In past installments of identifying the custom knifemakers to watch for the coming year, BLADE® has relied on purveyors and other knife scene observers for their input. This time, BLADE taps some of today’s active buyers/collectors for their opinions on the subject.

Twenty-three collectors were contacted in all. Of those, 14 were able to participate in one form or another—not a bad rate of return! Of those contacted, three mentioned the same person—Michael Burch—which was more mentions than any other maker.

“Michael started out as a tactical fixed-blade maker and has gradually been evolving into a tactical folder maker,” noted collector Tarek Mirshak. “He’s still making fixed blades but what’s setting him apart is his new flipper folders. He’s using the I.K.B.S. [Ikoma Korth Bearing System] in his 3-inch flippers and they work like a charm.”

Collector Steve Desarno said he likes Burch’s combination of traditional-looking forged W2 tool steel with hamons (temper lines) and modern tactical styles. Meanwhile, collector Gary Capraro may be Burch’s biggest fan of all.

“He is without a doubt an up-and-coming talent. I’m wearing his bamboo folder right now,” Capraro confided. “It’s a very unique design as it is small and very compact closed. But open it—as it does so very smoothly, I might add—and wow! it produces a very beefy and amazingly thick modified sheepfoot-type blade made of 1095 with a temper line to cry over! He exhibits all the qualities and passion to facilitate a well-rounded maker but has a real flair for Japanese style.”

Three makers received mention twice by the collectors polled—in alphabetical order, Peter Carey, Flavio Ikoma and Jeremy Krammes.

Collectors Chris Schlueter and Roy Humenick tabbed Carey. “He [appears] to be a full-time maker,” Humenick observed. “His work is pretty nice and he has won a few awards.” Collector Jon Ukman was highly complimentary of Ikoma’s work.

“While his knives function perfectly, Mr. Ikoma also has a sense of design and style that he combines with an uncanny ability to choose raw materials that make each of his knives a showstopper,” Ukman stressed. “As an everyday carry knife you won’t be afraid to use it, and every time you do, you’ll feel like a million bucks.”

Mirshak agreed.

“Flavio Ikoma is probably best known for his [and Ricardo and Roberto Lala’s] I.K.B.S. bearing system; very few collectors know that he is also a knifemaker. He’s based out of Brazil and uses very crude equipment and still puts out a great tactical flipper knife,” Mirshak assessed. “There is a strong contingent of people that are trying to get Flavio to move to the U.S. and get him some ‘real’ equipment to work with. His work is already impressive, so I cannot begin to imagine what he could make with better tools.”

Ukman and Mirshak are also of like mind on Krammes.

“I can’t verify it, but I believe[Krammes] must have been cloned in a lab from one of the world’s great knifemakers,” Ukman quipped. “Jeremy’s fine craftsmanship, his beautiful grinds and unique sense of design are in every knife he makes. I love his work now, and I can’t wait to see what comes off his workbench when he has 10 years under his belt and starts to hit his stride.”

“Jeremy came onto the knifemaking scene a couple of years ago and has been putting out a very good product since,” Mirshak commented. “He’s primarily a tactical folder maker and his folders just keep getting better. His newest designs, the ‘APOC’ and the ‘Fenix,’ are real winners. Both have great ergonomics and are great carry pieces.”

Movin’ On Up
On the handforged side, collector Kevin Jones praised the work of ABS journeyman smith Mace Vitale.

“Mace’s ultra-clean designs, precision fit and finish and desire to succeed will eventually propel him into the upper tiers of the ABS,” Jones began. “He puts the same painstaking effort into every knife, from his entry-level hunters to his top-of-the-line bowies.”

According to collector Roger Pinnock, another ABS journeyman smith to watch is Craig Camerer.

