I was browsing the UsualSuspect today, and came across a link to a custom knifemaker in Brazil named Ivan Campos.  Here's his website.  He has a good selection of knives in stock, and will make one to your specs.  Most of them are in the $100 range!

These are utilitarian, no-nonsense knives - just what I've been looking for for a long time.  His website doesn't have pictures of "operators" about to breach an embassy with a knife.  No "gothic/Batman" designs, 5160 steel instead of the latest stainless wonder steel, and communication is excellent.  I emailed him tonight and he got right back to me within 1/2 hour.   He gets a lot of praise from the members of bladeforums.com and usualsuspect.net.


He told me that there is a 30 day wait for knives that are not in stock.  I'll post an update when it shows up.  (He wouldn't take payment up front, for the record)

I thought I might pass this along to those who are looking for a quality custom knife but don't want to pay $300 - $1,000,000,000,000 for it.

I have heard of Ivan before. Thanks for the link. Those blades definitely look like real users and I like 5160 in a working blade as long as it has a proper heat treat. It looks like he uses a differential tempering technique or maybe even zone hardening. The only thing I wish is that the blades actually had scales on them instead of the paracord. I don't like paracord on a carbon steel blade because of moisture retention and the accompanying corrosion factor. Other than that, these look really sweet. Especially the Mega Chopper. I am a sucker for large chopping blades and that one looks like it would do the job. Thanks again.

Quoted: I have heard of Ivan before. Thanks for the link. Those blades definitely look like real users and I like 5160 in a working blade as long as it has a proper heat treat. It looks like he uses a differential tempering technique or maybe even zone hardening. The only thing I wish is that the blades actually had scales on them instead of the paracord. I don't like paracord on a carbon steel blade because of moisture retention and the accompanying corrosion factor. Other than that, these look really sweet. Especially the Mega Chopper. I am a sucker for large chopping blades and that one looks like it would do the job. Thanks again.

He does rayskin/cordwrap handles, too.  That would probably help with the moisture retention problem.