Knifemakers

Narragansett · Sep 23, 2023

For decades, I have resisted custom knives, because they can be just as financially overwhelming as guns. Having said that, before I go toes up in the toilet like Elvis, I am going to get one nice knife. Maybe 2

Probably along the lines of a 4" blade. Kind of like a small game/ trout knife.

Anybody care to pass along their favorite maker, so I can do some research?

Thanks

growr · Sep 24, 2023

Check out Ed Caffery at Montana Bladesmith in Great Falls. He is a Master bladesmith and puts out fantastic products.
Randy

whelenshooter · Sep 24, 2023

Try L.T. Wright knives. ( ltwrightknives.com ) L.T. makes working knives. Though most sales are direct from L.T., they make some special models that are only sold through certain knife dealers. For Smokey Mountain Knife Works he makes a knife called the "Bandit" that sells for about $125, which is quite reasonable for a custom knife. It is a small knife that is a perfect small game and trout knife (though I use mine for field dressing deer).

If you want a knife that is both functional AND pretty, order any of LT's knives with Desert Ironwood scales. In my opinion, Desert Ironwood makes really pretty knife handles.

Whelenshooter

lihpster · Sep 24, 2023

I like Paul Bunch's work He's opaul here on the forums. A search of his name will bring up some of his work to see.

s&wchad · Sep 24, 2023

Consider a Randall. They're near the top when it comes to brand recognition and popularity.

I will caution you, they are addictive!

Lonegle57 · Sep 24, 2023

I read a post not long ago you are heading south to Savannah. Look up John Parks, he lives in Jefferson and seems to focus on bird/trout type
knives. A super nice guy, have one of his blades in my humble collection.

Fishinfool · Sep 24, 2023

I have never really shopped for a custom knife. I have however, purchased
4 or 5 from small, local custom makers that caught my attention at local knife shows.

I would check the interwebb for the next time a knife show is going to be held in your area. Gives you the chance to look at and handle a variety of custom steel.

Larry

22hipower · Sep 24, 2023

Clay Gault, Texas Knifemakers Guild member, passed away in 2007 but his knives still come up for sale occasionally. Clay used vascowear, primarily, for his steel and exotic materials such as oosic, big horn sheep, mammoth ivory, etc. and elephant, ostrich, and cape buffalo for the sheaths. Purely functional works of art. You'll be very happy if you can find one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2n1CuVd https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2n1HohH https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2n1CuX2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

huntsman22 · Sep 24, 2023

Rick Menefee....

Mike Miller

Nick Smith

Hank Hammonds

Tim Olt

Jeff Oelke

Dale Howe

THE PILGRIM · Sep 24, 2023

Lots of choices.
You can buy local.
You can Brand collect like Bark River, Blind Horse, Randall, etc.
You can collect Loveless if you got really deep pockets.
Or you can collect Loveless Clones. His Knives have been copied World Wide.
There’s type collection, like just Folders.
Or you can buy and trade for all kinds of Knives which is what I have apparently done!
Randall No.1, Bark River Smokejumper, Hank Kubaiko version of the Loveless Dixon Fighter.
A good place to Window Shop is - Arizona Custom Knives | Arizona Custom Knives

505Gibbs · Sep 24, 2023

I have MANY knives - too many if my wife really knew!

There a LOT of commercial makers that do fixed blade knives these days that are quite a bit lower than custom makers with very practical handles/grips and with blades that hold a VERY sharp edge.
Check out Blade Headquarters as an example.
Just my $0.02!

colt_saa · Sep 24, 2023

I spent more than a dozen years as a Purveyor of high end Custom Art Knives.

I had two tables at BLADE every year and had several thousand stunning pieces pass through my hands over that time. I still dabble a little and usually have a dozen or so pieces on hand

This is technically a boot knife and it has a blade longer then you mentioned in your opening post. It is from one of my FAVORITE knife makers . . . Curt Erickson

Curt was Buster Warinski's apprentice

The engraving and gold inlay on this knife was executed by Julie Warinski

These two make a Wonderful team

dave1918a2 · Sep 24, 2023

There are lots of functional, boutique, and real art knives out there. If You are going to put it in Your coffin anything that trips Your trigger will suffice. If Your leftovers are going to sell it, then look at the big name makers. Randall is #1 and recognized worldwide. Then the better and more expensive take over. But when it comes to sell, the unknown good makers get passed over because of lack of name. Big names like Loveless, Moran(Bill), Ron Lake, and scagel bring in the 10K+++ range. Look at Ruana, Bone, Corbet Sigman and Ron Gaston for decent priced pieces. Good luck in Your endeavor.

ISCS Yoda · Sep 24, 2023

Arno Bernard makes gorgeous knives. You can order them from him in South Africa but it's way easier to shop here:

Arno Bernard Custom Knives | Shop now at KnivesShipFree

(c) Knives Ship Free

Model52guy · Sep 24, 2023

My old friend Blair makes custom knives. Lives in eastern Washington
Show Case

Rpg · Sep 24, 2023

Arno Bernard in South Africa makes some delightful small fixed blade knives like this:

2019 Marquis Collection: African Sporting Creations

These knives are beautiful and incorporate unique design features that make them easy to use, unobtrusive to carry and incorporating beautiful natural materials. You can’t find a better bird and fish knife.

walter o · Sep 24, 2023

We have a bladesmith in goshan Indiana that does nice knives google Terry Miller knife maker . He also does great engraving on firearms

Shrek Of The Arctic · Sep 24, 2023

Andrew Griggs of Griggs knives is a pretty great fella. If you read his bio on his page, he mentions a hiatus from knifemaking 2018-2021. During that time he worked along side me and proved himself as a person who had my back during some bad situations while working in the public sector. To me, it's not just the sale of the product, but a sale of the character behind it. His is stellar.

Additionally, he makes a VERY nice knife. He has many very practical designs, but as I recall, he also takes requests quite well.

griggsknives.com

Good luck with the decision. there's an infinite amount of custom knives and makers to consider!

Valmet · Sep 27, 2023

Larry Page out of Aiken, SC makes solid knives- I’m unfamiliar with some of the others mentioned in this thread but you may want to give him a look.

THE PILGRIM · Sep 27, 2023

One of my favorite New Mexico Makers was Cody Westcott (RIP).
Here’s a couple of his folders.
He’s the Dude who also made my Oosik Handled Loveless Pattern Drop Blade Hunter.

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