Why buy factory knives?

[dawsonbob]

I'n not going to say that a custom will out-perform a production knife because it would depend on which two knives you are comparing.
For me a production knife lacks soul for want of a better phrase, when I receive a custom it always feels special to me, there has been input between myself and the maker and I enjoy giving them some feedback of their product in return.
With a custom knife if you have large hands and want the handle making 1/2" longer then that's what they do, if you want an extra fine edge because you know that food prep is high on your requirements, then that's what you will get.With a custom maker you are getting a product exactly as you want it, no compromise, and usually at a great price.
I actually feel sorry for many of the makers on here as I watch their knives on the for sale forum keep getting bumped back up with a lower price, sometimes I have to shake my head, a hand finished convexed edged knife, mirror finished with perfect maple scales going for about $80, c'mon how many production knives can compete with that ????

While I understand, and actually agree with, most of your points about customs, my point has been — and still is— that not everyone can afford to buy knives the way you are talking about. I live on $635 per month from Social Security. I had to save for two months to buy a Becker BK-2: tell me again about customs? Not all of us can afford to buy customs, no matter how nice they may be. I may agree with all your points about customs, but that's just fantasy for me and many others.

 

[pitdog]

While I understand, and actually agree with, most of your points about customs, my point has been — and still is— that not everyone can afford to buy knives the way you are talking about. I live on $635 per month from Social Security. I had to save for two months to buy a Becker BK-2: tell me again about customs? Not all of us can afford to buy customs, no matter how nice they may be. I may agree with all your points about customs, but that's just fantasy for me and many others.

I know what ya sayin buddy, I can't afford to buy knives at the rate that many do on here but if I can't afford the next custom that I want then I'll save up and wait till I can rather than buy a production because I can afford it right now.Obviously if ya need one asap because your going hunting or camping etc then fair enough I agree you have to do what ya have to do !
I've picked out my next custom and told the wife that I'll put any money I get for christmas together for that....she thinks I'm mad planning that much in advance !!!!!

When I picture myself sat next to the campfire though with a whisky at my side whittling on a piece of wood as the sun sets, what would I rather have in my hand, something like this.....

Or some mass produced, plastic handled, hollow ground production ?

Answer is I'm gonna save up !!!

 

[Snake Dr.]

While I understand, and actually agree with, most of your points about customs, my point has been — and still is— that not everyone can afford to buy knives the way you are talking about. I live on $635 per month from Social Security. I had to save for two months to buy a Becker BK-2: tell me again about customs? Not all of us can afford to buy customs, no matter how nice they may be. I may agree with all your points about customs, but that's just fantasy for me and many others.

I'm In the same Boat as you DawsonBob, But I get a Whole 680.00 a Month Social Security Disability, But I Wheel & Deal on the side, Plus I live Cheaply In my Brother's Basement, Otherwise I'b be living under a Bridge, Not Really I Lived on the Bank's of the Missouri River for three year's Rent Free and Loved It ! ! Hey Dawson Bob send me an E-Mail It's In my Signature,

 

[JFO]

A good knife is a good knife no matter who makes it

 

[dawsonbob]

I know what ya sayin buddy, I can't afford to buy knives at the rate that many do on here but if I can't afford the next custom that I want then I'll save up and wait till I can rather than buy a production because I can afford it right now.Obviously if ya need one asap because your going hunting or camping etc then fair enough I agree you have to do what ya have to do !
I've picked out my next custom and told the wife that I'll put any money I get for christmas together for that....she thinks I'm mad planning that much in advance !!!!!

When I picture myself sat next to the campfire though with a whisky at my side whittling on a piece of wood as the sun sets, what would I rather have in my hand, something like this.....

Or some mass produced, plastic handled, hollow ground production ?

Answer is I'm gonna save up !!!

That's beauty, pitdog. I'd really love to own one like that. The problem is, it won't serve me any better around the campfire than my BK-2 or Mora. The money I save by buying a Becker (a good, tough, sturdy knife, by the way) can be spent on a good saw or pack. It becomes a question of buying several things that I need for my upcoming (October) camping trip, or just buying a pretty knife that won't cut any better than my Becker. Love the knife you've shown, but it's just not in my world, and more's the pity.

