Who is Your personal favorite custom knife maker?

[NJBillK]

I only have direct experience with two custom knife makers, in the context of having a knife made for me. Both of the Craftsmen have shown an incredible amount of honesty, helpfulness, and the ability to do what they can to make the knife "I" wanted.
My two (fantastic) experiences have been with John of JK Knives and Milan Mozolic.

What I would like to know is, Who is your preferential custom knife maker and if you can't choose one, who are your top few?
And, who are you looking forward to getting a piece made by?

I am looking forward to getting something from Nighthaxan/Suwanee knife, Big Chris and something from Backwoods Customs.
edit: Nathan the Machinist too.

 

[LonnyRS]

My one and only experience with a custom maker was Dave Curtiss. I got an F3 medium from him over a year ago. I wanted a radiused spine, similar to a Sebenza. He made it quite nicely. I ended up selling it a couple months down the road to buy a 0777. As far as I know, it's the only one out there (that I've seen). I highly recommend Dave if you're into his knives..

 

[KBA]

Bret Dowell

I look forward to when my name is called next on his list.

 

[KingMC]

I now have 3 custom fixed blades, all of them are fantastic knives, my favorite experience was with Konrad Sadowski when I bought a Sadowski Knives Sphinx. A fantastic knife for a very low price, I'd recommend him to anybody looking for a good user knife.

 

[asdf12345]

The best communication and customer service I have ever had from any knifemaker or knife service provider was with Richard Rogers. Looking forward to when my name comes up on his list.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Jim Dunlap recently made me a couple knives. He is great to work with and communication was great. He is the first maker I've dealt with first hand though. I've been talking to a few others and have some stuff in progress with Andrè Thorburn, but Jim's communication and turn around time was excellent. Both André and Jim both offer outstanding work for very reasonable prices.

Both are my favorite makers, however I really love what Stan Wilson does. One day I will save up and treat myself to his work, he is on another league of knife making though. My entire collection probably adds up to one or two of Stans pieces.

Jim's work

André's work

And both in harmony together

 

[thales2015]

I find myself moving away from production pieces and more into customs - one, because it's fun to help support or patronize quality makers, and two, because the process of working with a maker to produce a knife you're happy with is very satisfying and inscribes the piece with greater meaning and "value". Two makers I've been especially impressed with, both in terms of kindness and craftsmanship, are MS Bruce Bump and Andre Thorburn. The pic below represents their work nicely:



I look forward to working with other makers in the future...

 

[1AbominAble1]

Jakub at Poltergeist Works.
He made what is probably the most perfect folder I've ever seen for me and was a pleasure to deal with.
Sure wish I would've kept that one, it was just too nice to use.

 

[Brules1]

Jim Downs (Ohio)- great guy, has been making knives since the early 80's.
Very easy going guy, easy to work with and top quality workmanship.

 

[The_KaramVit]

Robert Dark: He's a real classy guy. What i love most are his simple designs that just do work. I don't like having a knife that's just the next fad in the community. I'm about to get my second knife from him. The first is nothing short of awesome.

I'm real anxious to one day try a Big Chris or a Bradshaw piece. Those two are on my radar and i'm constantly watching, waiting for the right one for me to pop up Then there's Phil Wilson which is more of just an after-thought because it's near impossible to get my hands on one.

 

[kda89508]

Alan Davis and Andrew Demko. Alan will make it just the way you want it. It is hard to beat that!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Doug C]

I'm into forged A.B.S. Bowies.
For me it's an unbreakable tie between Nick Wheeler and Jason Knight.
Here's the Paranee/Wheeler Fighting Bowie dressed by Paul Long.

My Paranee/Knight Founders Combat Bowie is at Paul's getting a new suit
now and will post when it arrives.

Doug

 

[NJBillK]

Please do!
The bowie isn't my preferential design but that is a Great looking knife!

 

[Doug C]

Will do, Bill, and Thanks. :thumbup:

Doug

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a number of custom knives and they all or most were purchased at shows. Never had one made special for me by a custom maker. I'd like to, but frankly at this point, I doubt I'll do that and pick up customs as I find them. I am generally content with nice factory made knives.

 

[155440]

I really like Dan Graves's work.
Here's a picture of a hunter he did for me.

Here's a picture of a fantastic knife he made recently.

All of his work seems to be extremely under priced for the finished product.

 

[Magnum1]

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I really like William Collins.

 

[Gizler00]

Alan Davis!! Ill try and get a pic up of the one and only that I have.

 

[Salo]

Honestly I haven't had good luck with any of them. I've gotten on makers books then never hear back even after I inquire 6-8 months down the road. Maybe I'm not throwing enough cash around.

 

[Captain O]

Paul Panak. (Burn) a true artist.

Captain O