- Joined
- Oct 8, 2010
- Messages
- 8,340
HTM-DDR GH2 SAO = Hand-Tech-Made + Darrel Ralph Design + Gun Hammer 2 model + Spring Assisted Opening.
True North Knives Exclusive Model: http://www.truenorthknives.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=347_488&products_id=2777
I recently acquired the GH2. Here are my initial thoughts:
The knife came in the nylon customized DDR zippered pouch pictured. Even before taking the knife out of the pouch I could tell this was a lightweight knife. But that’s one of the reasons I selected this knife – I wanted a reasonably large, yet lightweight, folder.
The Handle design is what first prompted me to investigate this model: The stock pix on TNK’s web site don’t really show the green color on the sculpted (actually, scalloped) aluminum handles – I tried to capture this in my images – it’s subtle but certainly dark green. Ergo’s are pretty good, and the profile is moderate. The knife is very comfortable in standard grip, but a little less so in the reverse grip. The clip is medium-sized, and it is not a deep-carry set-up. Even though this knife is light enough and thin enough for the pocket, I’ll likely remove the clip and carry it in a leather belt sheath.
The SAO Action on the GH2 is a little slower than my other SAO’s (Benchmade, Kershaw, CRKT). The blade can be easily deployed by using either the dual thumb studs or by using the trigger. I like the trigger better, and I use the tip of my index finger to “trigger” it. A little flick of the wrist, simultaneous with the trigger pull, speeds up the blade opening. It appears as if it would be a simple task to remove the SAO spring and just use it as a manual opener. The only issue I have found with the knife is that when my thumb disengages the liner-lock, and I begin to close the blade, the trigger contacts the thumb almost immediately. So I have to just get the blade to start to close, and then move my thumb to the side of the frame before I can continue closing the blade. I’m sure this will get quicker and smoother with practice.
The Liner-Lock is as thick as some frame-locks. Lockup is solid, and there is no blade play whatsoever. However, the liner only runs about 3/4ths the length of the handle – it stops just beyond the middle spacer. I imagine this is to maintain the balance of the knife, since there is no liner in the opposite handle. The opposite houses the SAO mechanism, and it does run the full length of the handle. In the end, the balance is great as is. If the spring is removed to convert the knife to a manual opener, the balance would be affected to some degree, but not dramatically.
The Blade is a S30V drop-point Modified Bowie with a very generous belly and a moderate swedge. It’s shaving sharp out of the box, and sports only the HTM-DDR identification on one side of the blade; the rest is clean.
The Fit & Finish are great; not a flaw to be found out of the box. And for a price of $280, I think it’s a decent purchase, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight SAO folder with a generous blade and a unique design and appearance.
Here are the Specs:
* Military “Type II” hard coated aircraft TNK dark green sculpted aluminum frame
* Modified Non Glare Modified Bowie in CPM S30V blade steel; RC: 59-60
* 3D Machined ergonomic ETAC (Ergo Tactical) GRIP
* Hardened wear parts
* SAO- Spring Assisted Opening
* Adjustable stainless pocket clip for tip-up or tip-down carry
* .09 Thick 6AL4V Titanium lock
* Blade Length: 3 5/8"
* Cutting Edge: 3 7/16"
* Overall Length: 8"
* Closed: 4 1/2"
* Blade thickness: 0.125
* Screws / Thumb Studs / Pivot: Heat Colored 416 Stainless
* Standoffs: Heat Colored 416 Stainless
* Weight: 4.2 ounces / 117 grams
* Made in Galena, Ohio USA
Now for the Pix (also pictured with Large and Small Sebenzas for comparison):
True North Knives Exclusive Model: http://www.truenorthknives.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=347_488&products_id=2777
I recently acquired the GH2. Here are my initial thoughts:
The knife came in the nylon customized DDR zippered pouch pictured. Even before taking the knife out of the pouch I could tell this was a lightweight knife. But that’s one of the reasons I selected this knife – I wanted a reasonably large, yet lightweight, folder.
The Handle design is what first prompted me to investigate this model: The stock pix on TNK’s web site don’t really show the green color on the sculpted (actually, scalloped) aluminum handles – I tried to capture this in my images – it’s subtle but certainly dark green. Ergo’s are pretty good, and the profile is moderate. The knife is very comfortable in standard grip, but a little less so in the reverse grip. The clip is medium-sized, and it is not a deep-carry set-up. Even though this knife is light enough and thin enough for the pocket, I’ll likely remove the clip and carry it in a leather belt sheath.
The SAO Action on the GH2 is a little slower than my other SAO’s (Benchmade, Kershaw, CRKT). The blade can be easily deployed by using either the dual thumb studs or by using the trigger. I like the trigger better, and I use the tip of my index finger to “trigger” it. A little flick of the wrist, simultaneous with the trigger pull, speeds up the blade opening. It appears as if it would be a simple task to remove the SAO spring and just use it as a manual opener. The only issue I have found with the knife is that when my thumb disengages the liner-lock, and I begin to close the blade, the trigger contacts the thumb almost immediately. So I have to just get the blade to start to close, and then move my thumb to the side of the frame before I can continue closing the blade. I’m sure this will get quicker and smoother with practice.
The Liner-Lock is as thick as some frame-locks. Lockup is solid, and there is no blade play whatsoever. However, the liner only runs about 3/4ths the length of the handle – it stops just beyond the middle spacer. I imagine this is to maintain the balance of the knife, since there is no liner in the opposite handle. The opposite houses the SAO mechanism, and it does run the full length of the handle. In the end, the balance is great as is. If the spring is removed to convert the knife to a manual opener, the balance would be affected to some degree, but not dramatically.
The Blade is a S30V drop-point Modified Bowie with a very generous belly and a moderate swedge. It’s shaving sharp out of the box, and sports only the HTM-DDR identification on one side of the blade; the rest is clean.
The Fit & Finish are great; not a flaw to be found out of the box. And for a price of $280, I think it’s a decent purchase, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight SAO folder with a generous blade and a unique design and appearance.
Here are the Specs:
* Military “Type II” hard coated aircraft TNK dark green sculpted aluminum frame
* Modified Non Glare Modified Bowie in CPM S30V blade steel; RC: 59-60
* 3D Machined ergonomic ETAC (Ergo Tactical) GRIP
* Hardened wear parts
* SAO- Spring Assisted Opening
* Adjustable stainless pocket clip for tip-up or tip-down carry
* .09 Thick 6AL4V Titanium lock
* Blade Length: 3 5/8"
* Cutting Edge: 3 7/16"
* Overall Length: 8"
* Closed: 4 1/2"
* Blade thickness: 0.125
* Screws / Thumb Studs / Pivot: Heat Colored 416 Stainless
* Standoffs: Heat Colored 416 Stainless
* Weight: 4.2 ounces / 117 grams
* Made in Galena, Ohio USA
Now for the Pix (also pictured with Large and Small Sebenzas for comparison):
Attachments
Last edited:
