Custom Talonite Carnivore

B

bald1

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,646
Call this a tickler if you must. Remember some months ago it was announced that Rob Simonich and Pat Crawford would each be producing 33 Talonite (r) Carnivore folders made up with options choosen by their customers. Additionally Bob Taylor would be making available 30 Production REKAT Carnivores fitted with Talonite blades.

Well the first has been shipped from Rob Simonich's shop. Here is a link to some pictures:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=53680&a=734687

Figured this would whet your interest while I give the folder a good workout. Expect a review shortly. Oh, Elliot aka Blues also has one en route from Rob. His sports his choice of handle material and includes a pocket clip.

More to come....
smile.gif
!!!

------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since day one
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member


 
Somewhere, under the darkened skies of Montana (Big Sky Country) two talonite Carnivores are wending their ways to their new homes.

Safe journey.

Oh, mine will be with carbon fiber scales as suggested by Rob himself. Will allow for use under a variety of conditions without showing too much wear. Judging by the look of the Talisman he made me with CF scales, it should be gorgeous.

Will provide a report once my wife allows me to open my birthday gift. Still have a bit over a week, though. Maybe just a peek.....
wink.gif


Blues




------------------
Live Free or Die

 
Love the look of that handle, Phil Wilson used similar wood on a light utility knife I got made awhile ago, very attractive. Interesting looking handle ergonomics. About how much are these going for?

-Cliff
 
Looks more of a Teaser than a tickler,
That Bob, he can be a little stinker at times, can't he?
wink.gif


Love that Desert Ironwood scales!

Can hardly wait for mine!

G2

------------------
I don't have a solution,
but I admire your problem.

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
Beautiful knife Bob. I just got my Talonite TTKK today from Trace and am looking forward to trying out this new material and maybe comparing it to Boye's Dendritic Cobalt (also have a basic 4).

You are such a bad influence on me, ask my better half
smile.gif


Waldo
 
Cliff,

I've seen where Pat Crawford has advertised $500 for Talonite Carnivores and I imagine that the price varies depending on materials chosen for handles, etc.

Mine from Rob Simonich ran $475 with the options selected.

Best bet is to discuss your desired unique version with the makers and arrive at a specific price for that individualized combination.

The straight production model fitted with a Talonite blade available from Bob Taylor of REKAT runs $325 if I'm not mistaken.

Hope this helps.

Waldo,

"Bad influence" not withstanding
smile.gif
, let me know what you think of that TTKK. Was is a regular flat ground profile or the super thin Joe Talmadge profile? My Chimera is basically the same as a regular flat ground TKK but with the special handle that I prefer.
------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since day one
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member




[This message has been edited by bald1 (edited 30 September 1999).]
 
UPDATE

New pictures added to link given above in my earlier post:
- stock REKAT factory Carnivore
- 2 shots of Elliot aka Blues Carbon Fiber
Simonich custom Talonite Carnivore.

ENJOY!


------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since day one
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member


 
Bob,

Great pictures. I enjoy my plain jane Rekat ATS model a lot and look forward to hearing more about the talonite Carnivores. Man, they sure are nice looking with those alternative handle materials. That wood seems to make it a whole new knife.

I got the standard grind, 1/8" x 5" blade with black g-10/mosaic pin slabs and woodland camo concealex sheath. It is shaving sharp and craftmanship is flawless as far as I can tell on the whole package. Can't wait to try this baby out although I think that it will take an awful lot of cutting to dull it.

Have you sharpened yours yet? I use the Spydie 203 or 204 with excellent results on everything else and wondered whether you stuck with medium grit or ran it on down to the fine grit stones.

Thanks,

Waldo
 
Bob,

Like that flat grind modification. Makes it more of a utility. The desert ironwood handle is beautiful too.

Through a series of mishaps I've been having with the carnivour, I am still waiting on my Crawford ATS 34 version, with blue micarta and KFF clip.

I think you flat grind will cut better. Hopefully the usual great grinding job by PatC will help make up for some difference in geometry.

Rob's knives look great.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
(post deleted)

Jon

[This message has been edited by Ghecko (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
Bald1,
I posted some questions for you in another thread where you talk about your Carnivour: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum22/HTML/000208.html
so I won't repeat them here.

