Who can custom make/mod me my dream knife?

[Noctis3880]

This is the gist of what I'm looking for:
-Flipper
-IKBS
-3.5-3.75" blade length
-Thumb studs as blade stops.
-Finger grooves to provide grip with smooth scales.
-Titanium framelock, stonewashed.
-Drop point blade, high hollow grind, high flat grind, or FFG.
-Jimping on spine and/or handle.
-Smooth carbon fiber front scale.
-"Premium" stainless steel(M390, Vanax, S90V, S110V, S125V or similar).
-Less than $1200 to be completely arbitrary.

I've found my XM-18 to be pretty close to the mark, and I'm wondering if someone couldn't simply fabricate a copy of the blade with a different steel(and different grind), strengthen the detent, and add IKBS to it.

...Or should I just abandon this exercise in futility and wait for the Kershaw Tilt? I'm thinking such a task would require a CNC mill in order to match the tolerances, and I don't think those come cheap.

 

[Ankerson]

Email STR and or Andrew Demko and see if they can help you.

 

[aznpos531]

This is the gist of what I'm looking for:
-Flipper
-IKBS
-3.5-3.75" blade length
-Thumb studs as blade stops.
-Finger grooves to provide grip with smooth scales.
-Titanium framelock, stonewashed.
-Drop point blade, high hollow grind, high flat grind, or FFG.
-Jimping on spine and/or handle.
-Smooth carbon fiber front scale.
-"Premium" stainless steel(M390, Vanax, S90V, S110V, S125V or similar).
-Less than $1200 to be completely arbitrary.

I've found my XM-18 to be pretty close to the mark, and I'm wondering if someone couldn't simply fabricate a copy of the blade with a different steel(and different grind), strengthen the detent, and add IKBS to it.

...Or should I just abandon this exercise in futility and wait for the Kershaw Tilt? I'm thinking such a task would require a CNC mill in order to match the tolerances, and I don't think those come cheap.

haha As I was going down the list XM-18 was what came to mind

 

[Noctis3880]

I can't really criticize the XM-18, as I suspect what it was designed for and what I'm using it for are two very different things. It's just that it doesn't work well as a flipper because the impression I get is that it is first and foremost a thumb stud opening knife, and the flipper was just thrown in due to overwhelming demand. There is also very little detent action whatsoever. I can quite literally open the knife with a flip of my wrist(which is mostly required to use the flipper on the knife anyways).

Actually I suspect most IKBS flippers are pretty close to what I want aside from the blade steel. Just not sure if IKBS thumb stud openers would float my boat as well, because I suspect I could be more easily satisfied if they were.

 

[TyFrameLock]

I know Jim Harrison works with IKBS, and he's a great guy to deal with, I'd shoot him an email and see if he can help.

 

[thegeek574]

Take a look at the gaylean pro turbulence. it has a lot of what you are looking for with enough room in your budget to make modifications.

 

[RevDevil]

Contact Brad Southard and see if he can regring your XM-18. Brad S. does some of the most amazing work I've ever seen. He is up there with the best of them no doubt.

 

[Noctis3880]

Take a look at the gaylean pro turbulence. it has a lot of what you are looking for with enough room in your budget to make modifications.

I actually have that one, though the skull and crossbones pattern makes it harsh on the hand and eats up my pockets. Plus the handles don't feel big enough.

 

[kda89508]

Email STR and or Andrew Demko and see if they can help you.

I will second this! I think one of those guys would be your best chance. GOOD LUCK! Kevin

 

[ktomes_340]

Check out SDS Knifeworks. My buddy Shawn may be able to hook you up.

 

[M1_Fan]

1I can't really criticize the XM-18... 2It's just that it doesn't work well as a flipper ... first and foremost a thumb stud opening knife, and the flipper was just thrown in due to overwhelming demand. 3There is also very little detent action whatsoever. I can quite literally open the knife with a flip of my wrist(2which is mostly required to use the flipper on the knife anyways).

I know I'm a newbie here, but:
1): saying it doesn't work well as a flipper IS criticizing,
2): it opens VERY easily with just the flipper and NO wrist action IF adjusted properly (search you-tube for videos by Rico801),
3): True, but both of mine at any rate take a fairly violent shake to open that way - they have NEVER opened inadvertently on me.

wondering if someone couldn't simply fabricate a copy of the blade with a different steel(and different grind)

Isn't that a bit like stealing intellectual property? Plagiarism in steel to put it another way? Hopefully no honorable bladesmith would stoop to this.


Sorry if any of this is out-of-line.

I'm a "semi" regular on USN, but have been lurking around here for awhile as there are more threads on sharpening here and I've just recently gotten my grubby little paws on a wicked edge and absolutely LOVE it!

 

[Noctis3880]

I know I'm a newbie here, but:
1): saying it doesn't work well as a flipper IS criticizing,
2): it opens VERY easily with just the flipper and NO wrist action IF adjusted properly (search you-tube for videos by Rico801),
3): True, but both of mine at any rate take a fairly violent shake to open that way - they have NEVER opened inadvertently on me.

Here's a video of my XM-18 with the pivot loosened enough to flip easily(not enough to have significant blade play):
[youtube]6YwKDcEWvJg[/youtube]

Sorry about the quality, it's my first time uploading to youtube.

Frankly, such a loose detent is a safety concern and eliminates the possibility of tip up carry, which makes me wonder why Rick doesn't allow strengthening of the detent as part of his warranty. There's also the fact that it legally makes my knife a gravity knife and thus illegal. The only thing I can do about the detent issue is to tighten the pivot to the point where even using the thumbstuds to open the knife is a pain.

Isn't that a bit like stealing intellectual property? Plagiarism in steel to put it another way? Hopefully no honorable bladesmith would stoop to this.

I certainly hope not, or Reese Weiland is going to be in it deep for doing titanium blade swaps on Emerson knives. And would custom G10 scales for a knife be plagiarism of handle material because the custom G10 is the exact size and shape of the old one?

I would understand if someone started selling Spyderco Para2's in Elmax and sold it as their own original design, but some custom jobs simply aren't possible without copying and replacing parts.