ASH Custom knives ? - iKnife Collector2024-03-29T14:27:01Zhttps://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/ash-custom-knives?commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A1531307&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJerry,
Well, performance and…tag:iknifecollector.com,2019-02-15:3181080:Comment:15841462019-02-15T22:15:34.952ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Jerry,</p>
<p>Well, performance and your liking it is the point. Regardless of where the knife hails from. </p>
<p>It is my understanding that a knife no longer has to have country of origin, also that there are ways around that. Send them in as just a blank and it is not a knife. If it is imported 440C would be doubtful as it is too expensive to ship to another country and then back as a finished product. It could be 8CR13MOV which many say is the equivalent. Use it, enjoy it, treat it…</p>
<p>Jerry,</p>
<p>Well, performance and your liking it is the point. Regardless of where the knife hails from. </p>
<p>It is my understanding that a knife no longer has to have country of origin, also that there are ways around that. Send them in as just a blank and it is not a knife. If it is imported 440C would be doubtful as it is too expensive to ship to another country and then back as a finished product. It could be 8CR13MOV which many say is the equivalent. Use it, enjoy it, treat it as 440C and all should be well. Come back to this discussion every once in a while and let us know how it is holding up. Even maybe not custom, maybe not 440C, maybe not USA can be a good knife and if it is, someone may be looking for just that pricepoint and dependable. We would like them to find out here </p> I did buy an ASH Knife…tag:iknifecollector.com,2019-02-15:3181080:Comment:15840832019-02-15T16:44:37.652ZJERRY BUSTERhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JERRYBUSTER
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<p> I did buy an ASH Knife on line. It is a 4" hunter, n=marked 440C steel, with a wood handle. I am pleased with the purchase, the quality, and the price $32 shipped. It performs well, holds an edge, decent sheath, etc. For the money, it seems GOOD.</p>
<p> It may well have been made in a third world country, but has no marked origin. I thought our import laws required country of origin to me marked? Perhaps that is why these knives are shipped from Canada? I have…</p>
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<p> I did buy an ASH Knife on line. It is a 4" hunter, n=marked 440C steel, with a wood handle. I am pleased with the purchase, the quality, and the price $32 shipped. It performs well, holds an edge, decent sheath, etc. For the money, it seems GOOD.</p>
<p> It may well have been made in a third world country, but has no marked origin. I thought our import laws required country of origin to me marked? Perhaps that is why these knives are shipped from Canada? I have no way of knowing if it really is 440C steel.</p>
<p> Anyhow, for less than $40, it seems to be a decent knife.</p>
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<p> JERRY BUSTER</p>
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<p></p> Just having fun here with the…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-06:3181080:Comment:15323782018-03-06T00:15:14.826ZLars Rayhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/LarsRay
<p>Just having fun here with the conversation - not trying to win any arguments or prove any points.</p>
<p>Indeed Jerry - it's all about the implied context within the English language. As an adjective, Custom Made by definition is anything created under particular specifications, unique from the standard offering (perspective notwithstanding). As a transitive verb in the first person, it's from the maker's perspective as to what is custom. As a transitive verb in the third person, it's from…</p>
<p>Just having fun here with the conversation - not trying to win any arguments or prove any points.</p>
<p>Indeed Jerry - it's all about the implied context within the English language. As an adjective, Custom Made by definition is anything created under particular specifications, unique from the standard offering (perspective notwithstanding). As a transitive verb in the first person, it's from the maker's perspective as to what is custom. As a transitive verb in the third person, it's from the customer's perspective - as in custom made to their specifications (size, materials, fit, and finish...etc.) So in a sense, both are correct. </p>
<p>Needless to say...however you want to define it, consider the context of the offering. If you are really looking to own a knife that is custom made to your specifications (even if limited to selected options in a catalog), then you don't want an Ash knife. You'll want to call your favorite bladesmith and order up a knife.</p>
