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Custom Knives by Alan Davis

Thought I would start a blog here to showcase the work of my favorite knifemaker. I stumbled across Alan Davis, a knifemaker from Boerne, Texas, in late 2012. I was blown away by his knife designs. Even more astounding was the fact that they were virtually all one of a kind creations. Alan didn't just make one or two patterns and then just outfit them with different materials. Each and every one was pretty much different. While he did have a few designs that people seemed to like and ask for, even those were made a little differently to make them unique. Alan works with all types of handle and blade material ... but does prefer Damascus blades. I currently own 67 of his knives (mainly his linerlock folders, do have a few frame locks, slip joints and fixed blades) and jokingly told Alan that I would love to have owned 100 of his knives before I die. Wasn't sure that would happen (while I sell many of his knives, I have been known to give a some away to close friends, so that they understand why I keep praising Alan's work!) ... but, that milestone was reached on April 19th, 2021, when I hit that 100 goal. He is the only maker who I would have no problem asking to make a knife for me and leaving everything (material/design) up to him ... and be confident that I would be thrilled with the results! I have done this twice .... and thrilled both times!

To start things off, here is one of my favorites that I picked up in 2014 (though I have so many I love, that picking favorites is a very difficult task!). It is a beautiful linerlock folder with amber Sambar stag scales and M3 composite bolsters. The blade measures 3.375" and is made from Damascus by Zoe Crist (in his Blackhawk pattern). Pocket clip is also Zoe's Damascus. Backspacer and liners are nuggetized and anodized a sort of plum color. All in all, a beautiful knife that feels super nice in the hand and is not too large or heavy to carry around clipped to your pocket all day. Hope you like it.

Stay tuned ....

Tags: Alan, David, Knives

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Comment by Dennis Hibar on July 15, 2017 at 4:35: Here’s a nice giraffe bone folder that I bought … well, for the giraffe bone! Just thought it looked neat! While I much prefer it when Alan uses carbon Damascus, he outfitted this one with a stainless Damascus from Rob Thomas (in his basket weave pattern). Blade length is 3.1875”, making it a nice size for pocket carry and use.

*Note: This one has been gifted.

Comment by Dennis Hibar on July 8, 2017 at 4:22: Let’s go back to showcasing some wood. Here is one of my Davis knives with box elder burl scales. This box elder has not been dyed, but does have some light green streaks in the wood ... as well as a nice bird’s eye figuring. Bolsters are M3 composite, back spacer and liners have been double anodized (which Alan does wonderfully), and the blade is 3” in an iguana Damascus pattern by Chad Nichols.

Comment by Rick Propas on July 3, 2017 at 8:59: Dennis, I actually enjoy sharpening. I do not at all mind when a knife comes to me needing a touch up or even more. What I hate is when a maker's edge is unfinished. That drives me nuts and it is NEVER the case with Alan's knives.

Comment by Dennis Hibar on July 3, 2017 at 4:32: I remember that one when it originally went up for sale Rick. The person you got if from was the original owner, so if anyone buggered the edge .... 'twas him! Regardless, fixing an edge is easy and besides, that one has some nice colors in the anodizing!!!

Yes Jan, Alan puts a lot of thought into every knife he makes. Sometimes ... he makes changes to what he was going to do after he's already well into a knife's construction!!!

Comment by Rick Propas on July 2, 2017 at 20:29: While I'm here I'll post my most recent of Alan's knives, from 2013, I believe, hammered and flamed frame lock with a blade of 52100 steel, a thumbhole and some nice filework. The previous owner claimed that it was unused, it was not, and someone had buggered up the edge, but I was able to restore the original profile, and dayummm, that thing is sharp, hairsplitting sharp

Comment by Rick Propas on July 2, 2017 at 20:16: Dennis, if you ever decide to part with it . . .

Comment by Jan Carter on July 2, 2017 at 14:44: and yet again,the style, the depth of design and the materials have given this piece a very unique look. Simply look at the detail used on the bolsters !

Comment by Dennis Hibar on July 1, 2017 at 4:40: Let’s do another Mammoth today. It is another of my Davis knives that is really larger than I prefer … but one I just can’t bring myself to send on its way to a new home! The blade is some of Rob Calcinore’s Damascus in his wave pattern and is a hair under 3.5 inches. Bolsters are M3 composite and the titanium back spacer is carved and file worked. Despite being a larger knife, it feels really great in hand and doesn’t take up as much pocket space as you would think.

Comment by Dennis Hibar on June 25, 2017 at 19:25: Yes Jan, Alan makes some very nice material choices. The first knife he made just for me used some of Randy's feather Damascus. Beautiful stuff.

Comment by Jan Carter on June 25, 2017 at 18:36: Randy Jr makes some amazing damascus patterns and I like that it goes all the way through. Pairing it with that exceptional mammoth just shows it off. I do very much like the material decisions he makes and there is a vast amount of options available on his knives