Any Info on ALLEN BLADE knives performance??

[TooApoint]

Greetings everyone,


I have recently began to consider
the idea of dealing Tactical and Field Use Cutlery.

I met a Knifemaker in Spokane Washington named Allen Blade at a recent Gun show. He had some outstanding looking Tactical Field Bowies and Personel defence knives, so i ordered 5 of his combat Bowie Knives from him.

I figured at the dealer cost of $115.00
that they were a good bargin.

My questions are as follows ;

1. Does anyone have any Performance
and use experiance with any of
Allens knives?

2. Does anyone have any experiance with
his KYDEX products?

3. Is it True that Allen has worked with,
Mad Dog Knives, and Round eye
knives?

the reason for my questions are that i am
awaiting the delivery of the 5 Bowie Knives
i ordered which are due this comming
week, and i already have them all sold to
Outdoor friends of mine , and i want to
possibly start Dealing and selling His knives.

Any information would be appreciated,
also any other makers anyone knows of
making excellent Tactical knives at good
dealer cost let me know that too please.

thank you , James

 

[Ed Caffrey]

James,
I have produced steel for Allen in the past.
I have also answered questions for him concerning what I refer to as "the overall package" of a using blade. This includes proper blade geometry, grinds, and heat treatments. He was very receptive to it all. I can tell you that his blades have an exceptional grind and are very good as far as fit and finish. We have discussed cutting performance, but I have not recieved any reports for him on this subject. As for his kydex, I personally think it's very good. In fact when I started working with kydex, he was the one I went to for answers. I do know from talking with him that he did work with both of the outfits you mentioned, and that he got a pretty raw deal out of one of them. So don't be surprised if he might be a bit "gun-shy". All of my dealings with him have been good ones. Hope this helps.
www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffery

------------------
Ed Caffrey
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

 

[Marion David Poff]

I have two Kydex sheathes by him and am very pleased with both of them.

He has also touched up the Concealex work of another maker that I bought.

I have played with his designs, and while they did not really talk to me, they were quality.

I live in Spokane.

------------------
Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com

I wrote a review of the Kasper AFCK variant, an interview of Bob Kasper, and some thoughts and brainstorms of the AFCK in general. It can be found at http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000568.html . Check it out and tell me what you think.

"I'm just an advertisement for a version of myself." David Byrne

"It's the action, not the fruit of the action that's important. You have to do the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing there will be no result." Gandhi

 

[TooApoint]

Greeting`s everyone,

Thanks for the Posts so far, it is
making my decision to deal Allens
products alot easier.

I was over to his shop this weekend
and was privy to some neat new designs
he is doing.

What i still find hard to belive is that his prices for his work are beyond resonable,

I mentioned to him that there are
makers i have seen offering not near the quality , and demanding a premium for there work.

I told him i thought his prices were to low for his quality, but also that i wasnt complaining, < im going to stock up before he raises his prices> .

Well again thanks for the replys,

James Roseboom

 

[Samurai6]

I have a 6" tactical knife made of 52100 that is probably Alan Blade's work (I bought it from a dealer and it is unmarked). I very much like the overall ergonomics of the knife which seem to me to be very similar to a Mad Dog Arizona Hunter but with a less contoured handle.

The handle design is not ideal, but it is well made and strong. I don't know if Mr. Blade did the heat treatment or not, but the edge holding and toughness of the 52100 blade are excellent. Rusts quickly even through the black oxide coating though.

The Kydex is very good. The only possible niggle with it is that the belt loop is screwed on. The fit and look of the sheath are flawless though.

Harv

 

[JW]

I have an Allen Blade tactical auto. ATS34 blade seems fairly soft but takes an edge. I beat it up and use it around the farm to cut twine, hose, etc. It's nothing fancy but the price was reasonable. My only concern is the hardness of the blade. Initially, the edge grind was not even, but use and sharpening has helped some.
I think I paid about $85.
Hardened black aluminum handle, coil spring.
Not a great knife, but an OK knife at a fair price.

 

[TooApoint]

Greetings Everyone,

I to have one of the Tactical Auto`s that i got in a trade. I asked allen About the history of it

I was told he only made the initial prototypes of the knife for a company called Becks Cutlery back east.

And that that company farmed out the
production work to machine shops and assembled them for themselves.

I also think that Allen said the blades
were 440C and not ATS-34, I will
have to ask for sure as since i have one id like to know.

Mine also isnt the Best made but for the trade i made for it it was ok.

I only thought Allen did fixed blades, but i guess the limited folders he has done have just been prototype work.

Again thanks for the replys and for letting me add my 2 cents.

Thanks,

James Roseboom