[Cosmose]

most of the knives i have are case,old timer,swiss army knives,crkt,kershaw...etc... etc..i even have a maxam that will take a hair poping edge. i always condsiderd them good knives. my brother has started making knives for a hobby and has been telling me about how he's read of knives cutting through. 2x4's and still being able to shave?:what: so my question is how much beter are the custom knives? do they really keep a edge longer than cheaper knives? are they worth the extra money?

[mole]

Yes. Looks like you've had several good knives. Some custom knives are great knives, but come with a great price.

[Valkman]

Many makers hack through a 2x4 to test their knives and they're still sharp. It's better steel and better heat treat. I do believe that customs are generally better because they're hand made and not ground on a machine. Custom makers can add anything they want to a knife - something you can't get in a factory knife. Some of us sell customs much cheaper than others because we haven't done it that long. Most makers I'll never afford a knife from so I trade when I can or just drool like everyone else.

That said I normally carry a SAK, a Case and a Strider, all factory knives. :)

[LarryS.]

Check out:

http://www.bladeforums.com/

[tradja]

so my question is how much beter are the custom knives?
Got my first custom last spring for a long trip last summer (http://knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/792236). I really enjoy using and owning it. How much better? "Better" is subjective. IME, the fit and finish on a nice handmade custom is almost always dramatically better than production knives (but many production knives, usually in the $100+ range, are just as nicely put together).

do they really keep a edge longer than cheaper knives?
Edge retention is just one of many characteristics that are part of a good knife. Other qualities would be ergonomics, materials (exotic and/or high-performance), fit and finish, blade geometry, grind, and steel. There are plenty of good production knives that will hold an edge as well as most customs. Price does not equal edge retention. Good steel + good heat treat = edge retention.

are they worth the extra money?
That's up to the buyer. ;) And among high-end knives (both production and custom), custom isn't always "extra". My first custom was less expensive than many high-end production knives.

Like mole says, you list some nice knives in your collection. Get your brother to make you a knife!

Chopping through 2x4's with no edge deformation is a commom test among ABS (American Bladesmith Society) types.

[hso]

Yes, they're "better", but whether they're worth it or not depends upon what you intend to do with them and whether a knife fits your needs.

The knives used in the cutting competitions are pushed right to the limits of what the materials and craftsmen who make them can do. Very much like high end driving cars or off-road performance vehicles. I'd love to have one, but what I drive takes care of everything I need. Same for knives.

BTW, I've seen competetion knives hack through 2X4s, cut free-hanging 1" manilla rope and still pop the hair off your arm.

[Joe Demko]

Was the entire edge used to hack through the board? I've seen salesmen (read conmen) use one portion of the edge on a cheap junk knife to saw at some hard object, then (quickly) use another section to cut a tomato as "proof" of the knife's miraculous edge-holding.

[hso]

I've seen salesmen (read conmen) use one portion of the edge on a cheap junk knife to saw at some hard object, then (quickly) use another section to cut a tomato as "proof" of the knife's miraculous edge-holding.

Joe,

I've been to many cutting competitions and you can attend as well. No smoke and mirrors or slieght of hand. They chop through the board, cut the rope and pop hair. Nearly impossible to select different areas to do this with since they're striking at the point of percussion. The judging is very strict.

I was here for this one and he's required to hand the knife over and have it inspected when he finishes. It shaved hair afterwards.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PnmvlTzCuvk

[eliphalet]

Good enough I would think depends on what use, handling abilities, and blade steel, or edge holding capabilities. I hunt with a old (pre 1980) Buck 110, made with 440C steel. I got sold on em from some kinda wild one;s I knew laying their 110's in the sand and shooting them, standing over the knife, with a 38. The bullet would split into with no visible damage to the blade. A Gerber blade would break into. So I got one for hunting. Almost 30 years later it is still my go to knife as it will fit in a pocket and do what is needed.They hold an edge very well. I have gutted and split the brisket on two deer and or two young elk and the knife would still shave my arm. but if I am cutting cardboard boxes I want soft steel that has a rough edge that can be hit on the stone and brought back to a saw type edge quick and easy. If I am cutting meat I usea Forchner. I don't know what the steel is but 90% of the meat cutters seem to use em so they must be about the best for that particular job. So a lot plays into what is a good knife. I know customs are beautiful I ohh and ahhh over them but for practically purposes I doubt they are any better than can be had over the counter. Just watch what steel and use the knife meant for. Gosh I wish I could afford a Randal.

