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Who is the fundamentally finest custom maker today? [crosspost]

M

MTeague

Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
32
A difficult question, I know. But that 'fundamentally' has a purpose.

It's meant to eliminate the question of embellishment; I'm sure there many fine custom makers who can layer on gold filigree and emeralds and so forth. Things of beauty.

I use knives hard; probably harder than is fair. I've also got a technically challenging element — a certain lock — that I'd like to commission. So what I'm looking for is the very best maker of knives as functional objects.

As an indicator, I had in mind Ray Laconico, but I have recently found out that he is, unfortunately, not accepting custom orders.

So!

Yes, I know this is deeply subjective and I'm sure flat unanswerable for some. But still:

Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance — I'm eager for any advice.
 
Well, you have answered your own question which is not what you want to know at all. Perhaps Bob Dozier could help you. Frank
 
Bruce Bump is pretty good. ;). Actually he is a spectacular knife maker. Look him up.

I have viewed a few of his wips on a different forum that involved Damascus and I was totally blown away at the process and the finished product. He is a super nice guy as well.
 
Many would say Todd Rexford, but I would say Scott Cook. This is purely based on F&F and aesthetics. Michael Raymond is way up there for the same reason. Oh, and Stan Wilson may be the best of them all.
 
The only real way this question could be answered is through engineering analysis and scientific testing, and even then you would have do divide into knife and usage subgroups. To be honest, it would probably take several lifetimes to even start to answer.

In some ways, embellishment is meant to show the maker/artist's precision and skill, although it does not mean makers of unembellished knives are not also as skilled.

All skilled makers probably float within 10-20 percent of achieving the maximum expected performance out of their materials. The craft is fairly well established so what really determines a knife's performance is style of construction and materials used.
 
PT and Locutus, thanks for the names. Some I know — Cook, in particular — but some are new to me.

Ian, yes. All good points. What makes the difference here, I think, is a combination of things: skill + aesthetic, as you've described, but also availability + willingness to do truly custom work. It seems like many custom makers, once they arrive at a certain level of skill and renown, do batches of blades, or variations on two or three models.

All of which makes perfect sense, economically.
 
I think that your custom lock will gets some interesting responses from the makers you contact. Keep us posted for sure, even if it's a year from now.
 
MTeague said:
PT and Locutus, thanks for the names. Some I know — Cook, in particular — but some are new to me.

Ian, yes. All good points. What makes the difference here, I think, is a combination of things: skill + aesthetic, as you've described, but also availability + willingness to do truly custom work. It seems like many custom makers, once they arrive at a certain level of skill and renown, do batches of blades, or variations on two or three models.

All of which makes perfect sense, economically.
Click to expand...

They wouldn't be custom makers if they didn't do custom work since custom specifically means made to order. I believe the answer to your question is actually simple though..any of the professional knifemakers should meet your needs. From the way I see it, in order for somebody to be a full time maker they have to be at the top of their game..otherwise, their income wouldn't be sufficient for full time.

Of course there's a trade off with that as well, as they tend to have long waiting lists.
 
I'm going to move this to the general Knife Discussion, where it will get more input.
 
LF — yes, I agree. Know anyone who fits that bill?

Bladsmth — thanks. Fingers crossed.
 
Kirby Lambert has to be considered in the mix. His knives are flawless, nice design, built for use. Great fit and finish
 
What lock do you want? Your best bet is to find a maker who already makes that lock.

There are VERY few people out there who will make you a true, one-off design with a lock they are unfamiliar with.

Alan Folts, MAYBE. Tobin Smith, MAYBE.

Good luck and I hope you have some seriously deep pockets.

The answer to the question in the thread title is John W. Smith as far as I'm concerned.
 
Hi, Outdoors -- thanks. I don't seem to have received it, unfortunately. Mind trying again?
 
This is a very subjective question.

For example, I have never held many of the American Custom knives, only a small handful, so I cant speak for those that I have not held such as a Shane Sibert, Tom Mayo, Bob Dozier, then again, not many have had opportunity to hold a French, South African, Australian, Spanish custom so many cant comment on those.

Also, some makers one can build a personal relationship with and would like to support them, that is also a subjective thing.

(Just read you mentioned it is subjective miss read that the first time)


My advice:
- Is there a maker close to you that can do it? Having a maker close by helps a lot if you are working on a new concept and there are tweaks that need to be addressed.
 
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