TAD Gear information?

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orixa

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Hi all, I'm new to knives and knife makers. Just came across TAD Gear by Triple Aught Design, I cannot find a lot of information about their knives online. Do they commission different knife makers to produce limited runs? What makes their knifes special? I have seen some of their designs fetching upwards to $2000 for a compact G10 Titainium folder. In my field of work (fashion/photography) there is a lot of "crossovers", ie. Brand A collaborating with Brand B to produce limited editions of a product; but honestly, most of them are blatant rip-offs to sucker fashion victims. Is TAD gear the case?

Sorry if I offended TAD owners.....I have no intention to troll, just curious about a design-orientated company producing high end knifes.
 
Yes, limited runs that are commissioned by existing makers. The TAD Winkler Axe is the same price as the similar Camp Axe by Winkler 2.
 
Keep in mind with the TAD knives, price will vary greatly on the maker (the Dauntless line is a great example of that) and buying from TAD vs the secondary market. I'm guessing your looking at #bay and other secondary sellers. A standard production Dauntless will run you FAR less from TAD vs getting one on the secondary market. Expect to pay 25%-50% more when dealing with the secondary market. Supply vs demand, and TAD collaborations are in high demand. They're not the only ones who do this. Many online retailers have "limited runs" and "exclusive runs". I don't think you can mention vendors on the site, so no names. But it's pretty common.TAD now has weekly drawings (like a show) for their knives to help level the playing field.

I've owned a few, they are all very well made mid-techs. I liken them to Hinderer. Worth it if you can get it for cost, but bordering on robbery on the secondary market. Gotta love a free market!
 
Agreed. The TAD Dauntless MkII prodo is a well made knife. Fit and finish is the same league as Hinderers and CRKs and their retail price is very similar to CRKs and Hinderers. I own 2 of them and value them highly. Light (at 4.16oz.) they are 1/2 way between the 3" XM (3.6oz) and the 3.5" XM (5.6oz). Secondary prices are the result of their limited runs and high demand, just like Hinderers. At $300 for the G10 they are a great knife. Which is why they sell out in minutes. What you are willing to pay on the secondary market is of course a personal decision!
 
AFAIK they only commission top knifemakers, who in normal cases you won't be able to order from since they're on average about a 2.5 yr backlog. The Brad Southard flippin' dauntless have gone for $4000-5000. The more recent collab with Todd Rexford Injection are approaching the $7000 mark.

I got lucky :)
1357512581.jpg
 
23xdm3.8 said:
AFAIK they only commission top knifemakers, who in normal cases you won't be able to order from since they're on average about a 2.5 yr backlog. The Brad Southard flippin' dauntless have gone for $4000-5000. The more recent collab with Todd Rexford Injection are approaching the $7000 mark.

I got lucky :)
1357512581.jpg
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Oh man! No fair with the teaser pic. Please post some more!!!!
 
Does anyone know for sure who is made the most recent run of Dauntless MkIIs? One YouTube reviewer speculates that it was Pro-Tech. I haven't owned any Pro-Tech knives so I don't know what they're capable of but the fit and finish of this knife is remarkable! The blade centering is super precise and even closer to the handles (barely a gap to see light through) than my CRKs and Hinderers.
 
23xdm3.8 said:
AFAIK they only commission top knifemakers, who in normal cases you won't be able to order from since they're on average about a 2.5 yr backlog. The Brad Southard flippin' dauntless have gone for $4000-5000. The more recent collab with Todd Rexford Injection are approaching the $7000 mark.

I got lucky :)
1357512581.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow. Need more pics.
 
Maprik said:
Does anyone know for sure who is made the most recent run of Dauntless MkIIs? One YouTube reviewer speculates that it was Pro-Tech. I haven't owned any Pro-Tech knives so I don't know what they're capable of but the fit and finish of this knife is remarkable! The blade centering is super precise and even closer to the handles (barely a gap to see light through) than my CRKs and Hinderers.
Click to expand...

I've seen a lot of speculation, and also hear ProTech. I own quite a few ProTech's, and they are nice. Dauntless nice? Hard to tell. All of my ProTech's are autos, so it's a hard comparison. But who else is there? I can't see Benchmade or Spyderco. Another custom maker? Why keep it such a secret? I'd love to know.
 
The Dauntless was designed by Patrick Ma (Owner and creator of TAD) years ago. Since then, TAD has commissioned the hottest makers to make their own versions of the Dauntless. Makers have been guys like:

Brad Southard
Rick Hinderer
Brian Fellhoelter
Todd Rexford
Michael Burch
JW Smith
Phil Boguszewski
Strider
And most recently, Shane Sibert

The knives typically command lots of money on the secondary market because they are quality custom knives made by the hottest makers in the industry, and they are VERY limited runs.

The Burch Dauntless is my personal favorite.
 
orixa said:
…ie. Brand A collaborating with Brand B to produce limited editions of a product; but honestly, most of them are blatant rip-offs to sucker fashion victims. Is TAD gear the case?

Sorry if I offended TAD owners.....I have no intention to troll, just curious about a design-orientated company producing high end knifes.
Click to expand...

Veblen goods. Textbook definition.

Before anyone lights a torch and starts a witch hunt, understand our "affliction" with knives and trying to explain it to non-knife people...it's the same thing.

While they scoff at a $450 custom knife, they have no problem spending $450 on a watch, while others scoff at that same $450 watch.

Capitalism baby!
 
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However, the man who designed the Dauntless, and TAD's clothing, is an avid outdoor adventurer who has designed tools that he personally finds to meet his needs. He also is VERY MUCH a knife fan, user and collector who speaks personally with his company's consumers and knows many of them--as avid outdoors people, military, LEO, etc--are knife people as well. This is why he has chosen to pursue knives.

I am personally NOT a big fan of the Dauntless design for my own usage, but to each his own. I do own and use daily TAD clothing and packs.
 
Check out their clothing line also. The Ranger and Stealth hoodies are my favorite and go to pieceof clothing.
 
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