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Speed Tech Knives - Info
- Thread starter Mike Turber
- Start date
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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
- Joined
- Apr 25, 1999
- Messages
- 400
ello fellow knife nuts!
My name is Jim O'Young. Along with my partners Doug Hill and Doug Brobst, we have formed a company called Speed Tech (tm). We are a brand new knife manufacturer and I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to introduce ourselves and give you some background on what we're trying to accomplish.
Our mission was to pull out all the stops and create a high quality, high precision knife; engineered aesthetically, ergonomically and functionally using the latest technology in design and manufacturing. Our company is made up of engineering and technology professionals who have been involved in the development and manufacturing of products here in the Silicon Valley for the past 20 years (and who also happen to be gun and knife enthusiasts). My partners are sporting clay shooters and I compete at the Steel Challenge, sponsored by Briley Pistol Division and Hogue Grips. We have all been knife collectors for many years and even many more dollars!!
I personally designed the knife using 3D solid modeling CAD and Doug and Doug manufactured the product directly from those CAD files in their state of the art facility. We actually began this project as a means of obtaining the knife of OUR dreams, the one that nobody else had ever thought of or created; something new and innovative.
We feel our product is quite unique for many reasons, but the primary one is how it feels (and looks!). After you pick it up, open the blade, and grip it in the forward and reverse positions, you'll understand why we're excited. The handle is a FULLY 3 DIMENSIONAL SCULPTURED SHAPE, MACHINED OUT OF A SOLID BLOCK of aluminum. This ONE PIECE design houses a specially designed pivot and bearing system which creates a very smooth action. The one piece handle is also inherently stronger than multipiece designs. The blades are made using 154 CM stainless steel (hardened to Rc 60-61), with tanto and upswept point configurations.
Initially, the knives will only be available "factory direct" from us. We do this in order to give you the lowest possible price and the fastest delivery of the configuration that you want. The knife is EXTREMELY expensive to make (solid, fully machined one piece handle; precision pivot & bearing system; precision blades; exotic handle plating) and the standard distributor/dealer markups would make the cost to the consumer unaffordable to all but the most "fanatic" collector.
We, being knife nuts ourselves and a customer driven company, realize that everyone likes and wants something different, so we plan to offer the knives built to YOUR specifications from a menu of options (handle plating, blade shape & finish, clip/no clip, personalized laser engraving, etc.) and deliver them in the shortest time possible. It will be a "custom production" product. This marketing approach will also insure that the value of your knife is upheld over time.
Future plans are to offer serialized limited editions (titanium handles, Damascus blades, special handle plating designs, etc.). Again, we are a CUSTOMER and MARKET driven company, so YOU tell us what YOU would like us to make for YOU. What would YOU like to see for/in future products? If it isn't TOO outrageous and we can realistically do it, WE WILL!
An integrated family of products which I'm sure you'll like is also under development. Among Speed Tech's goals is to supply a continuos flow of innovative products to the marketplace.
We will have a display at both BLADE Shows as well as a HEAVY presence on the internet and in the trade magazines. We will probably also display and sell at the major knife shows.
Thanks for taking the time to hear our story. PLEASE let us know any relevant thoughts that you might have. We really value YOUR opinion. I will keep the forum aware of any significant events as they occur.
Stay sharp!
Jim
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Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
My name is Jim O'Young. Along with my partners Doug Hill and Doug Brobst, we have formed a company called Speed Tech (tm). We are a brand new knife manufacturer and I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to introduce ourselves and give you some background on what we're trying to accomplish.
Our mission was to pull out all the stops and create a high quality, high precision knife; engineered aesthetically, ergonomically and functionally using the latest technology in design and manufacturing. Our company is made up of engineering and technology professionals who have been involved in the development and manufacturing of products here in the Silicon Valley for the past 20 years (and who also happen to be gun and knife enthusiasts). My partners are sporting clay shooters and I compete at the Steel Challenge, sponsored by Briley Pistol Division and Hogue Grips. We have all been knife collectors for many years and even many more dollars!!
