Chinese custom knife maker?

S

Smiling

Joined
Nov 21, 2019
Messages
1,495
Well, a guy I know has got his custom made knife - from China, he found a maker through some Chinese site like AliExpress.

That maker uses 1075, 1080/SK-5 and 1095 steels. You send him the sketch and dimensions you'd like and he tells you the price, if that's OK - you pay and he makes you the knife.

He did put his knife through some abuse and it holds up very well. Even after hitting very hard wood it had no damage, he even batoned some stuff with it despite the knife not being very large. It held up without any chips or rolls. And it's cheap for a custom knife.

Any thoughts?
 
Smiling said:
Well, a guy I know has got his custom made knife - from China, he found a maker through some Chinese site like AliExpress.

That maker uses 1075, 1080/SK-5 and 1095 steels. You send him the sketch and dimensions you'd like and he tells you the price, if that's OK - you pay and he makes you the knife.

He did put his knife through some abuse and it holds up very well. Even after hitting very hard wood it had no damage, he even batoned some stuff with it despite the knife not being very large. It held up without any chips or rolls. And it's cheap for a custom knife.

Any thoughts?
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April 1 was over a month ago. Did this get stuck in your drafts?
 
I wouldn't trust the makers of custom knives out there. If they are getting their steels from the forges out there, it could be any steel, and they call it what you think you're getting. Not saying this guy per say.. it just reminds me of the katana business practices that are used out there when I hear anything out there done custom when it comes to steel
 
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[/url][/IMG] We 702DS custom. Integral Damasteel hollow ground goodness. I trust these guys and that these materials are what they are supposed to be. Good people IMHO.
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Smiling said:
You send him the sketch and dimensions you'd like and he tells you the price, if that's OK - you pay and he makes you the knife.
Click to expand...

I would be very hesitant to pay upfront unless the guy has a sterling, and well documented, reputation. Even then, I would be wary. Lots of horror stories out there.
 
When I want a knife made, I go here to have one made.
KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale
The reason for my decision is that if a supporting member of this forum doesn’t come through or makes a substandard knife, I’ve got some recourse to get what I paid for. For me, there’s no need to look anywhere else.
My thoughts are, no I would not commission a build from anyone that I cannot readily communicate with. With some things, there’s no reason to take a gamble.
 
I would never go to a Custom Maker in China. I would have no hesitation going with a Chinese custom knife maker working outside of China.
 
My thoughts? Where has the OP been since early March? Is s/he sh!tting us? I bet so.
 
I am terrible at names but there are a few makers from China that have tables at the Blade show with some incredible traditional customs. Not cheap either. If ordering a custom I would go to makers here or others in America that I know.( they might all be listed here, I am just too lazy to look)
 
I appreciate the answers...

I don't really care about US - China relations since I'm not American. But I understand why people in America will avoid giving their money to China, I'd probably do the same in your shoes.
I'll agree with you on this being a bad idea for other reasons mentioned.

There's no guarantee that product will be good and I agree with you that there are more reputable makers.

I also agree with gentleman stating that if the maker is present here - it's a bonus because of the communication.

And also about steel not being what it's said it is... yeah it happens. That is honestly main reason why I would personally hesistate with anything other than production knives. Even when you buy big name like Bark River - it happens.

And at the other hand. This dude did put that knife through some abuse and it did just fine.
Who knows, maybe this is the first good knife that maker has made?
Maybe it'll break on first next use?
And this knife also has no warranty.

But, at least that maker is making customs and his own work, rather than making knock-offs of other brands - which is a common thing in China.
 
I only buy from custom USA makers, in case I have to drive to their house and bang on some windows
 
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