- Joined
- Oct 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,836
...5 years ago I was under the impression that with a rival I can bring myself to greater heights, but after tragic hurt and broken grammar I've realized that nothing can drive a man insane than a beloved enemy. Downtown an acquaintance appraoached me and given my failing memory I was a abit apprehansive. "It's Me Morris, 'ey I'm a from New york." Above me was a theatre sign that said [Loveless] - it was a play about an old man named Sean who had 3 chinese daughters. He loved to cook, and I just walked away.
OKay ignore that blurb up there.. I'm gonna give you another review whether you like it or not
I recently took delivery of a Gary Bradburn Jap tac.
Here's a frontal pic:
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bounty/bh.jpg
here's Bradburn's webpage
REAL:
http://www.toptexknives.com/bradburn.htm
DESIGN contraceptive:
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bradburn/
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bradburn/index2.html
here are more pics of the knife...
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter.jpg
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter2.jpg
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter3.jpg
This might be an inside joke for a few people but I must say that it is a great honour to have a knife named after me
and I'm easily flattered. muwahahaha. This is one of Mr. Bradburn's new models he named the [Bounty Hunter]. I wanted a nice swedge coupled with a more smooth traditional point as I am not a big fan of the american tanto. Bradburn was eager and ready for the challenge to make a TRUE custom piece.
My knife is 10" OAL with approx. 5.5" chisel D2 blade. Ito wrap over white python skin (ofcourse) with a simple tiger menuki (was a surprise).
I am recently really getting into Jap Tacs and many of my friends are surprised since they don't even fold or flip like butterfly knives
. SUffice to say there is a large range of makers who make high end blades and those who make a more affordable user - it dependes on your mileage. I have a clear idea of the quality of the market due to my recent fanatic collecting. I am not loaded enough to pay premium for a Hartsfield but I have handled them. I have also handled blades from makers who think Jap Tacs are an easy market to get into because of the demand for moderately priced knives but really fail to understand the complexity in it.
I had heard of Mr. Bradburn from friends who have ordered his stuff and told me about the good value in the knife without the high price for a Jap Tac. I also heard an anecdote of a friend who said he had received a Bradburn knife he was fine with but Bradburn himself hated it and gave the knife to him free and promised a replacement. That perfectionist attitude really impressed me and I was eager to try him out.
I found Mr. Bradburn a fun guy to talk to with a real interest in learning about Jap Tacs, maybe even specializing in it in the future.
I guess handling RJ and Snody's knives have spoiled me, so if you are looking for something to hang on the wall like an RJ or hartsfield you are better off saving up your moola and pawning furniture. Bradburn's Jap Tacs are knives that are priced and presented to be users.
First of all I noticed that Bradburn's Handle wrapping needs a little more work in terms of tightness and symmetry. I also found that the turkshead knot (pretty good for a first try, I can't even do a turks head myself) on this knife would be better with a tighter fit as well as thinner grade cord (all adds time and drives the cost up keep in mind).
I also was keen to notice that the Python Skin was not as seamless as I had hoped under the Ito Wrap.
Next the The grind lines on his knives seem to be not as crisp as I woudl like. The flat unground part seems to melt into the ground part which adds very little contrast to the two areas of the blade. I also prefer a higher secondary bevel for sharpness.
Finally I was quite happy with the Meuki Mr. Bradburn provided as a special gift. It is not as classy as a full antique but adds a very nice feel to the knife.
Despite my whining - believe it or not I am actaully quite satisfied with this knife. The price I paid for this knife with a 5.5 " blade length would probably buy you an RJ blade with a 1.5" blade, I htnk that is good value. Not everyone can afford an RJ or Hartsfield or Snody and I must say I have tried a number of moderately priced user custom tantoes (80-180.00 range) and Bradburn is one of the best in my opinion. I have tried to grind knives as well as wrap handles and I knwo how time comsuming it can be. What Gary Bradburn has is a sincere love for the art of Jap Tac making as well as the intent to deliver a very fairly priced custom made product that is meant to be used. ALthough not the prettiest it is a good knife that I have every intention to use..
in fact I have used this knife to cut up steak for lunch yesterday and cut up some boxes. It performs great in slashing and the unique looking sweddge in front helps in point geometry. After all the tests it can still shave hair.
I hope this review encouragaes Mr. Bradburn to perfecthis craft and pursue his love.. as well as introduce forumites interested in starting a Jap tac collection to a good place to start.
[This message has been edited by sniperboy (edited 03-02-2001).]
OKay ignore that blurb up there.. I'm gonna give you another review whether you like it or not

