Tony Bose Tribal Spear~New from Case!

I consider a non-centered blade an acceptable condition with Traditional syle folders. With multiblade folders the blades are purposely crinked (bent off-center) so that they can fit together into the frame. Not needed on a single blade folder, but not bothersome as one gets used to blades having a slight crink.
Blade play, poor to absent snap, and poor fit of spine to spring in the open position, are more significant issues.
roland
 
Ice Tigre said:
Well, First off,
Stupid was Definately a poor choice of words, I apologize for that, really don't know what i was thinking in saying it that way. :o


As to overly flashy... just that.. Or maybe thats a poor word choice as well, but its what comes to mind. they always strike me as too much polish, too much swedge... Just plain too much Something but I can't define the something. Mainly they just never look ''right'' to me, even in a pattern that I otherwise love...


Not a distaste i can solidly define. Sorry.

I will add that i am not a fan of Bose pure customs,--The craftsmanship IS FABULOUS-- but the look very rarely, really appeals to me.

Simply a difference in taste of style I guess.


I did not mean to insult, nor say there is anything wrong with the previous colab knives, nor Mr. Bose work as a whole. Simply to sate that this one does, surprisingly, (comparatively) appeal to me and looks like a great design and execution.

G.
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I know this is an older post, but I just wanted to say that I know exactly where you're coming from. For me they just look too modern, as do a lot of the customs I've seen. For me personally, I carry a slip joint because I like the look and feel of a more simple, older style knife. If I wanted something modern looking with sleek lines I would probably go with a "tactical" style knife. That's not to say that I don't find the Bose attractive, but it just isn't the "feel" I want from a slip joint.
 
Quote: "For me they just look too modern".
Perhaps this is because you are not very familiar with vintage folders ?
A single blade Barehead Jack with a grooved bolster is quite Traditional as is a Serpentine handle. The "Zulu" blade profile was used by Schrade Cut Co about 75 years ago.
I think it looks far more Traditional than "modern".
roland
 
rprocter said:
Quote: "For me they just look too modern".
Perhaps this is because you are not very familiar with vintage folders ?
A single blade Barehead Jack with a grooved bolster is quite Traditional as is a Serpentine handle. The "Zulu" blade profile was used by Schrade Cut Co about 75 years ago.
I think it looks far more Traditional than "modern".
roland
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You can chalk it up to whatever you want, but for me it doesn't look traditional. A modern take on a traditional design maybe.
 
sleevefullofaces said:
Howdy ladies and gents. I'm a new convert from the one-handers and this is my first post in Traditional. :)

Anyways I received my Chestnut Tribal Spear today and absolutely LOVE the knife except for the blade being just a touch off center when closed. It would definitely be something I could live with on a Spyderco/Benchmade/Kershaw or any less expensive slip joint but on this knife it is bothering me. Has anybody sent a knife back in to Case for a fairly minor issue like this?

Everything else about this knife is fantastic. From the size and balance that others have complimented to the great ergos and very elegant overall feel the knife could definitely become a favorite of mine.
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First of all, Welcome! What took you so long?

The way I look at it is, would I have bought it if I got to handle it first?

I will tell you that I, under no circumstances would pay $270 plus for a production knife for my personal use that had an off-center blade, period.
Based on a recent experience trying to get a blade centered by a manufacturer (not Case) I would not send that one to be "fixed" unless there was no way to get a replacement.
Maybe Tony's own come with off center blades sometimes? I would hope not, but I really don't know. If they do then no big deal, but if if they don't, these should not either. These are not unlimited production knives that have a "TB" in the model number and sell for $50-$70. There are only 200 of the Ebony models to be made, say "Tony Bose" on the tang and sell for $270-$300+, they should be just about flawless. An off-center blade would bother me not every time I used it, but every time I wanted just to admire it.
 
"An off-center blade would bother me not every time I used it, but every time I wanted just to admire it. "

Sorry to hear that. Hope you don't feel that way about all things.

Off-center can be 0.2mm to rubbing. I have an Tony Bose AK hunter that is off center by a little under 1mm. It's a long way from rubbing anything and I view it as a sign the knife is hand made. Nowhere does Case advertise that the Bose line will be perfect in every way...wasn't it made by humans?
 
brownshoe said:
"An off-center blade would bother me not every time I used it, but every time I wanted just to admire it. "

Sorry to hear that. Hope you don't feel that way about all things.

Off-center can be 0.2mm to rubbing. I have an Tony Bose AK hunter that is off center by a little under 1mm. It's a long way from rubbing anything and I view it as a sign the knife is hand made. Nowhere does Case advertise that the Bose line will be perfect in every way...wasn't it made by humans?
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Granted there is no such thing as a centered blade. I don't care if you spent a billion dollars trying you couldn't do it, you could use some electron scanning particle analyzer thingy to spot the variance I'm sure.
I'm just saying that the blade is supposed to be centered, no? And for $300 you should be able to fool my eye anyway.
 
mdsmith said:
I know this is an older post, but I just wanted to say that I know exactly where you're coming from. For me they just look too modern, as do a lot of the customs I've seen. For me personally, I carry a slip joint because I like the look and feel of a more simple, older style knife. If I wanted something modern looking with sleek lines I would probably go with a "tactical" style knife. That's not to say that I don't find the Bose attractive, but it just isn't the "feel" I want from a slip joint.
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Sleek lines are certainly not a recent development. Knives "back in the day" were plenty sleek and elegant, arguably more so than contemporary knives. Check out the vintage catalogue thread for plenty of evidence supporting this claim. I don't think you can get much more "traditional" than the Tribal Spear. The only thing "modern" about it is the steel used.

