Recommend me a custom maker to produce my dream fighting knife

R

rudukai13

Joined
Jun 23, 2017
Messages
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Hi all. Relatively new to the forums. I've been trying to get a custom knife made of my own design for some time. A couple years ago I paid Richard Derespina of Derespina Knives to make it for me, but...Well, for those of you familiar with Richard's apparently well-known reputation, you can guess I'm still without my custom knife. But that's a matter for a different thread.

The design is somewhat abnormal. It combines a double-edged Persian dagger-style blade, the spine edge roughly serrated, with a karambit-style double-ringed handle. The design is intended to be a dedicated fighting knife, designed around a reverse-grip fighting philosophy. I'd like the blade made out of 1/4" Damascus, with the following dimensions;

Blade length approx. 6"
Handle length approx. 4"
Handle ring inner diameter 1"

I'll try to insert a picture of a rough 2D CAD sketch I did;

index.php


Are there any custom makers who would be able to take on this project for me? Reputable makers only please, I really don't want to go through the disappointment of having my money stolen with nothing to show for it again...
 
Yes, now I can see the pic.
Too bad about your previous custom experience. Thats enough to sour one in regards to custom knives. I hope you keep at it and get your money back. Did you check to see, if there was already a thread on the knifemaker - it sounds like there would be?

Your design is interesting. If for reverse grip/karambit-style use, shouldnt your edge be curving the other way? I dont know much about karambit style fighting, so Im asking - not telling you.
The dual rings looks like they might be uncomfortable for the fingers, should the knife get twisted in your hand. Also youd have to deal with two rings instead of just one ring, when quickly grabbing the knife for SD. Last but not least, you might want to read about ring knives and your fingers getting degloved - its not a nice subject nor are the pics.

If you have to have a ring knife, why not just one ring at the pommel end?

Id personally go with a no-ring Persian dagger, as I agree with you on the Persian-style knives. They can be very good looking and are no doubt effeftive.

But hey, Im not an operater and this might not have been what you wanted to hear.
Others will no doubt be along with other input.

As for a maker, whats your budget?
Maybe PM forum member and knife maker 'Tony Mont.' He has excellent communication and is a no-nonsense knifemaker.
 
BladeScout, to answer some of your questions;

- The reverse curve of the Persian-style blade is intended to be used mostly for trapping, hence the serrated spine. I must admit the inspiration for the blade design is significantly influenced by the Al Mar Warrior, a relatively well known historical fighting knife intended to be similarly utilitized in a reverse grip.

- I wanted to go with dual rings on the handle for a couple reasons. The first, admittedly, is aesthetics - I've always liked the look of double ring-handled knives. Having two rings also means the handle remains relatively ergonomically consistent whether the blade is held in a forward or reverse grip. I'm certainly familiar with the risks associated with ring-handled knives, and accept the risk as a tradeoff for the additional control and retention provided.

No real set budget. I'm not looking for anything too flashy or fancy, just a well-made product that can actually be used for the intended defensive purpose if the need ever arises
 
Got ya.

The Al Mar Warrior and Pygmy Warrior are fascinating knives. They look strange at first glance but there are certainly some thoughts behind the design.
 
rudukai13 said:
BladeScout, to answer some of your questions;

- The reverse curve of the Persian-style blade is intended to be used mostly for trapping, hence the serrated spine. I must admit the inspiration for the blade design is significantly influenced by the Al Mar Warrior, a relatively well known historical fighting knife intended to be similarly utilitized in a reverse grip.

- I wanted to go with dual rings on the handle for a couple reasons. The first, admittedly, is aesthetics - I've always liked the look of double ring-handled knives. Having two rings also means the handle remains relatively ergonomically consistent whether the blade is held in a forward or reverse grip. I'm certainly familiar with the risks associated with ring-handled knives, and accept the risk as a tradeoff for the additional control and retention provided.

No real set budget. I'm not looking for anything too flashy or fancy, just a well-made product that can actually be used for the intended defensive purpose if the need ever arises
Click to expand...


First I'll start with my suggestion of a person to contact, and he does a lot of work with Damascus. Andrew Jordan. He has done some really awesome stuff with folded Damascus.

