I am a big fan of David’s work because it will last a lifetime and then some. There are a lot of custom knifemakers that cut corners on their products and the consumers by offering handles with recon or syntheticmaterials. Although I have no problem with this as a practice, sometimes consumers do not know exactlywhat they are getting. With David you know that you are going to get a handle on your knife that is 100% thereal deal as God made it. Even with the extra cost associated with using the finest materials available David offers his knives at great prices. On top of this David doesn’t make his knives to be on a shelf but somethingto be carried in your pocket. It’s a testimony to the durability of the materials he uses. Going a step furtheryou get to work with one of the finest people on the planet when you get to work with David.I loved the SOG Arcitech from the moment I first saw it and it was fine the way it was out of the box. However,I was interested in how a knife that is the quality of the SOG Arcitech would look leaving the hands of DavidBaker. I currently have gold and blue tiger eye handled knives and it made sense to get one in the red tigereye. The only other plan was to remove the pocket clip and to make the pins hidden to fully appreciate all ofthe stone work. During the process David said he had an idea for the knife and would go back to the originalplans if I was not completely satisfied. Although I had no clue what he was doing I was more than willing totrust him. After all, it’s one thing to have a custom knife from someone. It is another thing in my opinion tohave the artist go the extra mile in displaying their creativity. I am more than pleased. It was already a perfectknife. David, however, was able to take it to another level. Knives like these become instant heirlooms whenDavid is finished with them. It is also nice knowing that this is the only SOG Arcitech in the world like thisone. It’s not a 1/25, 1/50 or 1/100. It’s a 1/1.
Chris in Tennessee (February 2009)
This testimonial came from the SOG Specialty Knives website blog. You can read more testimonals about my work at:
http://sogknives.com/wordpress/2009/02/09/customized-sog-arcitech/#more-201
|
 |
| SOG Arcitech with Red & Blue Tiger Eye |
|
|
 |
| SOG Arcitech with Red & Blue Tiger Eye |
|
|
From personal experience, David Baker delivers a top drawer product. The materials he uses for his knife-making are the finest to be found, gathered from across the globe through years of making contacts with the best sources of gem quality stone and forgers of damascus and other steels. His dedication to his labor is obvious, as the fit and finish of stone to knife metal is as close to perfect as can be hoped for. This master craftsman's professionalism is no less impressive. He has demonstrated time and again his patience in helping to educate me, his customer, both regarding the process of rehafting (in my case) and in my choices of stone, whether a bolster would or would not be suitable in a given case, the kind of knife that would work best, etc. In addition, David conducted every business part of the experience in the friendliest and most good-natured of fashions. I am nothing short of thrilled with the end result: stone-hafted knives that must be held to appreciate the difference. David's love of his art shines through in every phase and aspect of both knives he has carefully made me. His father, also a knife-maker, would surely be proud. I can honestly recommend to anyone interested in fine knives that David Baker's stone handled pieces are well worth looking more closely into. Bill S. in Minnesota (July 27, 2008)
|
 |
| Case with Dark Blue Sodalite and Queen with Arizona Rainbow Petrified Wood |
|
|
I met David Baker via the Yahoo Group called SharpFans a few months ago and found we shared some common interests. Over the course of a few weeks and several discussions regarding knives and handle materials, I found myself purchasing a D.P. Baker knife. It was a Case Hammerhead which had the original handle material removed and David re-handled it with Noreena Jasper and a Pietersite centerpiece. When I received the knife, I was amazed at the heft of the knife in general and the beauty of the handle material in particular. I was also amazed at his craftsmanship; the fit of the stone on the handle was as near perfect as anything I had ever seen.
Well, that led me to purchase another knife from him. This time I received a Case Texas Toothpick with Arizona Rainbow Petrified Wood. As with my first purchase, not a bit of disappointment, as the workmanship was flawless and the handle material was once more, very unique and beautiful.
I honestly can’t say enough about David, his art or his genuine personality. He has been very down to earth, easy to talk with and did not seem to mind in the least the myriad of questions I thrust upon him in the beginning.
I guess from here I’ll let my actions speak to how well I like David Baker knives. I currently own 9 of his knives, including the two mentioned previously and they are:
- Boker Large Congress with Mexican Lace
- Boker Canoe with Salinas Wonderstone from Utah
- Case Trapper with Fancy Jasper from India
- Case Trapper with Blue Sodalite from Brazil
- Colonel Coon with Green Malachite from The Congo in Africa
- Colonel Coon with Bloodstone from India
- Case Brothers Mid-folding Lockback with Golden Tiger Eye from South Africa
- Case Texas Toothpick with Arizona Rainbow Petrified Wood
- Case Hammerhead with Noreena Jasper and Petersite centers
Other than the last 3 on the list above, all the knives above were already in my collection. David helped me decide on the stone, I sent him my knives and when he returned them to me, I could say they were akin to caterpillars that had since blossomed into butterflies (excuse the sappy metaphor but I’ve run out of adjectives).
I have absolutely no problem recommending David Baker if you’re interested in a truly unique collectible knife. Folks, when I say unique, I mean “1 of 1”, no one else will ever have the same knives that I do.
Rick in Alabama (July 28, 2008)
|
 |
| Mexican Lace on A Boker |
|
|
 |
| Arizona Rainbow Petrified Wood on a Giant Texas Toothpick |
|
|
 |
| Case with Blue Sodalite |
|
|
I am not your typical knife collector and never planned to become a collector. However, all of that changed the day I inherited a fixed blade and folder that once belonged to my grandfather. Although they may not hold the greatest monetary value, they are part of a small group of items that I would classify as “priceless.” Considering the sentimental value, it didn’t make sense to carry them for daily use and/or run the risk of losing them.
The idea of adding a knife to my collection with sentimental value was one considered several times after acquiring my grandfather’s knives. During this time preparations were being made for one of the local schools that I announce football games for, the Tigers. With that being said, the idea came to acquire a custom fixed blade to remember my grandfather’s fixed blade while also having a tiger eye handle to reflect the work with one of the schools..
Having a concept in mind I began looking for sites where I could find a custom knife builder. After little success I checked out a site featuring “Stone Art” after hearing a plug on Knives Live, the television show sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Once there I was thrilled to see a pair of fixed blade knives with tiger eye handles. After swapping messages with David I learned that only one was still available but we could always build a custom knife. It took over 2 weeks and over a dozen e-mails filled with questions sent to David to be answered, but David was more than patient and answered every question. Through it all, I decided to have a custom blade built with tiger eye handles.
The knife has been completed and is everything that I could have hoped for. It is absolutely beautiful. It honors the past, reflects my personality, and will someday be passed on. But as great as the blade looks, I cannot say enough about the personality and character of David Baker. Through it all David became more than a business associate, he has become a friend. He took the time to answer my questions, educate me in the process, and go out of his way to find and build the perfect knife. You will not be disappointed working with this great man.
Chris in Tennessee
|
 |
| Gold Tiger Eye 440C SS |
|
|
 |
| Gold Tiger Eye 440C SS |
|
|
|