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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 April 8, 2017 at 4:36: Jan, Sent you a message. Actually it was Rick who reposted the last few that were lost by his host. Ref the Davis, yes it took him forever to get the colors right on that frame lock. He told me that he even had to stop, sand out some spots that did't come out like he wanted, and start the process all over again! As you know, when you do heat anodizing like this, you don't know the exact color that will be reflected until you remove the heat and it cools a little! His "gambling" paid off big time! Anyway, time for my Saturday post!

Comment by Jan Carter on April 7, 2017 at 19:19: Dennis, I apologize. Seems my editing to replace the pics did not take. Thank you for working so hard to repost!

I have been looking at the rainbow anodized, truth be told I have looked at it several times. I know you intended it for your daughter but goodness I can certainly understand why it grew on you. Also I wonder if he will ever do another one? The time involved had to be extensive and well worth the look

Comment by Rick Propas on April 7, 2017 at 16:42: Look forward to seeing tomorrow's post. Next week I will have coming an abalone scale knife that I fished out of the 'Bay for a song. It was there for a while and I made the seller a ridiculous offer which, in essence, he accepted. Love it!!

Comment by Rick Propas on April 7, 2017 at 16:09: Unfortunately I lost my first post on the famous pinecone flipper, but I will repost the images since that is what it really is about. The images are from Dennis.

Comment by Rick Propas on April 7, 2017 at 15:48: For some reason photobucket wiped out my Alan Davis album, so for the record I am reposting the comments with renewed images.

For some time I have been meaning to post this one. And to celebrate an incoming arrival I'll do it. This is s Gentleman's Sambar Stag folder that I got from Alan in July last year. It features Delbert Ealy T-Rex damascus blade and bolsters and it probably my favorite of the Davises that I have.

Comment by Dennis Hibar on April 7, 2017 at 15:47: Rick ... love them both (actually looked quite long and hard at that koa! Was glad you picked it up. And ... by the way ... there ain't nuttin' basic about Alan's knives!!! I guess tomorrow I post a Davis dressed in wood to keep the theme going!!

Comment by Rick Propas on April 7, 2017 at 15:41: This is my most recent. This one features curly koa scales, alabama damascus blade and bolsters and all the exquisite filework and fine craftsmanship that I love about his knives. This second image is from Alan.

Comment by Rick Propas on April 7, 2017 at 15:38: This is, perhaps, my most basic Davis knife, an Ironwood with antiqued blade. Basic as it is, though, note the fine attention to detail that is the hallmark of Alan's work.

Comment by Rick Propas on April 1, 2017 at 15:49: That is, indeed, a remarkable show of craftsmanship.

Comment by Dennis Hibar on April 1, 2017 at 4:53: (Note: This knife has a new home!)

Here is another of my Davis frame locks. Admittedly, I much prefer liner lock folders … but couldn’t stop looking at this one. The 3.25” Damascus blade (1095 & 15N20) has a wonderful pattern, however it was the frame that sealed the deal. Alan hand carved the titanium frame and then painstakingly spent hours heat anodizing it with a rainbow of colors. Its slim profile makes for a great back pocket knife. Truth be told, I intended on giving this one to my daughter, but the knife just grew on me!!