[gga357]

Which would you choose? Wife tells you to choose one as an anniversary gift.

Dawson:
http://www.dawsonknives.com/american-bowie-with-midnight-finish.html

Reeve:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=CRKNEIL1

[Black Toe Knives]

I met Chris Reeve at Blade this year. I carried on twenty minute conversation with him.
He is one of the nicest makers I have met.

[bikerdoc]

Reeves just for the design, s30v. and canvas micarta

[hso]

Barry and Chris are both great guys, so on the "good guy" scale they're equal.

The differential heat treat makes for a nice looking temper line on the Dawson. You won't see one on the Reeves since it isn't differentially heat treated.

The CR is less expensive and the sheath is excellent. The Dawson is pricier, but you'd expect that for a hand made knife. Barry's sheaths are always well made, but it's not going to be a "tackycool" piece of web gear that you can jump out of a plane with.

If you contact Barry and let him know it is an anniversary gift odds are that he'll make note of that on the knife somehow (number of pins, filework, something). If you let Chris know it would probably be engraved on the blade.

If it matters, Barry actually makes the knife by hand that you'll get, but Chris probably won't since he has a small production staff.

[gga357]

I have a Dawson that I like very much. I was looking at the Reeve cause I hear his name quite a bit. I am wondering if I should add one of his peices to my (small) collection. I really only like the Pacific and the Neil Roberts.

I could just stick with the Dawson/Dawson/Cook trio. Actually I think there is one more Dawson in there somewhere.

I really prefere to hold, touch and heft a knife before I buy. So it is not an easy decision.

[JTW Jr.]

If you want a custom , get the Dawson , if you want a production , get the Reeve.

I am a fan of both makers , and you cant go wrong with either , curious as to why you narrowed it down to those two models , since they are completely different.

I have spent a good bit of time talking with Barry at the shows , he is a down to earth guy , with a great sense of humor and the talent with steel to keep ya smiling.

[gga357]

Well I have that Dawson but want one like:

http://www.dawsonknives.com/falcon.html

But in a differentially heat treated blued version (which is not pictured on the web site). So I think I will go that route. I have met Dennis Cook, Barry and Lynn's brother (sorry I forgot his name). They all work together and are great guys/gal. They all do great work and I like 80% of their table when I see all of their knives displayed together.

I called today and talked to Dennis Cook and he will most likely make the knife. As hso said he will put the anniversary date on the blade. He also said he will add it to the Lynn knife I just bought my wife.