|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 353
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 353 |
My thoughts are why not get in touch with one of the members here who make custom blades. Your up in the $150 plus range and Mike Miller makes a decent blade in the $150-$200 range. Standard steel types/materials. If wanting high dollar stock/materials vs. standard materials, expect to pay double those prices.
You can choose stock thickness/type, grind, profile, custom blade/handle dimensions to fit your hands, and scale materials.
If buying to just collect, you may have different thoughts, but to me a knife is a tool and will get used so why not a custom to fit your tastes??
If you have a budget of $250-$350 you might want to check out Rick Menefee's work on similar blade profiles/standard materials.
SD
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,336
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,336 |
+1 Another excellent maker(underrated, IMO) is Wayne Hendrix. Wayne will make you a nice working blade with Micarta, stainless Kirby bolts on the handle, and top quality steel(ATS 34, 154 CM...) for about $150. Plus, his wife Ruby will make(included in price of knife) you an excellent full-grain leather sheath to go with it that will hold the knife securely. I like Ruby's sheaths so much I've purchased them for other knives as well. Wayne's a little hard to get ahold of but he's a real nice guy and makes a fantastic knife! My experience has been that he doesn't have very long wait times either. I tried emailing him to no avail.(he doesn't much like computers). Calling him on the phone is best. Google: Hendrix Custom Knives Here's a link to a few he's made for me over the years: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...s/4245711/Re_Wayne_Hendrix_Knives_eye_caLeftybolt
Last edited by leftybolt; 01/17/17.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 975
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 975 |
Tim Olt aka michiganroadkill makes a nice blade as well. IMHO
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
I have a couple of Bark River knives and like them. I sent you a PM offer.
Sent from my Dingleberry Handheld Wireless
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9,948
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9,948 |
I like my two bark river knives and you can find them priced decently. You cant go wrong buying them and the marketplace name recognition may help you sell them if needed.
Other than that, How was the show Mrs. Lincoln?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,939 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,939 Likes: 1 |
Thanks for the tips. I may explore a custom, but it is something I need to educate myself about 1st. At this time I really don't know enough about different makers and options to make a decision. Being able to see and hold something 1st would be a big plus.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243 |
I have one I really like....bought it used for $75 but if I were going to spend that much I'd be giving Mike Miller a call.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
David Winston is another great maker. He'll be a touch more, between $200-300, but makes a superb blade.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 578
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 578 |
I think your in the ballpark for a custom or semi custom production knife. Most makers will have something in that ballpark. The toughest thing is figuring out what features you want and handle styles feel best.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
I think your in the ballpark for a custom or semi custom production knife. Most makers will have something in that ballpark. The toughest thing is figuring out what features you want and handle styles feel best.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9,948
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9,948 |
I have the gunny hunter in a higher grade of steel. Look at DLT traders or Knife Supply to compare prices.
Other than that, How was the show Mrs. Lincoln?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 16,248
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 16,248 |
Owned a few.
Nice variety of offerings.
But by-in-large, seemed to be over-priced and under-performers, imo.
Epstein didn't kill himself.
"Play Cinnamon Girl you Sonuvabitch!"
Biden didn't win the election.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,939 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,939 Likes: 1 |
Lots of replies and PM's with suggestions. I'm grateful to everyone, but now more confused than ever. Right now I'm leaning toward looking into a custom knife but really need to study and research this a lot more to know exactly what I want.
MSRP on most of the Bark River knives I like is $200-$250, but I'm seeing them on Amazon for closer to $150-$175. I wouldn't pay $250 for a Bark River. I might go $200 or a bit more for a custom knife. Not interested in anything fancy, just a solid working knife. A nice looking quality leather sheath is almost as important as the knife to me. That is one thing that caught my attention with Bark River.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
Blade design, profile, steel, handle design, handle material, weight. If you know what you want in relation to those parameters, choosing the rest becomes easier.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786 |
Lots of replies and PM's with suggestions. I'm grateful to everyone, but now more confused than ever. Right now I'm leaning toward looking into a custom knife but really need to study and research this a lot more to know exactly what I want.
MSRP on most of the Bark River knives I like is $200-$250, but I'm seeing them on Amazon for closer to $150-$175. I wouldn't pay $250 for a Bark River. I might go $200 or a bit more for a custom knife. Not interested in anything fancy, just a solid working knife. A nice looking quality leather sheath is almost as important as the knife to me. That is one thing that caught my attention with Bark River. Just out of curiosity what do you envisage doing with the knife? And in what environment.
These are my opinions, feel free to disagree.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,009
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,009 |
i agree with the others on going the custom route. Of the names mentioned David Winston is my favorite maker. followed by gene ingram and charles may ( its a MS thing. ) in this forum, several makers have a thread showing off various models. Well worth the time to look. As far as materials, im not a steel snob. D2 or s30v is what most of mine are. I like g10 / micarta scales. Bone and stag look great. Its just not my thing.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
For $175 and up I'd just plan on buying a custom knife. No way I'd pay near or over $175 - $200 for a factory fixed blade. There are makers that will build you a custom knife for that money and/or you can score a 95+% custom knife used on the classifieds here in that ballpark.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 353
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 353 |
Most of the custom makers include very nice handmade leather sheaths in the price of the knife. From the photos of the Bark Rivers Knives you linked to, it looks like you are interested in a traditional style hunting knife for field dressing/quartering game. Here are a couple knives by makers I listed in my reply with Mike E. Miller's Knives falling within or below your $200 budget. Mike makes his on sheaths which are included in his prices. Badley Hunter CPM 154 SS (1/8")@ 8"OAL: [img:center] [/img] [img:center] [/img] And Rick Menefee's version of the Badley for about $100 more: [img:center] [/img] [img:center] [/img] If wanting higher quality steels( 440v, S30, S60, S90, BG42 etc etc)and specialized scale materials, you'll increase price significantly. Most of the custom makers will work within initial price quote to give you your desired style and adjusted dimensions to fit your hand exactly. Consider the purpose for the knife, best steel-stock/material for that purpose including knife style and type of grind, and final dimensions to fit your hand. One negative to a custom is the wait time, but if you get your order in on their off season, you get em quicker. SD Lots of replies and PM's with suggestions. I'm grateful to everyone, but now more confused than ever. Right now I'm leaning toward looking into a custom knife but really need to study and research this a lot more to know exactly what I want.
MSRP on most of the Bark River knives I like is $200-$250, but I'm seeing them on Amazon for closer to $150-$175. I wouldn't pay $250 for a Bark River. I might go $200 or a bit more for a custom knife. Not interested in anything fancy, just a solid working knife. A nice looking quality leather sheath is almost as important as the knife to me. That is one thing that caught my attention with Bark River.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243 |
Not interested in anything fancy, just a solid working knife. A nice looking quality leather sheath is almost as important as the knife to me. That is one thing that caught my attention with Bark River. The majority of knife makers include very nice sheaths.... Mike Millers sheaths are no joke....$145..... I don't have a pic of the sheath but the only other custom knife I own is one of Dan Thompson's... It also came with a beautifully stamped well made sheath...$200...
|
|
|
|
585 members (10Glocks, 1badf350, 1lesfox, 1936M71, 10gaugemag, 12344mag, 60 invisible),
2,513
guests, and
1,438
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,194
Posts18,485,016
Members73,966
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|