So, How many custom knifemakers are here?

[knifemaker3]

Hey all,
I see some names from knifenetwork forum on here like Don Robinson who I really admire his work.

How many other custom makers are on here? And I mean those who make everything from raw materials not customize factory made knives. I have seen some fantastic customized knives here and ain't trying to leave nobody out or hurt feelings so please don't take this post wrong.

I've been a little known custom maker for almost 20 years now. Haven't made but about 1-2 a year for the last 7-8 years but am getting back into making them again more here lately. Haven't attended many shows nor advertised much just pretty much local guys buy my knives. I used to have a website and sell on ebay back in the late nineties early 2000.

Anyway, just curious as to how many other custom makers are on here.

Thanks!

[gmusic]

Hey Craig,

There are a few here who practice the trade, I'm surprised no one has replied to your inquiry.
I'm very new to the knife making "hobby". I have been collecting for years and have always wanted to learn. I finally bit the bullet and took a forging class last April, got my stuff together and just this week and went to work!
I hope others will chime in and give us an update on themselves.

Take care............................

[Darksev]

I don't pretend to be anything close to good, but this last year I started working with O1 and stock removal. I'm still a customizer, honestly, but I keep trying We have some very talented guys here though, for sure!

[orvet]

I am really more of a customizer, though I have made a few by stock removal.
I have enough work customizing to keep me busy though.

I do want to build a coffee can forge this next year.
I want to build a folder from scratch, hopefully in '09.

Dale

[knifemaker3]

I should have mentioned I primarily do stock removal although I do occasionally forge a railroad spike knife and have also tried making chainsaw chain damascus. Hope to do more forging this winter.

I just recently started trying to make folders but haven't gotten it down good enough to show any off yet. As soon as I get my new elements for my kiln I'm going to try again.

You'all have a good day!

[philco]

Hey Craig,
Do you have any examples of your work you could show us? I know a lot of folks would love to see some of your creations. Who knows, it might even flush out a few more knife makers.
Phil

[knifemaker3]

Here is some older pics.

These knives have either all been sold or was made for my personal collection.

Just basic stuff.

Thanks for looking.

[Hukk]

I do stock removal on fixed blades and make sheaths from simple to snakeskin inlays. So, I do everything from start to finish, including heat treat. I would like to get a dewar for liquid nitrogen for a cryo between tempers. I don't have a whole lot of pictures - new PC replacing one with a fried hard drive and I just have not kept up in the last year. I found a few, but most show nice sticks of wood along with a few knives/sheaths. But, I am moving onto folders - just because I always wanted to. I bought some plans from Don Robinson and I also designed a couple myself including a Barlow. I just got the reamers for precision folders and I am waiting on some .138 410 SS (thin a bit down for bolsters) along with some 410 SS Pinstock. 410 looks nice and shiny, but 416 SS has better machinability (more sulpher). Weldablity is better with 410 SS. Both can be hardened and tempered if desired (cut down on scratches due to pockets?) I'll need to play with silver soldering (actually brazing) 410 SS first (I have done a lot in refrigeration and other "stuff"). I have some low temp (~450F), but I will likely try the 56 (~1100F) first. I used to be pretty good - but that was a while ago.

410 SS is hard to find in pinstock and some sizes of sheetstock.

BTW, in addition to several very nice sets of knife plans Don Robinson has a great DVD on making a Llinerlock Barlow (includes plans if I remember correctly) that is so full of information that I can see it is going to save a few from going in the scrap can. A must have, IMO.

Anyhow, I need to learn to grind little pieces of steel, it's a little different. I'll follow an idea in Don's DVD.

[philco]

Here is some older pics.

These knives have either all been sold or was made for my personal collection.

Just basic stuff.

Thanks for looking.

Pretty darned impressive for "Just basic Stuff".
You do very nice work.

[Diligence]

Craig,

I made my first real knife (ie one that I was proud of) back in 95'. Like you, I only made a few a year. They were all stock removal, with others folks doing the heat treat.

I've made two folders from scratch, both liner locks in 1996/97. The first one was completed without the use of power tools, except a drill press for holes, and a dremel cut off wheel for cutting the liner to create the lock. The second one was much better, but ended up in an ex-brother-in-law's hands...with no digital photos.

Since then I've been in and out of blades. In the past two years, I've started to retrofit and repair/customize slipjoints. I like it as it fits into my busy schedule and doesn't require me to spend hours in the shop..

