Tom Krein TK1 and TK8

Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 2, 1999
Messages
27,364
I was late on one of the most recent passarounds that included these two knives made by Tom Krein and Tom O'Brien, aka TOB9595, saw my plight and emailed me asking if it would be ok if he sent me these two to evaluate, whoa, would I? :) Actually it was the TK1 I was mainly interested in but he asked if it would be ok to send both, sure! And I'm so very glad he did, or am I ?;) since they both are so very nice that I have the feeling I need to get one of each :)

The small TK1 having only a blade of 2" is a worthy daily carry, from boxes to wire, which was the first task as I climbed onto my roof to cut and put a new end on my tv antenna cable, it did an admirable job, the small handle was quite useful and the blade length just right. Tom has an exceptionally clean and precise gring lines as well as having one of the thinnest edges that I've seen on about any knife so far, very sharp D2 steel.

The larger TK8, this one has the thicker handles which is what I'd opt for as it has a great feel and the blade is just dandy, a modified wharncliff looking blade, straight edged up to near the tip and there it rises just a little so you can use some rocking cuts, this blade is a bit thicker but the grind travels up to the spine and so cuts well, slicing through cardboard it still went well being such a thick strong spine.

I'll post some more thoughts as the next few days roll by and I'm able to use these a bit more, the small one is one you could easily pocket carry! Replacing a small folder with a nice solid strong blade :cool:

Thanks again Tom, and well, thanks also to Tom Krein, here's his web site :)
G2
 
Nice review, Gary. I have a TK-1, TK-2, TK-3 on the way, TK-8 and soon a TK-9 (maybe yet today :) )

The TK-1 gets the most use because like you've mentioned, I do "pocket carry" mine. It's such a handy blade, and it's small enough to not attact unwanted attention at the office.

The TK-8 I have is of thinner stock, 5/32 and has a thinner grind. It's the best apple peeler I've got! I love the overall feel of the TK-8, I guess you'd say it's confidence inspiring.

Tom Krein's knives are stellar!!
 
Enlighten me as to how you can pocket carry the TK8 :)

It would seem to be desirable for a large part of a usual day edc
Tom

OOPS I meant the TK1 :) duh!!
 
...patiently counting the days until around Christmastime... THAT WILL BE THE VICTORIOUS DAY WHEN MY MIGHTY KREIN TK-8 WITH RED MICARTA SCALES WILL BE READY!!! :D :D :D :) :) :)
 
I see that you contain your enthusiasm well, Torz.
Tell us how you really feel
hahahaha
Tom
 
Torz,
Not to make you loose your mind or anything, but I started working on yours last week and it is in heat treatment......should be back first of next week!

Roger and Tom,
Thanks!

Gary,
I am glad that you are enjoying the TK-1 and TK-8. Look forward to hearing what you think after carrying them for a while. Let me know if I can hook you up :D .

Tom
 
Tom: Excellent! Thanks for the update.

Tom: Excellent! (again!) You just wait until I get it, then
all font sizes and colors will be open season.
 
Update as they are heading home tomorrow to their owner ;)

The TK1, nice knife, very handy, I used that the most of the
two knives as it's more sheeple friendly at work. Cutting boxes,
ropes and bags were not a problem. Cutting leather, I tend to
amount large piles of tiny pieces of leather all over my table,
much to my wife's dismay ;) and the tip would dull after a while
but still continue to cut, lost it's razor edge but we are talking
a very thin sharp edge to begin with, but it kept cutting! A few
strops and it was back sharp again, no worries there.

The sheath on the TK1, solid with a nice thunk detent when the
guard area snaps into place, after a few days of use, the knife does
have a little bit of play, read rattle, but there is no fear of it
ever falling out, I think that must be somewhat common on
kydex sheaths?

The TK8, VERY strong knife, love the blade shapes on both of these
knives, my kind of point! I didn't take this one to work, but did
cut some cardboard boxes and even with it's thick spine, it didn't
bind up like I thought it would, but would cut cleanly.

The swedged tip looks nice but for me I'd have one with less sharp
swedge, as I tend to push down on the blade when cutting through
material and while not sharp, it was noticable when pushing against
it. If you were to use it for self defense, then by all means, get one
fully sharpened! This one has the thicker handles that I do like, the
flat G10 scaled one, I have on good authority by Tom O'Brien, is that
it grips better, also I'd say it must imprint less as well.

Tom sent along his shoulder harness, worked sweet, very easy carry
and the knife is pretty well hidden but easily accessed when needed.

Below are two shots taken tonight, the first shows a comparison of
my William Henry T10 against the TK1;

tk1.jpg


tk8.jpg


Thanks again Tom and Tom, I may well check into a TK1 with S30v blade
when they become available.

quick note, the notch before the edge, normally I do not care for them at
all, but in this case since Tom starts the edge close to the handle scales
it wasn't a problem that I could see.

G2
 
Thanks for the review -- also the picture comparing Tom's T1 with a WH T10. It really helps me get a sense for the size of the knife.

I'm looking forward to getting my T1, with sandblasted green canvas Micarta scales, sometime this holiday season. :D
 
I was a bit busy, would have like to had more time to take some nicer photos.

As to the TK8 you can see the emblem of Krein on the blade, it's the same size as whats on the TK1 so that should give you a sense of proportion, both are very nice, with each one handling great and secure in your hand. While the TK1 worked well, I did find from time to time, depending on the cut, that the handle be a smidgen longer, same shape, very cool shape by the way, but a bit longer for me, keeping the blade the same length though, longer handle would give a little stronger grip on the knife and more control, but that was only on a few cutting chores I came across.

Since mailing them both out this afternoon, I'm going through withdrawls ;)
G2
 
Well done review, G2!
Thanks for that.
I love user reviews and PICS!! :)

So!! how do you carry the TK1 in your pocket. Just put the sheath inside or is there some way to stabilize/affix the sheath that I don't see....yet????
Tom
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Tom has an exceptionally clean and precise gring lines as well as having one of the thinnest edges that I've seen on about any knife so far, very sharp D2 steel.
Click to expand...

I just received my TK-1, so I thought I'd bring this back to the top. G2's remarks bear repeating. The grind lines on my new TK-1 are clean and precise, the swedge is absolutely symmetrical and the edge, oh my G-d, the edge is so thin (How thin is it, Johnny? :D ) -- this is one of the sharpest knives I have ever handled.

Did I mention that it's a great looking knife, too?
 
Madfast,
The handle on the TK-8 is brown linen micarta. It has a nice warmth to it and is commonly mistaken for a wooden handle.

Tom
 
dsvirsky said:
I just received my TK-1, so I thought I'd bring this back to the top. G2's remarks bear repeating. The grind lines on my new TK-1 are clean and precise, the swedge is absolutely symmetrical and the edge, oh my G-d, the edge is so thin (How thin is it, Johnny? :D ) -- this is one of the sharpest knives I have ever handled.

Did I mention that it's a great looking knife, too?
Click to expand...

hehe, told ya so! Saw this post while at work but couldn't reply till I just got home now, waitin' on a TK1 myself, should be interesting!

G2
 
I love that 4" fighter -- the TK8 is it? Would be fantastic in pakal, even better with a slight modification to the grip. Dozier knives recently recommended Tom to me, I've been contemplating the idea of a 5" version of that knife.
 
Tom Krein said:
Madfast,
The handle on the TK-8 is brown linen micarta. It has a nice warmth to it and is commonly mistaken for a wooden handle.

Tom
Click to expand...

It did look like wood at first glance, that's why i asked. that color makes it look oh so nice as well. great looking knives all of them!
 
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