 

[Aimless]

My dad had a jackknife they gave him at work shortly after he got back from World War II. I remember it had the name of the feed company on it. He farmed, tapped maple trees spent a ton of time with Scout troops and even did it after I was long gone from Scouts. That was the only knife he ever carried and I never remember thinking "Gee Dad would be having a lot easier time of it right now if he had a foot long bowie knife that cost as much as a car."

I like to look at the cool collections of 20 Busse knives that some guys have, and probably that's way less money than I have tied up in guns and ammo, but in the back of my head I still hear "$ 400! For a knife?! You bought a motorcycle for that in 1985 and put 30,000 miles on it!"

In the end a guy who knows how to use a knife and has an Old Hickory is going to defeat and unskilled and untrained opponent who has a Crusader Forge. If they are lost in the woods, someone with a lifetime in the woods is going to get out okay with chinese Leatherman knock off and a panicky suburbanite with a Strider is going to be in trouble

 

[plumberroy]

I completely agree with the thought, however I remember times in my life where there was just no money. I had 4 small children and I had to save up for a 60.00 knife. My "go to" knives were a buck 119 and a case xx pocket knife I paid 7.00 for in 1978. I have been blessed with a good education and a wonderful wife and I can indulge my inner knife fanatic in ways I only dreamed of a few years ago. For someone in this tough economic environment a 35.00 buck might be over the top. I have a friend who loves bushcraft and camping as much as I do and he has NO money for gear. His knife is a victorinox paring knife he bought for 2.00 and an old hickory butcher that we modded that he paid .25 cents for at a yard sale. the sheaths are homemade from leather he got from old purses. He is quite the frugal camper. I guess my point is that what may be an inexpensive custom to some may be totally out of reach for others. I try to remember this and keep in mind what the outdoors are really about...having fun, not going broke. While I believe we are in the golden age of cutlery, and that there are customs out there that are amazing knives at amazing prices, sometimes even affordable is out of reach....Jim

I wish a lot more people on the web got this point. More on the gun forum than here. some one gets on to ask about a inexpensive gun or knife , most of the time you can tell their young. and some (excuse my french) asshole born with a silver spoon stuck up their ass tells them it is a piece of crap and not worth having instead of trying to help them work with what they have. they get the it doesn't take that long to save to buy the $500 one when saving $30 for a knife or $60 for a used single shot took months
Roy

 

[dawsonbob]

I wish a lot more people on the web got this point. More on the gun forum than here. some one gets on to ask about a inexpensive gun or knife , most of the time you can tell their young. and some (excuse my french) asshole born with a silver spoon stuck up their ass tells them it is a piece of crap and not worth having instead of trying to help them work with what they have. they get the it doesn't take that long to save to buy the $500 one when saving $30 for a knife or $60 for a used single shot took months
Roy

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Any Cal.]

I disagree completely. Ive had blades in the 150.00 range from makers(Laconico, Fiddleback, Koster, etc...) that totally put to shame most production knives in the same range, and more expensive.

I actually was thinking of Laconico when I said that SOME makers can build what look to be excellent knives for reasonable prices. I have my own opinions of some makers, and am really not trying to single anyone out, not to say I have a problem with the others you mention.

I'n not going to say that a custom will out-perform a production knife because it would depend on which two knives you are comparing.
For me a production knife lacks soul for want of a better phrase, when I receive a custom it always feels special to me, there has been input between myself and the maker and I enjoy giving them some feedback of their product in return.
With a custom knife if you have large hands and want the handle making 1/2" longer then that's what they do, if you want an extra fine edge because you know that food prep is high on your requirements, then that's what you will get.With a custom maker you are getting a product exactly as you want it, no compromise, and usually at a great price.
I actually feel sorry for many of the makers on here as I watch their knives on the for sale forum keep getting bumped back up with a lower price, sometimes I have to shake my head, a hand finished convexed edged knife, mirror finished with perfect maple scales going for about $80, c'mon how many production knives can compete with that ????

