Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Anything close to an Ingram?

Just that. I’ve got a few Ingrams, and a few knives from some other knife makers but nothing seems like it’s his quality as Mr. Ingram’s work. Never had a Menifee, or in Winston. But several others.

These days there is a $hit ton of knife makers out there . It's good ,something for everyone

Charles May, Brett Dowell, Rick Menefee are great custom knife makers that you won't be disappointed with.

Jeff Oelke makes a damn good knife. (J_elky here on the fire) I just got two from him and they are very nice. Lucas Forge makes a fine blade as well. I’ve got several of his. Rick Menefee, Charles May, Brett Dowell, Jerry Halfrich, Bob Dozier/Dan Crotts are all great blades. I’ve got some of each and wouldn’t trade a one.

^ ^ ^

Knows his stuff

Like Vince said -

There are plenty out there making their mark and are current bargains, until they get a following.

Young guys doing it right…

Bryant Hollinger
Rocky Menefee
Jeff Oelke


Theres a similarity between Ingrams and Winstons…. Gene learned from David.

There not as pretty as some of them named here but I have some LT Wright's that are great knives. It don't take as much to make me happy though. I can put some micarta on a Russel Green River blank and be happy.

Tim Olt
Rocky Menefee
Rick Menefee
Joel Clark come on back…haha
Bryant Hollinger

I can do just fine with those from now on. My knives from Gene are not retired or for sale just giving credit to other makers I have have a lot of experience with.

I would put member Tim Olt (Michiganroadkill) at the top of the list of great knife makers. Solid working knives, using the best materials and showing great craftsmanship. If you don't have one of Tim's blades, you should get one.

Dan Crotts belongs on that list for sure.

Quite a list so far. Anyone not on that list should not feel bad. It's hard to get to that level.

I feel very fortunate to have some of several of the makers mentioned. I would hate to part with any of them. I'm more of a gun guy, but I got the knife bug about 10-15 years ago so I don't have near the experience or knowledge of most these Campfire members.

I would like to add another name from my list and experience-- Ken Honeycutt of Starkville, Ms.

I don't have a knife from either of these makers, but I have seen some nice looking work from both of them -- Dale Howell and Hank Hammonds.

I don't know if they belong in the top tier list, but if they don't, second fiddle to that bunch isn't too shabby.

Honeycutt is another great maker..

Learned from both David and Gene.

Makes great leather sheaths to boot.

As others have mentioned:

David Winston
Charles May
Ken Honeycutt

Those 3 and Mr. Ingram have a lot of similarities in their knives. Each have their own distinct patterns and look/feel, for blade profiles to grips to sheaths. I think there are a lot of good makers whose quality of production will be on par with Mr. Ingram's, but if looking for a knife "like" an Ingram I think the three listed above will be the closest.

This 100%

Orders placed with Ken and Charlie recently

This.

Lots of makers doing work was good as Gene but the above mentioned will be the most similar to an Ingram

I spoke to Charles May Friday. He is finishing up a knife for me. Thinking I might have it by the weekend. Charlie is just like Gene in that you will not find a better gentleman to chat with. And "gentleman" describes Charlie perfectly, he is a good guy in every regard. And he is a hunter, he uses his designs in the field on game of all sorts and develops his patterns from what works and what doesn't.

+1

I have a Dale Howe knife I really like. Howe Mtn knives.

A Winston was my first custom knife and his work is easily the equal of the big name guys

I love me a steingass too…

Nope. Hint..............

Gene makes a fine knife that is for sure, but in the world of custom makers there are hundreds or maybe more that are on this level. I mean no disrespect either, he is an excellent craftsman.

I've 100's and 100's of Custom Blades. Hint.

Gene's choice of steel,patterning and heat treat is without peer. Hint.................

I have exactly one Ingram. Used a bunch of stuff before and his lone blade has made me a believer. Just a well made knife that will skin and quarter an elk with no fuss.

Need to get another one coming for my boys.

Holy spit. That’s lotsa custom knives. Other than Gene, who are your other favourite makers?

Gene's metal selection,grinds and heat treating are simply fhuqking EXCEPTIONAL. Hint.



I love him muchly. Hint...................

maybe we could get just a hint? laughing

I've had up to 300ish at times, (includes folders and fixed) not so now. If you're really interested maybe start a thread that's not buried in this one and you might get more responses than you'd imagine...I personally know several folks on here that have collections that would blow your mind...

Tag for future custom needs.

Are we sure Big Stick isn’t a bot? I recall nearly all, if not all of their posts are in a very odd format with lots of “fhuqking” and “hints.” So odd… kind of like the poster from maybe 10 years ago who would seemingly have a multi-post conversation with themselves, most often in the big bore subforum and equally nonsensical…. Anyone remember that poster???

