. There are 3 types of knives...production which are mass produced and have many compromises, mid tech knives that have common parts sharing and things subcontracted like knife grinds or scales, heat treating or hardware like screws and finally full custom knives that are made by 1 guy. Full custom and mid tech have the best quality but a mid tech knife won't have the same fit and finish as a full custom.

My favorite knifemaker is Randy Deucette http://web.mac.com/lacigars/Three_Little_Indians_Custom_Knives/Randy_Doucette.html

Randy is in Canada so the dollar favors us in the USA and he is relatively humble and has been making knives about 10 years and uses higher quality S30V where other guys use a cheaper CPM154. He is not an old dog and you pay more for product than you do "name" for his full custom folders that are around 550-750 bucks. Randy also likes people and will talk to you on the phone and he still takes orders and can get you your dream knife the way you want in a few months instead of a year PLUS like other custom makers if you can't find anything. I got this knife today and it is perfect for me with a 3 3/4 inch blade and a smooth flipper that kicks ass. http://web.mac.com/lacigars/Three_Little_Indians_Custom_Knives/Randy_Doucette.html#44

So I would call Lawrence at 917-577-1472 tell him DHaines sent you ;)

I do not endorse this site or anything and other makers to ask about and look for are
RJ Martin
Les Vorhees
David Mosier

Hope this was helpfull any questions feel free to e-mail me back.
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I did take a quick look at some of his work and yes it looks awesome. It's a bit on the pricey side for me though. Maybe if I find it on the secondary market. I'll definitely pick one up. Thanks for the info.
 
No Problem ... it is worth every penny though .. keep in mind these are not mid-tech's but full custom peaces. So that will add value...plus you can always call Randy and see if he could make one for you in your budget range as well. His waiting list is only a few months.
 
dhaines said:
No Problem ... it is worth every penny though .. keep in mind these are not mid-tech's but full custom peaces. So that will add value...plus you can always call Randy and see if he could make one for you in your budget range as well. His waiting list is only a few months.
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I just might. Just wouldn't want him to laugh at my budget:D. If I do call, I'll make sure I tell him you sent me.:thumbup:
 
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