TOM ANDERSON ... Manchester, Pennsylvania, USA. Designer and knifemaker producing military-based folding designs. Most famous for his Nuke design (also manufactured under licence), and responsible for the "Weapons Grade Titanium Yo-Yo" aswell as a range of pens. Works with Titanium more than most.

JEFF ANGELO ... South African custom knifemaker producing a range of modern and tactical folders and fixed blade knives. Some of his designs are produced under licence by Lone Wolf Knives of America.

SANTINO BALLESTRA ... Traditional knife designs from this Italian knifemaker. Based in Calvo, Italy a registered member of the American Knifemakers Guild.

CHAD LOS BANOS ... Knife designer based in Hawaii, USA. Actually only part-time, by day he is a full time Corrections Officer at the islands' prison.

A T BARR ... Producing a range of superbly styled modern fixed and folding knives from his base in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA. Making knives full-time since 2001.

ARPAD BOJTOS ... European knifemaker based in Lucenec, Slovakia. Handmade traditional fixed-blade working knives, some quite exotic material choices.

TONY BOSE ... Exquisite traditional folding knives. Well-established knifemaker and designer, some of his designs have been manufactured under licence by W R Case & Sons of America. Based in Shelburn, Indiana, USA.

DAVID BROADWELL ... American high-art custom knifemaker, in full-time professional knife production since 1989. He has worked with Lone Wolf Knives in a design capacity.

JACK BUSFIELD ... High-art exquisite folding knives with a modern tactical feel are his specialty. Based in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, USA, and producing knives full-time since 1984. Accredited with many awards over the years and has worked closely in the past with Beretta USA to produce some of his designs under licence.

KIT CARSON ... Vine Grove, Kentucky, USA. Designer and knifemaker since 1993 (although making knives part time for many years beforehand). Mainly producing military-based folding designs, Kit Carson is his trading name, his real name is Harold J Carson.

FRED CARTER ... Wichita Falls, Texas, USA. Produces modern often tactical folding knife designs. A knifemaker by trade, but also an accredited knife designer. His work has been produced under licence by Gigand and United Cutlery of America.

DOUG AND DIANNA CASTEEL ... Husband and wife team Doug and Dianna Casteel have been making exotic fixed blade and folding knives since the 1980's. Their work is indeed exquisite and you can buy a new car for the sort of money these blades fetch, but they are always something specials. Based in Monteagle, Tennessee, USA; trading as Casteel Knives.

FRANK CENTOFANTE ... Celebrated and long-estalished custom knifemaker and designer from Madisonville, Tennessee, USA. Specialises in modern and tactical folding knives, his work has been produced under licence by Spyderco of Golden, Colorado, USA.

JOEL CHAMBLIN ... American custom knifemaker since 1989, based in Gainesville, Georgia, USA. Produces a full spectrum of high quality folding knives, but producing replica period knives and 18th century pocket cutlery is his specialty. Some of his designs have been produced under licence by Lone Wolf Knives.

BOB AND JAKE CLELAND ... Old-school British custom knifemakers producing traditional handmade working and hunting knives from their forge in Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Father and Son knifemaking team trading as Skye Knives. Bob Cleland (the father) has been making knives for almost 50 years, specialises in genuine Scottish Sgian-Dubh knives (a small single edged dagger traditionally worn in the sock of a Scottish gentleman).

BLACKIE COLLINS .... It can be argued that this gentlemans' true skill lies in his design foresight, rather than his bladesmithing. True, he produces some lovely hand-forged custom pieces, all of them truly useable. But it is his collaboration with Texas-based Meyerco Manufacturing that has lead to some of the most important developments in knife design. Blackie Collins was the first person to develop what we know of today as the "Quick-Release Sheath" (the original Meyerco Buddy was a marvel of design expertise). And inspired by the suspension workings of his Italian motorcycle, he designed the very first generation Power-Assisted blade deployment system. Initially pioneered by Meyerco, you can find evolutions of his original system on many knives today from Kershaw, Buck and SOG. Based in North, South Carolina, USA.

REG COOPER ... Little known Sheffield-based English knifemaker producing some beautiful traditional Sheffield pattern Bowie knives, hunting knives and Fairbairn-Sykes pattern military knife designs. Learned the trade at George Wostenholm and often goes by the name of Coopers of Sheffield. If you own one of his knives my advice is to hold onto it, they will be worth a small fortune in the years to come.