I personally designed the knife using 3D solid modeling CAD and Doug and Doug manufactured the product directly from those CAD files in their state of the art facility. We actually began this project as a means of obtaining the knife of OUR dreams, the one that nobody else had ever thought of or created; something new and innovative.
We feel our product is quite unique for many reasons, but the primary one is how it feels (and looks!). After you pick it up, open the blade, and grip it in the forward and reverse positions, you'll understand why we're excited. The handle is a FULLY 3 DIMENSIONAL SCULPTURED SHAPE, MACHINED OUT OF A SOLID BLOCK of aluminum. This ONE PIECE design houses a specially designed pivot and bearing system which creates a very smooth action. The one piece handle is also inherently stronger than multipiece designs. The blades are made using 154 CM stainless steel (hardened to Rc 60-61), with tanto and upswept point configurations.
Initially, the knives will only be available "factory direct" from us. We do this in order to give you the lowest possible price and the fastest delivery of the configuration that you want. The knife is EXTREMELY expensive to make (solid, fully machined one piece handle; precision pivot & bearing system; precision blades; exotic handle plating) and the standard distributor/dealer markups would make the cost to the consumer unaffordable to all but the most "fanatic" collector.
We, being knife nuts ourselves and a customer driven company, realize that everyone likes and wants something different, so we plan to offer the knives built to YOUR specifications from a menu of options (handle plating, blade shape & finish, clip/no clip, personalized laser engraving, etc.) and deliver them in the shortest time possible. It will be a "custom production" product. This marketing approach will also insure that the value of your knife is upheld over time.
Future plans are to offer serialized limited editions (titanium handles, Damascus blades, special handle plating designs, etc.). Again, we are a CUSTOMER and MARKET driven company, so YOU tell us what YOU would like us to make for YOU. What would YOU like to see for/in future products? If it isn't TOO outrageous and we can realistically do it, WE WILL!
An integrated family of products which I'm sure you'll like is also under development. Among Speed Tech's goals is to supply a continuos flow of innovative products to the marketplace.
We will have a display at both BLADE Shows as well as a HEAVY presence on the internet and in the trade magazines. We will probably also display and sell at the major knife shows.
Thanks for taking the time to hear our story. PLEASE let us know any relevant thoughts that you might have. We really value YOUR opinion. I will keep the forum aware of any significant events as they occur.
Stay sharp!
Jim
------------------
Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
The Blue is just a CAD design. The actuall knives will have many different colors.
How do you like these?
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
How do you like these?
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
These are manual action knives.
Pay close attention to the blade to handle ratio. It looks as though the blade will not even fit in the handel. Now that is pretty cool in my book!
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
Pay close attention to the blade to handle ratio. It looks as though the blade will not even fit in the handel. Now that is pretty cool in my book!
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
- Joined
- Apr 25, 1999
- Messages
- 400
Reynaert-
These knives ARE manuals w/ a button/plunge lock. (The one piece handle design does not easily lend itself to a well executed liner lock.)
At this time we are NOT planning to manufacture an auto version. We are spending all of our available resources bringing the manuals to market and it is also unclear if California law will allow us to manufacture autos. However draconian, we intend to observe the letter of the law.
The manual SYNERGY (tm), like any other well designed modern folder, opens just as fast as an auto and closes using only one hand.
Stay sharp!
Jim
------------------
Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
These knives ARE manuals w/ a button/plunge lock. (The one piece handle design does not easily lend itself to a well executed liner lock.)
At this time we are NOT planning to manufacture an auto version. We are spending all of our available resources bringing the manuals to market and it is also unclear if California law will allow us to manufacture autos. However draconian, we intend to observe the letter of the law.
The manual SYNERGY (tm), like any other well designed modern folder, opens just as fast as an auto and closes using only one hand.
Stay sharp!
Jim
------------------
Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
- Joined
- Feb 20, 1999
- Messages
- 1,284
I was wondering when Speed-Tech would show up here at Bladeforums.
First time I saw these cool-looking knives, was at the pics Spark posted for us early this year at a knife show (sorry, forgot the name).
The looks are definitely impressive! Great job, guys!
