Tuna Valley

[BladeRust]

Has anyone purchased a Tuna Valley and if so what’s your thoughts and impressions

 

[midnight flyer]

Head over to the Traditional forums https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/traditional-folders-and-fixed-blades.773/ and ask there. They have a family heritage of making good custom folders, and now the Tuna Valley brand is a premium product geared towards collecting.

I know some of the folks on the Traditional forum have them and have used them and they should be able to give you some good feedback.

 

[BladeRust]

I’m interested in the Tuna Valley knives. I’m curious on the quality and the fit and finish. Are they worth the time?

 

[AbelsDad]

I like them personally. Top notch knives just as good as any.

 

[Matt_WY]

Always intrigued by them. The new barlows look great. Would love to hear a review by anyone who has handled one.

 

[joeradza]

I’m interested in the Tuna Valley knives. I’m curious on the quality and the fit and finish. Are they worth the time?

Tuna Valley Photography

I really like my small collection of Tuna Valley knives. And I also love the high quality photography that you guys take of your knives. I thought I would start a thread that puts these 2 together. Here are my best pictures of my Tuna Valley knives. 1906 pearl ladies knife 2013 Swell Center...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[KellyGlanzer]

I'm curious as to who makes them for Tuna Valley?

 

[joeradza]

I'm curious as to who makes them for Tuna Valley?

Rookie82 ?

 

[Rookie82]

From what I'm told, I have the largest Tuna Valley collection out there. I even went to a few knife shows this year and brought my collection to set up at the Daniels dealer table so people could see the history of knives they've made over the past 12 years.

I'm curious as to who makes them for Tuna Valley?

Tuna Valley are made by master cutler Jeff Schley in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

I got 1 of the new Tuna barlow "Old Man Norman" knives. I left a review of it in the Barlow thread earlier, but I'll quote it here also. I heard that a few of the dealers have sold out of them already.

It's right here in my hand as I'm writing this, so I'll try to cover everything. Blade is centered nicely. Handles/liners/spring are very tight, no gaps or odd areas. Seem between handles and bolster is tight and flawless. Blade has nice strong pull, probably a 7. Very strong snap at 1/2 stop, and at full open, and very strong snap closed. No blade movement at all when open, very stiff and tight. At full open the back of the tang meets the spring tight, but not 100% flush, maybe 1/32 inch difference in height. Bolster arrow stamp is clear and clean, not too deep. Nail nick is nice and deep and easy to access. Blade grind is consistent from tang to tip. Not super hair-splitting sharpness on the blade, but it would cut you if not careful. When closed the tip of the spear is still below surface by 1/16 inch so no worries about a proud tip.

Overall I can't complain about any of it. I don't have other barlows from other makers to compare it to, but to me it is a great made Tuna Valley, and well above the level of a "factory made knife" and closer to custom knife level. The handles on the burl wood version are thinner than their chunky gnarly stag, so for those that want a thinner knife to ride in the pocket, the wood is a good option. Total width at it's widest point is just under 1/2 inch. I think that covers it all. I'm really happy with this one.

Any other questions, let me know. I'd be happy to answer.

 

[Rookie82]

Photo of my knife for reference.
(image removed due to BF Attachment limits)