Custom Knives; Is Your Education Lacking? Part 1
Information on knife makers, styles, materials, and all things custom knives can be found in publications that are primarily knife related and those that have articles or include them in their stories. Combine that with the amount of information on the internet and the membership levels of internet forums, one can argue you never have to leave your house to find out all you need to know about a custom knife. You could argue that, but I would submit to you that you are wrong.
BUGGY WHIPS AND BICYCLES
For centuries, buggy whips saw steady sales. Businesses were built and careers were made crafting this necessary piece of equipment for everyone from the average person to the gentry. Then at the turn of the 20th century many of these stores closed up shop. Why? The introduction of the automobile changed the focus of what consumers wanted. Many gave the public what they wanted and adapted with the times. Some went into the bicycle business and even that morphed into something else. A couple of friends changed the idea of the bicycle and their newest ideas can be seen today all over the roads and in their Headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. A couple of brothers moved from Ohio to North Carolina and today you see their ideas; but you have to look up.
Today, custom knife making and collecting move at a rapid pace. Techniques, materials, openers, locks from the past are morphed into updated versions of your Grandfather’s, maybe even your Father’s pocket knife. New makers seem to show up weekly if not daily. I routinely receive emails and phone calls inquiring about a new maker. When I reply that I have not heard of them, I am often met with, “They have been making knives for 3 months and they are awesome.” No doubt there are some knife makers that show great potential almost immediately with varied backgrounds, many with newly acquired machining skills from their job or a technical school. While for most the learning curve is a little longer than 3-6 months. In particular, for tactical folders, with the right machines and the training that curve can be cut in half. That said, my curiosity is always piqued by the latest knife making savant.
Robertson’s Custom Cutlery is your source for custom knives from today’s leading custom knife makers. We only feature the highest quality knives at value prices. Our custom fixed and folding knife selection includes tactical fixed and folding knives, presentation fixed and folding knives, bowies, hunters and skinners, and a large selection of forged blades. Les Robertson, author and owner of Robertson’s Custom Cutlery, is also a Field Editor for Blade Magazine and an instructor at Blade University. If you have questions about the content in this article or about any knife or maker on our website, you can contact Les directly at les@robertsonscustomcutlery.com or (706) 650-0252.