Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

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

24 members like this

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of iKnife Collector to add comments!

Join iKnife Collector

Comment by Brian Battaglia on September 10, 2016 at 12:23: WOW...talk about an amazing array of knives! The detail is amazing and I really love the pocket clips chosen as they complement each knife so well.

Featured Comment by Jeremy B. Buchanan on September 10, 2016 at 11:51: What an awesome looking knife! I am wood lover too and can appreciate the wood on this knife. I have never heard of this wood, but I am sure glad you shared it with us. I would love to see it in person someday.

Comment by John Bamford on September 10, 2016 at 10:28: Yes Dennis that is the problem with some woods it is hard to photograph them and get the subtlety out . My photographic skills are limited and my camera is quite basic , but you do take a pretty good photo though .

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 10, 2016 at 9:50: Thanks John. Yes, Alan loves the color blue!!! While not my favorite color ... I would never turn my nose up at it!!! This wood, like a few others, is one that you really need to see in person to fully appreciate. Hard to capture the 3-D chatoyancy in a picture.

Comment by John Bamford on September 10, 2016 at 8:51: It's Saturday and another cool knife from Dennis !!

I love that wood , I have seen someone else use it recently though I doubt it was as well done . I am getting to really like the blue liners they really add something , just a beautiful knife !!

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 10, 2016 at 4:47: Here’s a little one for all you wood lovers (like myself!!). This little gent’s folder is simple in design, but the wood makes it anything but! If you have never seen this wood before, don’t worry … you are probably not alone. The wood is Afzelia Xylay and grows in countries in Southeast Asia. It is not only rare, but highly sought after for its unique lace pattern that takes on a well-defined 3-dimensional appearance resembling tunnels you might see in an ant colony or perhaps veins in someone's arm. The sheepsfoot blade on this one is from some random pattern Alabama Damascus and is 2.625” in length.

Comment by Jan Carter on September 4, 2016 at 11:45: I also look forward to the weekend and the Dennis Hibar posting! Finding out you have 57 means a year of wonderful!!

I think his earlier wook was a little busier than his current work. That makes sense because when you are coming on to the scene as a maker you do what will stand out and yet still be what the buyers are looking for. This one would certainly stand out and it does make a statement about Mr. Davis. It says I am here and my knives will make you drool LOL

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 4, 2016 at 6:16: Thanks John. I'll try to pick out something neat for next Saturday. That's the hard part ... since I love all of the 57 Davis knives I now have!!

Comment by John Bamford on September 3, 2016 at 9:23: I am looking forward to Saturday's now to see what knife Dennis show's us next !

Comment by Dennis Hibar on September 3, 2016 at 4:47: While I had seen some of Alan’s work in early 2012, I decided to buy my first one in late 2012. While I normally prefer liner lock knives over frame locks, I just loved the colors on this one. Alan made this one when he was big into doing knives in a rattlesnake motif. As with most of Alan’s frame locks, Alan hand carves titanium slabs for the handle material. For this knife, he gave the entire frame a double anodizing with copper and blue colors. The 3.25 inch blade is made from Admiral Steel’s random pattern Damascus and incorporates a large opening hole. The spine of the blade is polished and file worked to look like a rattlesnake! The hand carved pocket clip also takes the shape of a rattlesnake. It’s a really neat knife that is thin enough for very comfortable back pocket carry. I only have 3 other frame locks he made and like them equally well.

*Note: This one is no longer with me in my collection.