When and why did you start collecting custom/handmade knives?(Anecdotes welcome!) Who are your favorite makers?(pics are ok here ;-) )

Hey Paul,

I've always been keen on sharp pointy things, but only in the last 2-3 years have I really taken an interest in customs. Currently I own knives made by Running Dog(2), Mark Boyer(1), Steve Stuart(1), Benton(1), Robert Dockrell(1) and Greg Lightfoot(1).

Soon I will be the owner of a true custom made by Eric Elson. Eric is my favourite maker, and not just because he lives so darn close. But I do get a sneek peek at his new knives (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

All of my customs are currently fixed blades. I can't seem to bring myself to drop $300 - 400+ USD on a folder. But if I could I'd most likely get something from Tom Anderson, or maybe Tom Mayo, or maybe Doggett, or maybe Gene Osborn, or........you get the idea, funtional with good looks.

Dale.

Yep I hear ya! Hey folks speak up! I really am interested in what you have to say!!

pub42.ezboard.com/fcustom...=223.topic (http://pub42.ezboard.com/fcustomknifedirectoryforumfrm33.showMessage?topicI D=223.topic)
That's Steve Korns photo entry from week 15. It's the first custom I ever owned. I was looking for a better hunting knife. I had carried many different factory ones and had gotten fed up. I saw this in a store (the owner of which is now a friend) JT's knife shop in Port Jervis, NY. There where 3 knives in there a 2" clip point bird and trout, a clip point hunter with a 5" blade and this drop point at 4". I was mostly fishing in those days and did not need the bigger knife. I wasn't into the small neck knives then. It was just the right piece at the right time.

I still have that knife. It sits in my knife block in my kitchen and it gets used almost every day.

I started collecting custom knives about 18 months ago. This was a logical step (my wife disagrees) up from some of the high end production knives that I had collected from makers such as Sog.

I have varied tastes in knives, last year I purchased a number of Emerson CQC6 knives in a number of variations. These have now been sold - but my Dress CQC6 has reappeared on ebay.

My current collection has a number of folders from the likes of Carson and Chew. The current focus is on fixed blade tacticals. Here I have knives from Polzien, Snody and Walter Brend. I am spending too much money on Brend Fixed blades at this time and hope to soon have at least one example of each Brend Model.

Regards,

Ed

Paul, I actually started collecting for my own use before I started doing photographs of them. (Back then I just shot woman, boring). I have always been an avid hunter and a custom knife was more like a fine fountain pen to a business man. I bought the first one because I wanted it, not because I needed it. A custom knife is a private personal item. Once I added knives to my business setup several years ago I've been able to start a nice collection. But I still only get the ones that appeal to me.
Forgive me guys, but a little old man by the name of Owens from SC is (was) my favorite maker. He past away several years ago but he was the first true custom maker that I knew. Besides good knives, I also got from him the sense that knife makers are a friendly lot.