Does this knife exist? Need your expertise!

J

jasonbroni

Joined
Dec 10, 2009
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325
• 3 in or under with super steel (don't really have a preference - as long as it is modern and widely preferred
• no finger choil
• yes sharpening choil
• bolstered or overlaid titanium frame lock or at least a full titanium liner lock (same thing as overlaid frame lock? Not sure.)
• USA made
• no customs - production only
• thumb studs (each side for reverse flicking) - no flipper tab
• willing to spend up to $800 or so
• definitely not overbuilt or thick blade stock
• full flat ground
• no DLC or any coating at all
• drop shutty or drop shutty-ish (I know - that's a lot to ask for for a 3 or sub 3 in blade)
• basic drop point blade shape (or maybe sheep's foot)
I have been looking for this knife for months, but I either can't find it or it doesn't exist.
I know I said no customs, but if that may be my only choice I'd be willing to check some out if recommended.
It's almost like I want a rat 2 or elementum (no flipper) made by a top tier company.
Please help!
Thanks in advance.
 
jasonbroni said:
It's almost like I want a rat 2 or elementum (no flipper) made by a top tier company.
Click to expand...
I get what you mean, I really love the RATs, both 1 and 2, prefer 'em to the Bugout, and wish they would offer an upgraded steel/scale version! They DO do a pimped out version on one site, but still D2. It feels like a much more expensive knife.

https://imgur.com/a/Igq5V3X
 
I very well may be missing something, but this sounds an awful lot like the Rockwall Thumbstud by Tactile Knife out of Texas.

Mine is not "drop shut" but it is also brand new, and I have never messed with the pivot to see if it could be made so. Otherwise I *think* it ticks every other box.

Magnacut (they also offer 20CV), under three inches, fully titanium with liner lock, drop point blade, very thin blade stock (although not quite fully flat ground).

For what it is worth, my first impression has been very high. I am quite happy with it.
 
As far as the rat goes – I have seen YouTube videos of them being pimped out titanium style and sometimes even the blade is swapped, but the pivot bushings are still the same low end stuff.
The rock wall thumb stud looks awesome – thank you for showing it to me – I'm going to do further research on it ASAP! As far as the trm neutron – I want one bad, but can't get them without being screwed. Are those on bearings? I can't seem to get it in they definitive answers on that.
 
As far as Rat 1 goes, one of the best scales are made by suingab, he is a member here and have great thread with samples.
‘I had a project where I rebladed my Rat 1 and he made CF scales for me, they did fit on my knife perfectly !
I can highly recommend this guy !
Here few pictures:
NlA2Sw.jpg


pd37Az.jpg
 
As mention that a custom is an acceptable answer though, not ideal.

Maybe a william henry. They can be had for 500 to 1500 or even 4 times as much. But i believe theres plenty that match what you want. Sub 3”. With or without bolsters and/or inlays. Drop shut. Nonflipper. Super steel (lots of zdp189 ive noticed)
 
jasonbroni said:
As far as the rat goes – I have seen YouTube videos of them being pimped out titanium style and sometimes even the blade is swapped, but the pivot bushings are still the same low end stuff.
The rock wall thumb stud looks awesome – thank you for showing it to me – I'm going to do further research on it ASAP! As far as the trm neutron – I want one bad, but can't get them without being screwed. Are those on bearings? I can't seem to get it in they definitive answers on that.
Click to expand...
PB washers but still fairly drop shut action if the one I had is any indication.
 
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Just out of curiosity, with that budget, why are customs ruled out?
 
A Manandi fulfills several of your requirements: it’s available in S45VN, titanium liner lock with a wood overlay, no finger coil but does have a sharpening choil, thin blade stock without DLC. The differences are: the newest version has a thumb-oval, it is hollow ground not flat, it’s a drop point with a slight clip point and it is not drop shutty
 
I have checked out William Henry knives and didn't see anything, but I will definitely take another look, thanks.

I had the rat apart recently, but I have been taking apart a lot of knives lately – did not remember exactly what the washers were... I do remember they were pretty small though and mine pulls way to the left and is still wobbly. I'm just going to go higher end..
I actually don't want a one-off– I would rather have a proven production made knife.
Thanks for all of the replies – I am considering buying the Rockwall thumb stud already! Finger's on the trigger..

More suggestions please - I'm liking what I'm getting so far!
 
Mnnandi? I want flicky not smooth.
Ok question - I wanted a full titanium frame lock with scales, overlays m, bolster..whatever you want to call them. This Rockwall thumb stud has not only an inserted lock bar, but a steel inserted lock bar. Should this concern me?
 
Sorry that I did not see the other mnandi post - thank you, but I already have a small inkosi and not too in love with it. I'm going to go for something more flicky
 
jasonbroni said:
Mnnandi? I want flicky not smooth.
Ok question - I wanted a full titanium frame lock with scales, overlays m, bolster..whatever you want to call them. This Rockwall thumb stud has not only an inserted lock bar, but a steel inserted lock bar. Should this concern me?
Click to expand...
This is generally considered preferable. There is a commonly held belief that a titanium lockbar may eventually "stick" when engaging with a steel blade. People far smarter than me could explain it better.

Suffice to say a steel insert on a titanium knife is widely considered a positive feature and often seen on higher end pieces.
 
BuckeyeBladeFan said:
I very well may be missing something, but this sounds an awful lot like the Rockwall Thumbstud by Tactile Knife out of Texas.

Mine is not "drop shut" but it is also brand new, and I have never messed with the pivot to see if it could be made so. Otherwise I *think* it ticks every other box.

Magnacut (they also offer 20CV), under three inches, fully titanium with liner lock, drop point blade, very thin blade stock (although not quite fully flat ground).

For what it is worth, my first impression has been very high. I am quite happy with it.
Click to expand...
I second the Tactile Rockwall with thumb studs. I got one of the first productions of this and it’s kicked Sebenzas, Bugouts and Neutrons out of my pocket for the last three months.

Honestly, this knife can hold its own against knives costing twice as much, but that may be influenced by personal opinion.
 
Though it's a custom, this would probably be perfect.

Matt Bailey PFB. 2 3/4" blade, titanium framelock with thumbstud on bearings. No flipper. He uses a variety of steels.
 
How strict is the "USA Made" criterion? Both the T1 and Mini Begleiter from Kizer are nice flickable thumb stud knives on ceramic bearings.

I had a TRM Atom. It was okay but the hype seems a little misplaced. I feel the same way about the Quiet Carry Waypoint. Honestly, I like either of those Kizer knives better for EDC.
 
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