Why I like dealing with custom makers....

I guess I am too old fashioned. E-mails are great, but I really like talking to my customers over the phone. I feel like I can get a better grasp on what the customer can expect. My customers usually don't buy just one, and to this date I have sorta bucked the trend of even having a web page.
As far kind comments go, I would have to hand it back to the regulars here on the forum. I read alot and post a little, so you members may never know how much you have influenced my knifemaking from a users point of view.
Had an interesting talk with Wayne Goddard tonight and Wayne told me that 35 years ago Bob Loveless told him he should stop making the "working man's" knife. Loveless believed it would hurt his reputation in the long run. As anyone can see, building those type of knives certianly did not hurt Goddards reputation. His advice to me was to build those type of knives well.
I will always make a "working man's knife" simply because my belief is that a knife is a tool. That is it's number one purpose, in my opinion. However, I have stopped worrying about the volume and now I am focusing on turning out well executed simple designs.
Thanks KGD and all those who post here, for you have influenced what I build more than you know....

Mark Wohlwend
 
I have many production knives but only a few customs. I bought a couple Rangers 3-4 years ago on recommendations here. He made them to my specs quickly and nicely. I had never even thought of doing it before.

Last year I bought the NWA forum knife and I'm so happy with the purchase. Nick's work is top-notch!

Without this forum I never would have considered buying a custom. It seemed so out of reach when it really wasn't. I'm not sure how many customs I will buy in the future but Blade Forums WSS totally opened up my eyes to the possibilites.

I really like the looks of the Laconico HWK+. Hmmmm.
 
have to agree. since being on this site 95% of my knife purchasing has been customs. agree with you farnsrocket. Since placing an order with Bryan we've had numerous email conversations as he so clearly wants to do the best for his customers and get them exactly what they want and need. Same with Scott who I also have an order in with.

Seeing all the other great work here and the reviews of those who've acquired these beauties makes me want to place orders with everyone else like Koyote and ray L. (who I feel fortunate to have picked up one of his pieces) and so many others like Bill S., Fiddleback and the list goes on and on!

With the dedication and skill of the many custom knife makers here we are clearly in a 2nd renaissance of blades and I feel fortunate every time I get to use one of them!
 
kgd said:
Damn John, if your name isn't just as hard to spell is my nmae :D

Actually I love all you guys and your works of course.......Now just have to find anothe beer.....Oh here it is....I'll see you boys in the next year....or tormorow - which ever comes next :D :D: D
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I know! I was embarassed to ask you how to spell your name so I could give you photo credits on my website. :o As for another beer, I really need to start drinking again!
 
That was a good read. I think your knife reasoning resounds here at WSS. Thats why we see the makers we see here. We like the same kind of cutlery. Thats also why you don't see a lot of tactical makers here. They hang out other spots, and really aren't interested in our knives.
 
Tonight... I will toast to all the great makers out there who bring variety, beauty, individuality and performance to the campfire. I will hold my blackened coffee can up proudly and exclaim...

"Here's to the sumbitches who drain my disposable income and inadvertantly put me in the doghouse with the little lady... you dirty bastids complete me... sniff, sniff."


Rick
 
Magnussen said:
"Here's to the sumbitches who drain my disposable income and inadvertantly put me in the doghouse with the little lady... you dirty bastids complete me... sniff, sniff."


Rick
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Now thats something I will be drinking to tonight as well:thumbup::thumbup:

We said sir, well said....
 
A lot of people say they got into custom knives because of this forum. It also goes the other way. A lot of us makers got into making knives because of this forum. Bladeforums has done so much good for the knife community. I know I owe it to this forum 100%. I've always liked knives and been lurking here since 1999. I never would have thought of making knives if not for this forum. So because of this forum, I sell knives and now do it full time. Tonight, I will drink a toast to Bladeforums. Thank you to Bladeforums and it's members.:thumbup:
-Ray Laconico
 
I will drink to that Ray.:thumbup:

You are very good at what you do for being so young at making knives. You da man!:thumbup:
 
raylaconico said:
A lot of people say they got into custom knives because of this forum. It also goes the other way. A lot of us makers got into making knives because of this forum. Bladeforums has done so much good for the knife community. I know I owe it to this forum 100%. I've always liked knives and been lurking here since 1999. I never would have thought of making knives if not for this forum. So because of this forum, I sell knives and now do it full time. Tonight, I will drink a toast to Bladeforums. Thank you to Bladeforums and it's members.:thumbup:
-Ray Laconico
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I'll be drinking to that!
 
Me too! Thumbs up to Spark, Brian, and all the guys who make this a great place to hang out!
 
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