I need your recommendation for a purchase.....

P

Paladin1

Joined
Sep 5, 2000
Messages
65
Okay, guys, here's your chance to give me your two cents.... I am fairly new to knife collecting and am interested in purchasing a custom mid-size knife for tactical, outdoors wear while hiking, camping, etc. Price is not an issue. I want the best. On the production side, I've been considering the Mad Dog ATAK and ATAK 2 either full or Pygmy, Busse #5, that kind of knife. I'd appreciate your opinions on what you'd recommend. All are gratefully heard!
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"I love to do things that scare me, because without fear there is no courage..."
 
Among many others I would consider John Fitch, Matt Lamey, Dr. Lathe (Neil Blackwood), Walter Brend, Mike (L6Steel), Jerry Hossum and Rob S.

If you really want the best and do not mind a wait Tim Hancock, David Brodwell and Jerry Fisk.

This is just off the top of my head this morning. I am sure others will have suggestions that also deserve consideration.

For hiking/camping I live in an area where things have a tendancy to get damp and dewey by the morning. I would consider D2 steel and a sheath of kydex or concealex.


[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 12-29-2000).]
 
For tactical purposes, you would be hard pressed to find a better mid-sized fixed blade than the Robertson/Broadwell MLR TAC II. It can be seen here;

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/broadtf.htm
BTW, someone had one of these on the For Sale Forum at about $100 off retail

I would also recommend Matt Lamey. He has many options which will allow you to choose blade steel, blade length and shape, handle material and your choice of a very high quality leather or Kydex sheath.

www.lameyknives.com

[This message has been edited by blademan 13 (edited 12-29-2000).]
 
Busse #5 quite possibly would be the best buy. Might want to consider the "Quickening" in D2 or "Trek" in CPM 420V, both by RJ Martin. I have all three of these, and have no caveats to offer on any of them. All strong, well-made, ergonomic, well-balanced, of very durable materials, and all take an exceptional edge and hold it very well. The Busse's INFI may be a tad tougher steel, with the stainless Trek probably holding an edge longest, and the Quickening a good compromise of both these steel qualities. Size and weight-wise, the Trek is very compact and concealable, the Busse is a light, handy midweight, with the Quickening at the upper end of the spectrum, length and weight-wise.

--W.
 
Thanks for the advice, Will--how would I connect with a source for RJ Martin? Heard you're getting some colder weather down there south of us in Austin, keep warm....

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"I love to do things that scare me, because without fear there is no courage..."
 
RJ Martin has his website at www.martinsite.com . Looks like he never has time to update it.
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A good source for RJM knives is Les Robertson www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com .

Another knife from RJM that I like a lot, besides what Will sugggested, is the Vanguard Odyssy. It's a little longer than the Quickening and is made from CPM3V. With this tough steel and its construction, I'd say this knife is unbreakable (if that 's not too insulting to Cliff
biggrin.gif
). If price is not your concern maybe you'd like to consider it. Here's a picture of mine

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~vtoochin/ods.jpg

Cheers,
Dew.

 
The address listed above for Les Robertson's site will usually yield some Martins, or you can contact RJ direct at his website:

www.martinsite.com

We ARE feeling the brutal cold down here. Lows are actually dropping down into the high 30's, and highs are barely making it into the 70's--looks like a real hard winter. My daughter is a financial analyst with the City of Austin, and was not looking forward to her return from the Rio Grande Valley after Christmas. Hope things warm up for you soon up there--and elsewhere across the frigid northern climes.

--W

Well, I see Dew and I were answering at the same time. At least we agree--and RJ's 3V should be a great blade, no doubt. Just a little larger than what I was hearing you say you wanted. Best to all, and Happy New Year.

[This message has been edited by WILL YORK (edited 12-29-2000).]
 
There are a lot of extremely good knives in the custom market anywhere in price from the about $150 on the low end to $1,000 plus on the top end.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Price is not an issue</font>
Click to expand...
I would suggest using a meager amount of your vast (
wink.gif
) potential budget to try a couple of solid custom using knives so you are a fully informed consumer of the knife makers art before you jump in and buy a significantly expensive knife. It's truly amazing what you can learn beating a $150 knife to death.

Suggestions:
  • Trace Rinaldi TTKK in BG-42 ~$170
    Allen Blade mid-size fixed blade in 5160 ~150

Since you are looking at Mad Dog's, I would also suggest considering a Mission Knife and Tool MPK in A2 steel. At least $100 cheaper in purchase price but, an excellant knife that will give you as good, if not better, service then a Mad Dog in almost any role you put it in. Most will argue subtle techinical points in favor of the Mad Dog but, having owned both I find nothing lacking in the Mission knife except the higher price tag of the ATAK and bad personality of Kevin McClung (who has set the new standard of bad customer service in the custom knife marketplace in my book).

Paladin,

What is your past experience with knives? Any customs (folder or fixed)? Hunting, Camping, etc. where you really used a knife hard?

Stay Sharp,
Sid


[This message has been edited by Sid Post (edited 12-29-2000).]
 
Hi Paladin,

You have received some very good advice on knives.

Since my name and RJ's have been brought up together, let me clarify some things for you.

The Oddessy, Quest, Trek and Quickening are available exclusively through me. As is the Broadwell MLR TAC II.

I have seen first hand work from John Fitch, Matt Lamey and Trace Rinaldi. All do excellent work. Matt and Trace are probably the best bang for the buck under $400 right now.

Concerning steels, 1/4" and above I would recommend A-2, D-2 and 3V

5/32nd and 3/16 440V or 420V would be excellent choices.

