HOW TO BUY CUSTOM KNIVES PART IV
When the time comes to enter the arena, take the plunge and actually buy a custom knife, there might be a moment of hesitation, a pang of uncertainty.
Anxiety is the price the unprepared buyer of a custom knife pays—and it is billed separately from the knife itself. The lingering concern about place, price and probability can be tough to reconcile, so preparation becomes a key element in deciding where to buy and how much to pay. Doing some research, setting a budget and understanding the pros and cons of purchase options take some of the mystery out of the process.
The long-standing experience of attending a knife show can provide an immediacy the Internet lacks. Still, each has its place. A knife show allows a buyer to interact with the knifemaker across a display table, asking questions, developing a rapport and talking about the knives, their materials and their stories.
“The Internet has really taken a bite out of shows,” observes purveyor Les Robertson (page 109). “This is especially
