Tai Goo Topsy Turvy integral w/ scabbard

HTMD

HTMD

Joined
Feb 15, 2002
Messages
1,705
I'm impressed with this small utility blade by Tai Goo. Topsy Turvy refers to the effect created by rotating the tang 90 degrees.

As are all of Tai's blades, this one is skillfully crafted using minimal power tools. The design is quite unique and totally functional. And it is an integral, no less. Most people don't know that Tai was forging integrals long before the recent explosion in their popularity. I have a vintage Goo integral (meteoritic damascus) that he made around 1990 - twenty years ago.

I subsequently asked Tai to make something that would allow me to keep the knife handy - in my man bag, glove compartment, briefcase, desk etc. This thin, light and compact wooden pouch scabbard fits the bill perfectly.

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I've got one of Tai's topsy turvies as well and I just love it (although mine is without sheath). Fairly simple in design but at the same time rather complex. As with all of Tai Goo's knives there is a wonderful interplay between facets, curves, edges, and angles... it's something you can hold in your hand, observe and admire for an hour or two and not be bored.

Great photos too Buddy - thanks for posting!
 
That is just a beautiful little knife and the matching scabbard really makes for a terrific package.

Roger
 
Great idea, Buddy. Super scabbard, Tai!

You know I love these knives. I had Sandy Morrissey make me a rotating clip sheath for mine.

FMP photos + cool knife = desire. Hello! :thumbup:

Coop
 
That's a good looking little knife. I'd be proud to carry it.
 
VERY nice package and great photos Buddy.

Those "topsy turvy" integrals are some of my favorite Tai Goo designs.

Peter
 
Buddy, I think I remember seeing you post of pic of this one a few months ago...did you pick it up recently?

Wulf hit it on the head: simple yet complex.

Congratulations on a great package, and thanks for sharing those excellent photos with us!
 
oilburner said:
...simple and beautiful all at once. Actually... inspiring.
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Well put. It's the inspiring part that's hard to define, yet it's one of the most desirable qualities in a custom knife.

Wulf/Coop - as fellow topsy turvy fans, do you also have the lanyard ring and if so have you attached anything to it? What?
 
HTMD said:
Wulf/Coop - as fellow topsy turvy fans, do you also have the lanyard ring and if so have you attached anything to it? What?
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One of the things that took me by surprise and is a very infrequent aspect of custom knives, is the 'sound' that the small ring makes. It dings and resonates loudly as the hardened steel of the blade is a sounding board for the resonances.

Tai had strung a small ceramic bead with a leather lanyard on mind. Yes, it's got something.

Ding, ding, tink.

Coop
 
That is a very beautiful and clean looking knife!
A perfect example of "less is more"!

Thanks for showing it!

/Magnus
 
Buddy, alas, my lanyard ring lies empty. But you've given me something new to scheme about, so thanks! :)
 
I am so drawn to this knife, it's design (every aspect). Man, this is where, for me, design and function meet in a really incredible way.
 
Very nice and unique knife and sheath creation.
Not an easy design to execute either.

My favorite Goo to date. :thumbup:
 
Tai Goo- you made gooood cookies!:)
 
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