Kodiak PA
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 1998
- Messages
- 2,445
I got my CS TAF tanto today from Bullman Cutlery (Another great deal-THANKS Bruce)and it certainly is an interesting appearing knife. I haven't cut anything with the ATS10 yet, though I am anxious to do so since CS is touting this steel as exceeding AUS8 "by an honest 20% in edge holding ability". Time will tell and I will report on the cutting ability at a later date.
At first it took me a few minutes to figure out how to open the aircraft grade aluminum handle. The handle opens at the tang area and the left side handle just sort of plops open when you push it off the releasing catch. It's pretty difficult to do this one handed right now but I equate that to the newness of the knife. The 4" ATS10 serrated tanto blade is then just pushed open like any other blade with a thumb stud. The action is very smooth. To lock the blade you just close the left side portion of the handle and it snaps into place. To close the blade, you just repeat the process in reverse.
Even though the blade pivot is very smooth, this is a slow opening knife and as of right now, I'm using two hands. When locked up the blade is very tight. Absolutely no blade play in any direction. When I bought this, Bruce Bullman told me that this knife when locked is more along the lines of a fixed blade and I agree with him. There will be no blade lock failure as long as you hold onto this knife.
The clip is stainless steel and connected by the pivot screw and I have some concerns that this will come loose as one tries to open the handle, pushing off of the pocket clip like a Spyderco knife. The pivot screw is adjustable and I will add some lock-tite just to be sure. The clip is solidly made and it secures the knife into the waistband or pocket well.
The knife weighs 3.7 oz and has a closed length of 5". The handle has a roll engrave pattern that is neither gaudy nor impressive to look at. When closed this knife just doesn't even look like a knife. At first my son though I had a new Leatherman. The sides of the handle have a smooth serration pattern that gives the knife a more secure grip.
The blade is very sharp out of the box and I notice that I catch the blade tip to the closing side of the handle at times when I'm closing the knife which is mildly annoying since it mars the inner surface of the aluminum handle. The tanto tip is reenforced which is typical of a CS knife.
Do I feel that this would be a good primary carry knife? No. I would probably use this knife more along the lines of a sturdy back up. Does it have a work horse capability? Probably yes. I will probably always have either my Genesis, Sebenza or Military with me in addition to this knife.
This knife may work out though if the steel is all that it is hyped up to be. Anyone have any experience with ATS10?
Is this knife like a Balisong? Not at all. Its handle just opens on the left side, not both sides like a balisong. The speed of opening this knife is nowhere near as fast.
All in all, I would rate this knife around a 5 on a 10 scale. Time will tell. Its interesting pattern and potential cutting ability may make this a useful knife. I will report on the blades cutting ability next.
Regards,
------------------
~Greg~
[This message has been edited by Kodiak PA (edited 07 April 1999).]
At first it took me a few minutes to figure out how to open the aircraft grade aluminum handle. The handle opens at the tang area and the left side handle just sort of plops open when you push it off the releasing catch. It's pretty difficult to do this one handed right now but I equate that to the newness of the knife. The 4" ATS10 serrated tanto blade is then just pushed open like any other blade with a thumb stud. The action is very smooth. To lock the blade you just close the left side portion of the handle and it snaps into place. To close the blade, you just repeat the process in reverse.
Even though the blade pivot is very smooth, this is a slow opening knife and as of right now, I'm using two hands. When locked up the blade is very tight. Absolutely no blade play in any direction. When I bought this, Bruce Bullman told me that this knife when locked is more along the lines of a fixed blade and I agree with him. There will be no blade lock failure as long as you hold onto this knife.
The clip is stainless steel and connected by the pivot screw and I have some concerns that this will come loose as one tries to open the handle, pushing off of the pocket clip like a Spyderco knife. The pivot screw is adjustable and I will add some lock-tite just to be sure. The clip is solidly made and it secures the knife into the waistband or pocket well.
The knife weighs 3.7 oz and has a closed length of 5". The handle has a roll engrave pattern that is neither gaudy nor impressive to look at. When closed this knife just doesn't even look like a knife. At first my son though I had a new Leatherman. The sides of the handle have a smooth serration pattern that gives the knife a more secure grip.
The blade is very sharp out of the box and I notice that I catch the blade tip to the closing side of the handle at times when I'm closing the knife which is mildly annoying since it mars the inner surface of the aluminum handle. The tanto tip is reenforced which is typical of a CS knife.
Do I feel that this would be a good primary carry knife? No. I would probably use this knife more along the lines of a sturdy back up. Does it have a work horse capability? Probably yes. I will probably always have either my Genesis, Sebenza or Military with me in addition to this knife.
This knife may work out though if the steel is all that it is hyped up to be. Anyone have any experience with ATS10?
Is this knife like a Balisong? Not at all. Its handle just opens on the left side, not both sides like a balisong. The speed of opening this knife is nowhere near as fast.
All in all, I would rate this knife around a 5 on a 10 scale. Time will tell. Its interesting pattern and potential cutting ability may make this a useful knife. I will report on the blades cutting ability next.
Regards,
------------------
~Greg~
[This message has been edited by Kodiak PA (edited 07 April 1999).]
