who makes the best custom folders? Regardless of price.

I'd have to second what bladezealot said. Mayo does it for me. Many great makers out there but my TNT is always in my pocket. Some day I hope to get a left hand Onion. Hey 'zealot, let's hook up at blade show west!:cool: :D ;) :eek:
 
One name that is often left out of these lists is Roger Dole.

I have one of his folders - and it is the smoothest I ever felt.

Carson being mentioned often as the king of smoothness - well - being the proud owner of a Large model 18 (YES!!) I can now compare and my conclusion remains: Roger Dole has the smoothest action I ever felt.

DDR, Carson, Reif, Elishewitz, Crawford, Terzoula included. (all great makers just the same)

Now I am waiting for my first TNT...I might change my mind...
 
I have not handled enough custom folders to comment on who's the best. But I do LOVE my Darrel Ralph 4" D2 dagger bladed mini Mad Maxx!

Retro, yet futuristic; sort of reminds me of a post-apocalyptic Julius Ceasar blade (et tu, bruti? ... "nice folder", says he, as he slowly crumples to the ground!)

ROCK SOLID lockup that gets even better during a hard grip of the handle. SUPER FAST deployment, DOUBLE GUARDS -- I mean, what the hell else do you want? --- well, maybe another Darrel Ralph design, if and when he comes up with one.

But, hey, November is coming! Guild Show coming to the Big Apple in early November! Mark your calendars, kids!
 
When I decided to go custom to get the features I wanted in a carry knife, I checked out every maker I could find on the internet. After checking out dozens and dozens of makers and their knives, I went to Darrel Ralph.
If I wanted a full-blown custom art knife for looks and show, I'd go to, um, let's see....Darrel Ralph.
 
I'd agree with most of the above choices, some I haven't handled or owned so I can't say. To the list I would add:

Greg Lightfoot - Maybe the best tactical maker? Incredible designs by a user for users, beautiful build, tough as nails, a great guy who will stand behind everything that bears his name.

Howard Viele - very smooth, unique, uncommon, artistic & tactical at once

Jason Jacks - a truly fine up & coming maker with unique designs & top build quality

Derek Munroe - slim, light, tough & comfortable knives with unique designs

A custom knife, a piece of art on the table, a tool in the hand & the sharpest friend in times of need!:)
 
What are people's opinion of John W. Smith's knives?

I could not pass up one of his on Tadgear on both looks and features.
 
Perhaps one of the most under-rated and least known, from the consumer perception, but not from fellow knifemaker's perception, is Bob Lum. His actions are amazing, and they're solid good users.
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Tony - you are absolutely correct.

Bob Lum is one of the greatest makers - the only reason I neglected to mention him was I have only one of his FB...which is - IMHO - the best balanced FB I ever owned or held...something magical in that feeling...
 
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