Why no mass produced Rinaldi TTKK design?

Chrisp, your right, the Perrin is one of the closest to a chef's design that I've seen. But as I'm sure you know, a true chef's has a little wider blade, i.e. the blade edge is lower in relation to the handle, and the belly is a bit more curved to get that rocking action when cutting food. I'm probably going to regret bringing it up again, but the TTKK really is a good example of the type of blade I mean. It, basically being a chef's design, work's well for cutting food. I'd like to see the blade length around 5 to 6 inches though, because as those who enjoy cooking know, an 8 inch chef's is the knife reached for most. 5 to 6 inches would carry better in a sheath though. Such a knife could also work well for normal camp/outdoor chores. Mass produce it using a good but not real expensive steel, and you've got a knife within the reach of the masses.
 
Selfinflicted

I felt you were a little out of line and so I got sarcastic, you then got rude and threatened me and I returned that rudeness. Some people just rub me the wrong way, maybe it was your condescending attitude. I have no problem letting that go, I come to this place to discuss knives and to have fun. But, I am full of kind words and reserve the right to use them at my discretion.

If you are still interested in the topic of your thread, a little research would find a fair number of knives that would probably fit your needs. Something along the lines of a Javalina from Entrek. If you're just looking for a kitchen knife to carry then just pick a kitchen knife and have a sheath made for it, that's basicly what the trappers and mountian men of the old west did. They didn't have a diffrent knife for every task.
 
What I like about the Trace Rinaldi TKK is that it has two finger choils, instead of one like on the Spyderco Perrin Bowie. I think the Perrin Bowie would feel better if it had two choils instead of one. While I have seen alot of knives with the kitchen style blade, the TKK is the only one I have seen with the two choil handle design. Most just have a blade where the rear of it extends below the bottom of the handle, forming a lower guard.

If I could afford it, I would buy the TKK because I like the two choil handle better than the other types.
 
Selfinflicted,
Take a look at the "karnali swagman" by Jason Cutter over at the Gallery. I too, love chef knife-type blade profile - to me, they're the best for use on my trips.

I'm thinking of contacting Watanabe Blades to get a laminated steel chef knife but with a better handle than the standard sushi knife type. That should be really good as well. I reckon, the knife and a leather sheath would cost me under $100.

What say you?
 
The TTKK's name was really sort of a joke.. It was intended to be an overall good utility blade that would do most cutting chores(Esp. food prep) well, and even could be pressed into a defensive role if needed..
Keeping it from looking mean, would make it easier to carry as it doesnt scream FIGHTING KNIFE, and wouldnt scare the sheeple too much..

WAY BACK Joe Talmadge asked me to make a full flat ground 4.5" blade with a birdshead handle.. Over time the design has been refined into what you see now..

While it is similar to many blades, it is unique, and by no means a generic "Chefs" knife..

The post sounded pretty specific, and I can see why some people got defensive. It came off sounding like "Why doesnt some Co. just rip off Trace and copy the design".. Even if that wasnt the intent.

I am thinking about a Mid-tech version. I would also consider a collaboration, if done to my specs, and I have discussed it with a couple large companies.. We shall see..

Anyway thanks, I am happy to see the TTKK still has a loyal following, and I just wish I could make em faster by hand guys...
 
Trace, I would like a satin S30V Gambit or Enigma from you - can I be put on your list, pls? Would you have any for Vegas (altho' I can't fly over to Vegas)?

Thanks,
 
I would jump on a production TTKK in a second!!! I think it is about the closest thing to 'the one' out there, and if I had the cash (and the patience) I would have a custom built.

-John
 
I'd already had the basic concept of the TTKK in mind when I ran into Wendell Fox's table at a show. He had a knife he called a Combat Butcher Knife. Well, it had a butcher blade shape, but otherwise looked very tactical. But it did give me the idea to dress the TTKK up a bit -- since it already looked kind of like a kitchen knife, why not make it a refined tactical kitchen knife? I went with mosaic pins and burgundy micarta handles to go with the new image.

Originally Trace was going with "Light Utility Knife", not sure which one of us came up with that name, but when I joked about how it was a tactical kitchen knife, Trace jumped on it and re-named it. BTW, it was his idea to add the "Talmadge" at the beginning, and the honor tickles me to this day.

