Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Best Value in a semi-custom knife for general use???

Some great advice here. I like the Dunn knives and have several, maybe because I live in KS. I met Mr. Dunn at his shop about 1990, and he seemed more proud of his leather and sewing machine than his brilliance with D2 tool SS. A true master. His family runs the shop now, I think, and use S60V stainless tool steel. I also like Anza knives and Grohmann Canadian knives and have several of each. Good luck.

I have no personal experience with Norfleet and I have seen pics of his knives and heard that he is an excellent craftsman but I would check out Blade Forums Good Bad and Ugly sub forum before ordering. There are several threads with dozens of guys who have had orders pending for months and some for years. All have had trouble contacting Norfleet. He has come on and said he is having medical trouble and that he will make good all his orders but he is also repeatedly posting finished knives for sale that don't get shipped and this, while others still wait for their knives. Again, I don't know the man and have heard good things about his work but I would not count on a timely delivery.

I bought a Dozier Pro Skinner from AG Russell and had it in my hand in two weeks. D2 blade and a perfect field knife. Hold an edge well and I am very happy with it. Nothing fancy. Just a good solid working knife.

http://www.agrussell.com/dozier-knives/c/514/

I just looked at AG Russell and they are 3 months out on some Doziers. Hunting season, I suppose. Check availability.

Michigan Knives has several different makers of excellent knives that fit your description in stock. He usually carries Charles May, Gene Ingram, Randall and others. If he is out of one you want he has perpetual orders with these and others and new ones will come soon usually. If the knife is in stock, his customer service is second to none, very fast shipping. He may sell Dozier too, I'm not sure. http://www.michiganknives.com/

I just checked Michigan knives and he has several Dan Kotts(sp?) knives in stock. These are very similar to Doziers and Dan is Bob Dozier's stepson I believe. Nice knives and excellent customer service from Michigan knives. You will pay a premium for immediate delivery but it is not exorbitant.

Not denigrating Bill at Michigan Knives at all, but I ordered a Crotts knife from Daniel/Wendi in September that was totally custom. Blade altered, CPM154 vs D2, flat grind in lieu of hollow, aluminum corby's in lieu of brass or stainless, beaded scales, satin finish, etc, etc. - and it was in my hands in one month, for less than the standard knives list by retailers. IMO the premium to save 3 weeks or so is not worth it, but again, that's JMO...

Yeah, you a probably right about that. I didn't realize Crotts delivery time was so short.