The truth is that I don't have anything to say about this knife that hasn't already been said better by people more knowledgeable about such things than me.
However, it is my hope in sharing my story and experiences with this knife and company that it may help people that may be in a similar situation.
Also, Three Sisters Forge is an awesome company with an awesome product and I wish to do what I can to support them by spreading the good word.
My EDC Search Story
Like many others, I was wanting to have a high quality EDC knife. I wasn't interested in starting a collection or acquiring any safe queens.
I spent about a year and a half doing research. (You know the research is half the fun!) Like so many others, I found myself bouncing between a Sebenza, Strider SNG, and XM-18. I watched the boards, read a few dozen articles, and watched more YouTube knife videos than I care to remember.
I am in Southern CA and live only about a hour an half away from Solvang which is home to the amazing store: Nordic Knives. There, I had the opportunity to play with a couple different Sebenzas (on a few different trips). While I was impressed with their quality, they just didn't feel good in my hand. The finish was very rough and sandpaperlike. I have nothing bad to say about them, its just that it wasn't the knife for me.
I was looking at the Striders, but I was tired of people freaking out when I used a Spyderco. With the SNG, I was afraid they would call the cops. Also, I really wanted all metal.
I looked at many other wonderful knives XM-18, Lochsa, etc. but for some reason, I just wasn't able to pull the trigger--something was always just not right (too big, too small, too thick, too thin, wrong material, blah, blah, blah...)
I had actually given up, deciding that maybe I just really didn't want an uber folder. Then one day about two months ago (I don't think I was even looking at knife videos), I caught a YouTube video of the TSF Beast. Something just snapped in me and I knew it was the one. I think it was at like 9:30PM on a Saturday night and I sent Jim of Three Sisters Forge an email. He replied within the hour and I was committed. About two months later, I'm typing this.
The company is mostly one guy working out of his garage. If you are interested, I would encourage you to visit his website:
http://www.threesistersforge.com/index.php
Or even better, lookup TSF on YouTube. Jim has posted many videos and after watching them, I think you will learn a lot about the quality and care that goes into his work.
Ok, I'll go back to the start now and give you the facts.
Specs:
BEAST- 7 OAL, 3 Blade.
-Ti frame[lock], waterjet textured on presentation side.
Clip side is not textured (kinder to fabrics). .120 thick Ti used.
-IKBS ball bearing system, on .165 spacer.
-Blade- CPM 154 CM, R59-61, .130 thick.
-Stainless hardware, low ride clip.
-Stone Wash Finished.
Here are some pictures I took. Sorry for the quality, I am not much of a photographer and I used my phone:
I added the lanyard. Gotta love what you can do with a shoestring, YouTube, and a few minutes.
I think the shadows in the last one make things look crooked, but they are not!
Here is a video Jim posted. The 2nd knife in the video is mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAdxoyN-pjs
My honest thoughts on different aspects of the knife:
The Blade
I love the shape, think and strong with extra beef in the tip. Bead blasted CPM 154 (not CM 154!) and sharp. Not super razor sharp, but it has handled everything I have asked it to do with grace and it will take hair off my arm.
The Detent/Opening/Lockup
I just got it back from Jim (like 2 hours ago) and love the detent I have no worries that it will open up accidentally.
After the detent, it is so smooth, that I thought it was broken, but then it locks up with a double-click (the first click is the detent) and I'd swear it was a fixed blade! I hate to use cliches, but it is like a bank vault. No play what-so-ever.
The Scales/Grip
When it comes to tools, I am a "Form follows Function" guy. In other words, when something is exceptionally well designed for its job, it has a beauty all its own.I love the waterblasted pattern on the "presentation" side. It is one of those things that pictures can't capture. In person, it is classy, yet has a lot of movement kind of like op art. In the hand it is very "grippy" without being abrasive.
I like the shape of the scales. The finger groove really locks into my grip. I find it plenty comfortable to work with.
Carry
One of my concerns was that it would feel like I was lugging a metal brick around when it was in my pocket. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it just disappears when clipped into my right-front pocket. I am able to actually forget that it is there (until I need it). My kitchen scale says it is 4.8oz.
In the week or so, I have had it, i have become very attached to this knife.
Lastly, I need to point out the incredible customer service. It is simply amazing. Jim responds very quickly to emails, even the one I sent him where I asked like 6 questions, but there is much more than that. When I asked about getting a double thumb stud, it was in the mail a few days later. When I asked if he could strengthen the detent, it was gone and back in my hand in 6 & 1/2 days.
This knife is Awesome! For me it is the "Grail Folder".