I haven't seen an $80 knife that was worth $80 ever sit for more than a few hours on the sale forums. I have seen makers get an instant waiting list by putting up a well made $100ish knife. With the worsening economy, many products are coming down to their true value. Look at the pictures. Are there sanding scratches in the blade? Is the grind nice? The point rounded over? Is the filework or jimping even? How is the finish on the edges of the sheath? Does the stitching look professional, or amateurish? I don't know what knife you are looking at, just offering ideas.


My problem is lumping all the makers together under the term 'custom'. As above, there are some makers that can do an excellent custom knife for a very good price. There are also 'customs' that shouldn't have had a picture taken. I have no problem with the former, but the latter are what I was referring to in my last post, ie. Why would a person buy an $80 dollar custom when they could buy a $40 production knife with better heat treat, fit and finish, sheath, etc.

 

[udtjim]

I agree with the poster that says a good knife is a good knife no matter who makes it. I have a lot of custom knives, Many more than I need for sure but as I said, sometimes I pick up a knife in a store that just has that feel that I can't resist and when that happens, it's probably going home with me. My income is not high but I make certain things a priority and any extra money goes to that. It used to be guns, now it's knives.

 

[theonew]

A good knife is a good knife no matter who makes it

That's solid wisdom

For me most of the pleasure I derive from a good knife comes from using it. In the year and half that I've had my plain jane Aurora it has gone with me to the woods every time. By now to me its an old, trusty friend that brings a smile to my face every time I use it. I'm also intimately familiar with how it handles and performs.

 

[BarberFobic1992]

Ive owned and handled alot of customs and productions. ALOT.

For me, I know Ill probably be thrashed for saying this, but in the end, a knife is a knife. In comparable price ranges of course.

I have come to a place where I have sold off most of my blades, and now buy blades from my friends(makers).... I like the idea of having a knife I know my "friends" put soul into, and I also like to support their craft, as many of them count on it as a source of full time income. That in itself makes for a very personal experiance. As far as the wait times on customs, its all part of the bag baby. I dont mind a wait, im patient, and it gives me something to look forward to. If I break one, I know the maker will stand behind it, and I have enough blades from other friends(makers) to rotate in while its getting replaced.


To each his own, thats just my 2 cents.

I have pretty much the same thoughts


I don't really know if the purpose of the thread was to debate as much as it was just to show appreciation for out resident makers though.

 

[j williams]

I actually was thinking of Laconico when I said that SOME makers can build what look to be excellent knives for reasonable prices. I have my own opinions of some makers, and am really not trying to single anyone out, not to say I have a problem with the others you mention.

.

:thumbup:

I know what ya mean....

 

[Snake Dr.]

I save up for all of my Custom Knive's, And I've found two Knife Maker's to me that are Great/Master Maker's In my Book and I'm sticking with there Work, But In these Hard Time's there are Custom Knive's being Sold for as Low as 60.00 Buck's ! And a Whole Bunch for 100.00 and less, These are Great Deal's and these Knife makers are Selling Well Made Hand Made Knive's for Lower Price's becuz of our Bad Economy, Factory Knife Maker's are Struggling to stay In the Business, As you know Most these Day's are Made In China "And That Is Sad ! But some of them are Great Buy's I Hate to Support the Economy of a Comi-Country, But Our Government Sold Our Country out to China Many Year's Ago ! There the Sorry A%$# SOB"s Is the US GOVERNMENT ! I Love Cheap Knive's ! Cold Steel's are Great, I love my Bushman Bowie and a Few other's they make, I Love Mora's Great Knive's for the Price, If you can afford and get Lucky and find you a Good Knife Maker, That make's Knive's that you like It's just a Knife that to me Is Treasured and Cherished something that I dont take lightly Is The Time Involved In making a Hand Forged Knife or even a Good Stock Removal made Knife and the Love of what there Making and they Take Pride In there Work ! I'm a Knife-O-Holic ! I have over 100 Knive's and I still buy more, And Have more on Order, But I think there Is No Cure for my Disease !

