Tim Wright - Takedown folder...

[kb60202]

I own Corrado Cutlery in Chicago. I closed the stores after some rough waters about 6 years ago but am about make a comeback online. I've known and been good friends with Tim (and his brother Phil) for over 30 years now, long before I was involved in Corrado and when he was just starting out as a knife maker. We lived a block apart in Hyde Park. I once got a haircut from a neighbor who snipped my ear... luckily Tim had sharpened the scissors so it was a very clean cut!

I am embarrassed to say that after all these years I am just getting around to joining this forum, but I was Googling Tim to see what I could find and I found this thread. I feel like I could have written it, you all have nailed his genius cum stubbornness to a tee ...

I tried to tell Tim for years that he could make some affordable folders that he could (somewhat) crank out by cutting a couple of corners that only he and God would know about, and thereby finance his high end making. I used to get frustrated seeing so many inferior makers who were good marketers cleaning up and Tim was still struggling. I came to realize and respect, though, that that was what made Tim's knives "Timothy's". If he didn't do it exactly the way he was they wouldn't be what they are.

I have two of Tim's knives - a Santuko he gave my wife and I for our wedding and a little camp style fixed blade that I traded him a "Blade" magazine for! (He came in with it wrapped in newspaper and said I could have whatever was in the paper for a copy of Blade. Didn't have to think about that too long)...

Anyway, happy to hear the universal praise for Tim and happy to echo the chorus...

Jim Bilger

 

[SharpByCoop]

I fixed this problem, with a sheath of course, on shorter knives like this I usually
make the belt loop the full length of the sheath, this helps when you go to sit
you can move the knife up and out of the way or angle it to retrieve and return the knife;

Thanks again Tim for a fine and very handy utility blade like this!
G2

I purchased this handy little gem off of Gary. It's on my side now as I type. I work in a boatyard (as well as my studio) and I use this one daily.

The small 'paring' blade is thin and has SO much control. Perfect for my rope and cardboard and hose cutting tasks.

My great woodworking friend who got me into knife collecting spotted this and not knowing ONE iota of Tim's work, immediately asked where he could get one. (Along with the perfectly designed sheath.) Alas, they are few and far between.

TW knives = alive and well here in CT.

Coop

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Welcome to the forums Jim Bilger, nice thread to come in on
Tim is also quite the comedian as well, we talk now and again by phone
and he usually has a gem of a joke to share...

And Jim, glad to hear you are putting that little one to use,
as with most knives I've had to part with, I do miss that one
a lot as well, but, I know it went to a good home
G2

 

[SharpByCoop]

Gary, I used that knife this morning as a tool to cut a bunch of straight lines on some 3" striping tape for a logo on oars.

I delegated the task to a woman who is NOT used to custom knives, replacing the razor blade we started with. Her remark: "I just LOVE this wonderful little knife. It's perfect!"

Tim could get rich supplying this one to the masses....

Coop

 

[T.K.C.]

I would so LOVE one of Tim's take down folders!! I hope to some day.

 

[KNaB]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but this seemed like the most appropriate place to post my pic. Just wanted to share a few of Tim's knives that I own. Don't mind the photo quality, as I just (like two days ago) purchased my first DSLR. I'm still toying around. thanks.

 

[hariklis]

when i see that folder............ speechles

 

[KNaB]

when i see that folder............ speechles

A thing of beauty for sure. I carry it with pride.

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ Great stuff. Thanks for the post.

My own small knife is still working hard and showing wear. (My dog gnawed at the end of the handle giving me unexpected jimping and grip. LOL!)

Wish we would see more from him. He's a hermit on the 'net regarding his knives, sadly.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

I’m going to risk a reprimand and resurrect this thread for some photos. Label me a necroposter - to my mind, this thread is worth it.

Tim’s work came into conversation betwixt myself and a friend last night, and it got me thinking I should get some decent photos of my little paring knife from him.

I think in many respects Tim is the ‘knifemaker’s knifemaker’. It’s not that makers are the only ones that can truly appreciate his knives, but we might have more familiarity with the processes so it may be easier for us to identify the subtler things - or, sometimes the nearly impossible things.

At first glance, this little knife is painfully simple in its execution.

Straightforward Wharncliffe blade, rounded handle with stainless fittings, nice desert ironwood scales.



