Jim Burke FrameLock

[markusblattner]

ok here we go:

after carrying it for about a month here are my impressions:

the blade is a fighter type grind, satin finished ats-34 3.9" long with exeptional edge holding (i think Jim has his heat treatment perfected to a point where most makers would be jealous)double, thumb studs.

handle is satin finished 6AL-4V Titanium, anodized on the inside and borders, also satin finished on the flats 0,080" thick. Pocketclip is changeable for tip up and tip down carry.

this knife is as slim as a framelock can be!!!!!! i never had problems with flexing or lock problems (which was my first concern, because of the slimness of the scales) also the lock did not move up on the ramp, despite heavy use! again Jim seems to have the perfect lock geometry!

you can contact Jim at:

jimburke@burkeknives.com

Burke Knives

 

[ROBB]

This looks like a beauty.The satin finished handle and blade looks great and I like the option for clip carry up or down.Markus you are the undisputed king of the framelock folders.I love your site.I check it often to see who's new at making framelocks.I'm a little surprised you don't have some of the top makers like J.W.Smith,Aaron Fredrick,Andy Shinosky,and Tom Anderson.Could you tell us a little more about Jim Burke?

 

[markusblattner]

robb:

the other makers will be added when i have money....... (it is a little expensive hobby. isn't it?)

what do you want to know about jim?

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Wow, Burke's prices are a bargain, if the quality is up there.

Markus, how would you rate the quality of Burke's integral lock? If you'd compare it to the Sebenza's and some of the other integrals in your collection that you think are particularly good, I'd appreciate it. Some questions in particular: when you squeeze the handles for hard use, does it move right and become very hard to unlock (think you answered that already)? When you squeeze the knife hard, does the lock move up-and-down?

Also, which of the integrals in your collection do you feel are the most carryable (i.e., thin handles without sacrificing lock integrity, relatively lightweight, clip positioned so the knife feels good in the pocket).

Thanks! You have such an awesome collection, I had to ask you to compare and contrast a little. In case you didn't figure it out, I'm in the market for a new custom integral folder, which I want to EDC so it needs to be very comfortable without sacrificing performance. I'm also very interested in that Weiland Mongoose.

Joe

 

[markusblattner]

joe,

i can not move the lockbar in any unwanted direction else than locking an unlocking ;-) (unlocking always requires the same amount of force...)

from fit and finish it is right up to a sebbie or an elishewitz, or a mayo........ i think that says all......


regarding your question which is the best edc......, what should i say?!?!?!?!?! the burke is the one i carry now..... it is as slim as it could get has one of the best ball detents of all, and if it gets scratched i can refinish it with scotchbrite easily......

if you do not like ats, i am sure that he can get you an other steel, but i really like the way it performs.....

IT WON'T BE MY LAST FROM JIM!!!!!!!!!!

hope that answers all your questions, if not, please ask!

 

[Joe Talmadge]

That answers my questions, thanks! Actually, as you were posting your reply, I edited my original post to ask about the Reese Weiland Mongoose as well ... any comments?

Frankly, I'm perfectly happy with well-heat-treated ATS-34, but I've already emailed Jim asking if he's willing to work in other steels, and also asking if he's willing to do a 3.5"-bladed version, since I find a 4.5" handle is about as big as I'm really comfortable with (despite the fact that I'm currently EDC'ing a BM 710 and an endura).

Joe

 

[markusblattner]

reese's knives are perfect, but the burke is more comfortable......

you might want to check out jim's other folders......... nice handles there and he can do all in a framelock also you can change blade styles....

 

[ROBB]

Markus,I checked out Burkes site.Looks like some nice folders at low prices.I asked him the same question as Joe did.Could he make a similar framelock with a 3.5"to 3.25" blade.He wrote me right back and said no problem.You're absolutly right Markus.Its an expensive hobby.I'm expecting a Scott Cook Lochsa in a week or so.Maybe my next one will be from Jim.Can you tell me how does the Lochsa compare with some of your other framelocks,for instance the Sebenza?Also your site was the 1st time I saw a framelock from Bud Weston.How is that folder,ex.smooth,fit and finish.How does the quality compare pricewise
with your other framelocks.And for the last unanswerable question.Markus if you could carry only one of your framelocks which one would it be?(Please don't give us an ArtSig answer-the last one I bought Thanks for all the info

 

[markusblattner]

robb,

lol so many questions.....

lochsa..... is a great knife with a perfect idea behind it, from the qualiti it is like a sebbie, or any other great makers, so you made a good choice!

buddy weston: perfect fit and finish, and super prices, i sent you an e-mail regarding one of his pieces.

also i cannot really answer your last question...... very tough.....

if it should have a talonite blade, one of tom mayos

if it should have a ti blade warren thomas t-rex

if it should have a steel blade...... i cannot answer this one..... i like all way too much.....

now i will have my collection going in the direction -> one knife from each maker, so i will be thinning it out a bit to get money for new ones...... but again, very hard to decide which ones to let go......

 

[Joe Talmadge]

ROBB: Funny! I too have a Lochsa on order. I told Jim I had to check on the delivery date of my Lochsa ... if it's going to be delivered soon, I'm going to have to save my pennies a few months before I order my 3.5" Burke. As it turns out, I'm probably going to order from Burke in the next couple of days.

Burke's prices are so reasonable, that if the quality (especially the framelock, which I'll continue to claim many custom makers are NOT getting right!) is sound, this will be a fanastic working knife at a reasonable price.

BTW ROBB, for $25 upgrade, Jim will use S30V instead of ATS-34. I also asked him to reduce the size of the bird's beak pommel to 3/4 size.

Joe

 

[markusblattner]

joe, he is a pleasure to work with, listening to customers,as many of todays makers don't, isn't he?

 

[Lone Hunter]

Well I'm glad I already got my order in with Jim Burke for a #2 utility ,as I think the line is starting to grow...