Why Buy a Custom Knife From Kearney Kobz?
The look and feel of a knife is a great reason for choosing a custom knife. Simply put, it’s different than what everyone else has.
Different how?
It may be the shape of the blade or the handle. The type of handle material can be very distinctive. When you choose wood, horn, or other natural material, each piece is “one of a kind”. The blade may have a look that is unique due to its shape or thickness. It may be that you want a knife whose fit and finish is more appealing. What can be said about the feel of a knife? Hand size varies a lot. Custom knives offer you the opportunity to get just the right weight and balance. One of the great pleasures in purchasing a custom knife is picking it up and feeling it was made for your hand. The shape of the handle may seem generic but when you pick up several knives of the same type you will find that there are subtle differences. A custom knife offers the opportunity to pick what suits you as an individual.
Custom knives are usually of better quality than mass produced knives. Makers generally select steels that are specific to a particular use of the knife. Many of these steels are difficult to work and finish to the exacting levels you can expect from a custom knife, which is reflected in the cost of the knife. Custom knife makers have been on the leading edge in the application of knife making steel technology. When new steels become available, it is the custom makers that bring them to the attention of the mass market. A quest for better edge retention is a driving force in the world of the custom knife. If you’re seeking the best look, feel and materials, put together in a manner that is individual to your taste, a custom handmade knife is your answer. I believe that it is the hope of every knife maker to produce an heirloom that will be used for generations.
Now, a bit about my knives. I do not forge my knives. I have neither the space, ventilation or, most importantly, desire to pound metal - especially high quality stainless steel. I purchase only high quality 440C and 9 cr14 high-carbon stainless steel blanks that have been hardened and tested to at least 57 on the Rockwell hardness scale. These steels can withstand extreme cold and heat and not fail. The blanks come from a source trusted and respected by knife makers world-wide.
I buy the blanks roughly shaped and I do the finish work, bevels, grinds, file-work, polishing etc. Handle material is often hand cast by myself using a wide variety of materials. Because I do not do the forging, I can pass significant savings to customers, whether they be hunters or cooks or collectors.
My sheaths are hand made here at Kearney Kobz. Each is tailored to the knife it is paired with. No 'one size fits all' nylon sheaths here. Leather. Kydex is cheaper and easier, but leather is just plain sexier! I make functional sheaths to hold the knife firmly and safely. They are not works of art.
I often offer knives without a sheath at a significant savings, but this is only until I can get a sheath made. Once the sheath is made, it adds about 40% to the cost and since it is a one time sheath for a one-time knife, I only sell the knife with its sheath.
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