Favorite custom by western maker

[CTKC]

Hi. So there have been a couple of recent threads about favorite J-knives and newest acquisitions; I thought it would be interesting to ask folks to describe and/or show their favorite custom knife by a western maker. And if choosing among your culinary children is difficult, feel free to share two. Thanks.

 

[daddy yo yo]

Very difficult question. I have customs from Bryan Raquin, Devin Thomas, Tilman Leder, and Isasmedjan. The DT, well it's an ITK with special handle, so no custom... My favourite from all those? The Isasmedjan is my newest, so I pick this one!

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UHB20c differentially hardened
Handle from masur birch, birch bark and moose antler.

It is my All-Sweden-themed gyuto, blade-heavy workhorse. 225/53/220g.

But a new custom is somewhere in the birth-process, so...

 

[CTKC]

Beautiful knife sir, and I love the Sweden theme.

 

[Noodle Soup]

Loving My New Nick Rossie handforged chef knife right now.

 

[XooMG]

The ones I reach for most tend to be:
Trey Richbourg 52100 petty:

And probably the wrought/1.2562 mini cleaver by Robin Dalman.

 

[Migraine]

I've only got three knives from Western makers - a 150mm custom petty from Lew Griffin in 01 monosteel, one of Dan Prendergast's 260mm carbon-clad AS gyuto blades with a custom handle from PCPKen and a standard 220mm forged geometry in mild steel clad 1.2442 from Will Catcheside.

I used them all for different things so they are all my favourite. If you put a gun to my head and said I could only save one it'd be the Catcheside. Absolute beast of a tool

 

[labor of love]

Very difficult question. I have customs from Bryan Raquin, Devin Thomas, Tilman Leder, and Isasmedjan. The DT, well it's an ITK with special handle, so no custom... My favourite from all those? The Isasmedjan is my newest, so I pick this one!

View attachment 50529
View attachment 50530
View attachment 50531
View attachment 50532

UHB20c differentially hardened
Handle from masur birch, birch bark and moose antler.

It is my All-Sweden-themed gyuto, blade-heavy workhorse. 225/53/220g.

But a new custom is somewhere in the birth-process, so...

I’m running out of reasons not to order a Isamedjan.

 

[Barmoley]

I’m running out of reasons not to order a Isamedjan.

He has even done stainless clad, so you don't have to deal with iron cladding issues.

 

[labor of love]

Yeah, but even his carbon cladding was pretty chill for the most part.

 

[Nikabrik]

I’m running out of reasons not to order a Isamedjan.

He's got two gyutos on the website right now, too

 

[JustinP]

I’m running out of reasons not to order a Isamedjan.

I'm with you on that. Really nice looking stuff.

 

[labor of love]

Enablers! For me it comes down to the right handle, I’ll take a look.

 

[Migraine]

There's so Western many makers I would try if the money pot was of the magically refilling variety; Isasmedjan, Raquin, Dalman, Antzenberger, Kamon, Xerxes, Two Sticks, Ingoglia....That's not even getting started on the US and Aussie makers.

Oh and I heard there's a little island called Japan where they make the odd knife or two as well?

 

[chinacats]

Just received a Tony Laseur and so far very happy with it.. too early to compare with others yet but plan on doing a short review soon.

 

[ashy2classy]

Just received a Tony Laseur and so far very happy with it.. too early to compare south others yet but plan on doing a short review soon.

Congrats! Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I plan to get one from him someday.

 

[cheflarge]

Just got my HHH San mai (blue 2 & stainless) gyuto back from a little spa treatment and REALLY digging it. Workhorse grind 210mm.

 

[cheflarge]

Just got my HHH San mai (blue 2 & stainless) gyuto back from a little spa treatment and REALLY digging it. Workhorse grind 210mm.

One on the left current
One on the right new (about five years ago)

 

[parbaked]

TLTLTLTLTLTLTL!!!

I'd be just fine with my little 7" LaSeur cook's knife as my only knife...

 

[Kgp]

I have a Xerxes and Shihan and love them both. Shihan much beefier than Xerxes. Also have a Laseur on order and expect it shortly. Significant upgrade to the Shun's that I have been using for years.

Ken

 

[MrHiggins]

Just received a Tony Laseur and so far very happy with it.. too early to compare south others yet but plan on doing a short review soon.

I'm so envious. Mine "should" be ready in a week or so. Can't wait to compare notes with you!

 

[ashy2classy]

OT: Sounds like you guys are the ones holding up my handles from Tony.

 

[MrHiggins]

OT: Sounds like you guys are the ones holding up my handles from Tony.

Knives > handles. [emoji14]

 

[panda]

mario

 

[inferno]

my favorites are the kramers. because they go for 40 grand, no other customs go for 40 grand.

keepin it real!

lol.

I'm not really into customs since i can easily customize production knives to my liking.

 

[cheflarge]

mario

He is a close second to my HHH

 

[F-Flash]

I own only two knives I would never sell. Both are made by French guy with a beard. His first name is Bryan. Likes 145sc.

 

[milkbaby]

 

[bahamaroot]

It's not a custom but gotta say I love my Marko in 52100.

 

[valgard]

My three favourite Western makers are Joe (Halcyonforge), Trey (Comet), and Bryan Raquin.

Hard to pick, but of the stuff I have now in hand (two crazy projects on the way). My wrought iron 230 Halcyonforge gyuto and my Raquin mini cleaver take the cake right now. My Halcyon 260 WH is right there and interchangeable from month to month with the 230.

 

[labor of love]

My three favourite Western makers are Joe (Halcyonforge), Trey (Comet), and Bryan Raquin.

Hard to pick, but of the stuff I have now in hand (two crazy projects on the way). My wrought iron 230 Halcyonforge gyuto and my Raquin mini cleaver take the cake right now. My Halcyon 260 WH is right there and interchangeable from month to month with the 230.

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Why are these 3 your faves?