Blues,
Carbon fiber scales are lightweight, strong, and beautiful. What I have found though is that in the renditions I have seen they are somewhat slippery. Do yours provide a good grip? Secondly, I read re one knife where there was some slightly inexact manufacture or damage allowing the fibers to be exposed and stick out. This is of course not a problem with one of Rob's knives when new, but if you use it heavily, or somehow scuff/scratch it badly, could it be a problem? Anyone know?

Donald.
 
Wow! Pictures are really worth thousands words. Both handle options look great!
Thanks.

I also like the flat grind more. I emailed Rob and plan to get a carbon fiber one soon, unless you guys get all of them before I do.
(why only 30 pieces? Rob you should have one for each of us
smile.gif
)

Dew.
 
Hey Waldo, Bob has been a bad influence on me too! Any news from RJ on our Talonite Handimen? I love my ATS-34 REKAT Carnivore, only change I would do is Ti liners, lighten up that bad dog some. Be safe!
 
Donald,

Won't be able to report on the handle etc. until the better half gives me the knife late next week. May have to move my birthday up!
wink.gif


If the carbon fiber handle Rob made on the Talisman is any indication, grip and/or wear doesn't look to be a problem.

Believe me, I'd love to be able to report sooner than later!!!!

"She who must be obeyed" is on the way at this moment to try to retrieve said package. (sigh)

Blues


------------------
Live Free or Die

 
Sing,

Have no fear. The Crawford Carni comes with a very wide hollow grind and reasonably thin edges. Pat sharpened mine at a very acute angle, probably 15 degrees per side. Add to that the fact that the blade is less than 1/8" thick. It cuts very well. It is a superb defensive blade.

[This message has been edited by Steve Harvey (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
Blues,
You must be looking forward to your report even more than I
wink.gif


Are you a Rumpole of the Bailey fan?
 
Harv,

Thanks. I have no fear just impatience about getting it.
smile.gif
And for the purpose you mention, I do like the grind used by Crawford.

sing
 
I had wanted to work this knife out today but I got tied up with having to take my car in for a recall notice, oil change, etc ad nauseum.... now it's snowing too.

Okay, first a note about the materials used: Ya'll already know we're talking Arizona desert ironwood and Talonite (although the finish is worthy of note. Two tone with ceramic bead blast and hand rubbing to 400 grit surfaces). The liners are not titanium but full hard 303 stainless which I think is a step up. All the lock parts are hand polished 440C. The REKAT Rolling Lock (r) slide bar is aluminum with a Black-T coating. The spacer is black G-10 composite. And all the hex screws are stainless. It is fitted with an ambi stud as well.

The fitment is extraordinary. Tolerances I hesitate to guess but they are extremely small. The rolling lock is ultra-quiet and extremely smooth... no grittiness as has been commented on elsewhere for production models during break in. The handle in hand, as modified by Rob, isn't as wide as a Spydie Military. It is somewhat thicker than the Military, but the overall effect is one of superb feel. It balances quite nicely at the finger cutout. The filework along the entire back of the liners contributes significantly to a secure grip with of course that portion on the thumb ramp being as effective as serrations on other knives.

This being my first Rolling Lock, and given that Rob has tweaked everything, I have noticed that there is a very soft mechanical noise which I take to be the interior components underneath the lock's slide bar. When locked open there is no noise at all if you shake the knife. Opening and closing are accompanied by a snick sound that is completely different from liner locks and other designs... it's unique, subtle yet quietly reasuring... the lock, as already annointed by others, is the strongest on the market.

This is a very classy package. Drop dead gorgeous, outstanding fitment worthy of a swiss watchmaker, and great feeling in the hand. Of course, as expected, the edge Rob puts on is among the sharpest out of the box you'll find. The flat grind and edge bevel geometry are the same characteristics reflected in my Talonite fixed blades, so I've no doubt about edge retention, resistance to edge deformaty, nor overall strength. It cries to be worked out but I'm not going outside this evening. More to follow
smile.gif


------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since day one
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member


 
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