Custom Knifes - what is a custom knife?

[johnnytheboy]

I had a bit spare cash recently and wanted to buy a new knife, I’ve been coveting a Spyderco Bill Moran for sometime. Anyway I ended up purchasing a custom knife on Instagram. I thought the seller was a custom knife “maker” as in a chap was actually making these things himself therein the quality would be handmade and hopefully better than that of a mass produced item i.e. the Spyderco. It was my preferred option as buying handmade items in the UK has massive economic benefits! I’m not spending loads of money but my wee part to play I try to spend wisely.

The knife I bought is stunning but it wasn’t sharp and the edge was not straight. Sharpening a knife is one thing I can actually do but even I couldn’t get this thing sharp! I posted online about it and loads of folk said these custom knifes are possibly being imported as three retailers are selling similar knifes with different logos on them, the prices vary £100 between retailers, essentially I paid £180 which is way more than the spyderco!

The seller offered to sharpen the knife for me, from what’s said online they are allegedly an importer and retailer rather than a manufacturer so I sent this knife to a custom knife “maker” who flat ground it to get a straight edge and sharpened it. Essentially I feel a bit stupid as I reread all the media and nothing claims from the company to be a custom knife “maker” only the knifes are custom! There seems to be loads of negative reviews about the quality of these products which is disappointing as people are spending their hard earned cash on them and still continue to do so!

When is a custom knife a custom knife?

Spyderco get knifes made for them all over the world, I suppose they aren’t custom? These UK retailers if they are buying handmade knifes abroad and selling them here are they custom? If that’s the case is it right or wrong to call them that?

I was so down in the dumps with the situation I bought a Stuart Mitchell P90 from here, that thing is perfect and is definitely custom! We can see that a man called Stuart in Sheffield does actually make them and the quality speaks for itself! But these other knifes if they are imported, are they custom?

When is a custom knife a custom knife?

 

[Klenchblaize]

There are many people in the UK who do not make the blades they put scales on and sell as custom. They are still custom in my mind but I would be hacked off if the seller failed to disclose that he/she is not a bladesmith.

K

 

[Dazb1967]

I had a custom knife made a few year back, I sent the guy a cardboard shape of exactly what I wanted, Handle and blade length, Scale type etc and I also told him the steel I wanted

 

[Overlay]

What steel has the blade got ? If its a decent bit of steel and the scales are attached ok, re sharpening that is a small price to pay to get a sharp working blade, at the price you paid, the steel is a good en and the handle is ok, go for it, get it sharpened and you have a decent working blade , don't give up on it just yet it could be a good blade

I’ve been using a 5” victorinoix curved skinning blade, (I’ve had it years) the handles black grippy plastic and the blade is scratched and you can gralloch and take everything off of 5 fallow with a every now and then a run up a steel and thats it cost £20.00 some brilliant blades just don't carry a decent coat, I’ve spent a fortune on tatt believe you me, good steel, sharp edge and a half tidy handle is all you need

 

[.25-06]

Sounds like an expensive lesson learned. I think most have been caught out by some fancy marketing at some point.

 

[Rory]

@johnnytheboy - a truly custom knife is one that is made for you, to your specifications. This can encompass design, blade length, steel, grind, handle shape and material, sheath design and material (there are a multitude of other things you can specify, down to liners, rivets, bolsters etc etc).
There can be a big difference between a handmade knife (like the SM P90) and a true custom.

Sorry to hear you were 'had' by one of these shady resellers, hopefully you won't fall for these shysters again.

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

I had a custom knife made a few year back, I sent the guy a cardboard shape of exactly what I wanted, Handle and blade length, Scale type etc and I also told him the steel I wanted

How was your experience @Dazb1967 , did you get what you wanted?

 

[RescueMe0007]

Previously, I bought a "custom" knife, from "Reade's the Cutlers" (Facebook) (now sadly defunct for over twenty years). It was made by Rory Conner in Ballylickey, Co. Cork. it was a gift for my brother who was returning to Australia. I forget the cost, but the quality I remember. My brother has been using it for Roo's, pigs and goats for the last thirty years. He swears by it. Rory is still in business, because he produces quality products (they're a little expensive, yet worth the cost because they're a well made and pleasure to use tool). They'll last generations if treated with a little tlc. It is very frustrating not to receive the quality one paid for. I too would be "spitting feathers" if I had the OP's experience. I hope you be better served in the future.

 

[Overlay]

Sounds like an expensive lesson learned. I think most have been caught out by some fancy marketing at some point.

