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

[The Mastiff]

For cutting edge high performance with high/very high performing powder steels where performance is valued over fancy artwork I'd have to say Phil Wilson. I'd put his knives up against any in the world when it comes to performance. He specializes in powder steels in the category often referred to here as "supersteels". There is good information about some of these steels on this website but he is not currently accepting orders last I heard. http://www.seamountknifeworks.com/

 

[spyderco lover]

I'd give a lot of kudos to mr dalibor

 

[KB3AUM]

Who has worked with 2 of the all-time greats aka PETER LAGANA and HARRY MCEVOY ??
BOBBY BRANTON is the best fundamentally IMHO.

 

[Stainz]

I'm not sure about a weird knifelock, but for a great example of a custom folder, you cannot beat Mel Pardue. My one example of his work is functionally stout, yet 'adorned' with Damascus steel, mammoth ivory, and gold to the point you may not want to carry it - a knife can be too pretty! Mr. Pardue is best known as Benchmade's senior designer. Just my humble opinion.

Stainz

 

[MTeague]

After a little looking around, I'm convinced that Tim Wright is about as good at the fundamentals -- maybe I should say the essence -- of knife making as anyone. And he's a philosopher, as well.

Unfortunately his work costs about a time and a half what I can justify. So the hunt continues.

Thank you, everyone, for your input so far.

 

[tidefan]

Neil Blackwood. His fit and finish and attention to detail is spectacular. He goes over every inch of every knife with a jewelers loop, does all his grinds freehand, makes all his pivot pins and blade stop pins in house, and wont send out a knife unless he feels it's flawless.

 

[Knuts]

Tom Mayo.

 

[shqxk]

Judge from secondary mark up price.

Burchtree, Rexford , Mayo, Cook, Direware

 

[treeshaker]

YES SIR !!! you are correct, problem a lot of haters think about him with benchmade, still the sickest BM ever made. A master at every angle, and not a dick.

Now listen my children and yeah shall hear, TIM BRITTON , ck out his site, unreal, trained by the best, will not rush, ats 34, other sexy hybirds, and you will never have any issue. He is the finest human you will ever meet, opens his shops and says watch.

Neil Blackwood. His fit and finish and attention to detail is spectacular. He goes over every inch of every knife with a jewelers loop, does all his grinds freehand, makes all his pivot pins and blade stop pins in house, and wont send out a knife unless he feels it's flawless.

 

[Ken44]

I've also got a technically challenging element — a certain lock — that I'd like to commission.

What type of lock ?
If the maker doesn't make that lock type now I doubt he will work with a lock he doesn't already use.

Way to many great makers out there to say who is the finest. Find the one's that makes a lock like you want and narrow it down from there. Good luck.

 

[cutter17]

John W. Smith, and not his art knives, but the edc's he builds. His knives have the best fit/finish I've ever seen in custom folders in the $500-$700 range.