<p>But if you want a knife that is unique and custom from a maker's perspective (and in my case a little more affordable), then Ash or others just may fit the bill. </p>
<p>Consider my Ash-made Achaea Bowie...the standard offering for this knife in the catalog at the time was a mirror finish 440C blade, Ash etched on the obverse blade, walnut handle, brass guard and pommel - no file work. He had 4 of them at the time. Then there was this one - a Damascus blade with fancy file work, and brass spacers added. It appealed to me as a custom art knife because it was unlike any of the others, and I haven't seen one like it since. </p>
<p>So how does it perform? Well I get a LOT of compliments and comments when I use it to carve up a smoked port shoulder or a brisket, that's for sure! Would I take it hunting as it was marketed? Nah...I have other, more trusted non-custom knives for that. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2679695302?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2679695302?profile=original" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p> Type in Ash knife, on eBay, y…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-06:3181080:Comment:15324742018-03-06T00:11:51.504ZJ.J. Smith IIIhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JohnJSmithIII
<p>Type in Ash knife, on eBay, you get over 1,700 results. Type in Ash Custom knife you get 177.</p>
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<p>Type in Ash knife, on eBay, you get over 1,700 results. Type in Ash Custom knife you get 177.</p>
<p></p> I'm not sure what the term "…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-05:3181080:Comment:15326322018-03-05T23:11:23.368ZJERRY BUSTERhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JERRYBUSTER
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<p>I'm not sure what the term "Custom Knife" really means in today's world.</p>
<p>A new Randall knife costs $500+ and involves a multi-year (4?) delivery wait. But it really isn't a "one of a kind" knife -- it conforms to a model number in the Randall catalog. And yet, most people would consider it to be a custom knife, made to order.</p>
<p>At the very least, that Randall would be considered an expensive deluxe product.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure what the term "Custom Knife" really means in today's world.</p>
<p>A new Randall knife costs $500+ and involves a multi-year (4?) delivery wait. But it really isn't a "one of a kind" knife -- it conforms to a model number in the Randall catalog. And yet, most people would consider it to be a custom knife, made to order.</p>
<p>At the very least, that Randall would be considered an expensive deluxe product.</p> Amen brother!
However, as dea…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-05:3181080:Comment:15323672018-03-05T17:44:54.583ZLars Rayhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/LarsRay
<p>Amen brother!</p>
<p>However, as dead_left_knife_guy and you both brought up the term "custom", I think it is important to keep in mind that custom is two sides of the same coin. There's the maker's perspective - a catalog of blade styles but offering a range of handle materials or file work, for example, that makes that knife "custom" from the standard offering. Painted Pony Buck 110's would be an example of this. Then there's the buyer's perspective - a "custom" order that will make…</p>
<p>Amen brother!</p>
<p>However, as dead_left_knife_guy and you both brought up the term "custom", I think it is important to keep in mind that custom is two sides of the same coin. There's the maker's perspective - a catalog of blade styles but offering a range of handle materials or file work, for example, that makes that knife "custom" from the standard offering. Painted Pony Buck 110's would be an example of this. Then there's the buyer's perspective - a "custom" order that will make his/her knife truely unique from any other produced. A simple example of this is a set of three SOG Mini Fielder production knives I bought and had engraved "BRT 2014" to commemorate a backpack trip with my brother and son along the Buffalo River Trail. And, of course, it also means a custom order between maker and purchaser that is truely a one of a kind order.</p>
<p>Echoing dead_left_knife_guy's implied comment that this thread is not necessarily the place to fully define the term "custom", I do think it's important that we keep a wide perspective of how and what "custom" can mean or be used. I make letter opener's in my wood shop and offer an option to "customize" them with a US one cent coin of the customer's choice of date. </p>