Thanks for reading and thank you Jim.
However, it is my hope in sharing my story and experiences with this knife and company that it may help people that may be in a similar situation.
Also, Three Sisters Forge is an awesome company with an awesome product and I wish to do what I can to support them by spreading the good word.
My EDC Search Story
Like many others, I was wanting to have a high quality EDC knife. I wasn't interested in starting a collection or acquiring any safe queens.
I spent about a year and a half doing research. (You know the research is half the fun!) Like so many others, I found myself bouncing between a Sebenza, Strider SNG, and XM-18. I watched the boards, read a few dozen articles, and watched more YouTube knife videos than I care to remember.
I am in Southern CA and live only about a hour an half away from Solvang which is home to the amazing store: Nordic Knives. There, I had the opportunity to play with a couple different Sebenzas (on a few different trips). While I was impressed with their quality, they just didn't feel good in my hand. The finish was very rough and sandpaperlike. I have nothing bad to say about them, its just that it wasn't the knife for me.
I was looking at the Striders, but I was tired of people freaking out when I used a Spyderco. With the SNG, I was afraid they would call the cops. Also, I really wanted all metal.
I looked at many other wonderful knives XM-18, Lochsa, etc. but for some reason, I just wasn't able to pull the trigger--something was always just not right (too big, too small, too thick, too thin, wrong material, blah, blah, blah...)
I had actually given up, deciding that maybe I just really didn't want an uber folder. Then one day about two months ago (I don't think I was even looking at knife videos), I caught a YouTube video of the TSF Beast. Something just snapped in me and I knew it was the one. I think it was at like 9:30PM on a Saturday night and I sent Jim of Three Sisters Forge an email. He replied within the hour and I was committed. About two months later, I'm typing this.
The company is mostly one guy working out of his garage. If you are interested, I would encourage you to visit his website:
http://www.threesistersforge.com/index.php
Or even better, lookup TSF on YouTube. Jim has posted many videos and after watching them, I think you will learn a lot about the quality and care that goes into his work.
Ok, I'll go back to the start now and give you the facts.
Specs:
BEAST- 7 OAL, 3 Blade.
-Ti frame[lock], waterjet textured on presentation side.
Clip side is not textured (kinder to fabrics). .120 thick Ti used.
-IKBS ball bearing system, on .165 spacer.
-Blade- CPM 154 CM, R59-61, .130 thick.
-Stainless hardware, low ride clip.
-Stone Wash Finished.
Here are some pictures I took. Sorry for the quality, I am not much of a photographer and I used my phone:
I added the lanyard. Gotta love what you can do with a shoestring, YouTube, and a few minutes.
I think the shadows in the last one make things look crooked, but they are not!
Here is a video Jim posted. The 2nd knife in the video is mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAdxoyN-pjs
My honest thoughts on different aspects of the knife:
The Blade
I love the shape, think and strong with extra beef in the tip. Bead blasted CPM 154 (not CM 154!) and sharp. Not super razor sharp, but it has handled everything I have asked it to do with grace and it will take hair off my arm.
The Detent/Opening/Lockup
I just got it back from Jim (like 2 hours ago) and love the detent I have no worries that it will open up accidentally.
After the detent, it is so smooth, that I thought it was broken, but then it locks up with a double-click (the first click is the detent) and I'd swear it was a fixed blade! I hate to use cliches, but it is like a bank vault. No play what-so-ever.
The Scales/Grip
When it comes to tools, I am a "Form follows Function" guy. In other words, when something is exceptionally well designed for its job, it has a beauty all its own.I love the waterblasted pattern on the "presentation" side. It is one of those things that pictures can't capture. In person, it is classy, yet has a lot of movement kind of like op art. In the hand it is very "grippy" without being abrasive.
I like the shape of the scales. The finger groove really locks into my grip. I find it plenty comfortable to work with.
Carry
One of my concerns was that it would feel like I was lugging a metal brick around when it was in my pocket. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it just disappears when clipped into my right-front pocket. I am able to actually forget that it is there (until I need it). My kitchen scale says it is 4.8oz.
In the week or so, I have had it, i have become very attached to this knife.
Lastly, I need to point out the incredible customer service. It is simply amazing. Jim responds very quickly to emails, even the one I sent him where I asked like 6 questions, but there is much more than that. When I asked about getting a double thumb stud, it was in the mail a few days later. When I asked if he could strengthen the detent, it was gone and back in my hand in 6 & 1/2 days.
This knife is Awesome! For me it is the "Grail Folder".
Thanks for reading and thank you Jim.
