Todd Davidson

fishface5

fishface5

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Feb 3, 2001
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Not really a review, since I haven't done anything with the knife other than trim my nails, but I did want to post to say that these knives are an incredible value!

First of all, I mispelled his name but can't seem to fix it - it's Davison not Davidson (bigal2me). Sorry! Anyway:

I've been looking for a 3.5" single-blade slippie w/jigged bone handles for a while, and couldn't find anything other than a Schatt & Morgan with a weird blade shape. Then I saw this:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=421809

Bought it as fast as I could type into my paypal account! Received it today. Observations:

- fit & finish are excellent. This is really well done. Jigged bone scales fit perfectly. Only quibbles: bolsters not doevtaile, & there are points where the line between liners & bolsters is faintly visible. Also, the bolsters are a little crimped in some spots where they meet the bone, as if to carry on the jigging very slightly (that could be a positive rather than a negative, purely an aethetic choice).

But then I remember - this thing cost only $215!!! There must have been so much work into it, the amount I paid is nearly criminal. Other observations:

- file-work is excellent. Regular all the way around, & very classy.

- action is very stiff, just as I like it. It would be painful to open w/just the nail-nick, but on this model there is enough blade exposed from the handle to easily open by pinching it. You would have to be doing something odd to cause the blade to accidentally close! Opens with a satisfying "chunk."

- love the blade style. The hollow-grinding is flawless and elegant, as is the sweet scroll filework on the back of the blade.

- nice heft. You know you are holding quality!

- final quibbles: blade is not centered 50/50 when closed, more like 65/35. And it isn't sharp, although I should be able to fix that pretty quickly. But again, $215?!?!?!?!?!

If anyone has questions please ask & I will try to answer. But basically, it's a really nice knife!!!!!
 
thanks for review. yeah i has inquired to todd few weeks ago about making a knife but so far it has not panned out as i have looked on to other stuff ,but he is real nice guy to talk with and from i can tell has good knives. its good to point out the good stuff and bad stuff .
 
I have also one of mr Davidsons small folders and I couldn´t be happier with it. The one I have is with birch scales and smaller than your. I think it is flawless when it comes to fit and finish. Perfect centered blade.

Great work Todd!
 
FF5,
My findings on a TAD folder have been similar to yours. It is not perfect but it is a good knife for the price. Mine sharpened right up on the edgepro. I'm happy with mine and look forward to another. Perhaps a two blade number.
 
I bought three folders from Todd in one month - based on what I saw in the photographs he posted. As you said, for the money, they are a very good value custom 'users'. In fact, he's making another for me right now. Since I am anal-retentive and obsessive-compulsive when it comes to fit and finish in a knife, my criticisms might be a bit harsher than most.

The blades in three of the knives are fairly well centered, in the fourth it's off quite a bit. This was also a knife that I had to return because the backspring simply snapped in half the fourth time that I opened it. When I returned it to be fixed, I thought the blade might also get centered a bit more but it wasn't. No big deal.

The 'fit and finish' on the wood scales is mostly pretty good. There are a couple of 'chipped out' pin holes on the first knife I bought, but the others are fine.

The action on the knives varies - it is stiffer on some than on others. One is a real 'nail buster', but Todd warned about that when he posted it for sale.

The overall proportions of the knives. Personally, I think the blades, regardless of the style/shape, could be a bit bigger in relation to the size of the handles.

Blade finish. Very good.

My criticism (and it's more of a personal opinion, really) of the filework on these knives is where I probably will lose most people. On most of the knives, it's simply too much. Unless you create filework on par with Tony Bose, Bill Ruple, or Don Morrow, I think that it is often used to hide some small flaw or mistake. I much prefer the clean elegant lines that Todd _is_ capable of when he restrains himself on the quantity of filework he adds to a knife.

As I said above, I am very, VERY fussy about my knives. So don't let my criticisms deter you from buying one of Todd's. I think he makes a VERY good knife, at a VERY good price. In fact, I too would consider his knives to be 'bargains'. :thumbup:

(sorry to hog your thread, I didn't realize I was rambling on like this. :) )
 
I have been wanting one of his amazing knives for awhile myself. Thanks for the review.
 
cockroachfarm said:
As I said above, I am very, VERY fussy about my knives. So don't let my criticisms deter you from buying one of Todd's. I think he makes a VERY good knife, at a VERY good price. In fact, I too would consider his knives to be 'bargains'. :thumbup:
Click to expand...



Thank you all for your honesty here, I really appreciate it.
I would like to thank the folks above for doing business with me.
It sounds like they like them. Well maybe 65/35 :rolleyes:

Yes I will keep improving them. I guess I will have to make them perfect
to please you perfectionist - :D :D :D
But then I will probably have to raise my prices. - - :grumpy:
I have a lot of fun making these knives for you, keep watching.
I wish the best to every one.
Take care.
Todd Davison
custom knife maker
 
I don't think ANY custom knifemaker is capable of making a "perfect" knife. But - EVERY knifemaker can attempt to APPROACH perfection. They are the ones I want to deal with and collect.

My nitpicking notwithstanding, Todd's knives are an OUTSTANDING value. I will recommend his work without hesitation.:thumbup:
 
I will second CRF's statement that Todd's knives are an outstanding value. Anyone would be happy to have a couple in their collection. I look forward to adding another to mine.
 
"...In fact, he's making another for me right now..."

...and here it is!

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187130149.jpg


Todd calls it "The PeeWee". It's been shipped but I won't be able to handle it until late next week. Really looking forward to seeing THIS one! :D (Photos are by Todd.)
 
CRF .... I'm with you . As a fellow Pee Wee owner My wife was in tears when I presented it to her as her new E.D.C.
She and I are both huge fans of Todd's work and when we asked him to build our own custom P.W. he was very happy to oblige. As a point of reference this Blade master took our order and in 14 days it was being shipped!!!
Don't try that with many other custom blade makers. You may get laughed out of a purchase! Ours is dripping in his classic file work. Inside and out. Copper liners give it a eye appeal that not many others have. The green Micarta scales are perfect. And to top off your presentation he sends it in a beautiful hard clam shell case. No extra charge!
Top service,top quality,over the top value, and a top notch man of honor to deal with!
My home will be customers again,and again for life. My addiction and collection will always be open to another TAD Blade.
Mines attached!
Peace.
 
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