Renaldi soon to be built by Topp's knives (SAD!!!).

H

hunter301

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May 18, 2003
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I saw an article today in tactical knives where Trace Renaldi is going to have his Armaggedon made by Topp's Knives. It is also listed in the Topp's catalogue.
While I don't hold anything against Topp's for a production knife I think that the original steel finished Armaggedon is the only Renaldi. It is a georgeous piece of metal when finished. All topps knive are black epoxy coated. I hope Trace Renaldi will still offer the original version of his knife not made by Topps.
It seams like every time we get used to somebody putting out a beautiful knife like Renaldi they sell out to some big production "stamp" manufacuter who slaps an ugly black epoxy coating on it and still tries to call it an original. The design may be the same but unless it is still built the same way it is not the same knife. Tom Brown did the same thing with the Tracker knife.
I guess Ferhman will be next. Who knows.
 
Hi Hunter-

Trace Rinaldi is a heck of a guy and as you pointed out makes some killer knives. I do have to disagree with you though...

I don't think getting a deal with a production knife company is selling out at all. It's a huge definitive step in acceptance. It means you're making something so good, that a production company sees the potential and wants to be part of it.

It not only helps some financially for the maker, but it allows people to buy a knife that would not normally be able to. Of course it's not the original, but it's something many many people would love to have.

Just my $0.02 :)
Nick
 
I have to agree 100% with Nick on this one. It is great that Trace has been able to do a collaboration with TOPS. I saw this knife a few months ago and it immediately impressed me, but not nearly as much as Trace's own version. I can not see why he would not continue to sell his custom Armaggedon.

Many top makers have worked with manufacturers and I do not regard this as selling out. Why is it that you feel he is selling out?
 
I agree with Nick and Keith. Look at it from this point of view.

500 people just love the Armegeddon and all will buy one someday. Now if you are #500 on the list, you have one hell of a long wait to get your knife, if in fact, you ever see it. Enter TOPS and their production version. They produce basically the same knife (in design anyway) and at a lower price. PRESTO! There go 400 people off Trace's wait list and those willing to pay the price get their genuine Armegeddon much, much quicker and everyone is happy. The fact that it also helps pay the bills just may help to keep the price down some on that custom version as well. I just fail to see how keeping your customers and supporters happy is "selling out".
 
I agree with what you guys are saying, but only if he is still willing to sell his original version of the knife. I am not knocking Topp's knives. As I have said before I have already looked at these knives and would not hesistate to use one in the field. But if I wanted a true custom Renaldi Armaggedon I would like know I can still go to him will to spend a few dollars more for his one on one custom work and still get it.
What I don't like is when these guys get there names known, get approached by a big company who wants to buy out there name cause so many people are interested in it and the guy retires for the rest of his life and the only Renaldi or whatever you can get is some "stamped out" production model.
Randall knives while not my personal favorite has come closer to keeping the family line than any other knife maker I know. Even though they have more people working for them then when they first started they still have a small staff who hand forges every blade and will only sell directly from there facility. And these guys started out running Orange Groves during World War 2 down here in Florida. Granted there is now a 4 year waiting list but that's what makes there knives so well now and wanted.
I love the Renaldi original Armageddon and until now I was deciding on either it or the Furhman big blade but now I don't even know if I can get a Renaldi original without it being second hand.
 
First of all, why are you complaining about something that is a commonplace practice? I dont get it..........

Second of all, why did you put this exact same complaint in two different places? I dont get it?
 
I like it when a maker get's a design in manufacture. Royalties can be a good thing for a knife maker trying to keep things under control. In many case it take take some pressure off of trying to handle regular expenses letting the maker push their envelopes a little further.

Nothing wrong with making a living. If anything it will increase demand for Trace's version and give folks an opportunity to check out his design who may not otherwise have that chance.
 
Hunter,

Trace makes so few customs, these "look alike" ARM's will have no impact on his custom knife business. After all there are several reasons the factory versions sell for hundreds of dollars less!

If you want the real thing, contact me off line and I will get you one.
 
Hi Les,

I asked Trace to just give you the Arm you are getting for me at Blade but to keep the sheeth for adding the SKS later. He is building a Talonite ride along for me, but who knows when. :D

I don't worry about what other people think of knives going into production. I buy the production knives I want, and the custom knives I want. If I don't like something, I don't buy it. Maybe if a maker asked me my opinion, I would offer it, but it is their baby, I don't intend to tell them what to do with their talent.

Frodo
 
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