I am the lucky recipient of an Alan Folt's Mantis. This is a "pre-production" model, made out of 3/16" ATS34. Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to assemble and finish the Mantis. I know that sounds like a long time for such a simple project, but I want to take my time and do it right. This is a nice looking piece, and I want to avoid rushing headlong into this project and mess it up. I am also financially strapped at the moment, so certain things I want to have done might have to wait. Another time adding expense will be the final finish that I am going to have applied. It is my goal to have the blade given a hot blue finish done to it. The effect I am going for when I am done, is to create a back-up companion for my OD green-gripped KelTec 9mm pistol. The grips on the Mantis will be OD green Canvas Micarta, with black pins. It may turn out that the pistol will need a re-blueing to match the knife
.
The specs are as follows...
O.A. length: 7 3/4"
Blade length: 3 3/4"
False edge: 3 1/4"
Thickness: 3/16"
Width (across Guards): 1 1/2"
Handle width (narrowest/widest): 15/16" / 1 3/16"
The knife came to me fresh from being heat-treated. I was glad to find out that the heat-treat was done by none other than Rob Simonich, so those of you who are familiar with his work will know that this knife is off to a good start. Lord knows that I am impressed with the way the Cetan I won holds an edge.
My initial impressions if the Mantis are extremely favorable. I had mentioned before that I thought it needed a index finger groove, but I take that back now. The handle flares slightly towards the butt of the grip, and it locks into the hand well, and feels quite secure. I must admit that the design was NOT ment for delicate utilitarian work. When holding it in my hand, I can feel that it was ment to slash first and stab second(or vice versa). Some initial underhand stabs into some wood demonstrated to me that the integral guards are helpful, and painless to the web of my hand. The blade keeps the bulk of its thickness almost up to the point, aleviating any concerns about tip strength. The flat ground blade feels really strong overall.
I like the overall shape of the Mantis. It is pleasing to the eye. It is a purpose-built design, definately falling into the defensive catagory, but it does not suffer the inhumanity of overuse militaristic features. Its lines are reminiscant of a fantasy blade, but unlike a Hibben, the Mantis's lines are efficient and functional. To me it feels like an extension of the human form, rather than a piece broken off of a machine. Heck, and I haven't even put the handle on it yet.
The thickness of this Mantis makes for a slightly heavy knife. It's weight is similar to the weight of a CSVG, but I do not have a scale for an accurate measurement. The weight is not a problem since the balance point is right behind the lower guard, making it slightly handle heavy. With the weight mostly in the handle the blade moves about like a much lighter knife. I do not think that it is heavy enough to cause any concern about carrying it concealed. Furthermore, future models will be made out of 1/8" stock.
As far as finishing goes, I am going to do my best to get a nice mirror polish on it, which will not be hard because the Mantis has no machine machine marks on it whatsoever. It appears to have been sanded to about a 200 grit before it was sent to be heat-treated. With a finish this smooth, polishing should be a minor formality.
I look forward to completing this project, and I hope that I can do justice for this unique design. For those of you who are interested, the price of the Mantis Kit is $60 plus shipping, and the fully assembled Mantis is $175. Alan can be reached by e-mail at alanfolts@sprintmail.com . The Mantis kit will include the blade, Micarta in your choice of colors (if they are available/on hand) and pins necessary to attach the grips. Instructions and a tool list are also included. The blade will be unfinished, but for a fee of $60, Alan will be glad to give it a full polish. Kydex for sheaths is also available for $4 a square foot, but rivets will have to be purchased locally due to the tooling that they require.
As a side note, I must mention how cool of a guy Alan Folts is. My only contact with him has been through ICQ, e-mail, and BladeForums. Alan has put up with my incessant stream of questions, and is generally a real nice guy. Dealing with him has been an extreme pleasure, and I hope to have many more dealings with him in the future.
------------------
"Will Dremel for Food!!"
"No, it's a Vaquero Grande in my pocket, but I am happy to see you!"
yekimak@hotmail.com
MegaFolderians Unite!!
Dyslexics Untie!
[This message has been edited by Yekim (edited 19 March 1999).]
The specs are as follows...
O.A. length: 7 3/4"
Blade length: 3 3/4"
False edge: 3 1/4"
Thickness: 3/16"
Width (across Guards): 1 1/2"
Handle width (narrowest/widest): 15/16" / 1 3/16"
The knife came to me fresh from being heat-treated. I was glad to find out that the heat-treat was done by none other than Rob Simonich, so those of you who are familiar with his work will know that this knife is off to a good start. Lord knows that I am impressed with the way the Cetan I won holds an edge.
My initial impressions if the Mantis are extremely favorable. I had mentioned before that I thought it needed a index finger groove, but I take that back now. The handle flares slightly towards the butt of the grip, and it locks into the hand well, and feels quite secure. I must admit that the design was NOT ment for delicate utilitarian work. When holding it in my hand, I can feel that it was ment to slash first and stab second(or vice versa). Some initial underhand stabs into some wood demonstrated to me that the integral guards are helpful, and painless to the web of my hand. The blade keeps the bulk of its thickness almost up to the point, aleviating any concerns about tip strength. The flat ground blade feels really strong overall.
I like the overall shape of the Mantis. It is pleasing to the eye. It is a purpose-built design, definately falling into the defensive catagory, but it does not suffer the inhumanity of overuse militaristic features. Its lines are reminiscant of a fantasy blade, but unlike a Hibben, the Mantis's lines are efficient and functional. To me it feels like an extension of the human form, rather than a piece broken off of a machine. Heck, and I haven't even put the handle on it yet.
The thickness of this Mantis makes for a slightly heavy knife. It's weight is similar to the weight of a CSVG, but I do not have a scale for an accurate measurement. The weight is not a problem since the balance point is right behind the lower guard, making it slightly handle heavy. With the weight mostly in the handle the blade moves about like a much lighter knife. I do not think that it is heavy enough to cause any concern about carrying it concealed. Furthermore, future models will be made out of 1/8" stock.
As far as finishing goes, I am going to do my best to get a nice mirror polish on it, which will not be hard because the Mantis has no machine machine marks on it whatsoever. It appears to have been sanded to about a 200 grit before it was sent to be heat-treated. With a finish this smooth, polishing should be a minor formality.
I look forward to completing this project, and I hope that I can do justice for this unique design. For those of you who are interested, the price of the Mantis Kit is $60 plus shipping, and the fully assembled Mantis is $175. Alan can be reached by e-mail at alanfolts@sprintmail.com . The Mantis kit will include the blade, Micarta in your choice of colors (if they are available/on hand) and pins necessary to attach the grips. Instructions and a tool list are also included. The blade will be unfinished, but for a fee of $60, Alan will be glad to give it a full polish. Kydex for sheaths is also available for $4 a square foot, but rivets will have to be purchased locally due to the tooling that they require.
As a side note, I must mention how cool of a guy Alan Folts is. My only contact with him has been through ICQ, e-mail, and BladeForums. Alan has put up with my incessant stream of questions, and is generally a real nice guy. Dealing with him has been an extreme pleasure, and I hope to have many more dealings with him in the future.
------------------
"Will Dremel for Food!!"
"No, it's a Vaquero Grande in my pocket, but I am happy to see you!"
yekimak@hotmail.com
MegaFolderians Unite!!
Dyslexics Untie!
[This message has been edited by Yekim (edited 19 March 1999).]
