Visit to TNK - 10th anniversary and some HUGGGEE scores!

[RL]

Wow time flies! It is hard to believe that it is True North Knives 10 YEAR anniversary! I can remember meeting Neil at a knife show 8 or 9 years ago…seems like yesterday! Over the years Neil has been a great dealer and a great friend. I am happy for him on this milestone!

In celebration of TNK’s 10 year, Neil commissioned 10 knifemakers to make a limited run of knives, all called “TNK10”. I visited Neil yesterday and was able to handle all but the Chris Reeve and Crawford entrants. So without further ado…

First up, Kirby Lambert…I have also known Kirby for many years and it has been great to watch his knifemaking develop into truly world class work (as attested by the multiple covers and articles in Blade). Being a sucker for finger grooves, I really liked Kirby’s TNK10.

Next up, another good friend, Greg Lightfoot. Greg chose to do a framelock variant of his iconic LCC model. The blade features his latest asymmetrical grind. This is one beefy knife!!!

I own a Jeff Hall knife and have handled a few over the years so I know what to expect…still, I was blown away by the smoothness of this one!

Sadly I don’t own any Terzuolas (yet!) though this would be a great place to start! I love the way this gentleman’s folder clips to your pocket with the chain…I don’t have any gents folders…hmmmm…

 

[RL]

This is probably the beefiest knife I have ever seen from John W Smith, and like all of his work, it was FLAWLESS! IMHO, JWS is the most consistently perfect maker out there.

I also looked at JWS’ new MK1…again, being a sucker for finger grooves, and I have always wanted a JWS…so I ordered one with carbon fiber scales (my first of many acquisitions for the day ).

Duane Dwyer SMF in STAINLESS Damascus…you don’t usually see stainless Damascus from strider…as if the knife wasn’t great enough already, you get an exclusive (Spitfire) Starlinger lanyard and leather sheath!

in-hand

Kicking it old school, Brian Tighe’s TNK10 is a button lock based on one of his original tactical designs...with some modern blade striations

 

[RL]

I have always liked Darrel Ralph’s work…his TNK10 is no exception. It is so smooth that you would think it is spring assisted or at least has bearing pivot…nope! Just as amazing is how he gets such a huge blade in a small frame

one of the most beautiful actions I have ever seen (the high polish did not come out too well in the pic)

and with a flipper variant

Speaking of huge DDR blades, Neil was kind enough to bring along a Mad Maxx Gibbs with 7.25” trident blade…again, so incredibly smooth that it feels assisted…and the balance is unbelievable!

for size comparo

 

[RL]

a couple of group shots of the TNK10 knives

Apart from the TNK10 knives, I also looked at some other rare and exclusive knives…such as the Todd Begg MIG civilian glimpse…once of the best flippers I have ever handled…you can hold it tip down and the blade will fly open with a gentle push on the flipper…amazing!

I had never handled a Les Voorhies before…again, great use of the IKBS bearing pivot…and great design…since the blade sits so deep in the handle, it is possible to have both edges sharpened

A Steve Ryan has always been one of my “grail” knives…especially a framelock M1

with the Mad Maxx Gibbs

 

[RL]

in hand

People always ask me, “so what did you buy?” I wish I could say “one of each”…but I did quite well nonetheless In addition to the JWS that I ordered, I made THREE HUGE scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some money shots of the Mad Maxx

Mercedes G500

Audi S8 with the same V10 engine as the Lamborghini Gallardo

Some vids of the Lamborghini engine in action (click on links and vid should open in media player)

http://www.fototime.com/F02007D2A9D9710/orig.avi

http://www.fototime.com/14D8B4485853C24/orig.avi

http://www.fototime.com/D7DB8DCAC1A1955/orig.avi


Thanks again Neil and congrats on 10 years!

Neil with some cool DDC, Starlingear, Zeno watch goodness

RL

 

[Ellis]

Nice stuff, Congrats. on 10 years Neil, Mazel Tov!
Dave

 

[ddd]

Ten years in busy business! Doesn't time fly fast!
TNK's Bar Mitzva coming up next then Silver, then Gold!

With great health, my friend!!!

Congratulations, Neil and all the best,
David

 

[Lorien]

thanks for the photos! :thumbup:
Those are some really cool knives, but I think I like the Lambert the best of all.

 

[T.K.C.]

Great pix!! There are some amazing knives there!! I LOVE o many of them. But, the Terzuola IS one of my favorites, along with the DDR!


Happy 10th Anniversary Neil!! Way to go!!! I wosh you many, many more successful years my friend.

 

[severedthumbs]

DOPE Rides RL!!!!!!

 

[mndart]

Happy 10th Neil.

BTW, to all interested in the DDR EDC's; the non-flipper version has a talonite blade.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I enjoyed that a lot.

Congratulations on 10 years, Neil.

 

[RL]

hey mndart..i think it is stellite...

btw, i noticed your signature...i have bullnose serial #1

 

[JParanee]

congrats and some nice pics

 

[Joss]

Some nice knives here, but I'm most impressed by the S8. I have seen a few W12 A8, but never seen an S8 before.

 

[supasuprab0b]

omfg, that audi is amazing, is it yours?


oh, and i guess the knives are nice too = )

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Robert,
Thanks for the great words about all of the knives.
If you want to trade knives for cars let me know BWHAHAHAHAHA~!

Neil... ten year have went very fast. That is because you are who you are.

Happy Tenth and many more. Keep raising the bar!

Thanks to all for the great words!

 

[RL]

Robert,

If you want to trade knives for cars let me know BWHAHAHAHAHA~!

sorry, kirby lambert beat you to it...the G500 should be half way to Saskatchewan by now

DDR, the Maxx is truly amazing! I even have special pants for it...Canadian forces "wind" pants that have pass through pockets (you are supposed to wear them over your pants)...i'll have no problem carrying it (if you don't mind!)

RL

 

[mndart]

hey mndart..i think it is stellite...

btw, i noticed your signature...i have bullnose serial #1

Very nice. I like the old style handles. Very classic. I have this one in the hopper Robert.
I will probably post it in customs when it is completed.

 

[bandaidman]

nice knives, nice cars, unusual choice of attire