PAT AND WES CRAWFORD ... Father and son knifemaking team from Arkansas, USA. Pat Crawford has been making knives since the early 70's and has been a pioneer in the modern folding knife genre. Joined several years back by his son who now flourish as knifemakers in West Memphis.

ALLEN ELISHEWITZ ... A full-time knifemaker since 1988. A highly skilled martial artist, an ex-Marine, and a degree in Criminal Justice - you do not mess with this guy! Builds some highly desireable knives, as you can imagine most designs are tactical and military based, modern in format - but always beautifully constructed. Produces from New Braunfels, Texas, USA and often attends shows all over the world with his wife Valerie. A truly inspired multi-talented artist and young gentlemen.

FARID ... British-based knifemaker producing very chunky designs in fixed and folding format. Modern, tactical designs with an uncompromising sometimes aggressive overtone, but undoubtedly a refreshing change from what most people are used to. Top spec materials and construction, very different (in a good way), and only Chris Reeve knives can match the built-in attitude. The Marmite of knives, you'll love 'em or hate 'em - but you can't ignore them. Professional quality finish adds appeal, very desirable pieces which should last forever.

JERRY FISK ... One of the first bladesmiths to popularise the high-art genre. Held within the highest regard in Worldwide cutlery circles, his work is exhibition quality exotica - more art than knife (although for a fee he can "dumb-it-down" to a field grade should you be brave enough to take one of these masterpieces from the privacy of your own home). His work can be found on display at the New York State Museum and individually it is most likely that he has received more awards year on year for his work than any other bladesmith in the World; truly a living legend. Produces in Nashville, Arkansas, USA.

KEITH FLUDDER ... Australian custom knifemaker from Tahmoor, New South Wales. Completely handmade domestic and hunting knife designs, often in Damascus steels. Producing knives since 1989.

MIKE FRANKLIN ... Full-time American knifemaker since 1973, workshop in Aberdeen, Ohio, USA. Trades under the name Hawg Knives, producing folding and fixed blade models, often unusual in design.

AARON FREDERICK ... A member of the American Bladesmith Society and the American Knifemakers Guild. Trades as Frederick Knives in West Liberty, Kentucky, USA. Making knives since 1993 and an Ensign with the American Navy Reserves. Known for his specialty high-art Damascus folders incorporating exotic handle materials such as ivory and pearl, file work, engraving, and gold fasteners.

BARRY GALLAGHER ... Producing handmade Carbon and Damascus steel knives since 1993, based in Lewistown, Montana, USA. Mainly hunting and traditional outdoor designs, with the occasional but often beautiful modern folding knife.

GEOFF HAGUE ... English custom knifemaker producing some beautiful handmade traditional English knives, folders and fixed blade models. Based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, the only British person to be a full voting member of the American Knifemakers Guild. Producing knives since 1993.

ED HALLIGAN ... Founded Halligan Knives in Sharpsburg, Georgia, USA: after an engineering career with Delta Airlines. Making handmade knives since 1985, a Mastersmith of the American Bladesmithing Society since 1996. Shot to fame overnight when CRKT licenced his legendary KISS design. Now trades as Ed Halligan & Son.

JIM HAMMOND ... Alabama based American custom knifemaker, producing handmade knives since 1977 and now works closely with Columbia River on a selected number of licenced designs.

KOJI HARA ... Japanese knifemaker producing knives since 1988, trading as The Knife House Hara. His designs has been produced under licence most famously by Buck Knives of America. Based in Seki City, Japan.

WILLIAM HARSEY ... Popularly known as Bill Harsey, this legendary knifemaker and designer worked with Gerber and Rex Applegate to produce the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Folding Knife - voted best American Made Knife of all time. His collaboration with Gerber has continued for many years and today he works with other knife companies like Lone Wolf. His line of outwardly tactical and military knives are carried by elite military teams all over the world, from US Navy Seals to the British SAS.

GIL HIBBEN ... Probably the most accomplished knifemaker and cutlery designer in the World today, or ever. In his 45 years in the cutlery industry, Gil Hibben has designed knives for the Star Trek movies, the Rambo films, TV programmes such as Buffy, and for major personalities including John Wayne and Elvis Presley. One of his Bowie knives is on display at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Produces handmade items and works closely with United Cutlery who produce many of his designs under licence to exacting quality standards.

STEVEN R JOHNSON ... Produces exotic traditional American knives in a very similar vein to Bob Loveless. Not cheap by any means, but superb investment grade fixed and folding knives with prices starting at around $1,300 and going up to as much as you would like to spend Sir. Based in Manti, Utah, USA.

