I had my Trident TF-3 delivered yesterday.
It does open faster than the Kershaws I've tried, but seems to have a little more slop in the blade pivot and lock-up. This means you can wiggle the blade a teeeeeny bit open, but also means it's probably more tolerant of mud, dust, cheese, peperoni, and pocket lint accumulation.
The TF-3 is very ambidexterous, I can open AND close with my weak (left) hand as easily as strong side.
Blade tapers in thickness pretty quickly, so it's less stout than some tactical folders that keep max thickness pretty near to the tip.
I'm not thrilled with the aesthetics of the zytel handle, but can't really argue with their weight and absolute resistance to sledge-hammer type abuse. Ergonomics are a big improvement over the Flash II, with a little more meat under the 3rd and 4th fingers and nice, grippy ridges.
I was a little worried about flex around the funky groove, but design has some metal reinforcing plates embedded to stiffen it here--no wiggle.
The groove really does work with para cord... It's more than just a gimmick.
Oh, and the blade is wicked sharp. No warning, but I've always found that a good going-in assumption with a tool made to cut stuff.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this assisted folder.
It does open faster than the Kershaws I've tried, but seems to have a little more slop in the blade pivot and lock-up. This means you can wiggle the blade a teeeeeny bit open, but also means it's probably more tolerant of mud, dust, cheese, peperoni, and pocket lint accumulation.
The TF-3 is very ambidexterous, I can open AND close with my weak (left) hand as easily as strong side.
Blade tapers in thickness pretty quickly, so it's less stout than some tactical folders that keep max thickness pretty near to the tip.
I'm not thrilled with the aesthetics of the zytel handle, but can't really argue with their weight and absolute resistance to sledge-hammer type abuse. Ergonomics are a big improvement over the Flash II, with a little more meat under the 3rd and 4th fingers and nice, grippy ridges.
I was a little worried about flex around the funky groove, but design has some metal reinforcing plates embedded to stiffen it here--no wiggle.
The groove really does work with para cord... It's more than just a gimmick.
Oh, and the blade is wicked sharp. No warning, but I've always found that a good going-in assumption with a tool made to cut stuff.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this assisted folder.