Many of the knives you see on my site may be “almost” what you’re looking for. Maybe you like the blade shape, but would prefer a different handle material or a different blade steel. Maybe you like the handle, but would like a different blade shape. Maybe you’d prefer a different filework pattern. I can make a knife to fit your specifications. Together we can design the knife of your dreams!
My pricing is based on several factors. One factor is the materials involved. Better materials cost more. For example, this price difference is seen between straight grain vs. burl wood, mosaic vs. solid pins, or stag vs. ivory. Another factor is intricacy of construction. A simple full tang knife with pinned handles takes less time to make than a knife with bolsters, a hidden tang, a guard, or liners. Also, knives with a matte finish or machine finish take less time to construct than knives with a mirror finish. Small knives are generally cheaper than large knives of similar construction, as there’s more time and materials involved in making a large knife.
I make all of the sheaths that go with my knives. Generally a sheath is included in the price on most small and hunting style knives. Occasionally a special sheath may be quoted separately. I can make the sheath right or left handed, horizontal or vertical carry, depending on the knife and how the customer intends to use it.
I use the following steels:
Stainless: CM154, CPM 154 CM, ATS-34, 440C
Carbon Steels:1080, 1084, Nicholson files
Tool Steels: D2
Wood: Mesquite, osage, cocobolo, bocote, pecan, others by request
Other natural materials: cow bone, camel bone, buffalo horn, sambar stag,mammoth or elephant ivory, elk or axis by request
Synthetic: Canvas, linen or paper Micarta; G10 in a variety of colors; rubber horse stall mat
416 stainless steel
Nickel silver
Brass
Any available wood or synthetic
Filework Patterns: vine and thorns, fish, crosses, arrow heads, broken wave, double cut wave, triangles, others possible by request
Engraving: Contracted by request. If you want engraving on a knife, I can arrange to have it engraved.
To place an order, send me a message through the contact page. I’ll ask you a few questions in an email regarding the knife you’re interested in: steel preference, handle material, filework, and sheath configuration. After all of the knife specifications have been agreed upon, I’ll quote you a price and approximate delivery time. When I am ready to start your knife, I will send you an email to confirm the details again.
Each knife I make takes 6 to 20+ hours of skilled hands-on time, in addition to several hours for tempering, glue drying, etc. I build my knives in batches of 4 to 7 blades of the same steel type. Each batch takes me 6 to 8 weeks to complete. How long your knife takes from order to delivery depentds primarily on how many orders I have ahead of you and where I am in my batch cycle. I’ll quote an approximate delivery date when you place your order.
As a general rule, I don’t take deposits. When I finish your knife, I will send you pictures. If you like what you see, you can pay at that time. When I recieve payment, I do my best to ship the next business day. There is one exception to the “no deposits” rule. If you order a knife with ivory, damascus, or some other expensive material that I don’t have on hand, I may ask for a deposit when I am ready to start your knife, in order to purchase the materials. If I need a deposit from you for this purpose, I will tell you when I quote the order.
All quoted prices include a sheath, any paypal fees, and USPS priority mail shipping, unless otherwise specified. The knife will come to you sharp enough to shave hair. I will sharpen your knife at any time for no charge if you stop by or pay return shipping. Damaged knives or manufacturing defects will be handled fairly on a case by case basis.