JOT SINGH KHALSA ... Working out of Mills, a small town south of Boston, Masachusetts, USA, trading under the name of Life Knives or Khalsa Kirpans. Produces mainly high-art custom work more akin to fine art jewellery than knives themselves. Has collaborated with Spyderco Knives in the past.

RUSS KOMMER ... Designer and knife maker since 1997. Produces hunting knife designs including Bowie and camping knives from Fargo, North Dakota.

PALLI KRISTJANSSON ... Iceland's one and only professional knifemaker. Makes locally traditional designs with a strong Nordic influence. Always uses handle materials found locally and this produces perhaps the most intriguing element to his knives: whalebone, preserved tree bark, Icelandic stone and reindeer horn. Completely handmade using traditional manufacturing processes and techniques.

RON LAKE ... A full-time American knifemaker since 1972 and a very well respected time-served member of the worldwide knifemaking community. A published writer (How to Make Folding Knives, 1988) and a member of the Knifemakers guide for nearly 25 years. Works closely with Michael Walker and has been responsible for many of the developments we now take for granted in modern folding knife design. You can find examples of Ron Lake's work in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Metal Museum, the National Knife Museum and the Randall Knife Museum in America.

MIKE LAMPREY .... English custom knifemaker producing unique, modern folding knives. His work has been replicated by Taylor Cutlery in America (produce Smith & Wesson knives under licence). Currently offering the Lamprey 75, trades as Lamprey Knives.

GREG LIGHTFOOT ... Canadian hands-on knifemaker and designer from Alberta, Canada. Produces modern tactical knives, predominantly folders. Producing knives since 1985, and most famous for his Lightfoot Shark model.

JUAN LONEWOLF ... The original custom knifemaker from Demorest, Georgia, USA. Produced some lovely modern and tactical folding knives and introduced the term "semi-custom". Very successfully too, and the Lonewolf Knife Company is today owned by ex-Gerber President Jim Wehrs. Still remains a member of the American Knifemakers Guild.

R W LOVELESS ... Commonly referred to as Bob Loveless. Probably the most influencial bladesmith in the world. His designs are classic, timeless, and often imitated. His knives are always practical and useable, working out of Riverside, California, USA. Not cheap, but then you are buying a legend.

BOB LUM ... Making superbly engineered fixed blade and folding knives for tactical or hunting use. Based in Eugene, Oregon, USA and making knives since 1976. Has worked with Spyderco in the past.

LARRY AND GAIL LUNN ... Produce one-off custom exotica, high-art folders, and knives which appear jewellery-like in appearance yet some models feature double-action fully automatic operating actions. Husband and wife team based in St Petersburg, Florida, USA.

MICHAEL MARTINEZ ... Knifemaker and designer with commercial links with many leading design organisations such as Group Design Inc and 360 Degrees LLC. Currently working closely with CRKT, very modern designs, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

RON AND ROY MIDDLETON ... Two brothers, and I am doing this from memory so forgive any errors please - my memory is not always at its' best. Based in Sheffield, England; Ron and Roy both worked for George Wostenholm where they learned the art of knifemaking. Upon retirement, neither gentlemen were happy to rest on their laurels, and instead formed Middleton Brothers Knives. Using a homemade forge in their garage Ron and Roy produce some beautiful hand-forged hunting and English pattern Bowie knives which bely their humble origin and illustrate perfectly the Sheffield tradition of cutlery perfection. Roy sufferred a heart-attack around 1998 so production slowed thereafter, but you can still find them around the UK shooting show circuit.

STUART AND PAT MITCHELL ... English knifemaker operating from Portland Works in Sheffield. Probably the last surviving true Sheffield knife maker producing some beautiful but completely useable traditional English hunting and outdoor knife designs. Originally founded by husband and wife Stuart and Pat Mitchell, both come from parents and grandparents with strong ancestral links to the Sheffield cutlery trade stretching back over 100 years. Making knives since 1957, up until recent years the knives were always stamped with the wifes' name - Pat Mitchell, Sheffield. Sadly, both Stuart and Pat are now deceased but their son, young Stuart Mitchell Jr, carries on the family name with pride and now trades as either Pat Mitchell (Cutlers) or in his own name of Stuart Mitchell Knives.

BILL MORAN ... More bladesmith than knifemaker, Bill Moran is an American legend and when it comes to the art of forging a blade, he's the man to get in-touch with. Also runs knifemaking and forging courses in the USA.

BUD NEALY ... Operating out of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. Produces a full spectrum of knives but best known for his range of covert-carry knives used by Police, Military and Special Forces all over the World. His designs tend to be functional first, pretty later.

