Thanks for checking out my handmade work. I offer a variety of custom knives in wide range of materials and finishes. If you don’t see a certain style that you’re interested in, that doesn’t mean I haven’t or won’t work with that material or finish.
Lets get this out of the way as I am asked this quite frequently: I’m not currently accepting any orders for custom work. I have a decent sized list of current orders, and some of my customers have been waiting for years! So in fairness to them, and so I can clear out the list efficiently, I will not take any new orders at the moment. However…once I get all these orders completed I will reopen the book so please sign up for my email list. HERE
My Process:
When it comes to my custom knives I like to keep all the work done in my own shop, by my hands. That’s part of the fun of a handmade, custom knife. So I don’t like to use computer-controlled numerical equipment. Because of this, my knives have that handmade quality, feel, and fit and finish. I do my best to make every knife as perfectly as I possibly can on the day it’s made. My skills change and grow constantly as I strive to improve my craft.
That’s not to say that I wont employ new technologies. As I learn new skills, collect new tools and equipment (come on! what man doesn’t love new tools) new techniques will be utilized. I’ll update my shop and process accordingly at that point. There are some amazing machines, and manufacturing techniques out there in this big wide world. As I can, I will do my best to learn and master those.
When I design a knife I set out to do a couple things. First and foremost, a knife is a cutting tool designed to separate materials. Thus, that’s the first thing I consider when I start designing. Once I have a nice blade shape, I add a handle. Handles are a finicky part of knife design. It’s of the utmost importance to how the knife fits and feels in your hand, as well as in your pocket. Because of this, I spend a lot of time on the ergonomics of the handle, in both the open and closed positions.
The really tough part is making it all look good. I’m a firm believer that form should always follow function. However there are times when occasionally function is… unpleasing to the eye. Through art and engineering I craft a tool that has evolved into a piece of functional artwork that can withstand the rigors of every day use.
Materials:
This is an especially fun section for me. I like to use top quality materials, the best of the best, and nothing less. Different steel’s have different qualities and functions, so I’ll use just about anything you might want. If your not sure, lets have a chat and figure out what you intend to use the knife for, and see what suits you the best. Some of my personal favorites are 52100, CTS-B75P, CTS-XHP, CPM-154, 3v, M4, PSF-27… this list could go on a long time…
When it comes to handles, titanium is my foundational material. All my knives start with a titanium base: the most lovely of transition metals with an atomic number of 22. For knifemaking I use the alloy Ti-6AL-4v 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.25% (maximum) iron, 0.2% (maximum) oxygen, and the remainder titanium. I’ll write an article at some point explaining why its the one I choose and utilize.
I also use, timascus, zirconium, copper niobium alloys, g10, niobium, carbon fibers, phenolic composites, meteorite, gold, silver, stainless steel, Iron, copper, bronze… the possibilities really are endless. I will also employee a variety of natural materials, wood, mammoth ivory, etc.
Custom Southard Knife Models:
Over the years I have developed quite a collection of models, and many of them have several variations and sizes. Listed below are the models I currently make and I have not included the variations of each.
Awt:
3.5″ flipper with an overall length of 8″ and 4.5″ closed. The Spyderco Southard flipper is based upon this model. The Awt is offered in several different sizes.
Daws:
The Daws is one of my very first models. It was originally designed as a manual opener, with either a nail nick or thumbstud. Over the years I began offering a variation of it as a flipper as well as with a Spyderco trademarked Spyderhole.
Tarsus:
The Tarsus is a newer model, and quickly becoming a very popular one. The Wharncliffe shaped blade makes it perfect for your EDC tasks, as well as self-defense, should the need ever arise. I hope it doesn’t.
Flippin’ Tanto:
The Flippin’ Tanto is one of my most popular and Iconic models. I’ve always loved the look and feel of a traditional Japanese tanto. Bob Lum’s amazingly beautiful Americanized tanto originally influenced my tanto model. He was one of the first knifemakers to bring an Asian tanto-style blade to the western market. And his work has so much beauty and elegance. I wanted to modernize it even more. So I added a flipper, and my own twist to the mirror polished convex ground tip. I designed it with an ergonomic handle in which the blade all but disappears into the grip. I want it to look as beautiful open as it does closed.
Shelach:
The Shelach is another of my newer models. I really wanted to create a slim folder, which would be easily scalable in almost any size range. Furthermore I wanted it to be over engineered – solid as a rock – without looking like it. Thus the Shelach was born. This knife can take an enormous amount of abuse, in any of its sizes, yet it can fit, quite slimy into your pocket. When I make the larger variations of it (the largest currently has a 5.25″ blade length) I like to think of it as a pocket sword.
Hanan:
The Hanan model was born out of a ‘build-off’ competition: a contest where knifemakers are given a limited amount of time to craft a knife, and its judged against other knifemaker’s work. I wanted to implement a brand new design for a contest like this. My buddy Jason knew I was entering the contest, so he asked if he could purchase the knife when the contest was over. Since I had a client, and customer now in mind, I wanted to create a knife he would love! So through some chats I got a good feeling for what he liked in a design. He left the details up to me, but did have a few things he really wanted. Thus the Hanan was born and It has become one of my favorite models.
Trot:
One of my earlier flipper designs with a spear point blade. Just love this model. You’ll be seeing a collaboration with this knife as the base very soon, which I think will be enjoyed by many.
Downing:
This was originally one of my smaller models that recently I have upscaled into a larger format. The design began as a small knife with a hawkbill blade, but has now has a drop point option.
Tozer:
The Tozer has a small wharncliffe, or sheepsfoot blade, depending on your perspective. I designed it as an ideal office carry folder, or small knife for a user that doesn’t feel the need to carry a large knife everyday.