Three Sisters Forge Beast - Custom "Shorty" Mod

A while ago I did a pair of orders from Jim Allen with Three Sisters Forge, and I wanted to share these pieces. I'd read a lot about the TSF Beast before getting in touch with Jim, and read nothing but praise for his customer service. After working with him on these two custom Beasts, I have to agree — Jim is nothing but a class act and a real pleasure to do business with.

Here are the two pieces Jim did for me:





Both of these feature a shortened frame from the standard model TSF Beast. I originally placed an order from Jim for a standard Beast. After it arrived, I got inquired about the possibility of doing a Beast with a shortened frame. I have size small hands, so I was interest in shortening the frame to fit my needs. In addition, I was interested in a more low-riding clip position, which frame shortening would also accomplish.

Here's the mockup I sent him to illustrate the shortening:



Here's the first "shorty" Beasts Jim did for me. This is with Jim's new stepped pivot, which gives a fantastic action to the already super-smooth Beast. Jim was able to use the original hole tapped on the lockside for one of the pocket clip screws, so he only needed to tap a new hole on the presentation scale. Super clean.







After the success of this mod, I asked Jim to ask do this with my original Three Sisters Forge Beast. Aside from the shortened frame, this Beast is also a unique in that it has a smooth presentation side. As far as I know this is the only "smooth" Beast Jim as done, and definitely the only one with the shortened frame. In addition, I did a very slight mod to the scales to give the back end extra rounding. I think of this one as my dress or gentleman's Beast, as much of a contradiction as that might be.













Overall, I'm very happy with these way these came out from Jim. The shortened frames fit my hand perfectly and still give plenty of grip and real estate in the handle for my needs. In the pocket, the knives ride super low thanks to Jim's great fold-over clip design. The modified handle frame is exactly 4", just .25" less in length than the standard Beast for an overall length of 7" with the 3" blade.

Big thanks to Jim Allen of Three Sisters Forge for his work on these two. Thanks for letting me share.

 

Thanks for the comments, all.

Yes, nothing but rock solid customer service from Jim. He'll sort you out.

 

With a stepped pivot, it should be possible to fully tighten the pivot screw without impacting the action of the blade. So it should be possible to achieve optimal tightness on the blade for very smooth action - not so loose as to have play and not too tight as to introduce clamping. This is my understanding of the stepped pivot, anyway.

 

Yeah, I love it. My Beast with the standard pivot is very smooth and flicks easily (no wrist action), but the new pivot is on another level of ease.

It's very cool that Jim continually improves these models for us.