 

[dawsonbob]

Snake Dr., the only cure for your affliction is to send all the nice knives to me for proper handling. That way you'll no longer be tempted by them, and I can test all those nice customs. On second thought, don't send them to me: since I haven't handled those nice customs, I don't know what I'm missing, so I'm not tempted to want more.

 

[Snake Dr.]

Snake Dr., the only cure for your affliction is to send all the nice knives to me for proper handling. That way you'll no longer be tempted by them, and I can test all those nice customs. On second thought, don't send them to me: since I haven't handled those nice customs, I don't know what I'm missing, so I'm not tempted to want more.

Hey Dawson Bob, I added In an above post to send me an E-Mail, I've got a few you might like, When you get time latter Shoot me an E-Mail :thumbup:

And I do Want to Clear this Up, Cuz I was Warned the other Day buy the Mod's about making Sale's type Deal's In The Wrong Forum Section, This Is Not an offer to Sale, I'm talking about giving a Gift "Not A Sale !

 

[theonew]

I would be more inclined to buy custom knives if there was more experimentation with exotic steels going on, which would be inefficient for factory production. For instance, I would love a neck knife made out of S90V or S110V :thumbup:

 

[dawsonbob]

Hey Dawson Bob, I added In an above post to send me an E-Mail, I've got a few you might like, When you get time latter Shoot me an E-Mail :thumbup:

And I do Want to Clear this Up, Cuz I was Warned the other Day buy the Mod's about making Sale's type Deal's In The Wrong Forum Section, This Is Not an offer to Sale, I'm talking about giving a Gift "Not A Sale !

Shot out. Email sent.

 

[Mack]

I have pretty much the same thoughts


I don't really know if the purpose of the thread was to debate as much as it was just to show appreciation for out resident makers though.

Some people are good at reading minds.:thumbup:
The purpose of the thread was to find out peoples opinions. To see how people decide what to buy. I think I've gotten a really good sample of opinions here and I thank you all for that.
The other thing is, since receiving a couple of customs and comparing them to my production knives, was to bring attention to the many makers we have here that are making knives for a reasonable price that we can have made exactly how we want it.
I have a hard time picking up my production knives. The customs(which are not expensive customs) seem to fit my hands and my style much better.
If you can find a knife at a similar price that is as beautiful as a Fiddleback ar a Bailey I would be very surprised. If you can find a similarly priced knife that makes you want to work it like you would a Koster, JK, Koyote or Gossman I would be shocked.
All of these are less expensive than a lot of production knives and these give you the option of customizing it to your style.
Just my $.02 and I'm in the same boat as many of you when it comes to finances.
By the way. I'm simply giving my opinion and I did ask for yours. I appreciate all the answers. I don't believe there is a right or wrong in this, there are a lot of opinions and every one has valid points.
Thanks everyone.:thumbup:
I know I only named a few makers. If I left your name off it was only because I didn't want a mile long post.




Now I have to go look at that Spyderco I've been wanting...

 

[IH8U]

This is a good topic. I'm kinda on the fence. My collection is about 33% production, 33% semi production and 33% custom.

For folders, I'm in the production boat only because of the cost of a custom folder. I really like my slipjoints and to find a custom made slippie like a vic farmer is dream land.

Fixed blades are a mixed batch. I consider my Bark Rivers and Dozier semi production and love them to death, the fit and finish is fantastic as well as the warranties. I also like their blade shapes and sizes, but they do cost a more than say a kabar and have a somewhat custom look to them. I do have custom fixed blades as well. One I had made from my design, it may not be as clean as a Barkie or Dozier, but its my design and was made with materials of my choosing and is very special to me.

I also make fixed blades, my pricing is low to reasonable. Yes, I have not made anything that is truly perfect, where a computer controlled machine can. What has appealed to customers is simply the fact that they get exactly the blade shape, thickness, handle materials, hardware, grind and sheath that they want. They have input into the overall design and processes, which makes them feel like they are helping make it. Knives can not be done by a factory without tooling costs, die costs, R&D, etc., but can be done by a custom maker as a one off without issue. Yes you may have to wait for a custom, but you would be waiting a lot longer for a factory to come out with your dream knife.