He also prides himself on the fact that he hand-finishes all of his custom knives, just as he always has. Justin Lundquist is known for making quality compact everyday carry knives, and the new Contrail designed in collaboration with Kizer Knives delivers on that rich experience. At 3 ¼”, this knife is perfect for skinning game animals, the steel blade has excellent strength and edge retention. Smart grills with onboard connectivity & remote smartphone monitoring. A small clip swedge at the tip helps with piercing through material like cardboard too, helping the versatility of the blade in practical action. New to the this version of the knife however is the signature Spyderco hole in the blade that allows for easy one-handed ambidextrous manual opening and complements the low-profile front flipper tab opening well. And not just visually, but in regards to quality of materials and construction as well. And his prowess isn’t strictly limited to his own work, as he has been known to custom modify blades from Spyderco, Fallkniven, and Benchmade – amongst others. While you may not know him by name, if you’re active in the world of EDC, you’re familiar with his brand. The James Brand Hell Gap Fixed Blade is a 7.8-inch knife with a blade made from crucible S35VN stainless steel. In fact, A.G. himself still likes to man the showroom floor of their Arkansas facility and encourages any customers, fans, and aficionados alike to come by and have a chat with him whenever they can. Herein you’ll find one of the finest collections of handmade hunting, bowie and tactical knives on the internet today, sorted by maker. And because the knife itself is made out of respectable Bohler N690Co stainless steel, you can count on this knife to be your daily driver through thick and thin. This is why best Japanese kitchen knives are made with a strong and robust handle, either from a composite material or from superior quality wood. A KTM race-liveried collab with STACYC to get kids on two-wheels. Custom Hunting knives made in a variety of shapes and sizes from the drop point, spear point, straight back, Scandinavian, to name a few. 8 New Production Knives by Custom Designers in 2019 The 7075 aluminum handle conforms to the shape of your hand, and the blade itself has extensive jimping on the spine with a sizable choil on the blade that allows for a choke grip on the knife for extra control of the tip when you’re making delicate cuts. And that’s really only the tip of the iceberg for this prolific craftsman, as his work continues to improve from project to project. And he is so confident in his craftsmanship that he guarantees all of his work against defects – save for the behavior of natural materials that he cannot control. A few new innovations that came out early on were the thumb disks and thumb studs. AG Russell Knives has been the best source for quality handmade knives and custom knives since AG did his first mailing in 1964. The knife itself is a true work of art- The handle is made from a local tree that had fallen nearby. It’s the perfect combo: a bold tactical knife with excellent ergonomics and grip from Strider, and Pro-Tech’s excellent automatic opening to complete the package. Using advanced techniques – such as cryogenic treatments, press quenching, and triple tempering – his beautiful work is well worth the price. And that’s what you get with the GiantMouse ACE Biblio, made in collaboration with both Jesper Voxnaes and Jens Anso, two of the most well-regarded custom knifemakers in the business and each separately responsible for more than a few iconic EDC knives. Aside from the upgraded steel, the CQC-11K features the same great design inspired by Emerson’s original Rendezvous knife, with its beefy 3.5" saber-style hollow-ground clip-point blade that makes for excellent slicing, a solid stainless steel frame lock that holds everything in place during use and the grippy G10 handle scale that allows the user to hold on to the blade even when things get wet. Spyderco is irrefutably one of the best knife making brands of all time and that is thanks, in large part, to the contributions of their show-runner and founder, Sal Glesser. Three generations of Dawson makers work together out of our shop near Prescott, Arizona. Hunting. It weighs 3 ounces. Below are some of our favorite US-made knife offerings that you can get your hands on right now. Like some of his other designs the Contrail is extra small, with a 2" sheepsfoot blade in quality 154CM stainless steel and a 3.125" handle which features grippy G10 scales to maximize your grip on the knife. × You probably know Zero Tolerance more for their high-end production tactical knife heritage, but in 2020 with the ZT 0235 they’ve dipped their toes into making beautiful but practical modern gents knives with the help of custom knifemaker Jens Anso. And the stonewashed 3.5" 154CM stainless steel blade isn’t anything to sneeze at, with a long belly for slicing and a pronounced tip for excellence at piercing tasks. Either way, boot knives are almost always concealed by the pant leg. 15 Best Bushcraft Survival Knives & [2020 FREE Buyers Guide] Bushcrafting is defined as a skill or a person’s ability