Edit to add: FOUND HIM: anyone remember BCD?

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/userposts/id/49337

One of his made me a believer.

Nice

'retzs,

My ALL Time Favoritest Necker is by Gene and I likely should swap out some Kydex rivets. Hint.




It's seen some schit and is Legendary,in many ways. Hint.






I love that man. Hint.

It is fascinatingly fhuqking HILARIOUS,that which is IMPOSSIBLE to Brokedick Crying Karens,is simply called "Tuesday" here. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!................

I keep forgetting that I have a Kydex Factory. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!..............

The old Colonel got busy with it this past fall and I believe he has a similar one coming..

He does make a nice knife, but so do some others.

Really like the orange scales.

Hint..............

There are better options out there.

Bad ass picture SLM.

I got orange since it is dark half the time when we’re using them so it doesn’t hurt accountability.

Haha.

Gonna photoshop some pics like you did of the water stones?


#happycamper

Hint..............

Kinda fond of orange too.

I like orange...antlers and rifles. Hint.




Fhuqking LAUGHING!..................

Kinda fond of orange too.

[/quote]


Ooooh that little Winston is sweet!! Is she under 7”?

It’s right at 7”.

Hint...............

Nice blades fellas!

Hint..............

Ignore everything with fit and finish, steel, heat treat quality, and all of that (which is definitely important), and to me, there is no maker as a whole that makes as aesthetically appealing knives as Gene Ingram. They all just look 'right'. I've got other makers, I like them all just fine, but as a whole body of work, there is only one.

Seen it. Hint.................

Nice try…

Same as the water stones, stock pic off the internet.

You even own a knife?

I prefer large Oil Stones and large Diamonds. Hint................

Like what? Having tried dozens of makers the last few years no-one touches his stuff for the price.

That’s a nice minimoose!

It happens. Hint..............

Wasn’t that the dinkathon of yesteryear?

Indeed and October Velvet to boot. Hint...............

Great pics fellas!

Now I know why Gene takes so long, all you danged hoarders clogging up his shop with orders!

Go away, dumbass.

Nice pics of knives and critters, gents!
Stick, I'm still amazed at the color of the antlers on your Alaskan blacktails. Beautiful

Cheesy nailed it. There is something special about the aesthetic balance of his blades.. The first time I held one it really lit me up.

what time do gas stations open on sunday

Some good recommendations in the first few responses. But if I were the OP I would get on Ingram's email list and act fast when you see one you like.

I need to try a Menefee knife or two. I know Huntsman and Judman have beautiful examples.

Gratuitous Ingram repost

Amazing knives, Longarm. Perfect really.

Thanks buddy. You thawing out up there yet? Post up one of your Menefees!

Here's one with nice spalted maple

Had several of Gene’s knives. They are very nice, but in terms of function, finish or construction they are no better than Dave Winston’s and a large number of premium makers out there.

I don’t quite understand the mystique.

I’ve held and used knives double the price.

Him and the guys he learned with cant be topped for the $

Honest question: What if any special specs did you request in purchasing your Gene knives?

How he's responded to mine is why I love the guy's stuff.

I purchased the Ingram knives pre-owned, but unused. As I said, they are very nice knives and the execution is top notch. What, I tried to say is that there is a plethora of knife makers out there that are constructing knives to the highest standards. I have a couple Hollinger’s for example. Better? No, but I believe that they are equal. Another example is Meneffee. I have two and find his execution on his thin tapered tangs is fantastic. Dale Howe makes a nice knife of similar style. And, of course, there is David Winston, originator of Ingram’s particular style. (As an aside, a wonderful man. A real southern gentleman). I have several knives made by David. Maybe, I don’t have the discerning eye, but I can’t see any real differences between Ingram’s and Winston’s. However, when one looks at the classified’s, there is a big disparity in asking prices. I don’t get it, and attribute it to the masses joining the crowd and having to have an Ingram as a consequence. If the Ingram is the one who blows your hair, go for it. One needs to please themselves and I’ll confess, it’s a rather good feeling and more than a little pride in believing that you have the holy grail of knives. By the way, I’ve owned Charlie May’s and one Phil Wilson. They are all gone, not because they weren’t nice knives, but they simply didn’t fit my ideal of what a perfect knife is.

The other thing, and this is a matter of personal taste, but I don’t much care for the shape of Gene’s blades on his basic models. The reason that I sold them.

I haven't seen many of Davids listed, are they much lower? Doesn't help Gene basically retired now as well so you can't get a custom order anymore. I think that's why you see his blades getting a premium.