<p>To that end, when one looks across a particular catalog of Ash knives (staying on point here), I think one could argue they are "custom". I guess it just depends in the context of the offering. </p> There are some very good make…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-03:3181080:Comment:15321102018-03-03T18:31:38.458ZSteve Scheuerman (Manx)https://iknifecollector.com/profile/SteveScheuerman
<p>There are some very good makers in Pakistan, in truth...but the scammers outnumber the honest 10 to 1 there. I will *not* bring in Damascus knives from my dealer there, as I find the damascus 1) is too easy to make from garbage steels and is very tough to gauge quality 2) It seems that every "knife expert" out there, automatically classifies damascus as "cheap paki crap" and hurts sales a lot. I pick and choose my handle materials, blade steels, blade styles etc and have my own stamp put on…</p>
<p>There are some very good makers in Pakistan, in truth...but the scammers outnumber the honest 10 to 1 there. I will *not* bring in Damascus knives from my dealer there, as I find the damascus 1) is too easy to make from garbage steels and is very tough to gauge quality 2) It seems that every "knife expert" out there, automatically classifies damascus as "cheap paki crap" and hurts sales a lot. I pick and choose my handle materials, blade steels, blade styles etc and have my own stamp put on them. When asked, I will never say they are handmade or custom. I will tell folks I order them in. I am not going to risk my reputation by being a liar regarding what I sell. I have quite a few repeat customers, and after about 4 years, I have never had a knife come back to me for any reason. There is some good stuff coming from that region, if you take your time and do your research.</p> Thanks Jan -
The dealer I us…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-03:3181080:Comment:15320792018-03-03T06:24:26.453ZLars Rayhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/LarsRay
<p>Thanks Jan - </p>
<p>The dealer I used on Ebay is <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/id=959126780?ssPageName=STRK:MEFSXS:MESST&_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2653">damascus007</a>. The reviews for this dealer are overwhelmingly positive, with a couple of negatives ones to keep them human I think. They are based in Canada, and used to have a web site named Ashblades.com. That domain is long since gone now. I established a great communication link with them during my three year buying spree, and…</p>
<p>Thanks Jan - </p>
<p>The dealer I used on Ebay is <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/id=959126780?ssPageName=STRK:MEFSXS:MESST&_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2653">damascus007</a>. The reviews for this dealer are overwhelmingly positive, with a couple of negatives ones to keep them human I think. They are based in Canada, and used to have a web site named Ashblades.com. That domain is long since gone now. I established a great communication link with them during my three year buying spree, and they were quick to respond to any of my concerns.</p>
<p>I also used a shop called <a class="mbg-id" href="http://www.ebay.com/usr/fireside2009?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754">fireside2009</a><span> who is/was an Ash re-seller. He was really good...only sells a few knives at a time. He always seemed to find and sell the Ash knives not found anywhere else. </span></p>
<p><span>There is also Black Iron Canada (<a href="https://blackironcanada.com/" target="_blank">https://blackironcanada.com/</a>), an edgy dealer of Ash knives (forgive the pun...you'll see what I mean if you visit their web site). Great selection and priced at a realistic value verses the "Retails for $150.00" hype often seen on Ebay.</span></p>
<p>I know at the time, there were quite a bit of negative reviews about Ash knives in various knife forums and discussions; the sentiment of the time being that the name was borrowed (hijacked) from the Canadian knife maker Don Ash. </p>
<p>I have often heard that knife makers / importers will mimic known and/or reputable names, such as Ash, Aron Fish, and others to add bona fide to their product. I don't know if this is true or not, but it seems plausible when you spend enough time window shopping on Ebay. </p>
<p>So in the end, is there junk from China and Pakistan? Oh absolutely! But not all of it...real gems can be found if you look for it. Regardless of maker - buyer beware. If one buys from Ebay, take stock in the reviews and weigh it carefully. If the negative reviews are about quality, not what the buyer expected, or poor communication - move on!<br/> <br/> <cite>Jan Carter said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/ash-custom-knives#3181080Comment1531962"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Lars,</p>