So yeah. I'm a really big fan of karambits. I use them, train with them (me and my son) daily and always carry one. Dont let anyone tell you the "dangers" or "risks" of the ring. It's useful for a lot of reasons. It not only helps with retention, but it increases your ability in offensive situations...a lot. A good sized ring. Depending on the size of your finger is 1" maybe a little more. You definitely do not want it to tight, that's where a lot of the risk of getting hurt. I cant remember what the injury is called, but people mostly get that from wedding rings, not taking them off when exercising or doing straineous activities. Mainly because they are so fitted to your finger you want it large enough to manipulate and if possible be able to do so wearing gloves. I've seen reverse karambits before. I dont personally use them, but you get the same effect and capability to trap and manipulate. It's a matter of preference really. I can load up a pic of what I usually carry in a bit. Also with that, i also sometimes carry a defensive knife that was made by another maker which would be considered reverse like what you have, just minus the ring and i like how it works for trapping as well. What the length of the design, 6"? I think that's a good sized for what you want. Another thing to think about, with the two rings. You can use the one standard ring for good retention, I practice using the ring with my index and also with my pinky for if I was ever to use it in the forward grip. Beast looking karambit/Persian styled blade tho, it looks like you would rip some things up if they were to ever need ripping lol.

Andrew Jordan is the man to look into tho. He makes beast, functional, hard use knives and knows a lot about making fighting and defensive knives.
 
Another note about "degloving"...... if anyone has ever been degloved using a karambit. Its either been because of a) they were holding it incorrectly, there is a certain sweet spot that you want to hold your karambit. And b) like I said, the ring was to tight and still proba lt being held incorrectly.
 
SavEdgeSurvive said:
First I'll start with my suggestion of a person to contact, and he does a lot of work with Damascus. Andrew Jordan. He has done some really awesome stuff with folded Damascus.

So yeah. I'm a really big fan of karambits. I use them, train with them (me and my son) daily and always carry one. Dont let anyone tell you the "dangers" or "risks" of the ring. It's useful for a lot of reasons. It not only helps with retention, but it increases your ability in offensive situations...a lot. A good sized ring. Depending on the size of your finger is 1" maybe a little more. You definitely do not want it to tight, that's where a lot of the risk of getting hurt. I cant remember what the injury is called, but people mostly get that from wedding rings, not taking them off when exercising or doing straineous activities. Mainly because they are so fitted to your finger you want it large enough to manipulate and if possible be able to do so wearing gloves. I've seen reverse karambits before. I dont personally use them, but you get the same effect and capability to trap and manipulate. It's a matter of preference really. I can load up a pic of what I usually carry in a bit. Also with that, i also sometimes carry a defensive knife that was made by another maker which would be considered reverse like what you have, just minus the ring and i like how it works for trapping as well. What the length of the design, 6"? I think that's a good sized for what you want. Another thing to think about, with the two rings. You can use the one standard ring for good retention, I practice using the ring with my index and also with my pinky for if I was ever to use it in the forward grip. Beast looking karambit/Persian styled blade tho, it looks like you would rip some things up if they were to ever need ripping lol.

Andrew Jordan is the man to look into tho. He makes beast, functional, hard use knives and knows a lot about making fighting and defensive knives.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I'll add Andrew Jordan to the list to look at. If at all possible, posting examples of the recommended maker's prior works will help me in my decision making process. I will admit part of what originally drew me to Richard Derespina to work on this blade was his personal style on some of the other knives he'd previously done. Seeing the personal style of the maker will certainly help me make my decision
 
rudukai13 said:
Thank you! I'll add Andrew Jordan to the list to look at. If at all possible, posting examples of the recommended maker's prior works will help me in my decision making process. I will admit part of what originally drew me to Richard Derespina to work on this blade was his personal style on some of the other knives he'd previously done. Seeing the personal style of the maker will certainly help me make my decision
Click to expand...
Yep I can post a link to a video of a fighting knife/ survival combo he did in the folded Damascus. He is also known to be pretty good with input and working with people on making their knives. He has a website as well with a gallery of work.
 
That's the folded demascus by the way. He makes them using the same method that Japanese use to make samurai swords.
 
SavEdgeSurvive said:
Dont let anyone tell you the "dangers" or "risks" of the ring.
Click to expand...
Right.
Disregard everything I mentioned about degloving or the "dangers" and "risks" of the ring.
Do listen to the newbie expert, as Im no hardcore operator or knife fighter myself:rolleyes:;):p:D

Also:
WARNING! GRAPHIC!
Dont click the link prior to eating pasta e fagioli.
Not for faint of heart hence why I posted a link instead of a pic.
https://thenewsrep.com/106041/the-benefits-and-detriments-of-ringed-knives/
 
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