“Craig has demonstrated a willingness to explore some very innovative blade designs and his work shows tremendous diversity,” Pinnock advised. “Whether a traditional clip-point fighter or a bold, broad-bladed recurve bowie, Craig can hit one out of the park from a design standpoint seemingly at will. Variety also extends to his blade finish as well. He can turn out a superb hand-rubbed satin finish, or present a dramatic hamon on a clay-treated blade against a more subdued matte background. Similarly, his damascus can run the range from tight, traditional patterns to some very bold high-contrast stuff.”

On the stock-removal side, Ukman picked Daniel Crotts to shine.

“Dan is likely the most accomplished ‘new’ maker that will ever be on a list like this,” Ukman opined. “Apprenticed by Bob Dozier—who told me Dan has ground 14,000 some-odd blades over the last 15 or so years—and in line to one day succeed Bob at Dozier Knives, Dan in his free time is making incredible customs of his own design. Each is of the highest fit and finish but with a primary objective being function.”

Collector Larry Abramson named a couple of up-and-comers.

“One guy right off the bat is Andy Fitz. We had a Usual Suspect Network [the Internet knife discussion group] get-together a couple of weeks ago and he was there,” Abramson recounted. “I played around with a few of his folders and they are really nice. He’s more on the tactical line but he had a large flipper with him. It flipped very easy, did not feel like a big knife. I should have bought it but didn’t.

“Jerry Halfrich makes folders and fixed blades. The fit and finish is excellent, and the knives are razor sharp and nicely priced.”

Other up-and-comers or relatively unknown makers tabbed by the interviewed collectors to have breakout years include, in alphabetical order: Karl Anderson, Eduardo Berardo, Dave Bettencourt, Jim Burke, Lucas Burnley, Richard Derespina, Randy Doucette, Kiku Matsuda, Gerry McGinnis, Spencer Reiter, Phillip Patton and Henry Torres.

Inner Glow
Of course, the “makers to watch” should never be limited to up-and-comers or relative unknowns only. Established and/or even veteran makers can qualify as well. An example is ABS journeyman smith Russ Andrews.

“While Russ has developed a strong core following among informed forged-blade collectors, his relatively low volume of production has meant that correspondingly few individuals have had the pleasure of ownership of one of his fine blades,” Pinnock explained. “There’s a reason that his blades are highly sought after and command a very significant premium on the secondary market, beyond their relative scarcity. Simply put, few makers can finish a carbon steel blade as well as Russ can.

“Starting off with a blade forged closely to shape and final ground to near perfection, Russ’s hand-rubbed finish lends the blade a soft, even glow that makes you want to check for an internal light source. Pick one up and you’ll see what I mean. His bowies and fighters lean strongly toward graceful and flowing lines, with long clips running almost the entire length of the spine. It’s tough to get that right every time, but he does it.”

Collector Carlos Lopez has his eyes on the knives of another veteran.

“Ken Steigerwalt’s new knives are incredible. They are changing quite a bit compared to his older stuff,” Lopez observed. “They’re much more higher end with incredible quality and finish. They have a lot more carving and flowing lines and are incredibly artistic. I think he is rivaling Wolfgang Loerchner. Ken’s work is amazing.”

Collector James Johnson is impressed with the work of seasoned makers Don Maxwell and Claude Montjoy.

“I’ve enjoyed Don’s knives for years,” Johnson admitted, “but haven’t seen much of him for a long time. Lately I have seen a few of his knives and am impressed by his slim, elegant folders that are finished to perfection. Claude’s knives, especially his pearl slip joints, always catch my eye. His work is consistently fine and sells for reasonable prices. He also makes some great small fixed blades. Everything I’ve ever seen of his has had the same great workmanship and choice of fine materials.”

Other well-known or accomplished makers—and even a couple (Lin Rhea and Tommy Gann)—who have made these lists before that the interviewed collectors mentioned include, in alphabetical order: J.D. Barth, Thad Buchanan, Jon Christensen, Tom Ferry, Hiroaki Ohta, Josh Smith, Andre Thorburn, Nick Wheeler and Michael Zscherny.

Did we omit your choice or choices? If so, write us at BLADE, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990 or e-mail BladeEditor@fwpubs.com and let us know who they are.