There were a couple of other influences that went into the idea. Trace has improved it a lot since the first ones but stayed true to the concept.
 
Trace, I guess I did blow it by not making it clear that I was using your TTKK design as an easy to visualize example of the TYPE of design I had in mind, and I regret the angst it caused. The TTKK is YOUR design, of course, and a superb one. It is by far the best practical carry chef's type knife I've ever seen. And it unquestionably should not be copied/manufactured by others. You fill the niche of providing the highest quality custom of that type available. And your price for it is obviously very fair or you wouldn't be facing the backlog problem you have (not a bad problem as problems go!). I'm just wondering, they make custom bowies and production bowies, custom skinners and production skinners...why don't they mass produce a quality practical carry chef's type knife too? The kitchen chef's design, in a 5 to 6 inch length. Some models have been suggested that are the closest I know of, but most don't have the width or belly of a chef's, and the ones that do are in the 4 inch blade length which is shorter than I'd like to have. Deeeee, your suggestion of sheathing a kitchen knife crossed my mind. I thought of taking a 6 inch chef's and trying a handle mod. But I'd want one with good steel like Fallkniven's VG-10 version, and unfortunately it's an 8 inch (or greater) blade...too long for practical carry. And frankly, I'd probably screw up the handle. Bottom line: I think this type knife would sell very well at a mass produced price. Trace, if you could arrange to fill that niche, it would benefit us both!
 
spyken, in response to your post, that sounds like a really interesting idea! Hope you don't mind a few questons. What blade lengths are available? The handles on those knives are a round shape aren't they? If so, I agree a rework (shape and material) would be in order. Is the grind a one sided chisel type? Never had one of those, can a sharpmaker keep it sharp? How confident are you in that $100 price range with mod and sheath?
 
Originally posted by Trace Rinaldi
I am thinking about a Mid-tech version. I would also consider a collaboration, if done to my specs, and I have discussed it with a couple large companies.. We shall see..
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Good to hear! I hope that something works out. :)
 
Combat Butcher Knife
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Holly Cow! That name would be a liberal prosecutor or lawyer's dream. I think Mr. Rinaldi has the better idea in making a utility knife with defensive possibilities. In fact, it would be even better to take the word "tactical" out of the name.

When Mr. Rinaldi does contract with a knife company to make his TTKK, I hope he will choose an innocent sounding name and keep the advertising of the defensive capabilities subdued. Certainly don't print any words like "combat" or "fighter" on the knife or box. This would help an owner in court should he ever have to use one in legitimate self-defense.
 
Selfinflicted, no harm no foul.. And I agree it seems like a very good idea to make a knife like the TTKK in a mass produced form. I dont know why some company hasnt done it already..
Maybe not enough WOW factor, or not sexy or whatever.. BUT then again knives like this only appeal to educated knife users...;)
Most big companies think bottom line, and dont consider what in actual use might be the best I suppose...
 
I dont know why some company hasnt done it already.. Maybe not enough WOW factor, or not sexy or whatever..
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Trace, all you have to do is put 1" of serrations near the handle, add a sawback, make it a tanto blade that is clipped, drill some oval holes righ t through the blade near the spone so blood can gush through the blade, use a cordura covered cheap leather sheath with built in sharpening stone, slingshot and tactial whistle, and THEN you got yourself a production wonder!

I think what you said is bang on. I've always thought your designs were 100% function. That's why I've been a fan of your work for a long time. You, Neil Blackwood, Jerry Hossom, Kit Carson, Duane Dwyer and Mick Strider influence my work big time. I get different things from each person listed, but from you I get 100% function, and attention to simplicity. The latter is hard to do! But when you get simplicity right, you get a hit like the TTKK.

Camillus? Buck? Hey guys, come and get this great design!!!
 
Originally posted by Crayola
...from you I get 100% function, and attention to simplicity. The latter is hard to do! But when you get simplicity right...
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'Attention to Simplicity', I like that. Phrases begining with 'attention to...' almost always end in '...detail' which implies MORE rather than LESS complication. But it's simplicity that works.

Nicely put Crayola, nicely put...

-John
 
Hey thanks Karl... Attention to simplicity? I like that!!! My motto is "Dont be so open minded your braines fall out"..:D I am proud to know I have had an impact on what you think about knives...:cool:
 
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