Until you really look closely.

The integral bolster and gracefully tapered tang meet seamlessly with the fronts of the ironwood scales, and have a thin red spacer, and the bolster terminates at the blade with a smooth rounded sweep.

Except, it’s not an integral.

Those are soldered stainless bolsters, and if you look REAAAAAALLLY closely, you can just barely make out the seams between the blade and the bolsters. Make sure you have your reading glasses on, otherwise I assure you that you won’t see it.

The fitup between bolsters, scales and tang are perfectly smooth. There is no perceivable transition from one material to the next. A small bit of jimping on the spine is perfectly cut, sharp enough to work but softened enough not to be grabby. The rounded handle is perfectly symmetrical, and when you hold it the way you're supposed to hold a paring knife, using all four fingers opposing your thumb, it feels like an extension of your hand, like it’s meant to be there.

Probably the hallmark that anyone that’s spoken with Tim will mention HE talked about - the lanyard tube. Tim carefully flares the openings, and mirror polishes the inside. Perhaps that’s the easiest way to think about this - Tim doesn’t neglect details. And what I mean by that is, ANY detail. Not one aspect of this small, simple knife didn‘t undergo his scrutiny. Nothing about this is an afterthought. All of which, in my mind, makes a tool that transcends the sum of its parts.

 

[Lorien]

I’m going to risk a reprimand and resurrect this thread for some photos. Label me a necroposter - to my mind, this thread is worth it.

Tim’s work came into conversation betwixt myself and a friend last night, and it got me thinking I should get some decent photos of my little paring knife from him.

I think in many respects Tim is the ‘knifemaker’s knifemaker’. It’s not that makers are the only ones that can truly appreciate his knives, but we might have more familiarity with the processes so it may be easier for us to identify the subtler things - or, sometimes the nearly impossible things.

At first glance, this little knife is painfully simple in its execution.

Straightforward Wharncliffe blade, rounded handle with stainless fittings, nice desert ironwood scales.



Until you really look closely.

The integral bolster and gracefully tapered tang meet seamlessly with the fronts of the ironwood scales, and have a thin red spacer, and the bolster terminates at the blade with a smooth rounded sweep.

Except, it’s not an integral.

Those are soldered stainless bolsters, and if you look REAAAAAALLLY closely, you can just barely make out the seams between the blade and the bolsters. Make sure you have your reading glasses on, otherwise I assure you that you won’t see it.

The fitup between bolsters, scales and tang are perfectly smooth. There is no perceivable transition from one material to the next. A small bit of jimping on the spine is perfectly cut, sharp enough to work but softened enough not to be grabby. The rounded handle is perfectly symmetrical, and when you hold it the way you're supposed to hold a paring knife, using all four fingers opposing your thumb, it feels like an extension of your hand, like it’s meant to be there.

Probably the hallmark that anyone that’s spoken with Tim will mention HE talked about - the lanyard tube. Tim carefully flares the openings, and mirror polishes the inside. Perhaps that’s the easiest way to think about this - Tim doesn’t neglect details. And what I mean by that is, ANY detail. Not one aspect of this small, simple knife didn‘t undergo his scrutiny. Nothing about this is an afterthought. All of which, in my mind, makes a tool that transcends the sum of its parts.

'A knife maker's knife maker'- agreed 100%!

my views on necromancing threads has softened over the years, (along with my brain, probably) and I've come to realize that Bladeforums is a completely different animal than the latest social media platform. This place has history, and a memory, and it behooves all of us to take a look back from time to time because it helps us understand where we are in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Dawkind]

I gave up asking him to make me something but finally ran down a wonderful little fixxie…not a t/d folder but it’ll do.

 

[tiguy7]

At the Ashoken Hammerin in Sept. 2017, Tim did a presentation and had some Coop Brochures, one of which I photographed. Amazing stuff.View attachment 2103211View attachment 2103217

 

[Matthew Gregory]

At the Ashoken Hammerin in Sept. 2017, Tim did a presentation and had some Coop Brochures, one of which I photographed. Amazing stuff.View attachment 2103211View attachment 2103217

Thanks for posting this - I’m sure this is the missing image from the opening post of this thread.

I was present for that talk, and it was eye-opening. His diligence is unparalleled.