I’m well and truly in that box of spending out huge amounts of dollar for crap steel etc etc, sometimes shamefully you have to do that if there is no one to give you any steerage/help
And again what you want a blade for 5 fallow a week or 5 rabbits a month lot of difference on blade choice most blades will cover small amount on use increase use by 20 fold may show you where you went wrong
I use flat grind with a 20 degree secondary grind not the most durable but always razor sharp and easy to keep that way
After many years my knives now Low use alan wood x 2
High use Danum blades x 3
That’s me done
But I always show an interest in new makers just because I like blades it’s only money that reigns you in

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

… I forget the cost, but the quality I remember…

No truer words ever said!

 

[scotch_egg]

I’m sure I’ve read something like this on Facebook.

There is only one person who makes the knives I use. I took him out for his first fallow and we spoke about what I wanted. It wasn’t a “cookie cutter” production piece.

There are a lot of chancers out there.

 

[75]

I bought a “custom” knife a few years back - an Emberleaf. There was nothing really custom about it. It was an off the shelf product where I got to chose the handle colour and material. It was made by hand rather than mass produced but beyond colour, nothing was to my specification.

It was well made (to my eye) but It didn’t suit me and I never really got in with it. But I did learn a bit about what I didn’t like.

I then had a proper custom knife made. I sat in the fella’s workshop surrounded by history and knives. I didn’t know what I wanted, only what I didn’t want. I got to handle a few other knifes - none were quite right but I could feel what didn’t work for me. With his guidance, we created a new blade shape that was exactly what I wanted. It wasn’t off the shelf, it was created for me.

The experience was a joy. The knife is perfect.

That is a custom knife to my mind.

@Stuart Mitchell is a gentleman and a true expert in his field.

 

[Rory]

I bought a “custom” knife a few years back - an Emberleaf. There was nothing really custom about it. It was an off the shelf product where I got to chose the handle colour and material. It was made by hand rather than mass produced but beyond colour, nothing was to my specification.

It was well made (to my eye) but It didn’t suit me and I never really got in with it. But I did learn a bit about what I didn’t like.

I then had a proper custom knife made. I sat in the fella’s workshop surrounded by history and knives. I didn’t know what I wanted, only what I didn’t want. I got to handle a few other knifes - none were quite right but I could feel what didn’t work for me. With his guidance, we created a new blade shape that was exactly what I wanted. It wasn’t off the shelf, it was created for me.

The experience was a joy. The knife is perfect.

That is a custom knife to my mind.

@Stuart Mitchell is a gentleman and a true expert in his field.

Pics or it didn't happen...

 

[long_range_rob]

There are a lot of these about atm. About as sharp as a block of cheddar. Give @Stuart Mitchell a shout. His work is first rate and they are very sharp and hold that edge.

 

[johnnytheboy]

There are a lot of these about atm. About as sharp as a block of cheddar. Give @Stuart Mitchell a shout. His work is first rate and they are very sharp and hold that edge.

Ultimately I did and got a blue Portland 90 which is as expected and I’ve used a fair bit!

 

[Dave_45]

It’s maybe a poke in the eye to some other makers.

But I’ll never buy another blade from anyone bar Stuart Mitchell.

Pedigree
Full time passion / trade for him.

I had some from other makers , it was money wasted.

 

[snake_2586]

I don't really have much to add here, but I will emphasize there is a lot of difference between a true custom knife and a hand made knife, a lot of us that make knives as a hobby like me or as a living like others on here, just put your choice of handles on our own designs, or our own choice and you buy it if you like the look of it.
But to me a truly 'custom' knife is when someone comes to me with an idea and we come up with the design together, or even better if someone brings the design and I just have to rough it out to see if they truly like it and then we can tweak it to make it what they were hoping for.

 

[Dazb1967]

How was your experience @Dazb1967 , did you get what you wanted?

Almost, My only issue was he couldn't do the blade in flat grind so I had to settle for Scandi and I'm not really a fan of scandal grind hence I no longer have the knife but the quality was there and I did use it for a few years

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Funnily enough my lad has bought some of these off Facebook. I spent an evening sharpening two marked up JN and another of his knives. I read the FB page yet couldn't see anything that actually said they made the knives. They do have quite a clever marketing strategy, with the "auction" sales. Seem to sell their knives.
Going Stalking with my lad's on Saturday (hopefully the weather will play ball this time. two trips cancelled so far) somewhere in Shropshire iirc. So fingers crossed we'll find out if they'll hold an edge.

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

Almost, My only issue was he couldn't do the blade in flat grind so I had to settle for Scandi and I'm not really a fan of scandal grind hence I no longer have the knife but the quality was there and I did use it for a few years

I do bet if that knife were flat ground I suspect you’d still have it.

I would like to ask though @Dazb1967 , purely because this subject and so your answer is of great interest to me as you'll know, why did you settle?

Obviously something attracted you to the maker in the first place but when they couldn't fulfil your total brief, why not look elsewhere?