to survive in the wilderness, usually by choice. Canvas micarta and stainless steel handles. Because of the hand forged process every custom blade is an artisanal creation custom hammered out a hot bar of steel then heat treated to produce a handmade knife of … Your message has been sent privately to our editorial staff for review. The only thing better than one custom knifemaker collaborating on a production knife design is two custom makers working on the same project. Though he will continue to be missed, Kit Carson and his designs will not be forgotten. The purposes of the Guild were, and continue to be: to promote custom knives and knifemakers, to assist the knifemaker technically, to encourage ethical and professional business conduct, and to sponsor an annual business meeting and knife show. A boot knife, also called a gambler’s dagger, is a usually small and fixed double edged blade knife that is designed to be carried either inside or on a boot. Knives are, first and foremost, tools whose usefulness has helped shape society as we know it. From folders to fixed-blades, these are the hottest new knives of the year. It has a 4-inch stainless steel blade, 5” G10 CNC handle for a … However all of my hand forged, custom made knives can be designed without these marks at the request of the buyer. Like any other knife, boot knives are kept inside a sheath. Everyday Carry is a reader-supported startup. The blade is a hybrid utility style made out of Bohler M390 stainless steel and with a hollow grind that improves its cutting and slicing ability despite the extended straight edge. Though he classifies himself as “head shop monkey” at Southard Knives and Tools LLC, we have yet to see a primate with the kind of skills exemplified in Brad Southard’s work. The front flipper design of the knife helps keep it streamlined in the pocket while minimizing the chance of the knife accidentally opening in your pockets. A strong liner lock holds the blade in place during use, and the extensive G10 scales give you firm control over the cut as well. In fact, that very series was named one of the “Top 10 Factory Tactical Folders of the Decade” by Blade magazine. He has also designed a series of kitchen knives that are currently sold under the Boker brand name. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Terzuola started making knives in 1979 – just two years before an endorsement from Bob Loveless garnered his entry into the Knifemakers’ Guild. From the best hunting knives … One side of it has a saw blade and the other side has a straight edge, making it a dual edge knife perfect for multi-use. By T. Edward Nickens. Disclosure : Everyday Carry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Best Automatic Knives We’ve Found Manufacturers have done an excellent job of finding ways of making modern switchblades that slip through the loopholes in the laws, but even so, you can find yourself in a mess of legal trouble if you are caught carrying, buying, selling, importing, handling, or looking too closely at an automatic knife. In fact, fossil evidence seems to support that the knife (or at least a bladed rock precursor) is mankind’s oldest tool and helped to separate our species from the animal kingdom. Setting the bar for versatility, A.G. Russell likely has the most varied catalog of offerings of any other knife maker on this list. The thumbhole opening allows for easy one-handed ambidextrous opening, and it’s big enough that you can actuate it even with gloved hands. Working primarily out of a small shop in Denmark, Jens Anso is a knife maker and industrial designer behind a number of impressive everyday carry tools. And everything he produces can be depended upon to be tough and functional, even through heavy use. The 0235 features a 2.6" spear-point blade that deploys with a traditional two-handed nail nick mechanism. He, his wife Goldie (who is a knife expert in her own right), and their company offer everything from tactical folders, to multi-blade hunting knives, to military style fixed blades, to kitchen cutlery, and everything in-between. And that’s a stigma we, as active members of the everyday carry community, actively disagree with. Getting a modest start out of a one car garage in Durban, South Africa, Chris Reeve is another knife designer who started out as a tool and die maker. Before flipper knives, these were the best ways to conveniently and quickly open folding knives. 20 Best Pocket Knives for EDC in 2021 The Knifemakers Guild was established in 1970. I hope you all enjoy! The handle is made out of titanium on one side and the carbon fiber scaling on the other helps keep the knife lightweight at 3.71 oz. 2. 10 Best Chef Knives Made In The US When it comes to superior quality of craftsmanship and materials, it is only the USA that can match the traditional bladesmiths of Japan. 