Three Sisters Forge (TSF) BEAST & CCT

RamZar

RamZar

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
11,630
Had these on order a couple of months ago and Jim is shipping them on Monday.

For those that have or had one or the other your thoughts.

I got them from a lot of recommendations here due to their compact and beefy nature.
 
i got a used tsf beast off here a little while ago , its been my edc since , i really like it. really impressed with the m390. knife flys out and feels very solid , the blade has a downward slant in relation to the handle and really helps when having to use some force to get through tough stuff, ive trimmed tree branches , cut weedwacker line -lots, and countless cardboard boxes still cuts paper very nicely havent touched it up yet, did i mention i got it used!!!! post pics and thoughts when you get yours.
 
I really enjoy mine as well, seems to fit my hand just right. Had an issue with the pretty early lock-up, brought it up with Jim, told me to ship it back to him no questions asked. Absolute joy to deal with. Resolvesd the issue and now fictions superbly. Another small feature I really like is the ease with which you can remove the thumb stud. I have sharpened for the past 20 years with a stone with satisfactory results but came across the edge pro around two years ago and something about the polished edge was enough for me to pick one up. Would be a little tricky because of the thicker blade if I had to work around that stud. All in all I really like mine, look forward to reading your impressions.

Adam
 
Mine arrived today. Perfect! Blade is m390 triple cryo. Fit in the hand is good for me. It was on order for quite a long time, but worth the wait. I'm pleased. I will try to get some pics up.
 
I've had mine for a year and a half--one of the CPM 154 run. It's my favorite modern knife, and Jim's customer service is fantastic. I also like that it's easily taken apart for cleaning (including the thumb stud, as you mention). I've convexed mine, and it is an excellent cutter, with a versatile blade profile. It flies open and locks rock solid.

I sent mine back initially to have the blade lowered just a touch (when closed), and to have the edges smoothed (they come pretty sharp). Jim had the knife back to me in about a day--it was amazing.

I had Maprik work his magic on the Ti scales:







 
3f8 said:
CCT pics http://s689.photobucket.com/user/3f8/slideshow/CCT
Click to expand...

Nice pictures of the CCT. Haven't seen many pictures of it. My change pocket will really enjoy the CCT.

In this picture of yours it looks like a mouse. :D

DSCF1243.jpg
 
expwmbat said:
I had Maprik work his magic on the Ti scales:

IMG_5709_zpsb98c805a.jpg
Click to expand...

Looks very nice. I have to remember Maprik in case. Looks like it added a shine to the process?

I really like the texturing pattern on the BEAST with the peaks and valleys to reflect light.
 
My first Beast was in CPM154. Very nice folder; very solid. I then ordered and received two NIB from Jim Allen in M390. Yes, his speed and efficiency is to be admired. Very nice blades. EACH blade is Rockwell-tested for hardness.
I bought the last two to use as gifts. They are gone now, but I highly reco Jim's craftsmanship. Outstanding customer service; about one day turn-around.
btw, that little "mouse-knife" up above somewhere is Jim's CCT...Credit-Card Tactical model. Very unique design. What is the blade-steel, blade length and thickness, and what is the "fatness" grip width of the knife. Looks excellent. Thanks for posting.

Don aka sonnydaze
 
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Hey Don aka sonnydaze,

What differences did you note between the M390 and CPM154? It seems that most folks here prefer the M390, but you haven't said which Beast you liked better (or which you have if you still have one). I've found the CPM154 to be fantastic.

Cheers,
Daniel
 
Sonnydaze said:
My first Beast was in CPM154. Very nice folder; very solid. I then ordered and received two NIB from Jim Allen in M390. Yes, his speed and efficiency is to be admired. Very nice blades. EACH blade is Rockwell-tested for hardness.
I bought the last two to use as gifts. They are gone now, but I highly reco Jim's craftsmanship. Outstanding customer service; about one day turn-around.
btw, that little "mouse-knife" up above somewhere is Jim's CCT...Credit-Card Tactical model. Very unique design. What is the blade-steel, blade length and thickness, and what is the "fatness" grip width of the knife. Looks excellent. Thanks for posting.

Don aka sonnydaze
Click to expand...

Regarding the blade steel on both my incoming BEAST & CCT: "M390, Cryo, triple temper. R59-61".
 
Both steels are great. Jim Allen is working with M390 right now, and Ankerson ranks that one right up at the top. Obviously, CPM154 is also excellent quality, although Jim Ankerson ranks CPM154 lower than M390 for keeping a edge in his rope-cutting tests. A person shouldn't be able to find fault with either steel, IMO.
And Jim Allen (TSF) is #1 when it comes to Customer Service. Also, he answers emails darned near before you send them.
Here is the link to Ankerson's results.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope
 
My TSF BEAST & CCT came in and they're amazing! Remember both have the M390 steel blade (Cryo, triple temper. R59-61).

