[Balrog]

I am looking for a dressy pocket knife. Maybe with sterling silver, bone or horn, turquoise, or other interesting material. Custom or semi-custom. Any suggestions?

[JShirley]

Spyderco Centofante Memory (http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?54194-Centofante-Memory).

Absolutely gorgeous gentleman's knife with modern materials. Jeff at Cutlery Shoppe (http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/spydercomemory-c155tip-frankcentofantedesign-ffgvg-10blade-bluedtitaniumhandlewglassfiberscale.aspx) seems to have the best price, as is frequently the case.

John

[ugaarguy]

I've become a big Spyderco fan of late, but I'm still lusting after a Benchmade Megumi (http://www.benchmade.com/products/482) , and to a lesser extent the Benchmade Shori (http://www.benchmade.com/products/483).

[ApacheCoTodd]

Some sweet CR models for the "fancy pants" kinda use.

http://chrisreeve.com/pffolding.htm

[Piraticalbob]

Can't get much fancier than William Henry. (http://www.williamhenrystudio.com/default.cfm)

[hso]

You haven't stated a price range so that we know if you understand the cost of a custom folder.

[Balrog]

The William Henry knives look awesome. Something like that is what I am looking for. As for price range, it would simply depend on the materials of the piece. If there was silver, inlay gold, and gemstones like on the William Henry's then $1500 doesnt seem too much. The Kestrel looks to be a great size. Who would produce similar competitive products with WH?

[hso]

There are scores of custom makers if you're willing to pay $1,500 for a fancy folder. More importantly, you'll end up with a one of a kind piece instead of a one of a few.

John W. Smith is highly regarded for his fancy folders and the regard is more than deserved.

Take a look at the participants in the Art Knife Invitational if you want something unique.

[Balrog]

There are scores of custom makers if you're willing to pay $1,500 for a fancy folder.

So is William Henry more like semi-custom?

[JShirley]

If I wanted a fancy pocket knife and had $1000 for it, I'd talk to Gayle Bradley (http://www.bradleysblades.com/knives.html). Great guy, incredible knives.

John

[hso]

So is William Henry more like semi-custom?


That's a good description.

[Piraticalbob]

"Custom or semi-custom" is what the man specified in his original post. The downside of pure custom work is waiting periods. I agree that a pure custom piece, one-of-a-kind, is potentially a better knife and worth bragging over, but the OP might not want to wait 1 year/2 years/longer to get his knife.

[hso]

There are plenty of good makers who don't have a year and a half wait.

Heck, some of them even have stock on hand.

I have fancy folders that I bought off the table at shows.

[EddieG54]

Not sure of the OP's custom or semi-custom requirements but check out
Moore Maker, Inc. (mooremaker.com). I have a couple of their knives and they have several options to choose from with very good prices to boot.

[Stainz]

I recently received a Mel Pardue custom knife. Wow... A Tanto folder, a la the one on pg 4 on his site, except for the more expen$ive matched mammoth ivory scales - over a kilobuck for sure. It'll never see EDC here! All I can say when I see it is "I'm not worthy!!".

Closer to planet Earth - a small plain-Jane CRK S35VN Sebenza is a hard act to follow - and functional, too. I love mine - and it does definitely see some carry - it's just techno-pretty - plain, in other words! At a better price point is my smaller Benchmade 480-1 Shoki in CF and m390 steel - delivered with a pocket sheath - I got it days after the small Sebbie - and it has seen much more carry. My newer Benchmade 482 Megumi is starting to intrude on the Shoki & small Sebbie's carry - it's a handsome knife. Below, top down, are my finer pocket knives (Excluding the Megumi and Mel Pardue knives.): CRK/WC 'StarTac Umnumzaan; Buck 172 Mayo TNT; CRK plain small S35VN Sebenza; and Benchmade 480-1 Shoki.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/002-2.jpg

The StarTac is a special Umnumzaan, while the Buck 172 Mayo TNT, in Ti & S30V, was a poor man's Sebbie that Buck dropped some years ago now due to it's high cost and low sales. The 480-1 Shoki, to me, is the sleeper here - it's CF scales being quite handsome - and the QC is excellent, too.


You could have a Shoki, Megumi, and a nice dinner for what the small Sebbie cost, of course. You could have a pair of upgraded Sebbies for what my Mel Pardue knife would likely cost you, for that matter. It's all in what you have to spend - and what 'statement' you want your fancy knife to make. Good Luck!

Merry Christmas!

Stainz

PS If it is too pretty - or it's cost too dear - you likely won't carry it!

[Balrog]

To clarify, I am looking for something ornate. Damascus steel, sterling silver, inlaid semi-precious stones, etc.

[MrTwigg]

Case knives, Damascu blades, Mammoth Ivory (http://www.wrcase.com/knives/by_steel/other/mammoth-ivory-and-damascus/)

My wife gave me one of these folders for Christmas a few years ago. You will not be dissapointed.

This guy (http://www.arizonacustomarms.com/Home_Page.html) makes some inlaid grips and knives to match.

[hso]

Balrog,

Just have Kim Breed make a fancy one for you.

[Balrog]

I have seen some Kim Breed knives in photos, and they look great. Does anyone know how to contact them? They dont seem to have a website?

[j1]

Pearl handles are nice and no waiting for custom made.

[JShirley]

Balrog,

Kim's a member. Send him a PM- if he doesn't reply in a day or two, send me your email address, and I'll forward it to him.

John

[Stainz]

Here is a crude picture or two of my Mel Pardue custom knife - his website is melpardue.com.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/024_zps9bc10f66.jpg
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/025_zps7cfedf98.jpg

Gold screws, mammoth ivory scales & thumbstud insets, fileworked backspacer with gold, Damascus bolster, & Damascus Tanto blade - beautiful - my horrid pix don't do it justice. Check his site.

Stainz