- Joined
- Jul 12, 2011
- Messages
- 962
Over the last year or so I've had a problem with finding the "perfect" knife. I got into knives only recently, but I knew what I liked and I couldn't find a knife that had every element.
It started with the Persistence. Great size, but the steel wasn't good enough and I wanted something with a finger groove. Eventually I saw a pic of the Tuff Lite from Cold Steel. It had the size the blade shape and ergo's that were very appealing. The problem was the steel and the lock. I hate back locks.
Realizing a custom knife was required I went to the bladeforum to ask about reputable knivemakers. Specifically knifemakers that would take my specs and build a knife as opposed to a custom maker that does their own thing. The first reply was Alan Davis.
I knew nothing about Alan Davis or about the member(s) who suggested him. I had a look at his work and nothing really fit my design. I knew he did folders and liner locks and he had a selection of handle material and steels. I could see by his work he had dabbled in a lot of different things so I was optimistic he could handle the request.
I contacted Alan in May to inquire and gave him some pretty specific requests. One of my early pics I sent him looked like this.
As you can see, I had a bunch of requests to effectively take all the things I loved about the Tuff Lite and change all the things I hated. Namely changing the blade steel, lock, clip, and carry. After several emails and frequent changes (originally S30V and black G10 -> Damascus and Zebra wood -> Damascus and Cocobolo), Right hand liner to left hand liner back to right hand liner. The final specs: 1095/O1 Tool Steel Damascus, Cocobolo Scales (the pretty orange and yellow), RH liner lock, ball bearing pivot, LH Tip Up Carry!
When I contacted him in late May he told it would be a few months. That seemed like a lifetime, but I've since learned custom makers can have 12 month and longer waiting lists. I was like a caged animal waiting, but it's done. Here are the pics he sent.
Here are some on my own pics once she arrived! With my other coco's (Sweetness, BM Bone Collector, Spydie Cat, Spydie Persistence). The little "alien cobra skull" looking thing in the corner is the tool for adjusting the pivot.
Here is a close up of the hammering Alan did to the lock to match the Damascus appearance.
With his partner in crime the SWM V11R.
Now that I have it a couple added notes. It is fat so it fits the handle perfectly. It is heavy. Don't know how much, but the backspacer is SS and so are the liners. Heavy and fat, like I like my wom... um...knives.
Personal thank you to Alan and the members who pointed me his way! It turned out perfectly!
It started with the Persistence. Great size, but the steel wasn't good enough and I wanted something with a finger groove. Eventually I saw a pic of the Tuff Lite from Cold Steel. It had the size the blade shape and ergo's that were very appealing. The problem was the steel and the lock. I hate back locks.
Realizing a custom knife was required I went to the bladeforum to ask about reputable knivemakers. Specifically knifemakers that would take my specs and build a knife as opposed to a custom maker that does their own thing. The first reply was Alan Davis.
I knew nothing about Alan Davis or about the member(s) who suggested him. I had a look at his work and nothing really fit my design. I knew he did folders and liner locks and he had a selection of handle material and steels. I could see by his work he had dabbled in a lot of different things so I was optimistic he could handle the request.
I contacted Alan in May to inquire and gave him some pretty specific requests. One of my early pics I sent him looked like this.
As you can see, I had a bunch of requests to effectively take all the things I loved about the Tuff Lite and change all the things I hated. Namely changing the blade steel, lock, clip, and carry. After several emails and frequent changes (originally S30V and black G10 -> Damascus and Zebra wood -> Damascus and Cocobolo), Right hand liner to left hand liner back to right hand liner. The final specs: 1095/O1 Tool Steel Damascus, Cocobolo Scales (the pretty orange and yellow), RH liner lock, ball bearing pivot, LH Tip Up Carry!
When I contacted him in late May he told it would be a few months. That seemed like a lifetime, but I've since learned custom makers can have 12 month and longer waiting lists. I was like a caged animal waiting, but it's done. Here are the pics he sent.
Here are some on my own pics once she arrived! With my other coco's (Sweetness, BM Bone Collector, Spydie Cat, Spydie Persistence). The little "alien cobra skull" looking thing in the corner is the tool for adjusting the pivot.
Here is a close up of the hammering Alan did to the lock to match the Damascus appearance.
With his partner in crime the SWM V11R.
Now that I have it a couple added notes. It is fat so it fits the handle perfectly. It is heavy. Don't know how much, but the backspacer is SS and so are the liners. Heavy and fat, like I like my wom... um...knives.
Personal thank you to Alan and the members who pointed me his way! It turned out perfectly!
