TA Davison Swayback Jack

dbla

dbla

Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
1,056
A couple of weeks back I reached out to Todd Davison to have a slipjoint made. I'm really starting to get into slipjoints, there's something interesting in a traditional patterned knife that uses contemporary materials. The cool thing about ordering from Todd is, his turn around time is fantastic. I was told 30-60 days and he had shipped it in 15, can't beat that. Anyway here's knife #1015 from Todd Davison:

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Specs:

OAL: 6.25"
Blade Length: 2.25"
Steel: ATS-34
Handles: Blasted Carbon Fiber
Weight: 1.5oz


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This knife is a great carry and forget knife, weighs nearly nothing, and is great in the hand. Todd was really cool to deal with. I highly recommend him if you're looking for a traditional-styled knife.
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I got to handle this before he shipped it out.

I wasn't for sure on the bead blasted (All - shield & handle) but after it was done, I thought it looked really good. - :thumbup::cool:

They make for a great edc.

Nice photos too - :thumbup:
 
dbla,
Thank you for sharing your photos. neat background.
VERY COOL FOLDER, That was a great idea to bead blast the entire
knife - NICE TOUCH. It works well with the black carbon fiber.
Todd is a GREAT CRAFTSMAN and a real gentleman to deal with.
I was looking for a hand made traditional folding knife also.
My first folder was #884 and #1016 is the the latest, with 25 folders,
2 fix blades, and 2 paring knives in between. ( All T.A. Davisons )
My first and last knife have the thin bomb shield like yours.
I am sure you will enjoy your knife for many years.
Tim
 
Are you going to review it? I've been on the edge about commisionning a knife from Mr. Davison (gosh darn it's quite a bit of money).
 
dbla said:
A couple of weeks back I reached out to Todd Davison to have a slipjoint made. I'm really starting to get into slipjoints, there's something interesting in a traditional patterned knife that uses contemporary materials. The cool thing about ordering from Todd is, his turn around time is fantastic. I was told 30-60 days and he had shipped it in 15, can't beat that. Anyway here's knife #1015 from Todd Davison:


This knife is a great carry and forget knife, weighs nearly nothing, and is great in the hand. Todd was really cool to deal with. I highly recommend him if you're looking for a traditional-styled knife.
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billypilgrim said:
Are you going to review it? I've been on the edge about commisionning a knife from Mr. Davison (gosh darn it's quite a bit of money).
Click to expand...

He kind of did I think?

You are right - it is a lot of money for a knife. But that is what custom knives are.

I help Todd with his web site and photos, I have posted some about how I feel about his work. But most of the time I just let the knives speak for them selves.
Don't want you to buy the knife to be his buddy or best friend, he wants you to buy the knife because you like the knife/ knives......:)

I have handled all 1016 slip joints he has made accept for about 4 or 5 of them.
And I have to say once he got a few hundred made he was good.
But after he hit around the four hundred mark, he was dead on...... and has been since.

He grinds his blades free hand - you try to do that with a 1/16'' piece of steel on a 14'' wheel turning about 3,500 rpm, no variable speed.
He solders his bolsters on, no integral and no seem lines show. Some guys in Oklahoma were looking at them under magnification and could not see them.
I guess all I can say is the knives are just about perfect.

And I'm pretty sure the OP wants a few more?:thumbup:

EDIT to add - - He has made every knife from scratch accept for two or three of them that he made from a Tony Bose pattern.
 
Yeah I've asked him about having a second made. Ill likely write a formal review on mine at some point. Expensive is in the eye of the beholder, a handmade slipjoint for $325, seems like a bargain to me.
 
dbla said:
Yeah I've asked him about having a second made. Ill likely write a formal review on mine at some point. Expensive is in the eye of the beholder, a handmade slipjoint for $325, seems like a bargain to me.
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I hope to read your review. I agree on the price being a bargain. When you consider that a well made folder is something that can be a family heirloom I have one that was made between 1890-1914 that still has great walk and talk in almost pristine condition. If you get another please share it here.

Chris
 
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