Brad Duncan Whiplash

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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Jul 20, 2000
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Never had a Duncan knife but have read several threads about these knives. I found a large (4" blade) Whiplash that is a manual. This one looks like it will be a fairly heavy duty knife. It has double bolsters and burgandy micarta scales. The blade is a recurved spearpoint of 154CM steel. Here is a link to the knife www.bladeart.com/artists/brad_duncan/brad_duncan.htm
I am not familiar with the pressed in bearing that Brad builds with his knives but understand it makes a very smooth opener. Anyone have a Duncan that would like to share their thoughts? Pictures would also be appreciated!
 
These are very nice knives. The whole design is that of a good knife to use for anything and everything. And the bearing system that is used makes for one of the easiest openings that I have ever experienced.
 
I have a Brad Duncan Mini-Whiplash, and it is very smooth. Not quite up to the level of a Larry Chew - but then again, there aren't many that are. All-in-all, an excellent user.

Ken
 
Did a search and found a lot of info about the Duncan folders. I am really looking forward to receiving this one and hope it will stack up to my expectations. Guess I'll find out tomorrow as it is on the way here.:D :cool: :)
 
Art - you will probably love that Duncan folder. I handled one and found them to fly open nice and smoothly. But I dare you to open that sucker up for your usual "clean and dremel" routine - this knife is built way different from ones you've been used to. Don't let those ball bearings roll off the table and start bouncing all around the floor!! LOL!
 
Yeah been thinking about that myself! I would hate to lose my balls before Christmas! I did email Brad and he told me that the liners were around .o70" thick and the blade from 1/8" stock. It was made this past August. Will be here tomorow along with the large model 2 Obenauf framelocker so I will know first hand about it! Bad thing is that the wife said ONE of those knives will go under the tree and WILL NOT be opened until Christmas morning!!
 
Just put the Obie under the tree, its not like you dont know what it will be like!
 
Ditto mschwoeb, and my 3.5" S30V Ti handled frame lock Wliplash flys open, be care is right! LOL hehe

Cheers!
James
 
Those were my thoughts also. Obie goes under the tree! Unless I decide to put the Duncan under the tree.
 
A year ago last September I got a Whiplash D/A from TAD when they first came in that has the Sharpfusion blade of ATS-34/stellite. Also is the earlier version of drop point blade before he went to more of a clip point blade. I can honestly compare it to a Larry Chew(having owned one, and handled many), and can say it is even smoother but that is IMO. I have sat in my chair watching TV, and flicked that knife more hours than I could possibly remember in the last 15 months, and it is still the same smoothness, and fast. In the auto mode it is smooth not jerky, but solid. It is by far one of my favorite knives.
I realize you have the different steel but that Sharpfusion with stellite is awesome, and holds an edge like I have never seen.
I have handled some other of Duncan's folders, and they are all the same in smoothness.
Like was said above you won't have to take the dremel to it to smooth it out or the blade will fly right out of the knife:D
The quality as far as workmanship is perfection, and have not been able to find one flaw in the knife I own. It has been handled by many at shows, etc., and everyone says it is the smoothest knife they have EVER handled bar none.
It will definently fit in well with all the other beautiful customs you own.
Sorry I can't put up a scan here as I am just a basic member, and number 2 it is one of the few customs I own I have not put in my album of knives as too busy either carrying it, or playing with it.

Just my .02 cents rounded off to a buck:)

Larry
 
WOW....can't wait. Everything I read is saying the same thing. I'm really looking forward to this kniofe now, like I wasn't before;) If the fit and finish are up there with Carson, Smith, and Obenauf then it will certainly fit in!:cool: :)
 
I too have knife by Duncan and I am not very happy with it. Some maybe remember my thread about incorrect liner lock. Well it was that knife. I had it fixed by local knifemaker Bud Weston and now it works OK. But I am going to sell it soon.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229269

The bearing system is nice - but the bearing is wider than the blade and is forming IMO very wide gap between the liners and the blade. The gap is not even on both sides so the blade is not perfectly centered.

Also the pivot pin could be positioned a bit higher. If you close the knife the space between edge and spacers is too big. By moving the pivot a bit higher the knife could be a bit narrower when closed.

But my biggest complaint was the liner lock. Maybe I am spoiled by Westons knives, but IMO the liner lock was not good. I need to say Brad Duncad offered to fix the problem but on the other side he indicated the lock would never be the way I wanted it. So I asked someone else.

The knife would be perfect if the problems listed above were addressed and corrected. The construction is very elaborated, the materials used are of high quality too.

Here is the knife:

http://www.sweb.cz/dsite/Pictures/duncan.jpg

David
 
Been in hog heaven here. Both knives showed up today and I am excited because I love them both! The other is a seperate post in the custom section entitled "Obie framelocker" The Duncan is an awesome piece. The action is smooth as butter, and fit and finish is excellent. Blade is perfectly centered and the lock engages a full 1/2 of the blade tang on the left hand side of it and is a nice tight fit. There is no movement of any sort in any direction. The weight of the knife at 6.4 ounces feels solid in the hand. The double bolsters just add to the overall look of the knife. I really like how the screws are counter sunk on the bolsters and handle material. With three titanium spacers and three titanium pins along the back it is as solid as a solid backspacer! The blade is recurved with a deep false edge that really looks good and allows more of a point on the blade. It is 154CM and has a deep hollow grind that starts high up on the blade. It is almost like a straight razor with that grind! The pocket clip is another feature I like. Mounted high on the bolster for maximum concealability, and it is a thinner shorter clip than most and I like the look.

All in all a great knife I think!!
 
Mine locks up fine to Art, since your in "hog heaven" how about a few slabs of ribs for the barbecue! LOL BTW i like the hollow hand ground blade on my Whiplash, remands me of my Sebbie's. :)

Cheers!
James
 
Even the false edge is hollow ground and with the satin finish it has as the light catches the blade you can really "see" the deep grinds. I don't think I've ever had a blade with this double hollow grind. It looks really cool! As for those ribs, I'm going to dive in and be spittin' bones right and left!! :D :D :cool:
 
You f***ed up,Art! Weren't one of those knives suppose to go under the tree. Is your wife gonna let you sneak an other one under?

:rolleyes:

Barry H
 
Art - Digital Camera magazine is on the newstands now and has a beginner's guide, along with a dictionary of terms and reviews of scads of cameras.

PLEASE GET ONE! Your descriptions are very picturesque, but PHOTOS, PLEASE!

You can get a cheap older digital if you're only going to do on-line posts, as they shoot in the lower resolution that helps you avoid having to downsample the pix for a fast upload and display on the forums.

I wanna see that Duncan!!
 
I actually have a digital camera just been too lazy to try and learn but guess I will hae tobreak down. I will try and locate a copy of that mag. Thanks Boink. Barry, one knife pretty much looks like another knife so there is a knife under the tree.....a JW Smith LS-1 Eighties.:eek: :eek: It will still be fun unwrapping it since it has been a week and a half since I caried it!!
 
With some of the beauties you've gotten in the past month or two, ask your wife to pick some out without your knowledge and wrap one or two so that you'll be surprised come Christmas!

:D
 
Too late as the "new" knife is wrapped and under the tree, whilst I have to sit here and fondle my Obie 2 framelocker and Duncan Whiplash:( ;) Oh woe is me, oh woe is me.............YEAH RIGHT!:D :D :D
 
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