Why did you buy a custom knife?

My one and only custom knife was made by my uncle Glen Hornby. I simply picked one that he brought to a family reunion 18 years ago. Only regret is that I did not buy more when I was older before he passed.

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About 95 times out of 100 I'm disappointed by quality, design, customer service, etc. when I get a production knife.
 
Character (to me a production knife has little to none), quality (some factory knives are high quality and some customs are not but with customs I get to choose which ones I want and there was pride in the manufacture of it), craftsmanship, pride of ownership, design features. All of these play a factor in why I buy custom or handmade knives.

To me it is like buying a painting that someone finished by hand instead of running down to Walmart and buying a preprinted poster out of a rack. They both achieve the same end goal, to be visually appealing. One just does it much better in my opinion.
 
I bought my first custom knife from Michael Saunders of La in 1983.

Later their were Integrals by Edmund Davidson, Folders by Greg Lightfoot,
Hunters by Wayne Hendrix, Jones Bros, Dusty Moulton, Ernest Emerson and many, many more,

I buy custom knives because I appreciate the elevated level of performance, personal refinements and individuality that only a custom knife built by a true artist can offer.

I also believe in Supporting the Artists/Knifemakers when ever I can, I do that by purchasing their knives.

To me its all about having something custom.

Something unique and unlike what everyone else has.

Life is short and I like nice toys.

There is just something special about a truly custom item.

It doesnt even have to be a knife, take my $575.00 Custom Titanium Flashlight for instance.

To me its not so much about the actual knife as it is the Artist behind the piece and how unique and well crafted the item is.

aredthorn.jpg
 
my interest in knives has only recently expanded to include customs. so far i have 6 : 2 Ray Rantanen and 1 each from: Todd Davison, Todd Orr, Gaeten Beauchamp and Rusty Preston.
Why ? well i like the strive for perfection that many makers exhibit and a well made custom knife seems to have a bit of a "personality" that speaks to me.
i think a well made production knife can do this as well, if it has been your "friend" for many years. also customs come well ground and sharp, so there is no re-profiling by an amateur (me). but basically it comes down to a sense of "connectedness". roland
 
I'm not disappointed in the quality of production knives, I know what I am getting, and I think that they provide excellent value. Of course, a good custom is, in my opinion, far better than even the best production knife, for any number of reasons, from fit and finish to just the way they feel in your hand. But I think that there is much value to be had in today's production knives.

What production knives do not provide is the level of craftsmanship found in a custom knife, and the knowledge that this knife was made by an individual. In many cases, it was made by an individual to my specifications, after considerable input for me. The maker had my wants and needs in mind when he made the knife. In return, I think of the maker when I use the knife, oil the knife, sharpen the knife, or even just look at the knife.

Since I pick knives by makers who are authentic craftsmen in the best sense of the word, as well as good people, there is a personal level in having and using that knife that is not present when using a production. A number of the makers of my knives have become friends. The friendships started because of the knives--and now the knives have added value to me because of the friendships.
 
I got into customs in 1997 when visiting a local gun shop with a knife section/dealer. I was buying a Boker speedlock and only knew of factory knives. The dealer showed me his carry knives (Bob Terzuola and Vallotton 'Chamelion' folders). I was amazed by the smooth feeling action and this was why I switched from regular folders to customs. He also showed me a collection of Bill McHenry folders and I had never seen anything like them.

At this point its not only smooth action and beauty but the way they feel in the hand. Factory knives just feel more jagged and most of them arent contoured the same way customs are.

One thing that bothers me about customs however, is that i've had four linerlocks that had lock failure. I havent with factory folders but I am still partial to well made quality customs.
 
For me it was because I can pick and choose what I like and how I like it. Sometimes production knives dont have what you are looking for. I also like the process between ordering, talking to the maker, making change's or adjustments and when you hold the knife you really feel the difference and there's almost an energy that comes from a custom knife(at least to me and fixed blades). If anyone knows what I mean.
 
Custom knives have a soul!! There is a part of the knife maker in each knife. I love the quality, fit and finish of a custom knife. Custom knives are special to me.
 
