Alternative to TURLEY #12 Kunar River knife

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

I am loving the Turley #12 Kunar River knife. If I could buy the #12 today (as opposed to waiting the next several years) I would do so. The #12 appears to be one heck of an awesome knife and everything I am looking for in the way of a "smallish" (as opposed to say a BK 2) Belt Carry knife. I very much like the severe Drop Point and the Bull Nose design of the #12's 3 7/8's inch (1/8" thick) blade. I also like the shape of the blade and it's nice large belly. I have been spending HOUR upon HOUR searching/researching small to mid-size fixed blade knives for months. The #12 would be the largest OAL knife I would want to carry. I have XXL hands, and I think the #12's 4.5" handle would be a joy to hold/use. I've been looking at small knives such as the ESEE Izula ll (a real possible buy) and I also very much like several of the Bark River knives such as the Mini Canadian. I'm however unsure if the handle is going to be just a bit to small for my XXL hands. I've also looked at BHK as well as D.R. Beck. So, I am asking the good folks of BF what knife would you say that comes CLOSEST to the specs/design of the #12 or am I just SOL. I've also looked at the Canadian #1 Belt knife. I very much appreciate your help/suggestions.

Regards,
HARDBALL aka Tom
 
Hi all,

OK, I guess in the ENTIRE WORLD there exist NO knife that is anything like a TURLEY #12 KUNAR RIVER. I guess I am indeed SOL.

HARDBALL
 
Have you talked to any of the makers here on the forum? If not, you should. There are several skilled makers that can make a knife to your specs with a wait that shouldn't be too long.

Also, be patient. Not everyone on this forum is familiar with Turley knives. I had to google it myself. Someone might pop in with a suggestion that's exactly what you want, but it might take a few days.
 
Hi Big,

Thank you for responding to my thread. Yea, I'm sorry. I'm a wee bit grumpy today and seem to have little patience. At any rate, yes, I have thought about talking to some of the other wonderful Blade Craftsman here at BF about the #12 design but.....I certainly don't want to ask another knife maker to (for lack of a better word) "copy" someone else design. This is why my original question was more or less about trying to find a similar design to the #12. Today, I again visited Fiddleback Forge. Andy sure makes some lovely knives. The Kismet Practical Hunter, Nessmuk, Snubnose, EDC and Bow Leg Belt Knife have all caught my Eye! I'm keeping my options open.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Proper etiquette is to ask for a tribute or a knife with inspiration from what you want. The benefit of going with a custom here is you can get exactly what you want. Want CPM 3V? No problem. Thicker spine? No problem. Larger diameter handle? No problem. Do it, you won't regret it.
 
Hi TM,

Ahhhhh, thank you for that information! I was wondering if there was some form of "proper etiquette" for addressing this issue. I very much appreciate your help. The thing is (while I've only seen the #12 from pictures on line) I don't think there is much (if anything) I would change! I really think this is a well thought out knife. Perhaps "something" a bit different with the handle....perhaps.

If I have broken any rules by posting this link of a picture of the #12, I'm sorry in advance and Mods please feel to remove. Thank you.

https://www.google.com/search?q=TUR...G-fi0QGN44EQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=753

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
The Bark River Trailmate bears a very small amount of resemblance, to the point of not even being worth mentioning... still, it can't hurt, right?
 
That Turley #12 is a beautiful knife. If its the Turley you want, it is worth the wait. I agree that some Blind Horse knives would be worth looking at also.

But call up a custom maker from the forum and see what they think. There are world class makers at your disposal and they may be able to help. Its definitely worth a phone call and you can get an idea of what kind of money gets you what. Call them up and show them a picture of the #12. Big Chris would be one of my top choices along with Backwoods. Shoot, browse the custom maker fixed blades for sale. That's a good time.
 
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