8 New Production Knives by Custom Designers in 2019, 8 New Production Knives by Custom Designers, Trending: Nite Ize Clip Pock-Its XL Utility Holster. Bob Terzuola’s original designs are still referenced by modern knife makers and he’s still active as an authority in the industry. To see the exquisite work of these and many other big name custom knife designers, visit KnifeArt and see how brilliant innovation continues to … The handle of this knife feels rugged. All rights reserved, Leading Edge: 18 Best EDC Knife Designers. That a sub-2 ounce knife can sport a blade this long and capable is impressive, making the No. The Best Knives of SHOT Show 2020. Each piece is CNC cut and finished by hand. ©2020 Hiconsumption LLC. One of the most well-known names in the knife making business for a reason, Rick Hinderer got his start making knives out of a tiny turkey coop in the mid-1980s. It features an intricately-forged premium damascus steel blade with CPM-35VN stainless at its core in a wharncliffe shape that retains a fine point for piercing tasks. It is this uncompromising dedication to quality and design that makes Osborne’s knives so special. The knife has a cross sheath, but you need to pay attention to … Whichever way you slice it, Ken Onion has earned his place amongst the best of the best. January 31, 2020. Brief Overview of The Knifemakers' Guild. The Snake Eye Tactical Knife is definitely a contender for the best multi-purpose pocket knife on our list. Tip-up right handed deep carry pocket clip. But quality doesn’t come cheap, and for many EDCers the price of admission alone can keep these knives more aspirational than accessible. And while he isn’t presently taking custom orders, you can still get your hands on his collaborations from their respective retailers. In case you are not familiar, he collaborated with Spyderco on their superb C156, which was the brand’s first flipper knife. With the industry at its technological peak and the craft staying true to its historical roots whilst still moving forward by leaps and bounds, the following 18 knife designers are, in our humble opinion, the best in the world. The blade length has also been sized down slightly to 2.875" long, but the steel remains the same with premium CPM-S30V being used in both versions of the knife. You can tell a Strider knife when you see it, even with his collaboration designs like with the Strider + Pro-Tech SnG AutoKnife. Welcome to a new year and a new decade. Thankfully, the community offers a good balance of both competition and collaboration, producing a number of designers that are as prolific in their own endeavors as they are supportive of one another. 0. However, well before the competition aired, my knives were well known around the Chesapeake Bay for their performance and finish. More and more of these kinds of knives are coming to the market, and to help you find your next daily driver we’ve put together this guide to our favorite production knives designed by high-end custom knifemakers, and we’ll highlight what makes them special and deserving of a place in your own everyday carry. Jared Oeser is best known in the community for making custom Japanese tanto-inspired folding knives, and his collaboration with Benchmade with the Tengu flipper brings you exactly that: a folding knife with custom design chops with all of the quality the cachet of both names provide. Browse through these articles to find the best knives available from both custom knifemakers and factory knives. Made by one of America’s best-selling knife companies, this amazing automatic folding hunting knife is created to fit every outdoors activity. Ray Laconico has put out some beautiful custom knives, but the Centauri designed in collaboration with Artisan Cutlery has to be one of his most eye-catching yet. I take pride in making every knife to the best of my abilities. The Isonzo is a compact utility-oriented collaboration design between Maniago Knife Makers and Jesper Voxnaes, featuring a stout 2.25" clip point blade with a curved belly that improves its slicing power especially for close up delicate work. But the biggest feature that sets this apart from the rest of the knives on this list is Emerson’s signature wave-shaped opening, which catches on the seam of your pants pocket as you draw the knife, opening the blade in a single motion for your convenience. Benchmade Griptilian 551 (Best Value) Check Price on Amazon. With a distinctive style that leans toward curved-handled pocket folders made with high quality corrosion-resistant stainless steels, titanium, and modern laminates, Dmitry Sinkevich’s blades stand out as both refreshing and unique without being too bizarre or impractical to carry every day. Our knives are unique & stylish you can tell just by looking at them. The best chef's knives for 2021, ... W üsthof have been making knives in Solingen, the "City of Blades", ... 17 Dec 2020, 5:16pm Best running shoes for men. Including knives forged in the mountains of East Tennessee, the best chef’s knife you can get for $10, and some of the best-rated knives on Amazon. Grip choil on blade for close up precision knife work. Learn more. 10 of the Best Custom Gunsmiths You Might Not Know About When it comes to custom gunsmiths, we asked a panel of top shooters and instructors who they go to — this is the cross-country list we came up with. One piece at a time. So prolific in his work, this master craftsman was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2000. Working out of Waialua, Hawaii, Tom Mayo has been making knives since 1981 – now specializing in advanced materials like Crucible’s line of CPM steels – and has been featured in several of the top industry publications. Related Gear: For many years, Buck Knives has been at the top of the list of quality knife manufactures, making their knives in the USA. Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Best New Knives and EDC, a monthly column surfacing the latest knives, tools and any other item worth carrying in your pocket. In fact, this Taos, New Mexico-based designer has patented and/or trademarked over 20 different knife mechanisms, is a voting member of the Knifemakers’ Guild, and was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2004. And they are proud of their work and the industry in which they are firmly rooted. Custom knife collection update as of 2020. The range was co-developed with Asus’ Republic of Gamers sub-brand. Spyderco is irrefutably one of the best knife making brands of all time and that is thanks, in large part, to the contributions of their show-runner and founder, Sal Glesser. Another case where his designs are more well known than his name, Mel Pardue collaborated with Benchmade to create what some claim to be the best EDC pocket folder of all time, the Griptilian. 928.910.0770 info@dawsonknives.com Mon thru Fri 9am-4pm 8737 E Florentine RD Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 Best Spring-Assisted Knife Kershaw Link He has since maintained a level of expertise in all these fields that puts him in an elite class nearly unmatched, even amongst his peers. We’re glad you dig this post! The ÆternA, designed by Isham in collaboration with WE Knives, delivers on that aesthetic, but with the premium materials that make it a great EDC knife as well. But unlike the traditional gents knives of old, the 0235 features super-premium modern CPM-20CV stainless steel, offering far more hardness and edge retention than your grandpas’ trusty old pocketknife ever could. A standard hunting knife has a 3-5” blade length. Knowing that the likes of Sal Glesser worked alongside Mr. Southard to produce a knife under his own brand should speak monuments to the quality of Brad’s designs and workmanship and absolutely ranks him amongst the upper echelon of knife designers. It is a tool that just about everyone still uses every day. The Micarta handles offer plenty of grip, but the ergonomics of the knife are further enhanced with dual finger choils: one on the blade and another on the handle, both allowing for an ergonomic and secure grip on the blade during use. All in all, Anso’s designs are straightforward and clean without being simplistic or boring. Working out of Repton, Alabama, Mr. Pardue’s lineup is truly one of the greatest. More Gear. The Contrail is also a good option for you if you’re not a fan of flipper-style knives, thanks to its more traditional thumbstud opening. And having a hand in the creation of that series of knives is reason enough to include his name on this list. Handmade Knives. Perhaps I am mostly known for my performance on Forged in Fire. There are many styles and types of knives in the world and many custom knife makers, each one specializing in a specific style or use. In the past few years though, there has been a trend around EDC brands teaming up with custom knifemakers to release production knives based on their high-end, custom design counterparts. Though he credits much of his style and inspiration to Bob Loveless and the Randall family, Tom Mayo’s knives very much stand on their own. Best USA-Made Pocket Knives of 2020 Boasting incredible designs and top-notch engineering, the phrase “Made In America” is something to be proud of. #mkm #giantmouse #we-knife-co #artisan-cutlery #kizer #pro-tech #strider #benchmade #voxnaes #anso #zero-tolerance #emerson #kershaw #spyderco #buying-guides #knives #crkt-squid-micarta-scales #artisan-hi-end-lock-knives #custom-knife-makers #small-productin-pocket-knives see all. One of the most prolific knife makers to ever grace this Earth, Ken Onion holds the distinction of being the youngest inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame. HiConsumption is reader-supported. His specialty was in creating tactical style folding knives, the most popular of which (the M16 series) is still sold by the Columbia River Knife & Tool company today. As with every year, we’re starting 2020 with a list of resolutions. Its hardy (and unique) button compression lock helps eliminate blade play during rough use, and it allows for both sides of the handle to be adorned with beautiful carbon fiber G10 laminate scaling too. See more ideas about Knife making, Blacksmithing and Custom knives. Marked by a peppering of tactical fixed blades amongst an array of folders, this craftsman’s exceptional array is a culmination and synthesis of his 10 years in the Marines – working as a heavy equipment mechanic, Senior Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician, amongst others – and over two decades of knife making. Our specialty is in custom design. Observing a need in the industry for easily and discreetly carried knives, he both pioneered the style of and coined the term “tactical folder.” And he quite literally wrote the book on them. The knife and the box – they both have a story and have become quite the conversation piece in our home. The box is quite possibly worth the price we paid for the knife and is absolutely gorgeous. This Master Sergeant out of Vine Grove, Kentucky made knives for 30 years – going full time in 1993 and subsequently becoming a voting member of the Knifemakers’ Guild. Buck 110 Auto Folding Hunter Knife. Mel Pardue started making knives more than a half-century ago and has been a member of the Knifemakers' Guilt since 1976. And it was that experience paired with his background in machine shop craftsmanship and working as a tool and die maker that led him to design and produce his first custom knife in 1979. While he has a number of excellent options under his own brand, he is also responsible for collaborating with Kershaw knives on several designs, including the much lauded Cryo series. Unlike most Benchmade knives, the Oester Tengu features a flipper tab opening, and with it you can easily deploy its 2.77“ 20CV stainless steel blade. And while he offers many of those items under his own brand, Anso Knives, he’s also collaborated with numerous big names in the industry – such as Zero Tolerance, Triple Aught Design, and he runs a collaboration with fellow knifemaker Jesper Voxnaes (called GiantMouse). While you’d be hard-pressed to get your hands on any of his knives, as the ones already out there are so highly coveted and he’s not presently taking new orders, count yourself as extremely lucky if you do. In fact, he is responsible for collaborating on the design of the award-winning Zero Tolerance 0454 and the updated 0450 that’s one of our favorite EDC pocket folders right now. Working with brands like Zero Tolerance, Spartan Knives, and Pro-Tech, Les George has an impressive variety to his catalog of knives. Latest. In this […] A list of the best knives ever made by custom knife makers and companies like Kershaw, Leatherman, Schrade, and Victornox. The large lanyard hole in the stainless steel handle allows for attachment of a lanyard, letting you use it as an extended grip along with the FRN handle scales for more control over cuts. If you want the very best for your EDC, often the best choice is to pick up something custom made by a knife designer who takes quality and craftsmanship to the next level. But it isn’t just his contractual work that makes Mr. Osborne a contender, as he also makes beautiful high-end custom knives built with the inclusion of rare and precious materials. The Custom Right Hand Cross Draw Leather Knife is a handmade knife designed by Carl Thomas. Mr. Walker is responsible for the creation, refinement, and popularization of the Linerlock – which he trademarked in 1990. And with designs like Spyderco’s Paramilitary, Grasshopper, Delica, and Ladybug and a number of knife design patents, it’s no wonder he is so hugely respected in the industry. Ernest Emerson first gained notoriety as one of the most highly respected and sought-after hand-to-hand combat instructors. Though he started out crafting art knives, Hinderer shifted his style to more functional and tactical designs that would be useful for first responders – as he worked as both an EMT and Fire Fighter. HiConsumption was established by gearheads for gearheads as a modern day men’s lifestyle publication, uncovering the greatest products in adventure, tech, gear, automotive, and style. Though the road was a rocky one, this knife maker persevered through difficult times – alongside his wife, Anne – to become one of the most highly respected designers of all time. Though the craft of knife making dates back centuries – even before recorded time – there is still a stigma associating these items with violence. The Ronin 2 is one of Spyderco’s best fixed blade knife designs, made in collaboration with custom knife maker Michael Janich and reminiscent of his Yojimbo folding knife. USA made. Authentic team jackets worn by Ford drivers at the 1966 Le Mans. What you get is a stout EDC folding knife with a canvas Micarta handle and a premium Bohler M390 flipper blade with a versatile drop point blade shape that’ll make short work of all of your everyday cutting, slicing, and piercing work without issue. ... 2020. And, one of the added benefits of picking up an Emerson knife, is that they’re all made in the USA. Made from Micarta, it is not too thick or beefy. 8 a worthwhile pick for a true pocket knife. To illustrate why Warren Osborne deserves a spot at the top of the knife making industry, we think it’s important that you know that the Benchmade knife company offers 75 different versions of blades with the Osborne Designs name attached. Thank you for your contribution. If you like your hunting knife with a gut hook, this is a great knife for you. With just a simple push of a button, the 420HC blade quickly deploys and gets you ready for action. Its stock has risen with its EDC knives made from high-grade materials and featuring minimalistic designs. This steel fabricator/welder/inspector turned knife maker has been making quality knives since 1997. And each and every one of them are worth carrying.