mini talon or carson F4

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rezen y

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Aug 25, 2000
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considering the mini talon or a carson F4 neck knife but
have not seen or handled either one in person.

looking for something light, comfortable, that can be put
to work, and conceals well with a very low profile, so the
whole package needs to be considered. it will be strickly
neck wear so multi-carry systems are not required.

i have an allen blade chipmunk that is a little too stubby
for my tastes and an older discontinued colorado cutlery
micarta handled spear point necker that is a little too
thick in the handle that i will probably sell or trade.
also have a rekat fang that's a tad heavy, a cuda neck
thats a little short on class (no offense)and an emerson
griffe (not much on utility),these will go to my boys as
they like them just fine as is.

$150.max. also, any guesses on what a fair price for the
chipmunk in great shape and the colorado cutlery in very
good shape should go for on the forums? any other advise
or recommendations would be appreciated in this quest.

thanks,

lloyd
 
Here is a picture for comparrison. I happen to have both knives! They are both 6" oal. The Talon has a 2 1/4" blade and the Carson F-4 has a 2 1/2" blade. So the Carson has more blade and the Talon has more handle. The F-4 I have is of 420-V and the Mini Talon is of course Talonite, both are great materials for these kind of knives. Both come with great sheaths. The Talon is a bit thicker than the F-4 though the handle. I like both equally well! I probably didnt help a bit! :) Sorry for the poor picture!
 

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I would go with the Carson. I find the mini Talon too small for practical use. I have an Apogee made of 420V and I am really impressed with the edge that Darrel puts on it. I have a couple Talonite blades and they are good for cutting meat but for other uses I prefer the BG-42 small sebenza or my small Apogee. Also the F4 is handmade and less expensive than the talon.
 
lloyd,

I love my F4 in BG-42, it's the only neck knife I wear consistently. The sheath by Frank Sigmon is great. I am very close to buying a Mini Talon, but only because I don't have any Talonite. The size is perfect on both knives.

Good luck with your decision!


Steve-O
 
i have had my mini talon for a few months, and other than just a couple of times, have had it on me every day. this is a lot of knife. if you are thinking of a small necker, i cannot think of a better one. the material is superd, and the handle is great. i used to have a smaller knife with more blade, but it was a 3 finger (er, 2.5) knife and as such was nearly useless as i could get no leverage. the mini talon on the other hand is just perfect. it fits the hand just right and the curved and sculpted scales feel almost 'soft' in the hand. i rea;y really really love mine. i will be getting some kydex for mine to make a custom belt sheath a la the perrin street surgeon, as i find a neck knife under a T shirt, dress shirt, tie and blazer a bit much :)

and if you can't tell, I recommend the mini talon, if for no other reason than that it has the best handle of any small knife i have ever handled or seen. to me, a great blade that is tough to hold is no blade at all. here, with the mini talon, you get both a great blade *and material) and a fantastic handle!!

hth
 
thanks all ever so much, it really helped alot and i really
appreciate the picture comparison.

as usual you have all been very helpful and know at least that
i'm on the right track.

will keep you posted on my decision,

thanks again,

lloyd
 
back again,

after some additional thought, what about the
handle on the carson, are three fingers enough for a good
grip? (as i will probably remove the lanyard).

i stated previous that it was to be utility minded, but it
should be mentioned that although i am currently
in instructor mode, i still make it into the field
occasionally. if the situation should arise
and this blade is the only means available close at hand
under the situation, well, you know.

as everyone here is fully aware of, this will not be my
last purchase ever, just my next (which is always the most
important). your help is appreciated.

thanks again,

lloyd
 
Tough call. The advantage of the mini talon is completly rust proof. A definite plus for a neck knife. However the Carson is......well it's a Carson. Fit and finish should be a lot better than the mini talon. You can also get a larger size if need be. Personally I would go with the F4.
 
thanks ever so much for the input, great information.

think the carson is the way to go, right now
anyway.

will probably end up with a talonite blade in the future.

any ideas on a good dealer and a good price on the carson?

thanks,

lloyd
 
CRKT has a production model of the F4 out now.
They are about $20.00 from Knife Center of The Internet.
 
been out for a while but just had to close this out by once
again expressing my sincere thanks for your responses and
help.

it proves once again that the people here on the forums
are top notch!

someday i will possibly be in the position to return the
favor.

until next time, peace.

lloyd

"a mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its
origional dimentions":)
 
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