Here's a frontal pic:
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bounty/bh.jpg
here's Bradburn's webpage

REAL:
http://www.toptexknives.com/bradburn.htm
DESIGN contraceptive:
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bradburn/
http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/bradburn/index2.html
here are more pics of the knife...
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter.jpg
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter2.jpg
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/~soo/bountyhunter/bountyhunter3.jpg
This might be an inside joke for a few people but I must say that it is a great honour to have a knife named after me

My knife is 10" OAL with approx. 5.5" chisel D2 blade. Ito wrap over white python skin (ofcourse) with a simple tiger menuki (was a surprise).
I am recently really getting into Jap Tacs and many of my friends are surprised since they don't even fold or flip like butterfly knives

I had heard of Mr. Bradburn from friends who have ordered his stuff and told me about the good value in the knife without the high price for a Jap Tac. I also heard an anecdote of a friend who said he had received a Bradburn knife he was fine with but Bradburn himself hated it and gave the knife to him free and promised a replacement. That perfectionist attitude really impressed me and I was eager to try him out.
I found Mr. Bradburn a fun guy to talk to with a real interest in learning about Jap Tacs, maybe even specializing in it in the future.
I guess handling RJ and Snody's knives have spoiled me, so if you are looking for something to hang on the wall like an RJ or hartsfield you are better off saving up your moola and pawning furniture. Bradburn's Jap Tacs are knives that are priced and presented to be users.
First of all I noticed that Bradburn's Handle wrapping needs a little more work in terms of tightness and symmetry. I also found that the turkshead knot (pretty good for a first try, I can't even do a turks head myself) on this knife would be better with a tighter fit as well as thinner grade cord (all adds time and drives the cost up keep in mind).
I also was keen to notice that the Python Skin was not as seamless as I had hoped under the Ito Wrap.
Next the The grind lines on his knives seem to be not as crisp as I woudl like. The flat unground part seems to melt into the ground part which adds very little contrast to the two areas of the blade. I also prefer a higher secondary bevel for sharpness.
Finally I was quite happy with the Meuki Mr. Bradburn provided as a special gift. It is not as classy as a full antique but adds a very nice feel to the knife.
Despite my whining - believe it or not I am actaully quite satisfied with this knife. The price I paid for this knife with a 5.5 " blade length would probably buy you an RJ blade with a 1.5" blade, I htnk that is good value. Not everyone can afford an RJ or Hartsfield or Snody and I must say I have tried a number of moderately priced user custom tantoes (80-180.00 range) and Bradburn is one of the best in my opinion. I have tried to grind knives as well as wrap handles and I knwo how time comsuming it can be. What Gary Bradburn has is a sincere love for the art of Jap Tac making as well as the intent to deliver a very fairly priced custom made product that is meant to be used. ALthough not the prettiest it is a good knife that I have every intention to use..
in fact I have used this knife to cut up steak for lunch yesterday and cut up some boxes. It performs great in slashing and the unique looking sweddge in front helps in point geometry. After all the tests it can still shave hair.
I hope this review encouragaes Mr. Bradburn to perfecthis craft and pursue his love.. as well as introduce forumites interested in starting a Jap tac collection to a good place to start.
[This message has been edited by sniperboy (edited 03-02-2001).]