Cheers,
D

[muskrat man]

I get as many if not more orders for my custom fixed blades than I do customizing factry knives (which is what I started out doing). Can't wait to get back in the shop, I miss it dearly.

[fdh54turkeyshooter]

Started stock removal method this year. Have built an Indian George Forge and it works really great. Just not used it much yet. Just got a good deal on a Wilton Square Wheel Belt Grinder & an EvenHeat Oven. I have made sold several knives with Stag Handles and Some with Buffalo Horn & Turquoise. So much to learn though. I try to search out the knife-makers in the area & if they are willing, learn what I can from them. There are a few around here in North Florida. Biggest challenge so far is getting those grind lines the same on both sides of the blade. Especially where you start the grind. People are helpful on this forum & with time I will get better. My dad was a Band director that repaired instruments when he retired from teaching. He could make a moon cratered instrument look brand new. I am going to transfer what skill I inherited from him into the area of custom knives. I appreciate all pointers & help.

[fdh54turkeyshooter]

That is a beautiful dagger Craig!

[gmusic]

Very nice work all ya-all..........................

[pridgenknives]

I am a custom knife maker. My name is Larry Pridgen Jr. I have a website and google album. That is how I show my pictures of what I have done.
http://picasaweb.google.com/pridgencustomknives
http://www.pridgencustomknives.com/

Hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did making them!!

Hope to talk to you soon!
Larry

[philco]

Larry,


Glad to have you join us here at AAPK.

You do some awesome work! Also vey cool web site.

I hope you will hang around and share some of your knowlege with other knife "addicts".

Phil

[gmusic]

Welcome to the site Larry.

You do some very nice work! Looks like you have been at it for a while. Are you forging the Damascus yourself?

I hope to learn to do that someday.

Gary

[Hukk]

Some nice looking work! Welcome to AAPK!

[pridgenknives]

HEY PHIL!

[pridgenknives]

Gary,
No I get my steel from Brad Vice at Alabama Damascus Steel. Forging is time consuming and I am more into the creative part of knifemaking, design and such.

Thanks for looking at my work!!

Larry
http://www.pridgencustomknives.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/pridgencustomknives

[pridgenknives]

Hukk

Thanks!! Working to get ready for my Savannah Show in January right now!

Larry
http://www.pridgencustomknives.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/pridgencustomknives

[Hukk]

Gary,
No I get my steel from Brad Vice at Alabama Damascus Steel. Forging is time consuming and I am more into the creative part of knifemaking, design and such.

Thanks for looking at my work!!

Larry
http://www.pridgencustomknives.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/pridgencustomknives

Very good steel and he stands behind what he makes. I like his steel, I usually buy it on eBay. I should look at his website and buy directly from him. I'm tired of eBay and the new policies such as PayPal only - seems like that should be illegal. Kind of like a monopoly thing and I thought that they would be required to accept any USA legal tender. http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/servlet/StoreFront is the Alabama Damascus Steel website.

[pridgenknives]

Gary,
No I get my steel from Brad Vice at Alabama Damascus Steel. Forging is time consuming and I am more into the creative part of knifemaking, design and such.

Thanks for looking at my work!!

Larry
http://www.pridgencustomknives.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/pridgencustomknives

Very good steel and he stands behind what he makes. I like his steel, I usually buy it on eBay. I should look at his website and buy directly from him. I'm tired of eBay and the new policies such as PayPal only - seems like that should be illegal. Kind of like a monopoly thing and I thought that they would be required to accept any USA legal tender. http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/servlet/StoreFront is the Alabama Damascus Steel website.

Brad is a good buddy of mine. I have made 3 folders completely out of damascus. He's a good guy. I didn't know ebay went to all paypal? We use paypal, have for years and love it.
But you are right they should take other tender.

Larry

[gmusic]

Thanks pridgen......................

I checked them out and they do have some nice stuff!

[Hukk]

I'm tired of eBay and the new policies such as PayPal only - seems like that should be illegal. Kind of like a monopoly thing and I thought that they would be required to accept any USA legal tender. http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/servlet/StoreFront is the Alabama Damascus Steel website.

OOPS! My Bad - I made a mistake about PayPal. I got an email from them in early Summer about PayPal payments only on eBay, but never got the oops it was a mistake email. Here is a link:
http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/bl ... 42995.html

Back to those beautiful knives!