How do you know what some good ones are with so many custom knives out there? Are they all as good as they say they are? What are some of your favorites?

A maker being a Voting Member of The Knifemaker's Guild or a maker that is either a Journeyman Smith or Master Smith in the ABS is usually a good start.

Blackheart Pike, Busse Hogmuk and everything Koster.



Having said that, the last elk I dressed I used an Outdoor Edge replaceable blade knife. It did just fine.

Double H, godogs 57 on here, gene ingram, Dale Howe aka mtman1 lots of good makers, I like these guys. Hank is really easy to work with ...

I have a few Beck knives. Dave Beck makes some awesome stuff imo

hate to admit it, as i have a large collection. last coupole of elk were mostly with a outdoor edge. solves a lot of issues.

I just looked at all my knives - It appears to some guy named China.

Ruana Knives

A few questions to ask yourself when shopping:

What is the knife for? Does the design follow the intended usage?

Does the steel choice match the design?

Does the maker match the heat treat to the steel or do they come up with a mysterious heat treating method handed down from the black arts?

You want a nice custom knife send a PM to Michiganroadkill, he's a hell of a knife maker and a hell of a guy. He can answer all your questions and help you get setup with the knife you really want.

Have Mike Miller build you a knife. He can turn your vision into reality.

I either carry one my dad made, or kershW or the odd time my first knife I bought an old timer, but gene Ingram has been making good knives for years and has a good following, you have gotten a lot of good advice here.

Dozier trained under Bob Loveless. He makes a very nice Loveless Drop Point for about $3K less than a Loveless. They run about $1200 depending on handle material.

His bare bones knives are an even better bargain, $450 for the Dozier Hunter.

Agreed.......I only own two custom knives.....a Mike Miller B&T and a Dan Thompson Drop Point.

Either one of those guys will make you what you want at a very fair price.

My michiganroadkill knife is the real deal. Great guy to work with and he will make you what you’re looking for.

You buy them and use them and sell as you see fit.

Friends,

It's awfully hard to beat a George Herron knife.

My buddy George is gone now, may he rest in peace, but if you can find a Herron, you've found a total treasure that will last for lifetimes.

Blessings,

Steve

ANYTHING with "Bagwell" on it, he's made me an 11.5" Damascus Bowie, a five inch Damascus skinner and a hell of a cool carbon bladed patch knife for my 58cal round ball rig.

Steve, do you have any pics youd like to share? Never heard of him. Thanks

Todd Thayn of Thayn Custom Knifes makes as fine a knife as anyone

Here on the fire you have Tim Olt (Michiganroadkill), Mike Miller, Rick Menefee, Rocky Menefee, Gene Ingram, and David Winston, plus a few others already mentioned.
Any of them would be a great place to start, and you might touch base with VinceM and see what he has in stock to save yourself the wait time.


Tim

High End $$$ Half Faced Knives... https://www.halffaceblades.com/

Charlie May makes a darn fine knife as do Tim Olt and Dale Howe on the "Fire.

Thanks for all the advice. I will be looking into them.

I have a custom being made by Tim Olt, have high hopes for it and I am sure it will exceed my expectations! Should have it in a couple of weeks, can't wait to get it.

Hatfield Knives.

Tim Olt, AKA Michiganroadkill.

Find yourself an experienced local knife maker.
My customs are made locally and that means more to me than a well known name, no disrespect to the makers mentioned above. I use mine on special hunts and the blade smith is happy I do. My every day carry and main hunting knife is a custom folder made by the same local knife maker.

Jud, I talked with you about George. He was a mentor of mine. Top five knifemaker of all time. I’ve got several of George’s knives if you want to check em out. I make a good knife....my goal with every knife has been to try and make it as good as George would have.

Scott Cook Ohwyee Hunter. Don't think he's making them anymore.

David Winston and any of his protégés; Gene Ingram, and Charles May.

Nope. If you find one for sale be prepared to drop $2,500-$3,000

Oh gotcha hank, yes you've texted me pics of his work... very nice stuff.

Kauffman knives are as good as they get. All handmade, heat treated and polished, not made from blanks bought from a knife fabricator. They work as good as they look. Hunting, Skinning and filet...

I'll second shrapnel's endorsement. Been using Dave Kauffman's knives for over 20 yrs. Been in his shop and watched him do his magic. I've had Ingrams, Doziers, and others.
They don't come any better than Kauffman's.

Brett Dowell and his daughter Taylor make some fine knives.

Ref: George Herron and Bob Loveless
Cool knives. Time tested patterns.
I just made one for myself along George's distinct lines.
And of course one following Bob Loveless' classic pattern also.
Tim

Thank You Tim

I do not have a huge inventory. But what I do have ,is pre " screened" Great working grade knives ,various levels of finish & price, the makers I work with are personal friends of mine. I stand behind everything I sell as well as the maker does. I ship to you fast.
I have a theory of what I sell,and that is,I don't sell any knives that I myself wouldn't want to own and or use.Obviously ,I can't afford to keep them all and for that reason is what hurled me into doing my thing,lol. With exception occasionally of knives sent in on consignment ,friends and customers both who trust me to liquidate for them.

There are so many knife makers in the USA ,I try to stay with USA makers. Just because you've never heard a makers name ,that does not necessarily mean the knives are NG.
As mentioned in the thread previously there's makers here on the Fire too. All good. Most all will stand behind their work so don't be hesitant to try them out.