Of course the steel type and blade thickness would be determined by what your primary purpose for the knife is.

Right tool for the right job!

Please feel free to contact me should have any questions.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 
Gus,
I appreciate the mention, THANKS!!

Paladin1,
Besides being a knifemaker, I'm also a KNIFE NUT
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I buy other makers knives when $$$$ permits. There are MANY great choices out there. "Researching" a knife purchase can be half the fun! AND.......You will meet some great people along the way
wink.gif

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Knives in STOCK!! I just updated my website, PLEASE take a look :)


blackwoodknives.com
 
This has been some great, very educational information. Thanks for all the input, guys, and keep it coming!

A few responses to your posts, because I think I'm ready to start purchasing a couple of the knives recommended:

1. Dr. Lathe, I'm interested in your medium tactical Talonite, want to discuss the material and details off line, can you email me? Thanks. You have some great stuff on your web site.

2. Les, I'm also interested in the RJ's, but I notice on your web site that much is out of stock, as I would assume is normal this time of year and with their popularity. Can you email me off line so we can discuss which RJ and their availability? And perhaps some other bladesmiths as well.

3. Matt Lamey--while we're talking off line on the Bowie pic you posted, let me know which of your line in the medium fixed tactical knives you would suggest fits the description here.

4. Sid--Thanks for the advice, as you can see, I'm going to try a few knives and see what I really enjoy using. My experience has been very brief so far. I "discovered" Pat Crawford through this forum on folding knives, and carry his mini-Kasper. Love it! He's also making me a nicer version with Mastodon tusk handle to carry when wearing a suit on business or in the office. Should be in my hands shortly. I also purchased an Appleton-Fairbairn, which is nice just to invest in (got it at a very good price new). I have several Daniel Winklers to indulge my historical repro interest. IMHO, Daniel creates some incredible stuff, I'm having nice wood display stands done by John Yeakley. I haven't got out to camp in quite some time. I haven't even gotten out to the range in a while. We have 4 1/4 acres of wooded hill country that our home sits on, so I'm planning on doing some hiking with my daughter but I don't hunt, even though I have a gun collection, mostly target and combat tactical. I'd like to get some camping in in the Spring as well. So that's the extent of my meager rookie experience. Oh, and I'm interested in your take on the customer service, or lack thereof at Mad Dog. I've heard great things about their knives, and will probably purchase an ATAK2, but I'm concerned about the rep. Can you elaborate?

5. Will-We'll work on sending you some warmer weather from up here in Austin. It goes to reason--we get warmer, so do you. But it's nice to have a bit of chill for the holidays. Thanks for your advice.

Thanks again for your input, guys. I look forward to hearing more, and speaking with some of you to start putting my money where my mouth is.....

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"I love to do things that scare me, because without fear there is no courage..."

[This message has been edited by Paladin1 (edited 12-30-2000).]
 
Paladin,
Neil [Dr. Lathe] was right on when he said that the search is half the fun, and there are many great makers - and dealers- out there to deal with and choose from. Neil for sure is one. I have one of his small talonites and I love it. My suggestion is that you first peruse the leading web sites to see what's out there that tickles your fancy and then investigate the types and makers that interest you. Les Robertson's site is among the best and you should also look at Arizona Custom Knives, BladeArt, Knifeart, International Knife Directory and the Canadian Knife Guild sites as a good beginning.
Personally, if price were no object I would tend to lean towards a forged custom, out of 52100 or mosaic damascus by a maker that I felt comfortable with and who could implement some of my own individual preferences for a unique and personal knife. Wally Hayes springs to mind. There are, of course, other Masters and great people to deal with.
In a slightly different direction, a knife that I would feel more inclined to work hard with less concern for maintenance would be a talonite or stellite from Dr. Lathe or Rob Simonich, to name two. They both do excellent work. Rob's waiting list for really custom work is quite long, but Les Robertson seems to have a quasimagical ability to get much-demanded makers earlier than expected. And he has many exclusives, like the Simonich talonite Vanguard Chinook - whick I also love. If you haven't spoken to Les yet, you should.
If you really want a knife that gives you the most bang for the buck and don't really care about full customs etc., the full Infi Busses [as opposed to the Basics,] are really superb, except perhaps for the sheaths. In a 6" knife, the Natural Outlaw is gorgeous and both massive a well balanced at the same time. The bigger knives, Steelheart and Battlemistress, really are as good as their reputations, unless, as someone recently pointed out, you want a pure fighter and expect to stab a bear up to the hilt. In that case, talk to Les about the new 440V Polkowski's he's lining up, or Murray Haday about his Greg Lightfoot Sierras.
Really, browse, read and, if you can, handle as many different knives as you can. The Las Vegas show is coming up and I'm sure many makers have some new knives ready for it. If you can't make it, call them before they sell out, or wait until the better dealers have stocked up. Just a few suggestions.



[This message has been edited by HJK (edited 12-30-2000).]
 
Paladin,

Check your email for further details with regards to my feelings regarding Mad Dog knives.
smile.gif


Sid
 
When is the Vegas Kife show? I would think that would be one of the biggest of the year?

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"I love to do things that scare me, because without fear there is no courage..."
 
Las Vegas is not the biggest show of the year! Yes, it is a good show and there are numerous other attractions to keep the wife and/or kids busy.

I think the dates are something like Feb 2nd thru the 4th but, I'm not sure since that info is at my desk at work.

The Atlanta Blade Show in June is several times larger based on the number of tables. There are probably other shows in North America that are larger as well.

Stay Sharp,
Sid
 
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