Top knife maker - UK

[Overlay]

Hadn't heard of Manor knives before. All the hunting/bushcraft knives on the website are skandis. Does he do other profiles to order?

The one he made for me I just e mailed the details over, he phoned to check details and the next call was a proofing call and pic then it turned up, and he also rang up after a few weeks to see how I got on with I think he will turn his hand to what you want and to be honest I quite like that, he came across wanting to make me the knife I was looking for, only others I've found like that is Danum and Alan wood is a real gent, I wanted a new sheath for one of mine, I sent a picture up to him and by return pics of other sheaths to fit which actually was the same as my other AW’S Paid for with me in 2 days and a real quality pucca job- no point in going anywhere else to be honest
But I still have others .
Funny enough one of the guys on here put pic up of some of the knives it was phenomenal, i showed my Mrs the pic just say I wasn’t the addictive knife hoarder she thought I was . To be fair she has only the one knife drawer though

 

[ColinBr]

For me it's Snakes knifes
He's made me 2 knives to my own spec, plus I have a few others of his own design.

Great guy to deal with and he's not trying to be top dog. Great performing knives at a more realistic price.

 

[Acm]

I would happily own one of Peter Eatons, Stuart Mitchell’s, Danums or Guy Stainthorp and truly believe I had the very best cutlery produced in the UK and probably the world. It seems slightly disrespectful to single out one of them as better than the other.

I respectfully disagree, surely it’s striving to be the best that makes any of them worth buying? I agree there’s no need for any handbags over it, the court summons we’ve heard about recently and in the past do nothing but make the issuer look rather silly.
But in my opinion, two competing outfits trying to be the best can only elevate one another’s work.

 

[finnbear270]

Peter Eaton without doubt should be on the list, So I abstain from voting.

^

 

[Overlay]

For me it's Snakes knifes
He's made me 2 knives to my own spec, plus I have a few others of his own design.

Great guy to deal with and he's not trying to be top dog. Great performing knives at a more realistic price.

Yep
It’s always good to get the blade you want, it’s a 2 prong affair with knives
One side you have one made from scratch entirely by hand and so individual then there’s the forward thinking progressive maker of knives that churn them out and sell them to you

My wife is a great leveller, I got a new blade unwrapped it left it on the side, SWMBO wanders in has a look at it ohh they will be nice we need 8 really

What ????
Ohh I thought you had purchased the new steak knives we need

Deflated is not the right word but when I kept staring at it with disbelief because it started to look like a steak knife

My money will now go to as near as possible to real handmade blades, good thing about this thread it has flagged up some very good knife makers hidden away making really good blades as you want them and not the other way around

A proven easily found list of handmade blade makers would benefit pretty well everyone to pay for and get the blade they want - it's on my wish list.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

How can anybody answer unless they’ve owned multiple knives from each and used them all?

That said there’s 3 names up there that I would say shouldn’t have made the short list just from their photo’s and in one case refusal to answer questions on heat treating and hardness testing of their knives!

This is true, however some will have handled and seen used most of the maker's creations - similar to rifles, nobody has tried them all, but we're all happy to provide our experiences.

And completely agree - no disrespect was meant to any who I missed, this was simply based off the top of my head and what was in the classifieds within the last year to jog my memory. There have certainly been a few mentioned who definitely would have been up there in preference of some!

Ben

 

[Pete6.5]

It's got to be greenman forge

 

[finnbear270]

It's got to be greenman forge

 

[Dazb1967]

Does anyone know if Lance Ockenden aka (Driftwood Walker) is still making knives I can't see any recent posts on the net and I don't do the Faceache thing, I had him commission a knife for me a number of years ago, I also have a rabbiting knife made by Bernie Garland which I still own though I believe he stopped making knives due to Ill health, He also seemed very controversial on the old British Blades site but I suppose you always get those characters on every forum.

 

[TheCornishman]

Perhaps Barvus Blades ought to be on that list too? He's a member on here (@TheCornishman), and makes some nice looking stuff.

Thank you sir …much appreciated.

If anyone would like more info on my work then please just pop me a message

 

[geoshot]

As I own knives made by the top four on the list above I feel it would be wrong of me to choose just one knife maker
However, when I go stalking the knife on my belt is typically either a Danum Muntjac Catcher or a Stainthorp Capreolus
That said, none of my knives live in a tool box or drawer - they all get used now & again

 

[Jdt]

Jacklore, Sandy Jack should be in the list imo. Superb quality and renowned in the bushcraft world.

Got a few of his knives brilliant quality and craftsmanship and a great guy

 

[Hollowlegs]

Thank you sir …much appreciated.

If anyone would like more info on my work then please just pop me a message

Hi

Hope you are well, just found you reading threads on handmade knives, do you make legal folders?
Thanks in advance
Vaughan

 

[sh1kar]

You missed Harry Boden

 

[Jimmyfish]

Snakes Knives for me.
I've used Marks knives for the last 5 seasons, on an average of 80 fallow a season. Great knives, well sized and a good shape, just need a quick strop to keep a good edge.

 

[Overlay]

I’ve been around a few years, buying blades to my hearts content, one thing that is pretty evident I haven’t even scratched the surface on the uk’s blade makers, there are so many that slip under the radar - refreshing that some good craftsmen are coming up on this thread

 

[deerstalker.308]

Ben Orford deserves a spot on this list too, some phenomenal blades (especially for edge retention).

 

[Cyres]

What about Loz Harrop?
D

 

[TheCornishman]

Hi

Hope you are well, just found you reading threads on handmade knives, do you make legal folders?
Thanks in advance
Vaughan

Hi fella, thanks for your interest. It’s something I may venture into as I can see the appeal but not as of yet…all fixed blades at present.

 

[Hollowlegs]

Hi fella, thanks for your interest. It’s something I may venture into as I can see the appeal but not as of yet…all fixed blades at present.

Thanks for the response, if you want to make a prototype and need testing/feedback