JOSE NEGRON ... Little known low-volume Mexican knife maker and designer producing modern folding knife designs. His work is often manufactured under licence by Master Cutlery or M-Tech of America.

WARREN OSBORNE ... Custom knifemaker from Waxahachie, Texas, USA. Most famous for his licensed collaboration with Benchmade, produces a range of hand-forged tactical and modern format folding designs. A current member of the American Bladesmith Society.

JOE PARDUE ... Born-and-bred American bladesmith produces some remarkable modern & tactical folders, often exuberant, most with Damascus. Prices start at a remarkable low figure, with some designs as little as $500, which trust me, for a knife of this calibre is a veritable bargain! Operates out of Spurger, Texas, USA.

PAT PATTERSON .... American custom knifemaker producing some exotic modern folding designs and traditional fixed blades too. Always beautifully forged from a variety of Carbon, Stainless and Damascus steels. Based in Texas, USA and making since 1991.

OTAKAR POK ... Czech custom knifemaker producing traditional European fixed blade designs, simple and useable, almost Loveless in style. Exotic handle materials combined with a simple choice of steels and typically low East European pricing should make this young talented bladesmith very popular indeed. Based in Pizen, Czech Republic.

AL POLKOWSKI ... New Jersey based custom knifemaker produces working folding knives. His designs have been replicated under licence by CRKT of America.

CHRIS REEVE ... Produces predominantly tactical folding and fixed-blade models, semi-custom designs in significant volume. Based in Boise, Idaho, USA; Mr Reeve is South African by birth and emigrated to America with his wife in 1989. Now with a full scale production operation and many employees, Chris Reeve is more businessman than custom knifemaker but remains a fully fledged member of the American Knifemakers Guild.

STEVE RYAN ... American knifemaker based in California. Produces handmade modern folding and fixed blade knives and specialises in martial arts inspired designs. His knives tend to be unsubtle yet ergonomic.

BARRY SCOTT .... English knifemaker producing traditional British outdoor and hunting fixed blade designs. Stainless and Damascus steel. Trades under the name Hunters Moon Knives.

STAN SHAW ... Sheffield-based British Little Mester producing low volume exceptionally high quality traditional folding pocket knives. A seven year order book means that his knives are pretty much unobtainable. His knives are owned by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York, and the Queen herself.

ROBERT TERZUOLA ... Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA based custom knifemaker. Has worked closely with Spyderco and Benchmade in the past and produces top-spec modern folders and a limited run of fixed-blade models too.

GEORGE TICHBOURNE ... Canadian custom knifemaker producing the full spectrum of knives from basic working knife, to domestic cutlery, and through to high-art and scrimshaw models.

BRIAN TIGHE ... Canadian knifemaker from St Catherines, Ontario. Produces low-volume artistic but useable knives, and has worked with CRKT under licence.

FERENC TUMPEK ... North European custom knifemaker (and folk-artist) producing knives since 1975, his knives are currently sold under by DNC Euroknife of Orange, California, USA. Truly awe inspiring intricate high-art traditional hunting fixed blade designs with an exotic composition. Knife of choice - Damascus steel drop point hunting blade, full-tang, with a Mammoth Ivory handle ... simply stunning.

ED VAN HOY ... Making custom knives since 1975, specialising in folding and fixed blade Damascus designs. Based in Abingdon, Virginia, USA. A member of the North Carolina Knifemakers Guild and the American Knifemakers Guild. He received a degree in the art of metal engraving from Montgomery Community College, and has received multiple awards for his highly creative and unusual knife designs.

HOWARD VIELE ... Custom knifemaker and prolific designer, produces useable modern format folding designs and has worked with Spyderco in the past. Based in Westwood, New Jersey, USA.

MICK WARDELL ... English knifemaker based in Bideford, Devon. Producing mainly exquisite folders using exotic woods and handle materials. A variety of blade steels and works with Damascus.

ALAN WOOD ... English knifemaker from Carlisle, Cumbria. Producing handmade working and hunting knives in a variety of steels including Damascus. Although his knives are traditional and designed specifically for work, Alan Wood knives are always exotic in composition and his knives are extremely sought-after all over the World. He is probably the best known English knife maker.

MICHAEL WALKER ... Knife designer of note, responsible for the development of the Linerlock and in fact more than 20 patented knife locking designs. Also produces handmade knives from his base in Taos, New Mexico, USA. Works closely with manufacturers who produce some of his designs under licence, most famously Gerber and CRKT.