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Where are Custom Handmade knives headed in 2016...? 2017

Hankins

Hankins

Joined
Dec 7, 2008
Messages
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Where are Custom Handmade knives headed in 2016 2017
We know that Custom knives like custom cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs etc set the Mfg trends .... They are always trying to keep up:D
What do you see as the hottest style or type of blade on the horizon?
 
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2016 is the year of the big steel!
 
One can only hope that there will be more titanium framelocks with acid stonewashed blades.
 
I'd like to see the return of the smaller fixed blade, in many configurations.
rolf
 
Samuel Lurquin's Huraks came on strong in that direction, as well as other makers.

Still don't know if we're talking about fixed or folders, forged or stock removal in this thread. :D

Doug
 
i think we are going to see...

- more well done high end knives

- more competition and lower prices on the medium to low end


Trends Towards -

- lighter knives

- easy to carry knives

- slicey knives

- more quality knives available



I also feel we will slowly see less completely traditional work and more high labor new school work. There are a lot of framelock makers and small tool makers... I think we will see some people get really good and some fade away.

I'm also seeing the younger, newer school collectors getting heavily into knives like slipjoints. I think like myself they like the clean, simple, older handmade look and ease of carry. There is a niche to be filled with newer designs and materials but I think people really want to see more detail going into the knives along with a more organic and less of a midtech feel.
 
I would like to see less recurved blades...and as already mentioned, more small fixed knives in all different shapes.
 
Continuing with what is currently as hot a commodity as can be: The machined or CNC enhanced folder.

Folders are simply better suited to the urban market and the masses.

More and more makers are utilizing this medium, and once you create a smart design, you can replicate them to serve the market. Small tweeks still make them individualized and 'Custom'.

So, in a nutshell, more efficient output as 'makers' learn to become production teams.

Like it or don't.

Coop
 
One can never predict what this business is going to do (or at least I have never been able to). At this point I am planning on building more Damascus fixed blades between 4-6". I will always do a lot of Bowies but smaller knives were very popular last year and I plan on giving them more of my time then in years past. Most of my smaller knives in years past were fairly plain hunters where I look to make an occasional higher end small knife this year.

I think that this year we will probably see fewer ivory handled knives. Not because of restrictions but for fear of them. I think that some buyers are going to be a little hesitant about buying ivory because of what has occurred over the last year. I look for an increase in the use of exotic woods, burls & stag on all price levels of knives. We may see more of these knives enhanced with inlets or engravings.

These are just a couple ideas and I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's viewpoints as well.

Gary
 
I believe we will continue to see a lot of contemporary CNC/Machine enhanced Folders as Coop mentioned

I believe we will still be seeing the massively overbuilt ones but I also believe a return to more practical designs and sizes will take the lead

I believe that we will see a larger interest in smaller fixed blades with an emphasis on EDC

Of course the big pieces will always have a following but an upcoming buying public seems to like the smaller pieces and what we deemed the mid size pieces will have a large following

This next statement saddens me but it has to be said....... With the attack on ivory I do believe we will not be seeing near as much of it and alas it's days could be over.

there will be a larger push towards using woods as the predominate premier handle material. Although I love stag pieces they are at a premium and again a younger buying public does not seem attracted to it

We will see a rise in synthetic handle materials again because a new audience wants it
 
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I'm thinkin more large, recurved blades made one at a time...old school.

At least at my place.

Tad
 
I have a very positive view for custom knives in general over the next 2-3 years driven by a good economy with an increase in higher end buyers for many styles of custom knives.

Hot:

EDCs 7.5" OAL and below- we have seen the popularity of these increase and I feel this is only the start.

Damascus- especially new patterns and processes as makers look for ways to distinguish their designs from the pack.

Higher End Tactical Folders- I look for the these folders to remain in favor especially with the younger buyers.

Stag - I look for high quality stag (especially amber) to continue it's popularity and even gaining such as a result of decreased ivory use.

Larger, Higher End Art/Collectable/Investment grade knives - driven by a favorable economy.

Unique and Exotic Wood Handles- Beautiful rare and exotic woods and unique salvaged woods (including historically significant examples) will gain in popularity (especially for higher end knives) as makers and collectors look for options for replacing their previous use of ivory.

Pre-Death Bob Loveless Knives.

Not, So Hot:

Elephant Ivory - is on the way out for good.

Mammoth/Walrus Ivory- Just too much negative press for most knifemakers to invest in inventory. I do feel these ivories will make a comeback down the road when they are better understood by the non-knife buying public. Personally, I'm not going to stop buying knives with Mammoth and Walrus.

Loveless 'Style' Knives- I believe the demand for this style knife may slow a bit from the increased popularity we've seen in recent years.

Old-School Forged knife designs - The desire for forged knives with old fluted disc guards and straight life-less handles will continue to decline. The jazzy and innovative forged designs with contoured/sculptured handles, engraving and new-school Damascus patterns that quite a few makers are creating now will continue in favor, especially with higher end collectors.
 
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Daniel Fairly Knives said:
more detail going into the knives along with a more organic and less of a midtech feel.
Click to expand...

I hope it's this. While the market will certainly keep supporting the hot CNC'd stuff, I hope that there's a counter-current of higher quality "organic" styled knives. Earthy, useful, maybe traditional or maybe not, but clean and well done. At home in a collector's safe, or cutting up a deer.

But if I could predict the future, I'd buy lottery tickets, not make knives.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I have a very positive view for custom knives in general over the next 2-3 years driven by a good economy with an increase in higher end buyers for many styles of custom knives.

Hot:

EDCs 7.5" OAL and below- we have seen the popularity of these increase and I feel this is only the start.

Damascus- especially new patterns and processes as makers look for ways to distinguish their designs from the pack.

Higher End Tactical Folders- I look for the these folders to remain in favor especially with the younger buyers.

Stag - I look for high quality stag (especially amber) to continue it's popularity and even gaining such as a result of decreased ivory use.

Larger, Higher End Art/Collectable/Investment grade knives - driven by a favorable economy.

Unique and Exotic Wood Handles- Beautiful rare and exotic woods and unique salvaged woods (including historically significant examples) will gain in popularity (especially for higher end knives) as makers and collectors look for options for replacing their previous use of ivory.

Pre-Death Bob Loveless Knives.

Not, So Hot:

Elephant Ivory - is on the way out for good.

Mammoth/Walrus Ivory- Just too much negative press for most knifemakers to invest in inventory. I do feel these ivories will make a comeback down the road when they are better understood by the non-knife buying public. Personally, I'm not going to stop buying knives with Mammoth and Walrus.

Loveless 'Style' Knives- I believe the demand for this style knife may slow a bit from the increased popularity we've seen in recent years.

Old-School Forged knife designs - The desire for forged knives with old fluted disc guards and straight life-less handles will continue to decline. The jazzy and innovative forged designs with contoured/sculptured handles, engraving and new-school Damascus patterns that quite a few makers are creating now will continue in favor, especially with higher end collectors.
Click to expand...

I too believe Damascus will be gaining in popularity as well as the laminated pieces of work

I do believe there will be a large push in many areas of the knife world utilizing Damascus

This is long over do and I welcome it
 
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