I have included pictures of the BEAST & CCT together. Also, for size perspective I've included pictures of the CCT alongside Boker Plus CLB Subcom Titanium and the BEAST next to LionSteel SR-2 Ti & Spyderco Sage 2.

I got Jim's permission to quote him from his emails to to me.

GENERAL

Very happy to make any modifications.

If you are going to do a post, happy to fill you in on how I went from Dental Surgeon, faculty 2 dental schools and one medical school to knife maker. I lost the use of my left hand, end of career. I do all this with one hand. Worlds largest collection of modified vise grips and gloves. Quite comical to watch.

Just one guy, with one hand making knives in the Mts. of Oregon.

I fell through a glass door, severed nerves, tendons, etc. Had surgeries for scar tissue, cysts and carpal tunnel, 7 totals. Hand was a mess, end of career.

One of our friends had a metal shop, needed some help setting up a show. I went over to help, they were having an issue welding stainless. I hoped in, started working in the shop. They had a blacksmith and I started hammering and forging. They made special gloves, handles and vise grips so I could forge. Took some classes with the best in the world on damascus and knife forging, HT. I made one folder for a buddies kid that was flying choppers in Iraq. started getting calls for more folders, then calls for "special" designs. The rest is history.​

CCT

I build em tight, will ease in a bit when you get it.

The CCT was designed by my wife. She wanted a folder, about the size of a "Credit Card". Being a smart a##, I traced a credit card, put a blade in it. It actually looked cool, so I made the finger grooves to fit her fingers. I made a few, and then it was an explosion. The LE & MIL use them in web straps carry, clips in the top of a boot, cuff. Small yet concealable and very legal in Europe. I also make them with no stud, which is illegal in some countries. Cut a hole instead.

Just right to conceal if needed in the palm of your hand. Many of these small knives don't have enough meat to hand onto, or are slippery.

​


BEAST

Most of my work goes LE & MIL, they wear gloves, so we designed some bite into the edges. This was uncomfortable for many folks. For civilian sales I radius and polish the edges. But can still make em grippy.
​


98f0b705-f051-44fc-9d22-6f8164331680_zpsc514dd82.jpg

5ef3c185-4a06-41e3-858c-285b52ad4689_zpsff99db78.jpg

f4bba03c-ba66-4039-b1cc-2d7c27ae42ff_zps51a79488.jpg

a5a7d2c8-fb90-4908-823c-de7f9782d0df_zps5100ae70.jpg
 
One of the nicest knives I have ever seen. The color and scale design really work together.

expwmbat said:
I've had mine for a year and a half--one of the CPM 154 run. It's my favorite modern knife, and Jim's customer service is fantastic. I also like that it's easily taken apart for cleaning (including the thumb stud, as you mention). I've convexed mine, and it is an excellent cutter, with a versatile blade profile. It flies open and locks rock solid.

I sent mine back initially to have the blade lowered just a touch (when closed), and to have the edges smoothed (they come pretty sharp). Jim had the knife back to me in about a day--it was amazing.

I had Maprik work his magic on the Ti scales:







Click to expand...
 
Jim is great!

The knife is nearly perfect, I just hate the pivot screw he uses on the beast...it looks awesome, but due to being made by a round bit is strip prone

1 issue is about all you'll be able to find, and very fixable
 
I have a CPM154 version. It feels like butter to sharpen, very smooth. They are tanks, but not great slicers. The blade stock is just so thick. I joke that you could climb a sheet metal building if you had a Beast in each hand. Jim is so easy to deal with and will basically do anything you want. I sent mine back just to have him re-tumble the presentation scale and he basically did a full spa treatment and rebuilt the whole thing. He is a very good knife maker and has great customer service.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
One of the nicest knives I have ever seen. The color and scale design really work together.
Click to expand...

Thanks--that's high praise coming from you!

I have also found the CPM 154 to be very nice to sharpen, but I've yet to get it from shaving to scary sharp. It's clear Jim knows what he is doing with the heat treat, and it takes a great polish. The stock and grind definitely aren't for slicing, but convexing the edge on mine has helped that some. I also did some brushing on the hollow ground sections of the blade and the swedge, just because I thought they would look good.

Anyway, it's a great knife from a first rate guy and maker. And pretty amazing that he does it all one-handed, isn't it?

Enjoy your knives!

Daniel
 
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