Dan
First time I saw these cool-looking knives, was at the pics Spark posted for us early this year at a knife show (sorry, forgot the name).
The looks are definitely impressive! Great job, guys!
Dan
Daniel L
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 1998
- Messages
- 1,974
Beautiful knife - my only request is that the clip is placed for "tip up" carry (ie like zytel Spyderco Enduras).
Of course this will open a can of worms and the great debate of tip up vs tip down will ensue...
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Daniel
A knifeknut in New Zealand
Of course this will open a can of worms and the great debate of tip up vs tip down will ensue...
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Daniel
A knifeknut in New Zealand
A couple of things from what I see.
The Very Good:
- No linerlock
- Ergonomic integral handle
- Few parts
- No automatic
- Usefull blade shape
- Right size
- The custom idea!
The Not So Good:
- Same old steel
- No lanyard hole
- The upswept point (can't get used to that look. A straight spine would look much better).
- The false edge.
The bad:
- I don't own one yet
The Questions:
- Is there a spring in the release button? What if it breaks? Can I replace it myself?
- How far does the customization go? I.e. could I get a differnt steel?
The Very Good:
- No linerlock
- Ergonomic integral handle
- Few parts
- No automatic
- Usefull blade shape
- Right size
- The custom idea!
The Not So Good:
- Same old steel
- No lanyard hole
- The upswept point (can't get used to that look. A straight spine would look much better).
- The false edge.
The bad:
- I don't own one yet
The Questions:
- Is there a spring in the release button? What if it breaks? Can I replace it myself?
- How far does the customization go? I.e. could I get a differnt steel?
Jim,
A most impressive looking knife. BUT, how does it stand up to real world use would be the big question.
I would like to know what kind of testing ,ie: edge holding, cutting ability, lock holding ability,etc have you done or are planning to do ?
The ergonomics look very nice, and the ability to have one in the color & configuration of your choice is most commendable.
If they perform as well as they look, I think you just might have youselves a winner here.
Also,as Ralf asked in his post, how is the button release controlled and if it is a spring, will it stand up to thousands of closings?
A most impressive looking knife. BUT, how does it stand up to real world use would be the big question.
I would like to know what kind of testing ,ie: edge holding, cutting ability, lock holding ability,etc have you done or are planning to do ?
The ergonomics look very nice, and the ability to have one in the color & configuration of your choice is most commendable.
If they perform as well as they look, I think you just might have youselves a winner here.
Also,as Ralf asked in his post, how is the button release controlled and if it is a spring, will it stand up to thousands of closings?
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
I just talked with Jim O' Young and he sent me another pic. This time showing the back of the knife with the low profile clip.
Also when you visit the Blade Show you won't have to go far to visit Speed Tech as they will be right next to us. We are booth 85 and they are 84.
Jim also stated he would send us some knives as a giveaway! Yahoooooo.....
Also I will test them to see how they hold up in the real world. My first impression is they should hold up quite well. Remember they are made from a solid peice of aluminum. Not 2 peices held together with screws. Also the blade rides on a ball bearing system which is similar to the Cheyenne and TiKnives. Which in turn means there will not be any or much play and they should last damn near forever!
I will post more after I see them in person.
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
Also when you visit the Blade Show you won't have to go far to visit Speed Tech as they will be right next to us. We are booth 85 and they are 84.
Jim also stated he would send us some knives as a giveaway! Yahoooooo.....
Also I will test them to see how they hold up in the real world. My first impression is they should hold up quite well. Remember they are made from a solid peice of aluminum. Not 2 peices held together with screws. Also the blade rides on a ball bearing system which is similar to the Cheyenne and TiKnives. Which in turn means there will not be any or much play and they should last damn near forever!
I will post more after I see them in person.
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
Opps. Here is what the updated pic shows.
1) more comfortable handle shape
2) elliptical lanyard opening
3) integrated pocket clip
4) optional tanto blade
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
1) more comfortable handle shape
2) elliptical lanyard opening
3) integrated pocket clip
4) optional tanto blade
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com
- Joined
- Apr 25, 1999
- Messages
- 400
Thanks to everyone for their comments and feedback so far. Keep 'em coming!