FWIW, the blade on my tribal spear is perfectly centered. Perhaps not down to the molecular level, but perfect to my naked eye. If it were not, I would have no problem sending the knife back to Case to have them make it right. These knives are "halo" items for Case, I absolutely think they want them to be perfect. Case is not making the Tony Bose series to turn a profit, they are doing it to prove what they are capable of.
 
I just received my Case/Bose Zulu knife. In one word, the knife is PERFECT. I'm truly amazed at how perfectly well finished and executed this knife is. Everything about it is superior.

Now, considering that this knife doesn't require a waiver in order to keep it safely away from wear and tear, I think that's what I'll do. This is some special knife, and I'm very proud and glad for Case to have reached this level of finishing and overall superior craftsmanship in the manufacturing of this knife.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 

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mendezj said:
Now, considering that this knife doesn't require a waiver in order to keep it safely away from wear and tear, I think that's what I'll do. This is some special knife, and I'm very proud and glad for Case to have reached this level of finishing and overall superior craftsmanship in the manufacturing of this knife.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
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I'm glad to hear it! I fear most of these knives will end up as safe queens, which is a shame, because I believe they are built to last as users, and can only be truly appreciated if they are put to work. Mine is a user as well. I am thinking about starting a "one knife for a year" thread, starring my ebony Tribal Spear. I'm going to put mine through its paces. No abuse, but no holding back either. :thumbup:
 
Mine gets carried at least a few times per week.
 
moonwilson said:
I'm glad to hear it! I fear most of these knives will end up as safe queens, which is a shame, because I believe they are built to last as users, and can only be truly appreciated if they are put to work. Mine is a user as well. I am thinking about starting a "one knife for a year" thread, starring my ebony Tribal Spear. I'm going to put mine through its paces. No abuse, but no holding back either. :thumbup:
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Well, I understand what you're saying, but I signed a document whereby I must use the knives coming from Wilfred Works and I must abide by the contract. Since there is no waiver required for Case knives, I'll just keep it nice and pretty. The Bose, well, they must earn their keep. ;)
 
moonwilson said:
Sleek lines are certainly not a recent development. Knives "back in the day" were plenty sleek and elegant, arguably more so than contemporary knives. Check out the vintage catalogue thread for plenty of evidence supporting this claim. I don't think you can get much more "traditional" than the Tribal Spear. The only thing "modern" about it is the steel used.
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After looking in the vintage catalogue thread, I see what you mean, and seeing the Mendezj's pic, I certainly don't think that one looks modern, but something about the ebony model still has modern feel to it.
 
Well, I am afraid to mar or lose my Sebenzas and Umnumzaan. I am sure I will be afraid to lose or mar my Tribal Spear that is coming. It's no fun just looking at a knife in a case(well, okay, maybe a little bit). I will force my Sebenzas and Umnum into my pocket, but the Tribal Spear looks like it will force them out!

BTW, I am picking up an ebony model.
 
This is the first TB/Case I have bought. Ebony BTW. I am disappointed. There is scale shrinkage, blade is slightly off center and the tip was ground wonky where it is blunt. Two calls to Case and one e-mail and no response back yet.

Kind of soured me on the whole TB/Case collab thing. I would assume with the price and hype that the QC would be above par but I guess lemons still get through
 
tomcrx said:
This is the first TB/Case I have bought. Ebony BTW. I am disappointed. There is scale shrinkage, blade is slightly off center and the tip was ground wonky where it is blunt. Two calls to Case and one e-mail and no response back yet.

Kind of soured me on the whole TB/Case collab thing. I would assume with the price and hype that the QC would be above par but I guess lemons still get through
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I'm sorry to hear that you got what must be the exception to the rule, especially considering how perfect my TS is in all respects. However, I'm certain the Case people will do the right thing. Send them the knife back with a note. The knife is truly worthy.
 
tomcrx said:
This is the first TB/Case I have bought. Ebony BTW. I am disappointed. There is scale shrinkage, blade is slightly off center and the tip was ground wonky where it is blunt. Two calls to Case and one e-mail and no response back yet.

Kind of soured me on the whole TB/Case collab thing. I would assume with the price and hype that the QC would be above par but I guess lemons still get through
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Tom, mine had a poor edge grind and a blunter tip than you see on Tony's customs.
The only other issue (very minor) was the slightly proud shield which Tony has already addressed when someone brought it up earlier.

I didn't bother to regrind the tip to make it more acute but the blade readily took a very nice edge after a little time on the stones.

Case is known for good customer service historically and I'm pretty sure that your situation will be no exception. However, if you feel that it is not worth the bother I'd just ask the vendor to either refund or replace the knife for you.

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Blues said:
Tom, mine had a poor edge grind and a blunter tip than you see on Tony's customs.
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I am still trying to work with Case to resolve it. Mine has no point at all, it is squared off. The ribbing from my wife, who is not a knife fan, did not help my mood. She kept saying, "How do you like your Tribal Spoon now". :)

I think it hurt her more because it was a birthday gift I had talked her into getting for me.

I think Case will fix the issue eventually. I just felt like Ralphie, in Christmas Story where he finally gets his secret decoder ring, when I took my first look.
 
My Tribals (Bone and Ebony) are in the mail, and I'm looking forward to them. Had a little money left over from our vacation - a rare occurrence.
The only thing that gives me pause is not picking them out in person, especially after Tom's complaints. I will report back when I see them.

(after simultaneous posts!)

Tribal Spoon???:eek::eek: At least your wife has a sense of humor Tom:D:D !
 
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