Snody said:
I bought my first custom knife from Michael Saunders of La in 1983.

Later their were Integrals by Edmund Davidson, Folders by Greg Lightfoot,
Hunters by Wayne Hendrix, Jones Bros, Dusty Moulton, Ernest Emerson and many, many more,

I buy custom knives because I appreciate the elevated level of performance, personal refinements and individuality that only a custom knife built by a true artist can offer.

I also believe in Supporting the Artists/Knifemakers when ever I can, I do that by purchasing their knives.

To me its all about having something custom.

Something unique and unlike what everyone else has.

Life is short and I like nice toys.

There is just something special about a truly custom item.

It doesnt even have to be a knife, take my $575.00 Custom Titanium Flashlight for instance.

To me its not so much about the actual knife as it is the Artist behind the piece and how unique and well crafted the item is.

aredthorn.jpg
Click to expand...


What knife is that in that pic? That is awesome!
 
Because I love knives so much that I deserve the best!

Just got my order in with Burt today. :D He sure is a nice guy.:thumbup:
By the time my birthday rolls around next December, I'll have a super high end forged working trail knife!
The way it pans out, I only have to put aside 65 bucks per month, and in a year when the knife's ready, I'll have enough to pay for it.

I sure do love getting knives directly from the men what made them. Building relationships with people is what it's all about. And I've never met a knifemaker I didn't want to know.
 
Sookie said:
Because I love knives so much that I deserve the best!

Just got my order in with Burt today. :D He sure is a nice guy.:thumbup:
By the time my birthday rolls around next December, I'll have a super high end forged working trail knife!
The way it pans out, I only have to put aside 65 bucks per month, and in a year when the knife's ready, I'll have enough to pay for it.

I sure do love getting knives directly from the men what made them. Building relationships with people is what it's all about. And I've never met a knifemaker I didn't want to know.
Click to expand...

You made a great choice. :thumbup:
 
I bought custom knives because I was looking for something better (for me) than a Sebenza. It was a real costly mistake. So now I only buy CRK products and I'm cutting down to one per year.:cool::p:thumbup:
 
I got started in customs when I built WT Fullers' knife shop. His wife had demanded that he stop all grinding elephant ivory in the basement, she had dust like sheet rock dust all over the upstairs, when Mama ain't happy nobody is. So WT showed me what he wanted and I got it done. Ended up trading some work for some of his. He took the time to show me around and how he did things with only having one hand available. He had jigs attachable to his fake wrist, amazing man and amazing work. I have several of his knives and by some of his friends, Dick Dorough and Harvey McBurnette. Together they developed the front locking system, WT told me he sold one to Al Mar at a New York knife show, shortly after Al Mar was selling front locks very similar to WT's work. WT did not mind, was proud that their design was getting attention in the market place. WT was a craftsman and his work still amazes me.

James
 
Thank you everyone for the sincerity of your responses. I'm reminded there are some similar motives, respecting the maker, admiration for the craft, soul of the knife. These do give a lot of meaning to it, and answer my own questions. Thank you guys, keep posting..
David
 
I bought my first custom in 1977 after reading the 1975 Gun Digest Book of Knives. It was the steel I was after. I got a knife that held an edge better and cut better than anything I could find at that time from a production company.

Dealing with a knifemaker one-on-one and discussing your ideas and his thoughts is a rewarding experience when you get that peice in your hands. Also looking over a variety of blades and talkig to the maker about the steel, hardness, handle material and reasons for doing this or that makes the knife that you find more personal. The last few customs I have ordered have been something I really wanted and required a wait period. The wait paid off.

Throughout the years I have been disappointed and well-pleased with purchases. Knives are personal items and everyone has opinions. Find a knifemaker that will communicate with and find you something made just for you. You can buy seven or eight production knives while you wait.
 
I started purchasing custom knives because I have always had a love for high quality. I felt I had gone as far as I wanted to go with factory knives. There was also the fact that I like to support the individual entrepreneur. Getting to know the makers has become the most rewarding part of collecting for me, but the huge amount of knowledge that they have shared with me comes in a close second.
 
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