MIKE- Thanks for all of your help in getting the word & pics out to the forum.
SING, DANNYC- Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.
NICK- It would be difficult, but NOT impossible to come up with a left handed version. Let's see what the demand is like.
DANIEL L- Believe me, I went back & forth many times on clip/tip direction. Tip down won out because it allowded us to mount the clip higher, positioning the knife lower in your pocket. How do you like the tanto blade?
RALF-
*We went w/ 154 CM "out of the chute" because of a proven track record. We are looking at offering other steels as options on custom orders.
*Please see the latest CAD image for the "elliptical lanyard opening" (aka hole) and the non-upswept tanto point. Sorry about the false edge.
*We/You/MasterCard/UPS can correct the bad part in early June.
*There is a compression spring under the lock button. We feel, based on our design and testing that it should not fail. If it ever does, we WILL replace it.
* All fasteners are loctited so nothing will come loose. Cleaning can be easily accomplished with aerosol brake cleaner. There really shouldn't be any reason to take the knife apart and service it.
*A custom options menu is in the work. What would YOU like to have for dessert?
FRANTIUM- Please see the latest CAD image for the "grippy grooves" top & bottom, front & rear. Additionally, there will be a machined in surface texture on the handle that will aid in gripping (it also looks VERY sharp!).
JAILHACK-
*As an engineering driven company, we plan to go through a battery of testing, both on the bench and in "real world" actual use. We are taking the approach that it, like all other quality folders, is a precision cutting tool, NOT a hammer or a prybar.
*The button lock is designed to never place the return spring in a fully compressed state. As I mentioned to Ralf, if there is ever a problem, we will stand behind our product.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Stay sharp!
Jim
------------------
Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
MIKE- Thanks for all of your help in getting the word & pics out to the forum.
SING, DANNYC- Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.
NICK- It would be difficult, but NOT impossible to come up with a left handed version. Let's see what the demand is like.
DANIEL L- Believe me, I went back & forth many times on clip/tip direction. Tip down won out because it allowded us to mount the clip higher, positioning the knife lower in your pocket. How do you like the tanto blade?
RALF-
*We went w/ 154 CM "out of the chute" because of a proven track record. We are looking at offering other steels as options on custom orders.
*Please see the latest CAD image for the "elliptical lanyard opening" (aka hole) and the non-upswept tanto point. Sorry about the false edge.
*We/You/MasterCard/UPS can correct the bad part in early June.
*There is a compression spring under the lock button. We feel, based on our design and testing that it should not fail. If it ever does, we WILL replace it.
* All fasteners are loctited so nothing will come loose. Cleaning can be easily accomplished with aerosol brake cleaner. There really shouldn't be any reason to take the knife apart and service it.
*A custom options menu is in the work. What would YOU like to have for dessert?
FRANTIUM- Please see the latest CAD image for the "grippy grooves" top & bottom, front & rear. Additionally, there will be a machined in surface texture on the handle that will aid in gripping (it also looks VERY sharp!).
JAILHACK-
*As an engineering driven company, we plan to go through a battery of testing, both on the bench and in "real world" actual use. We are taking the approach that it, like all other quality folders, is a precision cutting tool, NOT a hammer or a prybar.
*The button lock is designed to never place the return spring in a fully compressed state. As I mentioned to Ralf, if there is ever a problem, we will stand behind our product.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Stay sharp!
Jim
------------------
Jim O'Young
www.speed-techknives.com
Home of the Speed Tech "SYNERGY" (tm)
I must say they look really good!
Regards,
Tom Carey
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IF you are a knife maker interested in free space on the web.
Check out. CGA online
www.anova.org/cga/
Regards,
Tom Carey
------------------
IF you are a knife maker interested in free space on the web.
Check out. CGA online
www.anova.org/cga/
Those knives look AWESOME! The handles look to be about perfectly shaped and very comfortable. I can't wait to fondle one at the Bladeshow. I would vote for stonewashed finish on the blade for corrosion resistance.
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Long live Bladeforums!
Al
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Long live Bladeforums!
Al