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- Aug 12, 2006
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Titanium Framelock by Alan Davis -
I have been putting off this review for a while because I felt too close to the project to be unbiased but it’s time.
I designed a knife and sought out someone with the skill and desire to bring it to life. Alan Davis answered the call and I soon found out what a fantastic guy he is to work with. Few in the industry have actually disappointed me and a few, like Alan, have gone above and beyond what should rightfully be expected. It is a strange process when you really boil it down; having someone else materialize what’s in your head and I don’t envy the maker but Alan is as patient as they come.
Enough preamble, let’s get to the knife:
Blade length nearly 4” (pivot to tip), edge is 2 3/4” and about 8” overall.
Pictures say much more than I could so here are some from Alan:
Alan gave a lot of choices all along the way (steel, colors, shapes, textures, design, jimping) so the end product is very personal. The steel used for the blade was from an old (per Alan VERY old) circular saw and in the polish you can faintly see the patterning of the original forge folding. I love the contrast in the touched up but pitted areas. Alan fitted the blade to the titanium frame with a super smooth bearing pivot. The knife flips open super fast! Nice strong detent. Oh, Alan did provide a pivot tool but I haven’t had the need to use it. Lockup is tight and early and smoothly disengages.
The knife does work as designed and cuts with the entire edge making contact with a flat surface without the flipper getting in the way.
He carved the titanium on both sides and did an orange peel with some light anodizing that in my opinion blends the whole knife together. Great fit and finish all around.
This technically is a prototype so if I were to do it again there are some things I have learned that I would do differently. The first being the overall width is too thin for my liking being only 5/16”. The second is the choil. It ended up the way it is mostly out of necessity and not choice. But on the other hand it is super easy to choke up on.
Due in part to the thinness, the knife carries very easily and lightweight and rides perfectly in the pocket. I still love looking at this knife. Thank you Alan.
I have been putting off this review for a while because I felt too close to the project to be unbiased but it’s time.
I designed a knife and sought out someone with the skill and desire to bring it to life. Alan Davis answered the call and I soon found out what a fantastic guy he is to work with. Few in the industry have actually disappointed me and a few, like Alan, have gone above and beyond what should rightfully be expected. It is a strange process when you really boil it down; having someone else materialize what’s in your head and I don’t envy the maker but Alan is as patient as they come.
Enough preamble, let’s get to the knife:
Blade length nearly 4” (pivot to tip), edge is 2 3/4” and about 8” overall.
Pictures say much more than I could so here are some from Alan:
Alan gave a lot of choices all along the way (steel, colors, shapes, textures, design, jimping) so the end product is very personal. The steel used for the blade was from an old (per Alan VERY old) circular saw and in the polish you can faintly see the patterning of the original forge folding. I love the contrast in the touched up but pitted areas. Alan fitted the blade to the titanium frame with a super smooth bearing pivot. The knife flips open super fast! Nice strong detent. Oh, Alan did provide a pivot tool but I haven’t had the need to use it. Lockup is tight and early and smoothly disengages.
The knife does work as designed and cuts with the entire edge making contact with a flat surface without the flipper getting in the way.
He carved the titanium on both sides and did an orange peel with some light anodizing that in my opinion blends the whole knife together. Great fit and finish all around.
This technically is a prototype so if I were to do it again there are some things I have learned that I would do differently. The first being the overall width is too thin for my liking being only 5/16”. The second is the choil. It ended up the way it is mostly out of necessity and not choice. But on the other hand it is super easy to choke up on.
Due in part to the thinness, the knife carries very easily and lightweight and rides perfectly in the pocket. I still love looking at this knife. Thank you Alan.
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