[comanche55]

As a collector, I have several customs. Randall, Emerson, Reeve, Turtulo, Pendelton Avery, Onion....to name a few. I also have Buck, Cold Steel, Case, Gerber, Schrade, Maxaam, Camillus, K-Bar, Anza....most of the "name brand" producers. I even took a knife making course at the community college some years back and still use the fillet knife I made in the class. I've tinkered with my own forge and belt grinder and made a few for myself and friends. Made a couple out of old files and a couple out of an old saw blade from the local sawmill.

Which do I use? I have my favorites. My Cold Steel Pendelton Mini-Hunter is in my day pack for hunting. My Emerson CQC 7 is clipped in my waistband, out of sight (I have an Arizona CCW). My Yellow handled Case "Trapper" is in my pocket. The one knife that I can say that has seen the most use is a Schrade "Sharpfinger" (I believe that is what it is called) that my Granpa gave me for my first deer hunt when 8 years old. It was my only knife as a youth before I became a collector and has dressed deer, antelope, rabbit, squirrel, quail, you name it. Cleaned a bunch of trout. It is a fine old Knife. I've had to replace the sheath a number of times, but the knife is still in good shape and razor sharp. I use a Lansky system at 20 degrees to keep it that way.

And then I have a few of what I call "Art Knives". You've seen them at shows
Damascus blades, Walrus Tusk Ivory handles, Engraved hilts, the kind of knife that you wouldn't dare take to the woods. I confess to owning a couple of those types as well. Told myself (and mostly my wife) that I was buying them for "investments" (Shhh, don't tell her different!). And some have actually gone up in value. Most just look nice in the glass curio case in the den. Since retiring, those type purchases have slowed considerably, since retirement funds are less than when I was working.

Would like to hear from other enthusiasts, as I would like to prove to the wife that there are other people that have the same "disease".

Oh yeah, I also own a very nice Burger Sword Cane, I have wanted one for a while. Daughter graced me with one for my 52nd birthday. Check out their Website for knives and QUALITY swordcanes. http://www.swordcane.com

Thanks for letting me ramble.

[tradja]

comanche55, have you checked out bladeforums.com and knifeforums.com? Plenty of other enthusiasts and a good community like here at THR. Great pics, too.

Cosmose, do you have any pics of your brother's knives?

[kellyj00]

cut through a lot of 2x4's with a switchblade do ya?

using a knife requires that you sharpen it, just like using a gun requires that you clean it.

[Joe Demko]

cut through a lot of 2x4's with a switchblade do ya?

using a knife requires that you sharpen it, just like using a gun requires that you clean it.
__________________

I've read through the thread a couple times and I can't figure out to what this is a response.

[SpecialCombat]

I couldn't either. In fact I've never heard of a switchblade used in a 2X4 chop. I've seen them stabbed repeatedly through a 55 gallon steel drum, but that was a testament to the mechanism's strength, not a reflection on chopping ability. They must make bigger switches in his neck of the woods.;)

[wooderson]

That's a great thread on your trek knives, tradja. Very inspirational for those of us who haven't even been camping for ten years.

[tradja]

Thanks Wooderson! For the life of me, I can't figure out why I did the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail without a "knife guy" knife. Having a good knife this time sure was *fun*.

Your comment reminds me, though, that a custom may or may not be "better" than a cheaper knife, but IME, it sure is a pleasure to use when pursuing the activites that we love, be it hunting, camping, backpacking, fishing, woodworking, cooking, etc.

[Cosmose]

i don't have a camera, if i ever get one i'll be sure to post some pictures of my brother's knives.

[JTW Jr.]

I have customs and what some would call Semi-customs. I cant think of one of my knives that has not been used at some point , this includes Striders , Rinaldi's , Blackwoods , Zero's , Atwood , Folts , Simonich. They all get used for some thing or another , while I may not use my Blackwood Henchman Custom in the same manner I would my Strider AR , they do get used.

I had some safe queens , found no joy in being afraid to use them , so I sold/traded them off for ones I can/do use.

I have a Case Bose that gets daily use , Strider PT , Rinaldi Matrix , and I have been known to carry one of the small fixed blades I made.

For most mundane daily stuff , you may not need a custom , but once you get hooked , you will want to use one. It's a sense of pride in away. Each of my customs , I had some input as to handle material , finish , grinds , etc.
Its a nice feeling knowing it WAS made for you , and not hand picked off a shelf :)

Enjoying the finer things in life , that were made at the hands of an individual instead of a large company , though I do have a couple productions that see use from time to time , BM Rukus , Tarani Masters Karambit , Case Seahorse Whittler , Buck Mayo , BM 210 Snody , etc.

Do we absolutely need to use a custom ? perhaps not , but I aint planning on getting ready of my customs in lieu of factory knives ever :)