Custom Chef Knife - Maker Suggestions

[vivi]

Thinking about asking Santa for a custom chef knife.

Thinking an 8" western style blade with micarta scales and AEB-L at 61+RC.

I don't have my heart set on AEB-L, I'd consider other steels. I just think its good for the job.

I'll be using it at work so I don't want anything more than say, $150, because it will get used hard.

Something very important to me is a seamless transition from handle to blade. For some reason most chef knives aren't made that way and I have no idea why considering the main grips used.

Who should I talk to?

[OldHoosier62]

Lloyd "Butch" Harner..... Harner Knives

Forum member here, though not active right now. Makes excellent quality knives.

I own one of his very few folders and it's a great blade.

[TomAiello]

I have a couple kitchen knives made by Stuart Davenport (found him on BF) that I'm pretty happy with. I'm not sure if his chef knives are going to be at the right price point for you though. His work has gotten more popular recently, so his prices have gone up some from when I first bought from him.

There's a guy over on BF who has one he calls 'the common chef' that might be willing to do one in AEB-L? I want to say he's greek...can't remember the name.

[vivi]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm going to look them up this week.

I was taking a look at some makers I'm familiar with, and realized LT Wright makes some kitchen patterns in AEB-L / micarta.

https://ltwrightknives.com/cookcraft-collection.html

[spyderg]

Kevin Smock makes some...

[TomAiello]

Bradford also does AEB-L, apparently. I think they might be pricier than you're looking for though.

I have their paring and chef knives in M390 and I like them a lot, but the price seems high for the AEB-L variants, at least to me.

https://bradfordknives.com/13-culinary