I just bought this semicustom knife for $49!

[Big Bill]

I just bought this semicustom knife for $49 + $7,50 shipping.

Here's the description...

THIS IS A CUSTOM MADE HUNTING KNIFE 440 STAINLESS BLADE 56 TO 58 R H VERY SHARP WITH A WHITE TAIL HANDLE AND 3 PLASTIC SPACER THE KNIFE IS 9 IN LONG THE BLADE IS 4 3/8 LONG AND THE HANDLE WITH THE BRASS GUARD AND THE SPACER IS 4 1/2 INCHES THIS IS SOME OF THE BEST HIGH CARBON 440 C STAINLESS STEEL THAT YOU CAN FIND 56 TO 58 ROCKWELL TESTED..ALL OF MY KNIVES COMES WITH YOUR CHOICE ON THE KNIFE SHEATH RIGHT HAND OR LEFT HAND AND YOU CAN GET THE SHEATH IN TAN BROWN AND BLACK THAT IS CUSTOM MADE BY ME

http://myworld.ebay.com/bigfootknives/

 

[Searcher1970]

Thats a beauty.

 

[Big Bill]

Thanks Searcher. I'll do a report on it in this thread as soon as I have an opportunity to use it.

 

[PRM]

Now that sure does "shine." Nice knife - anybody would be proud to own that one. Sounds like you got a great buy also.

 

[hso]

Looks good.

Just so everyone understands, and thanks for using the term "semicustom", the ebay seller, Big Fletch, is purchasing the blades and then building the knife. It looks like he does a good job.

 

[middy]

I like the black and yellow spacers.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Just so everyone understands, and thanks for using the term "semicustom", the ebay seller, Big Fletch, is purchasing the blades and then building the knife. It looks like he does a good job.

Nice looking knife .

Not what would be called " semi-custom" , unless the maker actually grinds the blade the word custom shouldn't even be used. Hand assembled would be a better term.

Either way , it looks like the fit & finish on both the guard and the handle is well done .

I would personally prefer a pin of some sort thru the tang (or nut threaded to the end of the tang ) to keep the handle from coming off.

If the blades he is using are indeed 440c , then that is a pretty darn good deal. Most makers ( including myself ) wouldn't even rehandle a knife for that cheap.

**reason I say if is a friend buys a lot of blade blanks from knifekits.com and puts the handles on them , most of those are AUS6 , AUS8 and some are 440A.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Wow. What a deal. I couldn't buy the materials for that price.

 

[Supertac45]

Sorry. but I'd pass.

 

[hso]

He should step up his product by buying finished blades of higher grade steel (not that there's anything wrong with properly heat treated 440C). He has nice handle material so he should raise the bar on what he builds by going for better blade material and by tossing in a little hand file work.

You can get them from Jantz and other suppliers. Some of you guys should give it a try.

 

[Big Bill]

Not what would be called " semi-custom" , unless the maker actually grinds the blade the word custom shouldn't even be used. Hand assembled would be a better term.

Well as far as I'm concerned, he can call it anything he wants. I got the knife today (I won it on the 18th), and it is beautiful. The blade is 3/16ths thick and it is beautiful. I totally belive this man when he says it's 440C. BTW, I'm not so sure he doesn't grind the blade himself. But, I do know that this is no cheap knife. It is VERY well made and he's a great person to do business with. Besides he got a 100% rating on 1486 sales.

I'm not dissing any of you knife makers, but I think your objections are just sour grapes. And, why not. The guy puts out an unbelievable product for the price. Then again, maybe I just got lucky. But, if any of you want to check out his auctions, I personally give him a thumbs up.

http://myworld.ebay.com/bigfootknives/

Here's what he said on one of his other sales that iced it for me:

Before I tell you about the knife up for bid, I would like to give you a little background about myself. I am a retired master carpenter. I have loved fixing and messing around with knives all my life. Now since I am retired that is what I do to keep out of trouble. I don't make the blades myself yet, however that is my next mission. I don't just put a knife together, I look to find the best match between the blade and the material that I will use for the handle. I also make the sheath that is custom made for each knife. The sheath is not even made until the knife is sold so you can decide if you want it right or left handed and what color you want it to be, Right after Christmas last year I had a massive heart failure and was in the hospital for a long while and am just now getting back into making my knives again. I am truly grateful for all of you who sent your well wishes and thoughts and prayers to me while I was sick. I will not be putting up as many in the beginning as I was but will be trying to put up 2-3 a week. I love doing it and it is such a stress relief for me to be able to work on them. If you have any questions or requests just let me know. Thanks and God Bless...

 

[hso]

I'm not so sure he doesn't grind the blade himself.

Big Bill,

He says he doesn't on his ebay "site". That's taking nothing away from the fit and finish of his fittings. It looks like he builds a good looking knife from the parts he buys, but in the collector world it's referred to as a "kit knife" instead of a custom. The man has talent and there are plenty of collaboration knives where a craftsman that makes a blade hands the blade off to someone that does the fittings and furniture the result is a good looking knife.

 

[Big Bill]

Thanks for the clarification hso! I didn't intend to start any arguments. I just got a great deal and thought I'd share.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I can tell you this much , when he does start grinding his own blades , if he puts the level of fit & finish into his grinds as he does his handles & guards, he is going to do extremely well.

I was not dismissing his work , merely stating things from a collectors viewpoint.

For what you paid , you got a heck of a deal , and I know of a few friends who will be interested in a few of those from him , so I shall forward them the link.