We Need an Inspirational Revolution!

[stuff_things]

Ladies. Gentleman:

As knife users, collectors, enthusiasts, hobbyists, makers, sellers and so on, there comes a point in our timeline of lust for sharp things where the revolution of interest and intrigue slow down and inspiration for the game appears to have peaked...at least for myself anyways. I've always felt content, bordering complacent, with a framelock/linerlock folder, but for the last couple of weeks I have started to convince myself that my interest in blades was waining; and it scared me! Partly due to lack of "knife funds" and also due to the fact that the market has become increasingly saturated with variations of the same design; how many flippers and titanium-handled knives can evolve from a single antecedent idea? Don't get me wrong, I love a bearing pivot as much as the next guy, but I'm thirsty for something new. Something that steps off the bandwagon and walks away from the casual cliche of the modern tactical folder.

As a result of the desire to broaden my horizons, I've turned to the traditional side of the knife realm. I love the endless variations of patterns, colors, cover materials, brands; uniqueness in general. However, I prefer to carry a slipjoint supplementary to a larger locking knife. Hence, my quest to discover a new land.

I'm trying to refrain from nonsensical ramble, but also trying to draw in interest, from you. The amount of knowledge I've retained since the days of losing my Sog Flash II (used to think it was a swell knife ) is incredible. This community has become a part of my life (soo much cheese, I know). That's why I'm asking you to conjure up a folder, that exists, you have or want which follows an "unorthodox" modeling or style. Bizarre, abstract, foreign, peculiar, unusual, or just plain different. I'm not referring to TACTICLOL pieces or impractical mechanism and blade shapes. I'm talking about knives (new or old) that you truly like and that should be recognized for their originality and showcasing of the makers' imagination. Please, by all means, spew your thoughts and ideas of said knife(ves), and of course, post pictures.

TLDR; I'm interested in unique locking mechanisms and knives not usually found on the forums. Something weird but useful!

Have fun.

Robert

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

The Three Rivers LTC Nomad has piqued my interest recently. I like the rethinking of a slipjoint mechanism along with their construction method.

 

[Lapedog]

Brous Silent Soldier Neck knives and La Griffe family.

Jacobs ladder/tri folder designs.

Most of all the Spyderco Janisong.

 

[stuff_things]

Petunia D. Feeble : I have seen the Nomad around every once in a while. It looks like a nicely made piece for sure! I see Hinderer is producing a slipjoint style XM--I think it's an XM anyways. Another cool idea but for me it may be a bit large to serve as a light duty folder.

Lapedog : I'm not familiar with the Jacob's ladder design. Do you know of a model that uses it? The Janisong is certainly different to say the least. Quite pricey too. I'd check one out though

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I've also had my eye on a Protech Whiskers. I had a Lone Wolf Logo some time back with a DA mechanism and it was fun, but too heavy. The Whiskers looks much more svelte.

I keep waiting for someone to give me a Diskin Fire for Christmas, but it never happens.

 

[stuff_things]

I've also had my eye on a Protech Whiskers. I had a Lone Wolf Logo some time back with a DA mechanism and it was fun, but too heavy. The Whiskers looks much more svelte.

I keep waiting for someone to give me a Diskin Fire for Christmas, but it never happens.

Lol! Diskin makes a hell of a knife..so I'm told. Funny you mention it, I've been eyeing a Whiskers too. The bolster release is pretty neat and Protech knows how to make them crack open. Have you seen the Protech Harkins ATAC? It's dual action too, so you get the auto action obviously but I guess the manual open and close is like cream cheese on a bagel. Beautiful styling too. Unfortunately it's up there in pesos with a Diskin.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Caswell Morphing Karambit. I don't really want a karambit. I certainly don't need a karambit. But that thing blows my mind every time I see someone open it. Just leaves me staring and wondering where I missed a step.

 

[stuff_things]

Caswell Morphing Karambit. I don't really want a karambit. I certainly don't need a karambit. But that thing blows my mind every time I see someone open it. Just leaves me staring and wondering where I missed a step.

Well I didn't want a karambit.. that's actually pretty sexy. I see there's another model they offer than looks shnazzy as well.

It reminds me of G&G Hawk's toggle mechansim--or whatever it's called. Kind of like the Kershaw ET or that Quartermaster turd.

The Hawks are what inspired me to start this thread. I think they deserve more recognition than they receive. It's like Tesla created all their knife designs but people don't understand them.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Well I didn't want a karambit.. that's actually pretty sexy. I see there's another model they offer than looks shnazzy as well.

It reminds me of G&G Hawk's toggle mechansim--or whatever it's called. Kind of like the Kershaw ET or that Quartermaster turd.

The Hawks are what inspired me to start this thread. I think they deserve more recognition than they receive. It's like Tesla created all their knife designs but people don't understand them.

Agreed. Those guys are mad scientists. Love the Griploc and Buck Marksman.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Lol! Diskin makes a hell of a knife..so I'm told. Funny you mention it, I've been eyeing a Whiskers too. The bolster release is pretty neat and Protech knows how to make them crack open. Have you seen the Protech Harkins ATAC? It's dual action too, so you get the auto action obviously but I guess the manual open and close is like cream cheese on a bagel. Beautiful styling too. Unfortunately it's up there in pesos with a Diskin.

Yeah, I saw the price on the ATAC and quit paying attention. I won't spend that much on a knife without having handled one first.

