Jim Hammond Seal Tac Folders

R

Ronald Reagan

Joined
Dec 18, 1998
Messages
417
I never see these around any more. The ones I have handles at shows were just amazing, first-rate folders. Dealers such as the Sadows and Les no longer seem to have these in stock.

Where are they? Besides making them to order, are there any available in the aftermarket?
 
Ronald are you refering to the Cobra Gold Fighters Sm. and Lrg.
If you are, I have one. It is an awesome folder, your right. It is either 440C or ATS 34 (I have heard both from sources) Black G-10 Scales w/ palm swell and hand cut groves.
Berrilium liner lock and fine Bead blasted blade. Action is smooth as Butter. Mine is Lrg. Cobra Gold. I have heard different versions of how many were made and never bothered to contact Jim via email.
Would trade for JSP Persian Fighter and $ or Spec Ops and $. Or Emerson Custom.
Thanks
biggrin.gif


------------------
"This is the law:
There is no possible victory in defense, The Sword is more important than the shield, And skill is more important than either, The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental."

 
Hi Ron,

Tami is correct, Jim is a world class maker. Again, he is another one of these guys who is starting to fade due in large part to his not attending shows or advertising. That is another matter.

First let me address why dealers do not readily stock the Cobra Gold Folder.

his blades are only 440C. This as you are probably familiar in the tactical folder markets is the kiss of death. Now as we move to more exotic steels it will be even tougher to sell them.

A 440C blade, micarta scales, stainless steel frame and Berrilium liner lock are not as competitive as the once were. At $525 retail for the large folder, it does not compete as favorably as it once did with the newer tactical folders.

Today's tactical folders feature 440V, titanium frame, bolsters, clip, carbon fiber scales and are under $500.00.

Additionally, you lose no quality for the price.

I have brought this to Jim's attention as Im sure Jay has.

Tami is right, the quality is great, they are as smooth as butter. His bead blast finish may be the best in custom knives. Jim is a great guy, with an excellent reputation both in the collector and military communities.

I talked with him at the SHOT Show, he is still making knives. If you are interested in one of his knives, you should contact him direct.

He can give you the exact numbers made. I think it is less than 25 each at this point.

I have no idea what is delivery time is at this time.

Should you purchase one from Jim, I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the knife.

Les
 
there is a dealer here in Phoenix Az who has one of the small cobras, I think he wants $365.00 for it. The dealer is Cats Cutlery
and the knife is 100% mint. Good luck in your quest!.... I called him and he does have the knife and it is $365. his phone is
602-995-8453


[This message has been edited by azwilly (edited 02-14-2000).]
 
Wow! By creating this post, I only sought information on the knife and had no intention to buy one. Just five minutes ago , I called Cats Cutlery and ordered it and should receive it by the end of the week!

It is the bolsterless version with green micarta handles and clip. I would've perferred a bolster but this one is still a great folder.

Thanks again guys.

Paul
 
Ron,

Sounds like you found a great deal on the one at Cats. I've bought back my own knives a few times before. One engraved piece I bought from a dealer (who will go nameless) was accidentally underpriced by $1,000 so I've kept that one because the story that goes with it is too good. The only green micarta CG's I recall making were the small military ones with integral bolsters/liners with canted serrations. These were my favorites out of all the ones from these series. I don't recall a non-bolstered small one in green micarta but maybe that's what you're getting.

Most all my focus the past two years has been on fixed blade orders--primarily my core group of military fighters (SEALTACs, Cobra Golds and Flesheathers. The new 6-mode kydex sheath system available for these is the combination I've wanted a long time), engraved art knife sets and series, plus custom work with texture studies, etc.

The folders currently scheduled to replace the first generation mentioned here will include two new sizes of the Cobra Golds (both sizes scaled down with a different blade and sytlized thumb hole), two double ground tanto folders, a small military Mirage (all with titanium liners, etc.) and a titanium framelock gentleman's size Mirage, similar to the slick little piece CRKT introduced at SHOT that will be out around late April.

Have some other designs in the works, both folder and fixed blade. Once the core group is squared away, plan on getting a website up then focusing on "what's next". Scheduled to be at New York next Fall.

(One note for Les, you probably won't believe it but I'm actually making the last Whacks (the jungle knife I developed for Special Forces back in the 80's). An Alaskan river guide talked me into resurrecting the first one of these for him. They're modified for no frills/pure function.)

Hope this update helps on what's been going on.

Jim Hammond

 
Jim,

Thanks for the information! It is nice to see you on the forums again. The knife I am getting actually has integral bolsters. What I initially meant was I would've liked to pay $365 for a folder with stainless steel bolsters!
smile.gif
I guess that would've been too good.

Anyway, I should be getting the knife soon and I can't wait. I look forward to seeing you at the NYC Show in the fall.

Paul
 
Paul,

Wow, had I read these postings earlier, we would sure have had a race to see who got to it first. I definitely would have bought that particular one back at that price as these were my favorites, plus the rarest. Congratulations on the find!

Jim
 
Jim,

That makes me feel even better about buying this knife. Just out of curiosity, why is this particular model your favorite?

Paul
 
Hi Jim,

I guess my Whack will be made right after the next one!

Fellow Forumites, watch this guy Hammond. If would get out of that Glider and make some knives I think he could be a good one!

Les
 
I remember meeting Jim several years ago in
NY, and he had a large COBRA GOLD folder with
Ivory. My brother procrasinated for hours and
when he decided it was gone. He still says it
is one of the nicest folders he's ever seen,
and I've had some nice pieces.

Win
 
Paul,

The Cobra Gold you picked up combined the military and collector grades. It incorporated the integral bolsters and liners from the collector grade, green linen micarta scales (which were only used on these combo versions and made for a nice color change), and canted serrations (I may have filed in vertical serrations on some but most had canted ones for a swifter look). I thought they had the coolest look among the military models.

Now that info on the Whacks is out of the bag, there are only two left. It took 12 years to commit to making these last ones so that will be it for this series. For those of you who've already contacted me, you know what's unique about these last ones.

Les, it's too cold to fly, the glider's in the trailer and I'm actually making knives. No kidding!
biggrin.gif


Jim

 
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