who makes the best custom folders? Regardless of price.

Uhm, oww.
Can you say... REALLY debateable question?

Makers I like that I think make top quality stuff: Tom Mayo, Darrel Ralph, Kit Carson, Dale Reif, Ken Onion, the Crawfords, Allen Elishewitz (some of his stuff), Blackwood.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, all my custom knife-making friends please forgive me if I forgot you :)

Btw, I feel obligated to mention that for fixed blades, Bob Dozier, Mike Cooper, and Rob Simonich are top dawgs :)
 
I definately agree with Kit Carson. I have owned a Darrel Ralph, and he is also tough to beat. Kit's son-in-law, Mike Obenauf, is an amazing young prodigy that Kit will openly tell you is going to pass him in quality in the future. One name I haven't seen on here that most definately deserves consideration is JW Smith. His knives are top notch and super smooth. You can't go wrong with JW. I also got an Alan Foltz in the mail today, and Alan is doing great work. Definately worth looking at.

Of course, these are just some knives I have owned, I don't descredit any maker I haven't mentioned. This is just my personal experience.

JR
 
The best maker in my opinion is Mike Snody. The only problem is availability. Heck, Keith and I are two of his biggest fans, isn't that right old chap? Ha! :D
 
Most of you seem to be leaning towards the tactical side of custom knives. I lean the other way, towards the less tactical, more artistic types like Charlie Dake, Jerry Corbit, Jeff Harkins, Mel Pardue, Johan Gustaffson, Jim Minnick, Pease, Tighe, Chew, McLurkin, Zscherney, Aaron Frederick, Centofante, Schwartzer to name a few.
 
well, FWIW, my 3 fav folders are as follows:

1) pat crawford kasper titanium folder, and excellent knife, not too high $$, fits my hand GREAT, and pat stands behind his work 110%, a perfigo looks good also, both run about $400 for std mods

2) darrel ralph maxx series - great knives, well made/well finished, i have a mini maxx spearpoint talonite blade w/CF handles, my fav custom for sure, not very cheap thoough lol, i would say $600+

3) terzuola ATFK (i think, might have it wrong....) an excellent knife from an excellent maker - they run about $500 or so for the std mod

my fav folder is a emerson SOCFK, the absolute tops in factory tacticals imho, i love mine, a green G10 w/black tanto blade, i think its really well made/finished, waved,fits my hand well, price is right ($139.95), what more can ya ask for??

any of them is a good choice imho

greg
 
I have to say I like Mr.Blackwood's folder, the skirmish. Im not to keen on the TNT design (Dont kill me guys!) , however an excelent knife and I hear one of the best around. However...I love Neil's HUGE folder with a unique sorta archaic look to it. Happy hunting! Hope you find something!
 
Fireshaker,

I really appreciate the mention!! I'm in the very early stages of my folder making career. Making the transition from fixed blades has been a challenge to say the least. After the first 100 or so, I should have my process down to a science :)

I would like to mention Richard Rodgers. I cannot get over his range of diversity and attention to detail. Anyone that has seen his work recently at Blade or the Guild Show will know what I mean.


Neil
 
Neil,
Its no sweat off my brow! Im still in love with your Skirmish, however the waiting list is long and my funds are low, but one day I vow to have one in my pocket!
 
John W Smith makes the smoothest folders of any that I own.

Earnest Emerson makes some of the most rugged folders that I own.

Regards,

Ed
 
Snody or Sitton.

ci-21-dam.jpg
 
TOM MAYO...bar none.

Now That's MY opinion. Everyone has different opinions, and that's fine by me. There are alot of Damn fine makers out there. I have found mine.:cool: :) :cool:
 
Best maker?

I've never held a Mayo so I can't comment. Snody is in the same boat. But out of all the custom knives I've owned or held, the best I've encountered are Tom Anderson's.

I base this on

1 Design
2 Build quality
3 Value

His stuff beats a lot of the "legends" stuff hands down.
 
Guys, I created a picture gallery of nothing but high-end folding customs. Some of the damascus has to be seen to be believed, even then, I don't believe it! Im not selling them, i dont even own them (except for the first 3, which, again, are NOT for sale,) but theyre nice to look at and drool over. Check them out at:

http://www.thefossilgallery.com/Knives.htm

LMK what you think!
 
Who makes the best custom folder? Sorry, I don't have the answer for that one. Too darn many great custom folder makers out there and besides that, I haven't used them all.
 
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