Who knows a lot about Terzuola's?

wire edge

wire edge

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Nov 6, 2001
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I need to pick your brains, fellow forumites.

I received a slightly and lightly used ATCF today and have a few questions since it's a little different than the norm.

The handles are solid carbon fiber, no surprise here, but instead of the trademark "thumb disc", it has a thumb stud. The blade finish isn't really the normal satin, it's more of a subdued fine bead blast. Finally the blade steel isn't ATS-34 like I've seem on all of the ones before, this one is CPM-440V and states so on the right hand side of the blade.

So, was this one ordered up to the previous owners likings (I don't have a clue who he/she is) or are these just variations that Bob does once in a while to mix things up?






Thanks everyone
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Thought I'd show you a picture of the knife in question.
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Does it have ambi studs? I know that Terzuola made a run of his Starfighter folder with carbon fiber scales though not sure of the blade steel. The Starfighters come with ambi studs instead of the thumb disks. Might be this model, might not. If you can post a pic of it, this would help out greatly.
 
I think Lifter4him carries an ATCF as an EDC, Dave is a stand up guy, You may want to PM him to see what he has to say. I know that he is happy with it.
Take care,
Chad
 
I should have made myself more clear, Dexter. The thumb stud is set up for right hands only. The stud itself is quite small in diameter and has concentric circles on its end to create traction for the thumb.

I know for a fact that this is a ATCF, not a CFF or Starfigher. Sorry I have no way of taking a picture, nor have I found another picture of one quite like it.

In all honesty, I was a little let down that it didn't have an ambi-thumb disc. Afterall, it was Bob that introduced this form of opener, among other things. Its a great knife though, and extremely light being all carbon fiber in the handle region.
 
Thanks for the compliment Chad, you're aces with me too. I can see why you're a policeman, remembering what I carry :D

Wire edge, I don't know how knowledgable about Terzoula's I am, but I sure am happy with mine. I've had a ATCF with ironwood scales and ti bolsters in my pocket everyday since I bought it in Nov. '99 except for 1 week when I sent it to Bob for adjustment. I always carry another knife in a horizontal sheath in the small of back(either my Emerson Viper 1 or a Carson M4) but the ATCF is the one that gets used at work every night. I was gonna suggest that maybe yours was an early one because of the stud, but not with 440V. More than likely it was special ordered. You're correct that Bob invented the thumb disc on top of the blade(I believe it came about after a discussion he had with Steven Dick), and it's standard on ATCF's. If you have to know for sure, Bob's number is in the back of any of the Knives Annual books and he's a nice guy to talk to.If you cant find it, email me and I'll send it to you. If you really want the thumb disc and dont mind spending some money, he would probably replace the blade. These knives really hold an edge, I use the heck out of mine cutting plastic strap and heavy newspaper rolls and all I do is maybe once a month touch it up on my sharpmaker's fine stones. I can't say enough good things about this knife, I collect Carson's and Emerson's and carry them for defensive use, but for everyday use, this is the one that's always in my hand.

Dave
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Thanks for the reply Lifter. By the way, your ATCF is gorgeous!!

I have been looking into my "rogue" model, trying to find out why it is different. As far as I can tell, it probably was special ordered to someone's liking. Once again I say this because of the following.

1) Right hand only thumb stud, instead of ambi thumb disc
2) Subdued, fine bead blast blade finish
3) CPM-440V blade stock

I will look into it somemore, but I'd still like replies from all of you guys!

Thanks
 
I have had three Terzuola ATCFs. I have one that is pretty similar to Dave's, but his ironwood looks better than mine:( I have a titanium handled one(this one is my EDC) and I just recently sold one with solid G-10 scales. All of them have the thumb disc not the thumb stud that you are referring to. However, seeing ATCFs on other websites, I have seen some of his dreesed up versions have the small thumb stud and not the disc. I also agree with Dave in that this is knife that can take alot of abuse, and I do not think I would carry another knife for the utilitarian function that it is in.

To get to your question, I would follow Dave's suggestion and contact Mr. Terzuola.

Dan Huff
 
Thanks for the compliments, guys.
Just wanted to mention since I said I carried another knife for defense that I'm sure this is a great defensive knife too. The reality is that I dont ever expect to have to use a knife for defense, I just like to carry alot of knives :D

Dave
 
I've only seen one ATCF that was 440V. It was at Arizona Custom Knives, and it didn't last long. It was far too long ago for me to remember if it had a disk or thumbstud, but I do remember the 440V because it was so anomalous. Kind of started thinking I had imagined it......:p

In any case, it's great news if in fact Mr. Terzuola will use other steels. I like his designs a lot, but don't really care for ATS-34.........

On a final note, I do agree with the others that you should contact Mr. Terzuola himself if you wish to find out the history of the piece.
 
Originally posted by lifter4Him
The reality is that I dont ever expect to have to use a knife for defense, I just like to carry alot of knives :D
Click to expand...
Good grief, Dave! You don't want some BG's blood on that Viper! :eek: Just smack him ...
 
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