- Joined
- Aug 24, 2006
- Messages
- 491
8 1/2" Overall
Weight: 6.0 oz.
Blade: 3.75"
CPM 154CM
3/16" thick
1 1/16" wide at the top of the swedge
1 1/4" wide at the top of the thumb ramp.
Grip Length: 4.75"
5/8" thick (through the grips)
Bolsters: G10
Grip: Jade Green glow-in-the-dark resin
Backspacer: Black G10(?)
Remarks: Fit and finish are excellent! The blade is perfectly centered, no play whatsoever. The flats are bead blasted, the grinds are mirror finished. Butter smooth action with a solid, centered lock-up. Machined pattern on the thumb ramp, continued on the bottom of the blade at the lock. A small pattern of dots adorns the liner lock itself. Dual turned thumbstuds for ambidextrous opening. The bolsters and grip material are torx "pinned" to the frame.
Alan Folts is perhaps best known for his "Minimalist" series of neck knives but he also produces folders that are absolutely first rate. It was created for the 2010 Blade Show (a picture of this knife can be seen on Alan's website: http://www.foltsknives.com/images/blade2lg.jpg) and was sold through Arizona Custom Knives. One of the most distinctive features is the "cut out" between the thumb ramp and the swedge (or perhaps it could also be described as a raised swedge), which is found on a number of Mr. Folt's folders. I'm not usually a fan of the tanto-type, however, the overall design proved to be appealing enough to overcome my usual aversion to tantos, so at the first opportunity I pulled the trigger and immediately snapped it up. I could not have been more pleased with my purchase!
This is a large knife, with good heft, but not too heavy. The grip is very comfortable with good ergonomics; the material indeed does look like jade or some other green stone, but without the excessive weight, and it does indeed glow in the dark. This is a knife that straddles the line between a display piece and a working, carry knife. Indeed, it almost seems to cry out to be used and carried as an EDC. However, I've decided to keep this one as a display knife, partially because I work in an office environment and this is a LARGE knife compared to, say, an SAK or a William Henry. I've also found that most non-knife people find tanto bladed knives too "threatening" (I suppose this could qualify as a tactical, albeit a very nice tactical). Additionally, the mirror polish is a concern when considering this as a carry knife; it would be a shame to mar the finish.
There was a post by Jim Cooper entitled "Knives that go Clack!" Among the knives featured was a Folts Hawkbill folder. This tanto could have easily been presented in that line-up of blades, the action is so amazingly smooth. I find myself having to exercise some restraint to keep from playing with the action! The dual thumbstuds are a nice touch as it allows ambidexterous one hand opening (though admittedly I have never attempted to open this knife with my left hand). As there is no clip, which is a good thing as it would undoubtedly ruin the lines of this knife, a nylon belt pouch/sheath was included for carry/transport.
All in all, excellent work; I'm very impressed and I'll likely be contacting Alan to discuss a custom project sometime in near future!
Weight: 6.0 oz.
Blade: 3.75"
CPM 154CM
3/16" thick
1 1/16" wide at the top of the swedge
1 1/4" wide at the top of the thumb ramp.
Grip Length: 4.75"
5/8" thick (through the grips)
Bolsters: G10
Grip: Jade Green glow-in-the-dark resin
Backspacer: Black G10(?)
Remarks: Fit and finish are excellent! The blade is perfectly centered, no play whatsoever. The flats are bead blasted, the grinds are mirror finished. Butter smooth action with a solid, centered lock-up. Machined pattern on the thumb ramp, continued on the bottom of the blade at the lock. A small pattern of dots adorns the liner lock itself. Dual turned thumbstuds for ambidextrous opening. The bolsters and grip material are torx "pinned" to the frame.
Alan Folts is perhaps best known for his "Minimalist" series of neck knives but he also produces folders that are absolutely first rate. It was created for the 2010 Blade Show (a picture of this knife can be seen on Alan's website: http://www.foltsknives.com/images/blade2lg.jpg) and was sold through Arizona Custom Knives. One of the most distinctive features is the "cut out" between the thumb ramp and the swedge (or perhaps it could also be described as a raised swedge), which is found on a number of Mr. Folt's folders. I'm not usually a fan of the tanto-type, however, the overall design proved to be appealing enough to overcome my usual aversion to tantos, so at the first opportunity I pulled the trigger and immediately snapped it up. I could not have been more pleased with my purchase!
This is a large knife, with good heft, but not too heavy. The grip is very comfortable with good ergonomics; the material indeed does look like jade or some other green stone, but without the excessive weight, and it does indeed glow in the dark. This is a knife that straddles the line between a display piece and a working, carry knife. Indeed, it almost seems to cry out to be used and carried as an EDC. However, I've decided to keep this one as a display knife, partially because I work in an office environment and this is a LARGE knife compared to, say, an SAK or a William Henry. I've also found that most non-knife people find tanto bladed knives too "threatening" (I suppose this could qualify as a tactical, albeit a very nice tactical). Additionally, the mirror polish is a concern when considering this as a carry knife; it would be a shame to mar the finish.
There was a post by Jim Cooper entitled "Knives that go Clack!" Among the knives featured was a Folts Hawkbill folder. This tanto could have easily been presented in that line-up of blades, the action is so amazingly smooth. I find myself having to exercise some restraint to keep from playing with the action! The dual thumbstuds are a nice touch as it allows ambidexterous one hand opening (though admittedly I have never attempted to open this knife with my left hand). As there is no clip, which is a good thing as it would undoubtedly ruin the lines of this knife, a nylon belt pouch/sheath was included for carry/transport.
All in all, excellent work; I'm very impressed and I'll likely be contacting Alan to discuss a custom project sometime in near future!
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