Anso Toko: Opinions?

BluegrassBrian

BluegrassBrian

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Apr 20, 2015
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I’ve noticed this piece- the Jens Anso Toko- since it was released. I like the overall design and available finish options.

Does anyone have one or had experience with one and care to share their opinions, critical or complimentary?
 
I've had one for about three months now. It is an excellent design and execution in every way. The build, acoustics, and feel reminds me most of the Holt Morpheus. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

Having said that, I have offered it as a trade piece. For no other reasons than its a hair small for my taste and I'm just not that excited about button locks. Id happily overlook either of those preferences alone. Combined, they put it just barely in the willing to trade bucket.

Here's mine.

20250703_183814.jpg20250703_182527.jpg20250703_182736.jpg
 
scorpnsnake said:
I've had one for about three months now. It is an excellent design and execution in every way. The build, acoustics, and feel reminds me most of the Holt Morpheus. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

Having said that, I have offered it as a trade piece. For no other reasons than its a hair small for my taste and I'm just not that excited about button locks. Id happily overlook either of those preferences alone. Combined, they put it just barely in the willing to trade bucket.

Here's mine.

View attachment 2990322View attachment 2990323View attachment 2990324
Click to expand...

The singular possible “hair in the soup” for me is the size of the flip tab. While I won’t even consider a knife with a larger one- the Toko tab is definitely small.
Does it ever prove challenging to engage?
 
BluegrassBrian said:
The singular possible “hair in the soup” for me is the size of the flip tab. While I won’t even consider a knife with a larger one- the Toko tab is definitely small.
Does it ever prove challenging to engage?
Click to expand...

Non issue for me. When it was brand new, it was a little tight. In real short order and with a single drop of KLP lightweight, it smoothed right out. It is low profile but the leverage is all there. I appreciate all aspects of the flipper design and function.
 
BluegrassBrian said:
The singular possible “hair in the soup” for me is the size of the flip tab. While I won’t even consider a knife with a larger one- the Toko tab is definitely small.
Does it ever prove challenging to engage?
Click to expand...
I can't speak to the Toko like scorpnsnake scorpnsnake has (absolutely gorgeous knife, by the way), but can tell you as the owner of multiple GiantMouse knives (which are designed by Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes) which tend to have small flipper tabs of similar design, they work entirely fine. In fact, it's made me like knives with large tabs covered in sharpish jimping a lot less, because it just isn't necessary. A finely tuned knife won't need a huge flipper switch in order to defeat the detent and flip open reliably.
 
Quiet said:
I can't speak to the Toko like scorpnsnake scorpnsnake has (absolutely gorgeous knife, by the way), but can tell you as the owner of multiple GiantMouse knives (which are designed by Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes) which tend to have small flipper tabs of similar design, they work entirely fine. In fact, it's made me like knives with large tabs covered in sharpish jimping a lot less, because it just isn't necessary. A finely tuned knife won't need a huge flipper switch in order to defeat the detent and flip open reliably.
Click to expand...

I know what ya mean. I wish every knife I have had that horizontal palm swell. A tiny detail with a disproportionate positive impact during use.
 
BluegrassBrian said:
Thanks Scorp and Quiet- you’ve made an impending decision easier and put my mind at ease. 🦾
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De nada Amigo. Looking forward to your thoughts if you do get one. I know you have some serious tastes and experience. I bought a few of my favorites off of you.

If you want to try one out for a week or two, just cover basic priority two ways. This one can take a vacation.
 
scorpnsnake said:
De nada Amigo. Looking forward to your thoughts if you do get one. I know you have some serious tastes and experience. I bought a few of my favorites off of you.

If you want to try one out for a week or two, just cover basic priority two ways. This one can take a vacation.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the offer! I’ve got a heavy store credit at a retailer and they have the color combo I want so I’m gonna pull the trigger on it.

Ive gone back and forth on one since not long after they came out- almost ordered one direct.
 
scorpnsnake said:
So did you score a Toko? Have you seen his YouTube series on his experience designing and building them? It's pretty interesting.
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Yea! I’ll be getting it… should be Wednesday this coming week.
Cuprum/Satin/Zirconium, August ‘25 make-date.

I did spend some time watching those videos this weekend. Watched a couple u-toob reviews too.. Neeves had a GLOWING review of it, called it a top 10 knife of the year.
Most all reviewers online spoke highly of it actually.
 
BluegrassBrian said:
Yea! I’ll be getting it… should be Wednesday this coming week.

Cuprum/Satin/Zirconium, August ‘25 make-date.

I did spend some time watching those videos this weekend. Watched a couple u-toob reviews too.. Neeves had a GLOWING review of it, called it a top 10 knife of the year.
Most all reviewers online spoke highly of it actually.
Click to expand...

Nice!! Come on Wednesday!
 
BluegrassBrian said:
The singular possible “hair in the soup” for me is the size of the flip tab. While I won’t even consider a knife with a larger one- the Toko tab is definitely small.
Does it ever prove challenging to engage?
Click to expand...
I’ve owned my Toko for a few months and really enjoy it. I’m really amazed at how well the minimalist flipper tab works. I even had my 73 year old dad with super calloused and nerve damaged hands try it out and he had no issues flipping it either, so I’d say the design is very well done.
 
JRRsix7 said:
I’ve owned my Toko for a few months and really enjoy it. I’m really amazed at how well the minimalist flipper tab works. I even had my 73 year old dad with super calloused and nerve damaged hands try it out and he had no issues flipping it either, so I’d say the design is very well done.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you described my dad too.. almost 50 years in the roofing and sheet metal biz will do that to the paws.
 
Arrived!… impressive.
Everything about it is as expected, which is to say, refined (and seriously very sharp).

No problem at all with the flip tab. Despite its diminutive size, opening is practically effortless.
It’s lightweight for its size, and (a point that is imperative to me) the blade fits in the handle almost completely.

I’m pretty sure this is my first button-lock. I keep moving my thumb to the pivot area to unlock it - old habits die hard.
I like the button action though. There’s zero stick when it’s pressed, and the blade drops smoothly.
Overall it’s quite different than my usual carries, and that’s a good thing!

IMG_0775.jpeg
 
BluegrassBrian said:
Arrived!… impressive.
Everything about it is as expected, which is to say, refined (and seriously very sharp).

No problem at all with the flip tab. Despite its diminutive size, opening is practically effortless.
It’s lightweight for its size, and (a point that is imperative to me) the blade fits in the handle almost completely.

I’m pretty sure this is my first button-lock. I keep moving my thumb to the pivot area to unlock it - old habits die hard.
I like the button action though. There’s zero stick when it’s pressed, and the blade drops smoothly.
Overall it’s quite different than my usual carries, and that’s a good thing!

View attachment 2994848
Click to expand...

Whoop, whoop! Winner. That's a beauty.

Did you look inside with a flashlight? It's impressive and has a neat little easter egg there.

I didn't, but If you do get any button stick and don't want to put up with it while it wears in. I saw somewhere that he recommends that you depress the button and twist to turn the button. Tiny increments until the stick vanishes.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Whoop, whoop! Winner. That's a beauty.

Did you look inside with a flashlight? It's impressive and has a neat little easter egg there.

I didn't, but If you do get any button stick and don't want to put up with it while it wears in. I saw somewhere that he recommends that you depress the button and twist to turn the button. Tiny increments until the stick vanishes.
Click to expand...

The Japanese toko?
I’ll dig in to it eventually and give it a lube job.
 
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