- Joined
- Jun 4, 2006
- Messages
- 361
I recently purchased a used, good condition Shiro Tabargan from the exchange here. I like the knife quite a bit, but there are a couple of items that are keeping me from loving it (or even carrying it right now). First, let me say that this purchase comes just a couple of weeks after getting my first Shiro-an F95. I love this knife. It's thin, fairly light, and a nice size with great ergonomics. I knew that the Tabargan was a different knife (axis lock, thicker, slightly different blade and handle profile), but I thought it was worth the chance.
There are essentially two things that I don't care for on the Tabargan I purchased and I believe they stem from the same root cause-the handle is too thick. The liners are easily thick enough to be a framelock and then there are scales on top of those. I have an older version, so the scales are flat. This makes for a knife that feels bulky, both in hand and in pocket-and I have large hands. Additionally, I find the axis lock too hard to disengage. I have owned several Benchmade Axis lock knives and never had this issue. The lock pin is almost flush with the scale and the top of it is smoother than the BM Axis lock models I have had, so my fingers tend to slide right over it. I find I really have to concentrate and work on the disengagement. It just isn't as fluid of a motion as I would like.
Here is ultimately what I want to know: If I have custom scales made for the Tabargan, will it fix my issues?
I was thinking that a thinner overall scale that was also contoured would ride better in the pocket and fit my hand better. Additionally, if the scale was thinner around the axis lock pin and perhaps that area had more relief around it, it might be easier to disengage. I have seen some great work from members here that have postings in the Custom Shop area, but they aren't cheap. If this won't fix my issues, it isn't worth it to me. If it would likely address my issues, I think I would really love this knife.
Here is where I am hoping I can get some help from some of you.
Have you owned a Tabargan with flat scales?
Did you have some of the same issues I describe?
Have you handled a 3D contoured version?
Did it have these issues?
Thank you for any and all feedback to my questions.
Regards,
Nick
There are essentially two things that I don't care for on the Tabargan I purchased and I believe they stem from the same root cause-the handle is too thick. The liners are easily thick enough to be a framelock and then there are scales on top of those. I have an older version, so the scales are flat. This makes for a knife that feels bulky, both in hand and in pocket-and I have large hands. Additionally, I find the axis lock too hard to disengage. I have owned several Benchmade Axis lock knives and never had this issue. The lock pin is almost flush with the scale and the top of it is smoother than the BM Axis lock models I have had, so my fingers tend to slide right over it. I find I really have to concentrate and work on the disengagement. It just isn't as fluid of a motion as I would like.
Here is ultimately what I want to know: If I have custom scales made for the Tabargan, will it fix my issues?
I was thinking that a thinner overall scale that was also contoured would ride better in the pocket and fit my hand better. Additionally, if the scale was thinner around the axis lock pin and perhaps that area had more relief around it, it might be easier to disengage. I have seen some great work from members here that have postings in the Custom Shop area, but they aren't cheap. If this won't fix my issues, it isn't worth it to me. If it would likely address my issues, I think I would really love this knife.
Here is where I am hoping I can get some help from some of you.
Have you owned a Tabargan with flat scales?
Did you have some of the same issues I describe?
Have you handled a 3D contoured version?
Did it have these issues?
Thank you for any and all feedback to my questions.
Regards,
Nick
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