Trash or Treasure?

Next up is this one:



I'll stop for the evening, and let people think on it.

The first one is, indeed, an art knife. The second is a Kit Rae design. In the interest of complete accuracy, I don't know if the second is or was sold by Budk, but it is in the same general category as their offerings, so Max is essentially correct in both cases.

Top one looks like something from Boker.

The top one is Boker. The second one is a custom by Jay Fisher.

Jay Fisher's knives are unusual, and uncommon. But he is a custom maker with a legitimate reputation, and people do pay for, and use, his knives.

Interesting thread. I like it. Not the knives exactly (so far) but neat topic. I would have guessed all BudK so far

Quixotica's point is valid, because each person's perception of a knife is, obviously, going to be different.

I believe he is putting the cart before the horse, though: outfits like United Cutlery, Tomahawk, and Frost, are not known for their innovation or originality. In most cases, they simply copy the basic shape of something that already exists. Sometimes, they collaborate with a maker, who, presumably, gives them permission to produce something which is not up to his usual standards of fit and finish.

People may look at a custom knife and say "My God, why?!", but the point I want to hammer home is that the difference between custom and Budk is the pride and craftsmanship a custom maker puts into their work.

All right. I'll put my soap box back in the closet, and post some more stuff later in the morning.