Who makes your favorite folders?

N

njacob

Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Messages
17
Hi all,

Thanks to everyone who replied to me earler question about Kit Carson folders. As I said earlier, the world of folders is new for me so I just wanted to get your opinions on some of those makers who are considered all-time greats at making folders. Who are the great names to folders as for instance Loveless, Moran, Fisk, (among many others) are to fixed blades? Onion, Mayo, Boguszewski?

Thanks
 
Like fixed blades it depends a lot on what you like.
My take:

Tactical: Carson, Emerson and Strider and of course, Tom Mayo
Assisted opening/flippers: Bogie, Onion and a few new guys that I'm not that familiar with.
Fancy Gents: Pease, Sawby, Osborne, Kious, Ankrom
Slippies: The Bose guys, Ruple, Shadley & Chamblain
Investment Quality: Lake, Walker, Steinau and a very few others.

John Smith can make just about any kind of folder. He does terrific user grade all the way to being in the AKI. Jess Horn is basically retired and you'll need to get his off the secondary market.

Win
 
Having purchased many off the forums by various makers, I would not put one above the others, all of the custom folders I have received have great fit and finish, styles that I like. So I am not going to insult any of them by saying I prefer one over the other. I like them all. If it is sharp and pointy, I am happy.:D:D:D
 
Al the custom knives that I have are fantastic!! I have knives by Rick Hinderer, Matt Cucchiara, Kevin Wilkins, Jens Anso, Charles May, Tom Krein, Tom Mayo, Peter Atwood, Brad Duncan, DDR, and Patrick Nihiser. All of which are incredible knives!!
 
I think that Win did well with his list by making categories for types of folders.

For me, it's makers who have been the pioneers of the art knife and "New England" style of folder.

Bill McHenry
Jason Williams
Bill Saindon
George Dailey
Jim Schmidt
J.D. Smith
Barry Davis
Richard Wright
Wolfgang Loerchner
John Busfield
 
Shane Taylor makes some interesting knives to look at.

I saw a beautiful random pattern damascus knife recently that had sea turtle scale on the handle and intricate filework , but I can't remember who made it.
 
There are different names for different classes of knives, but my favorite is my Onion, Chew, Elishwitz, Matt Cucchiara, DDR, and RJ Martin. I carry all these knives and there all different in ways. RJ puts a crazy edge on his knives and there tanks and easy to sharpen. Onions knives are flawless and are smooth and cut very well. DDR also make his knives scary sharp and very light. I've used my DDR for many things from skinning snakes to cutting tomatos. There all good makers. I can trust all there knives not to fail on me when i need them.
 
There are actually quite a few really superior makers. I can't comment on those I haven't handled, so my list is limited. I look for flawless lock mechanisms, superior fit and finish, precise blade grinds,and appealing overall design and consistency.

Of the ones I know well, I would single out:

Boguszewski
Sawby
Carson
Mayo
Shadley

Grant Hawk deserves a mention due to sheer innovation, although I find his designs hit or miss in the appearance department.
 
I'm sure most members will agree, that once you settle on the top 10% or so, you are down to splitting hairs. Picking from there is usually based on a style preference, or just cosmetics..

For me: Steve Hoel, Ron Lake, Tim Herman, J.W. Smith, Gray Taylor, Scott Sawby and Michael Walker..

There are so many others I admire, but I haven't had the pleasure of looking at their work up close. Two folder makers who I really think will be thought of as "greats" down the road a bit are Stan Wilson and Kelly Carlson. Their work is outstanding, and for the time being is still affordable to most of us "non-trustfund" types... :D

Best, Rich
 
Well, there are a lot of top quality makers whose work I like. As Rich said above, you're going to get into fine degrees of distinction and personal preference.

I'll answer it this way - these are some makers whose folders I set my sights on owning someday. Dream knives, if you will.

Kit Carson
Warren Osborne
Owen Wood
Tony Bose
Michael Walker
Frank Centofante
Phil Boguszewski

By no means a complete list, but they're certainly among my top choices.
 
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