What maker floats your boat? Just curious to checkout some new ones!

I have four knives that are my current favorites. Based on my history, tomorrow it will probably be some new shiny penny.

1. A Menefee Lil Dumpling;

2. A Dozier semiskinner. I forget the name. I know it’s “just” D2, but this knife gets a toothy edge that is incredible;

3. A Hollinger fillet/boner in I think S35v,

and finally,something way different,

4. A Montana Knife Company, Stonewall Skinner in Magnacut. I love the shape of this knife. Is the finish up to an Ingram? Nah, but, I think that it is the perfect all around design. I have a thing for tapered tangs, so I would like that better. Most top makers don’t like to copy other knife makers designs. I would like to have this knife with a tapered tang and Orange Osage scales. Put it in a Parson’s sheath and a lanyard hole. Put a leather thong on with a couple antique Venetian blue Indian trade beads and I’m done.

As to steel, that’s a hard one (pun intended). I find stainless the most practical, but really like high carbon. The problem as we all know is that high carbon doesn’t do well with elk or deer blood. Kill an elk some distance from camp, use and then sheath your knife and mess for hours getting the elk out, then skinned, then a couple of celebration bourbons and forget the knife in the sheath. Whatever steels(can’t tell a huge amount of difference in any of the premium steels), the blade needs to be thin and a Rockwell in the 60’s.

Everybody, has different views on the shape, but I think that handle should fit the size of your hand and have rounded edges.

Probably all bs and just the ramblings of a knife and gun nut. Don’t get me started on the perfect rifle. Barsness has a good article on the pursuit of perfection. It’s a fool’s endeavor, but it is kind of fun.

Love it! I actually just rehandled my own MKC Stonewall in Magnacut as well. Definitely a sweet knife!

I like it.

The truth of the matter is that this knife is all one would ever need for a lifetime of hunting. I

Just...wow... "High Carbon" WTF???

Incredibly dumb question here....how does a guy get an Ingram, other than continually cruising the clasifieds?

My google fu is normally strong but I just can't seem to find the website. The first one that always pops up in a search is Arizona Custom Knives, but they seem to just sell other knife maker's offerings, and all their Ingrams are sold out. Same with several other sites that come up on a search. Fort Henry Custom Knives, etc. They all sell Ingram knives, but are sold out.

Does Ingram even have a dedicated website?

I just called him. No idea if he has a website.

Ted

He took his website down when he semi retired. He is still making some knives but not really taking custom orders anymore can pm you his phone number and email if you like. He is a great fellow and easy to deal with. Let me know if you'd like his contact info.

Thanks you two.

That makes more sense now. I’ll PM you Dude for his eMail. I’d like to see pics of blades and such before ordering one but I guess I can piece that info together from threads such as this.

Thanks?

You won't be sorry if you get one.

Look through the threads hear and you will get a general idea but talking to Gene about what you want will go a long way. He has never steered me wrong once he kinda knew my preferences.

I can send you some pics of mine (of knives, that is) if you want to look at some different patterns

Good thing you clarified your statement.

Tiny was getting excited.

I’d be surprised if you got to “order” your own. Gene is semi retired and only drops a handful of knives of his own choice periodically.

Kinda motivated to get my boys a couple actually. Along with their P64 FWTs I have iced up those knives will go a long way.

That would be a good idea Beretzs

My boy is about to turn 12 and I let him pick an Ingram of his choice out of my stash last fall. Of course he picked my long time favorite.

I need to try and sweet talk Gene into making me another.

I eMailed Gene (Thanks again Dude), but am not terribly concerned with getting a response or an order in. I will just keep an eye out on the classifieds and when the right one comes up, it'll just be time.

I have slipped into the dangerous world of Havalons because I suck ass at sharpening but also because I just prefer to not carry a stone in the field which I have found I needed for what I do. I have some old Ruanas which are awesome but what I have are bigger than I want. I also have plenty of Benchmades and a few other factory and customs laying around.

I also PM'd RMenefee here too to see about getting one of his skinners.

If you get an Ingram you won't need to carry a stone in the field anymore. At least I haven't and that's included carrying an elk out in pieces.

Hope it works out

I sure hope so.
We’ll see but I tend to use a knife for all kinds of random stuff while out deer/elk/moose/caribou/whatever hunting and have always had issues with them dulling and needing touched up when a critter is on the ground.

Instead of a stone, carry a 2"x7" thick piece of leather impregnate with a light abrasive.
Touch up multiple times before need a stone.
And yes with a decent knife you should not need a stone in the field unless you are in the field a loooong time
and using you knife very, very often for who knows what.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck with your patient search.

Best of luck! They are well worth it

There really is something “magical” about a Ingram.