stjames
Sebenzanista
- Joined
- Oct 26, 1998
- Messages
- 6,465
Also known as a TNT, just in case this is your first day on the Forum 
I have been interested in getting one of Toms Talonite® frame locks since before he started making them, a Cop named Fish was bragging well before he had the first knife in hand. It took a while for me to decide just what I wanted in this knife, and here are the results:
2-3/4 blade and 6-1/2 overall, it differs from most of the TNTs you might have seen in that it has no holes in the handle besides the one for the lanyard and no clip has been attached. I also opted for an ambidextrous thumb stud as opposed to an opening hole in the blade. I am very happy with the combination of features; it is a useful, friendly size with a clean, classy look.
The smooth contours fit well in the pocket and the hand, the small bumps on the pivot end of the handle serving as a slight thumb rest and guard to give it a solid three-finger grip. All tolerances on the knife are very tight, the opening action is smooth and easy, and the lock bar engages slightly but firmly. I am especially happy with the tension of the lock bar, many frame locks are either too tight to disengage easily or, more commonly, too loose and able to be flexed past true and be prone to wobbling. Not only is the lock on mine just right, but all the knives that Tom displayed at a recent show had similarly fine action and lock-up. That kind of consistency is one of the things I look for in a knife maker, and it assures that more of my hard-earned cash will be making its way to the 50th state in the future.
The handle is smooth and very comfortable; no strait lines or sharp edges (except the one we want on the blade). Note that the cutout on the lock bar that allows it to flex is on the outside of the titanium slab and how you can clearly see that the handle thins out nicely towards the edge. The thumbstuds are somewhat smooth and might not be the best choice if you are looking for a rapid-deployment fighting folder, but on a small, gentlemanly pocket knife they work well, not snagging on threads or material when loose in pocket or being removed.
The Talonite® blade takes a nice satin finish, attractive but it shouldnt be too tough to maintain. The surface of the handle is especially nice, it might look like your regular plain gray titanium but it seems to have a hard finish that resists scratching better than the polished and blasted finishes Ive come across in the past. Scratches on plain titanium are inevitable, but they dont seem to be coming fast and furious on this knife they way they will on others I am used to.
Talonites® main advantage is that it is corrosion proof, of course, and the hard facing materiel holds a good edge for a surprisingly long time. It does not have the overall strength of an iron based steel, however, so like most things in life there are compromises involved when deciding to use it as a blade steel. Toms solution seems to be a flat grind combined with a wide convex edge bevel to ease the blade into the materiel being cut. It works very well on a knife of this size, were levering and torqueing are minimized and pure cutting ability is what you are looking for. This little knife is a real slicer, not aggressive but extremely smooth. It loves meat and other food products, and the lack of worry over rust makes it an apple and sandwich knife supreme. Ive also used it on just about everything else I have to cut in a day, all kinds of tape, plastic, rope, string and cardboard and the edge is holding up well without dulling, rolling or chipping.
I really couldnt be much happier with the knife; the great advantage of working with a custom knife maker is that you can get exactly what you want. Make no mistake; the design is all Toms, I just kept looking at his work and checking into the options until I knew what I wanted him to make from his repertory and the options I preferred. It took a while, but when I finally made up my mind Tom was able to put it together in time to bring it to me personally when he visited the Bay Area, so I had the additional bonus of getting to meet him and his lovely wife. I wish I had gotten to spend some more time with him, but it was a busy day for us both, and so little time, so much to know! I do look forward to getting to know him better over the years as the fun and the knives keep rolling in, and would recommend his work wholeheartedly to any interested parties. Thanks again for the great knife, Tom, and for being such a joy to work with.
I have been interested in getting one of Toms Talonite® frame locks since before he started making them, a Cop named Fish was bragging well before he had the first knife in hand. It took a while for me to decide just what I wanted in this knife, and here are the results:
2-3/4 blade and 6-1/2 overall, it differs from most of the TNTs you might have seen in that it has no holes in the handle besides the one for the lanyard and no clip has been attached. I also opted for an ambidextrous thumb stud as opposed to an opening hole in the blade. I am very happy with the combination of features; it is a useful, friendly size with a clean, classy look.
The smooth contours fit well in the pocket and the hand, the small bumps on the pivot end of the handle serving as a slight thumb rest and guard to give it a solid three-finger grip. All tolerances on the knife are very tight, the opening action is smooth and easy, and the lock bar engages slightly but firmly. I am especially happy with the tension of the lock bar, many frame locks are either too tight to disengage easily or, more commonly, too loose and able to be flexed past true and be prone to wobbling. Not only is the lock on mine just right, but all the knives that Tom displayed at a recent show had similarly fine action and lock-up. That kind of consistency is one of the things I look for in a knife maker, and it assures that more of my hard-earned cash will be making its way to the 50th state in the future.
The handle is smooth and very comfortable; no strait lines or sharp edges (except the one we want on the blade). Note that the cutout on the lock bar that allows it to flex is on the outside of the titanium slab and how you can clearly see that the handle thins out nicely towards the edge. The thumbstuds are somewhat smooth and might not be the best choice if you are looking for a rapid-deployment fighting folder, but on a small, gentlemanly pocket knife they work well, not snagging on threads or material when loose in pocket or being removed.
The Talonite® blade takes a nice satin finish, attractive but it shouldnt be too tough to maintain. The surface of the handle is especially nice, it might look like your regular plain gray titanium but it seems to have a hard finish that resists scratching better than the polished and blasted finishes Ive come across in the past. Scratches on plain titanium are inevitable, but they dont seem to be coming fast and furious on this knife they way they will on others I am used to.
Talonites® main advantage is that it is corrosion proof, of course, and the hard facing materiel holds a good edge for a surprisingly long time. It does not have the overall strength of an iron based steel, however, so like most things in life there are compromises involved when deciding to use it as a blade steel. Toms solution seems to be a flat grind combined with a wide convex edge bevel to ease the blade into the materiel being cut. It works very well on a knife of this size, were levering and torqueing are minimized and pure cutting ability is what you are looking for. This little knife is a real slicer, not aggressive but extremely smooth. It loves meat and other food products, and the lack of worry over rust makes it an apple and sandwich knife supreme. Ive also used it on just about everything else I have to cut in a day, all kinds of tape, plastic, rope, string and cardboard and the edge is holding up well without dulling, rolling or chipping.
I really couldnt be much happier with the knife; the great advantage of working with a custom knife maker is that you can get exactly what you want. Make no mistake; the design is all Toms, I just kept looking at his work and checking into the options until I knew what I wanted him to make from his repertory and the options I preferred. It took a while, but when I finally made up my mind Tom was able to put it together in time to bring it to me personally when he visited the Bay Area, so I had the additional bonus of getting to meet him and his lovely wife. I wish I had gotten to spend some more time with him, but it was a busy day for us both, and so little time, so much to know! I do look forward to getting to know him better over the years as the fun and the knives keep rolling in, and would recommend his work wholeheartedly to any interested parties. Thanks again for the great knife, Tom, and for being such a joy to work with.