 

[Scrim]

I second the Hawk lock as an ingenious variation on lock & deployment design. Some have said the Hawk lock is like an Axis lock. I have Benchmades and they are nothing like the feel & operation of the R.A.M. I got a Kershaw R.A.M. on the exchange and immediately fell in love with the way it works, feels & sounds. It's not on bearings and it's not assisted but it feels like it IS both of those things, sort of, maybe better. It's a drag that Kershaw discontinued it because I'd buy five more! Why? I don't know, I guess I'm a sucker for cool, new & different...when it really works! It's been around for years apparently, but I just learned about it recently. The semi-good news is that there's another Hawk Lock Kershaw that was shown initially in 2016 but still hasn't come out yet. I've talked to Gavin Hawk, Knifecenter and Kershaw about it. That all say it is still coming out, just not sure when exactly because they (Kershaw & the Hawks) "are still perfecting it". It's called the Kershaw Induction. It's not an expensive knife and has only ok Chinese steel on it, still...I can't WAIT for it to finally be produced. I know the Hawk MUDD has a version of the Hawk lock but I haven't felt it in hand and its not a flipper. I suspect the Induction is going to feel and operate like the R.A.M and I'm waiting with baited breath for it to hit the streets. If you haven't felt the Hawk Lock on a R.A.M., if you can find one...you are in for a treat. -- PS. the three little "thumb studs on it" suck but hey, it's a flipper. And MAN what a flipper it is.

 

[Lapedog]

Petunia D. Feeble : I have seen the Nomad around every once in a while. It looks like a nicely made piece for sure! I see Hinderer is producing a slipjoint style XM--I think it's an XM anyways. Another cool idea but for me it may be a bit large to serve as a light duty folder.

Lapedog : I'm not familiar with the Jacob's ladder design. Do you know of a model that uses it? The Janisong is certainly different to say the least. Quite pricey too. I'd check one out though

The Jacobs ladder design is the trifolding design. Look up Fred Perrin Tri-Folder to get an idea. Look up "Funny Folder" for another unique design. Here is a video with a truly unique folding knife. Not sure what this one is called. The Kukri is not the knife I am referencing in the video. You will see the knife I mean at the start of it.

 

[bt93]

If your looking for something unusual in traditionals, I would recommend the Trestle Pines Grand Portage.
What makes it unusual is it's a Barlow with a screwdriver. The GEC Beer Scout is also but with a sheepsfoot blade instead of a wharnecliff like on the GP. Anyway those are the only barlows that I know that are like that.

 

[stuff_things]

I second the Hawk lock as an ingenious variation on lock & deployment design. Some have said the Hawk lock is like an Axis lock. I have Benchmades and they are nothing like the feel & operation of the R.A.M. I got a Kershaw R.A.M. on the exchange and immediately fell in love with the way it works, feels & sounds. It's not on bearings and it's not assisted but it feels like it IS both of those things, sort of, maybe better. It's a drag that Kershaw discontinued it because I'd buy five more! Why? I don't know, I guess I'm a sucker for cool, new & different...when it really works!.....

Always have wanted a RAM. I have seen two in my time on the forums and they get scooped up quicker than I can react...the latest one being by you The Induction looks like a winner and I love the disappearing flipper tab. Thanks for sharing the vid, I'll be keeping an eye out for this one. Any experience with the Kershaw E.T.? What else you got up your sleeve? I know you like different knives too.

 

[stuff_things]

The Jacobs ladder design is the trifolding design. Look up Fred Perrin Tri-Folder to get an idea...... [/MEDIA]

Whoa! I like the German folder..a lot. It's damascus even. I didn't catch the name though. The kukri is a different story haha. A folding fixer? My graceful self would lose limbs.

bt93 : I dig the screwdriver/lifter and the wharncliffe is a nice deviation from GEC's sheepsfoot. Thanks for sharing.

PS...how do I multiquote? I'm sure it's right in front of my face.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Yeah, I saw the price on the ATAC and quit paying attention. I won't spend that much on a knife without having handled one first.

I own a Fire and an ATAC and they are both very fine knives. The Fire is a bit nicer, but they're very rare now and are going for about twice the cost of an ATAC.

Both are a great example for this thread. There aren't a ton of hidden-release D/A autos out there, and the Fire and ATAC both showcase this genre very well.

 

[stuff_things]

I own a Fire and an ATAC and they are both very fine knives. The Fire is a bit nicer, but they're very rare now and are going for about twice the cost of an ATAC.

Both are a great example for this thread. There aren't a ton of hidden-release D/A autos out there, and the Fire and ATAC both showcase this genre very well.

Blues, nice of you to chime in. Have you disassembled your ATAC before? I assume you use it and it gets dirty, how does it hold up in the real world? ie, full of dirt, debris, grass, water, whatever..

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Blues, nice of you to chime in. Have you disassembled your ATAC before? I assume you use it and it gets dirty, how does it hold up in the real world? ie, full of dirt, debris, grass, water, whatever..

I have not needed to take it apart, I usually just rinse my knives out with naphtha to clean out any gunk. It hasn't been carried a whole lot, but it's definately seen some use. In person, the ATAC seems a bit smaller than one might expect and it gives off the impression of a tactical-themed gentlemans folder, but it is still very capable of everyday tasks.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Two samples

 

[stuff_things]

Two samples

View attachment 703400

Now that's what I'm talking about