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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 October 1, 2016 at 4:46: (Update 6-16/17: This one has been gifted)

Here is a dyed box elder folder that sees a lot of pocket time. Box elder is a great wood in that it can vary so much in appearance and is highly suitable for dyeing. The figuring and color in this one almost makes it look like some buckeye burl. This is a somewhat thin gent’s folder with a Rob Calcinore Damascus blade (a mere half inch wide at the ricasso) that is 3 inches in length. Rob is a master at forging multi-bar Damascus. His patterns are so uniform that the blade on this one was the first thing I noticed and the prime reason I bought the knife back in 2014. The pattern on this one is his Turkish Checkerboard design (the Turkish bar consists of 1095 and nickel and the Checkerboard bar consists of 01, 1080 and nickel). If you look closely at the last picture group, you will see how uniform the pattern is. It literally mirrors itself on both sides of the blade, folding very nicely over the spine. Alan did a wonderful job sizing and grinding the blade to accentuate the symmetry in the Damascus pattern.

Comment by Jan Carter on September 28, 2016 at 13:44: It does look like it would be a great pocket friendly knife. Looks alot like POD wood without the voids in the wood!

Comment by John Bamford on September 24, 2016 at 4:48: Killer knife again Dennis !

What beautiful wood that is I bet you can just look at that for a long time . It does look like a nicely shaped handle as well . I am sure a knife like that will not get any heavy use but it certainly looks as if it would be very usable .

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 24, 2016 at 4:26: It's Saturday ... and here is a very nice design by Alan I picked up last June. Actually, it is the third knife in a similar design that Alan made. Fortunately, I own all three! While they share similarities, each has differences in blade lengths and materials used in crafting the knives. This one features some beautiful Australian hardwood … York Gum (part of the eucalyptus family). I find the color and subtle figuring in the wood to be very pleasant to look at, while the handle shape makes it especially nice to hold. The blade is 2.875” and made from Devin Thomas Damascus, in his spirograph pattern. Enjoy!

Comment by Ellis H. Roberson on September 20, 2016 at 8:03: Very nice knives you've got there.. He really looks to be a great knife maker..

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 20, 2016 at 5:03: Thanks Jan. This is definitely a knife I could admire all day long. My only regret is that it will, most likely, remain a collectable and never see any use! On the bright side, I have many other knives that get plenty of pocket time. Next Saturday ... back to some wood!

Comment by Jan Carter on September 19, 2016 at 19:20: I have a true love for cross cut and from your posts I know Mr Davis is only using the best out there. The pattern from the center out is perfectly placed on this one !

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 17, 2016 at 4:51: Terribly busy week here getting ready for fall. Spent the week tearing down my gardens, bagging up yard waste and hauling brush I've been collecting since spring to the curb for pick-up. Work is all done and I'm tired ... but not too tired to forget that today is Saturday and time to share another knife from Alan Davis!

Today’s showing is a really eye-catching piece that I picked up from Alan about a year ago. To the best of my recollection, this is the first piece Alan made using cross-cut Mammoth ivory for handle material (I also bought the second knife he made with it … but will save that one for another Saturday!!). The pattern in the ivory is almost identical on each scale, which adds to the beauty of the knife. For the blade, Alan chose some of Rob Thomas’ Damascus in his reptilian pattern. Overall length on the blade is just under 3 inches. The bolsters are also Damascus, but from Bob Eggerling. Back spacer has some of Alan’s beautiful file work and texturing. This makes for a great conversation piece and is sized perfectly to slip into a small pouch for pocket carry. Oh ... if I haven't mentioned this before, every knife Alan creates, he make totally by hand.

Comment by Jan Carter on September 12, 2016 at 10:34: The wood on this one is exceptional! I am also enjoying the fact that he does not just slap a pocket clip on but he creates one that follow the lines and beauty of the materials he used on the knife! Another fantastic knife!!

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 10, 2016 at 13:15: Glad everyone is liking this one ..... Alan has made only a few using this wood (because it's not as easy to come by). When he listed this one for sale, I didn't hesitate a nanosecond in buying it! Next week .... maybe some Mammoth ivory.