<p>Thank you! I was wondering if you had a specific dealer you looked to for your Ash, as you & I had talked about your previously. I have a friend that markets some knives sources in Pakistan (no damascus) he has repeat customers and sells out his inventory on a regular basis. He never orders the multiple handle materials and after a couple years of buying from one dealer there he gets what he expects, quality steel, fit and finish.</p>
<p>I have always believed that, finding a dealer that comes to know you will serve your collection well.</p>
<p>It is good to here these are users for you and that your satisfied with how they perform. Thank you </p>
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</blockquote> Lars,
Thank you! I was wonde…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-02:3181080:Comment:15319622018-03-02T19:58:23.289ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Lars,</p>
<p>Thank you! I was wondering if you had a specific dealer you looked to for your Ash, as you & I had talked about your previously. I have a friend that markets some knives sources in Pakistan (no damascus) he has repeat customers and sells out his inventory on a regular basis. He never orders the multiple handle materials and after a couple years of buying from one dealer there he gets what he expects, quality steel, fit and finish.</p>
<p>I have always believed that,…</p>
<p>Lars,</p>
<p>Thank you! I was wondering if you had a specific dealer you looked to for your Ash, as you & I had talked about your previously. I have a friend that markets some knives sources in Pakistan (no damascus) he has repeat customers and sells out his inventory on a regular basis. He never orders the multiple handle materials and after a couple years of buying from one dealer there he gets what he expects, quality steel, fit and finish.</p>
<p>I have always believed that, finding a dealer that comes to know you will serve your collection well.</p>
<p>It is good to here these are users for you and that your satisfied with how they perform. Thank you </p> Hi Jerry - I see quite a few…tag:iknifecollector.com,2018-03-02:3181080:Comment:15321282018-03-02T07:01:02.983ZLars Rayhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/LarsRay
<p>Hi Jerry - I see quite a few members have already weighed in on this topic. When discussing the Ash knives as seen on ebay, Amazon, and Black Iron (Canada) en masse, I agree on all points made in this thread. However, I am also one who owns in excess of 30 Ash knives - many of which are in my various photo albums on my iKnife Collector page. </p>
<p>Buying an Ash knife from any dealer - ebay, Amazon, or other - requires the collector to really do their homework and research. All my Ash…</p>
<p>Hi Jerry - I see quite a few members have already weighed in on this topic. When discussing the Ash knives as seen on ebay, Amazon, and Black Iron (Canada) en masse, I agree on all points made in this thread. However, I am also one who owns in excess of 30 Ash knives - many of which are in my various photo albums on my iKnife Collector page. </p>
<p>Buying an Ash knife from any dealer - ebay, Amazon, or other - requires the collector to really do their homework and research. All my Ash blades were purchased between 2012 and the end of 2015 from a variety of sources. Admittedly, a couple of my knives do have some fit & finish issues that could only be determined once in hand. Of all of my Ash knives, there are only a few that I purchased that are less than I expected and are somewhat disappointing. </p>
<p>On the plus side - because I did my homework, asked good knife questions, and kept emotion out of the transaction, I have a great Ash knife collection. Except for the few I mentioned earlier, my Ash knives are well crafted, durable, functional, and sharp. I use many of them in preparing my barbecue - dressing out goats and chickens, and other fun stuff knives are used for. I have six or so that I bought just as collection pieces....art knives if you will. Nothing fanciful, but not necessarily practical either.</p>
<p>I am proud of the Ash knives I have - even if sourced in Pakistan. I tend not put much into marketing verbiage many dealers and sellers use (i.e. tactical, custom, hunting - who skins a kill with a dagger?) As for being custom, they are as custom as any neighborhood of custom houses with only three models to choose from. </p>
<p>So - would I recommend you go out and buy one? Probably not....I couldn't handle the potential backlash. It's a classic story of "buyer beware". If you see one you like, ask good questions, ask for more detailed photos, and learn all you can before you drop the cash. Again though, I wager most here will tell you that if you're itching to spend $30 on a knife, you'll do better with another brand. </p>
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