Mini-Review Lonely Wolf Forge "Tac Tanto"
Jun 15, 2017 20:01:53 GMT
Post by pellius on Jun 15, 2017 20:01:53 GMT
I hope I put this in the right place.
Introduction
Lonely Wolf Forge (LWF) offered this for sale as an already completed knife (I didn’t commission it). LWF called it a “Tac Tanto.” Thankfully, the knife did not have the typical “tactical” appearance. It was not flat black, it did not have plastic or cheap-looking fittings, and there was a total lack of gimmicky notches/saw teeth/spikes/holes/logos cut into the blade or hilt. It also did not have an asian vibe, at least with regard to its artistic style and construction. Instead, it presented as a modern, dignified, well crafted fighting knife constructed from good quality modern materials.
It presented as an elegant and well balanced design with tasteful ergonomic curves, a good satin polish with a hammered shinogishi, and very attractive grips with an unusual but conservative crosshatch pattern.
I’m not really a knife guy, but I thought this was a really good looking piece. I did not own anything made by LWF, but I was aware of his reputation for quality craftsmanship, durability, aesthetic judgment and, of course, his sharpening skills. Surprisingly, this knife lingered in the classifieds for some time. I browse fairly regularly, and my eye kept coming back to it. Eventually, I bought it. I am very glad I did.
Historical overview
To my (limited) knowledge, this knife was not copied from any specific knife or particular historical style. Indeed, naming it a “Tac Tanto” made it clear that this was intended to be a modern design.
Full Disclosure
I bought this outright for the full asking price. I’m more into swords than knives, so my expertise... lacks expertise. However, I can confidently say that knives of similar stature and quality seem to regularly sell for significantly more than LWF was asking for this one.
Initial Impressions
LWF shipped this to me in a timely fashion as promised. The knife was sold without a sheath, and the packaging respected that. The blade was well-secured in way that was safe and that protected the knife.
The knife itself made a very strong first impression. It was much more impressive than it appeared in photos. To me, the overall size was ideal for a fighting knife. The proportions were elegant. The balance and weight were authoritative but nimble. The lines were crisp, uniform and symmetrical. And it was sharp.
In photos, the grips looked interesting but not fantastic, with an unusual cross hatch pattern. LWF’s ad stated that the knife had grips made of stabilized pinecone. I’ve handled countless pinecones in my time, and the thought of grips made of one seemed questionable. Wow, was I wrong. In person, these are some of the best looking knife grips I have ever seen.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 10” (within the historical range of Japanese tanto: 6-12”)
Handle/Tsuka Length: 4 7/8”
Overall Length: 14 3/4”
Guard/Tsuba: integral with the blade
POB (Point of Balance): approx. 3/4” from the grip or about 1 1/4” from base of the guard
Blade Width: 1 3/8 at the shoulder
Thickness: .210” at the spine
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: The blade is 5160 spring steel; through hardened. The swedge, grind, and side profile give the blade a geometry reminiscent of a no-hi unokubi-zukuri tanto (if such a thing exists). It has a uniform satin polish with a hammered look to the shinogishi. The lines are crisp, straight and symmetrical. There is some jimping on the spine which is also very crisp and uniform. This as a beautiful blade.
The Handle/Tsuka: As stated earlier, the grips are of stabilized pinecone. If the blade is beautiful, the grips are outright gorgeous. The cross-hatch pattern from the pinecone is organic and natural. There is a depth and complexity to the wood grain that is captivating, active and dignified. I don’t know what is used to stabilize the wood and fill inherent gaps of pinecone wood, but in this example it is very tastefully and artistically done. Pictures truly do not do the handle justice.
The shape of the grip is ergonomic and attractive. The tang is fully exposed, which gives weight and seriousness to the hilt. The grips are pinned. The construction is very solid and reliable.
The Guard/Tsuba: There is a small integrated finger guard.
The Scabbard/Saya: The knife came without a sheath.
Handling Characteristics
This blade is authoritative but nimble. It is very well balanced, and is just short enough to use in many trapping and threading techniques. It would be an excellent slash and stab weapon, and a good cutting tool. It isn’t really forward-balanced enough for chopping.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I have only cut paper and shaved arm hair with this knife. It does both easily, but with an air of boredom given such mundane tasks.
Conclusions
This is a fantastic knife. It is handmade by a smith that knows what he is doing. Being handmade with organic grips, I can truly say it is one-of-a-kind. Now that I have it in hand, I think it was underpriced. With no disrespect, photos did not do this knife justice. If LWF learns to photograph his work as well as he crafts it, his blades will soon be well out of my price range.
This knife is attractive, durable and masculine. It is rugged enough to take out into the world, but nice enough to show off to friends. Ultimately, it is built and intended for use, and it is inexpensive enough to keep in your truck or on your belt instead of in your safe.
Pros
Excellent build quality
Elegant execution
High quality materials
Solid reliable construction
Sharp
Cons
This is a handmade smith-designed knife. It is not laser beam perfect (but it’s close). I don’t really consider this a con, but others may.
Does not come with a sheath. I don’t really consider this a con either, but others may. This knife is of sufficient quality to justify commissioning a sheath. LWF offered to have a basic sheath made for a very reasonable price, but I didn’t want to wait.
The Bottom Line
I really like this knife.
I very strongly recommend LWF’s work. As a seller, he is also prompt in communication and delivery.
If you can convince LWF to make you a knife similar to mine, by all means do so!
Thanks for looking.
Introduction
Lonely Wolf Forge (LWF) offered this for sale as an already completed knife (I didn’t commission it). LWF called it a “Tac Tanto.” Thankfully, the knife did not have the typical “tactical” appearance. It was not flat black, it did not have plastic or cheap-looking fittings, and there was a total lack of gimmicky notches/saw teeth/spikes/holes/logos cut into the blade or hilt. It also did not have an asian vibe, at least with regard to its artistic style and construction. Instead, it presented as a modern, dignified, well crafted fighting knife constructed from good quality modern materials.
It presented as an elegant and well balanced design with tasteful ergonomic curves, a good satin polish with a hammered shinogishi, and very attractive grips with an unusual but conservative crosshatch pattern.
I’m not really a knife guy, but I thought this was a really good looking piece. I did not own anything made by LWF, but I was aware of his reputation for quality craftsmanship, durability, aesthetic judgment and, of course, his sharpening skills. Surprisingly, this knife lingered in the classifieds for some time. I browse fairly regularly, and my eye kept coming back to it. Eventually, I bought it. I am very glad I did.
Historical overview
To my (limited) knowledge, this knife was not copied from any specific knife or particular historical style. Indeed, naming it a “Tac Tanto” made it clear that this was intended to be a modern design.
Full Disclosure
I bought this outright for the full asking price. I’m more into swords than knives, so my expertise... lacks expertise. However, I can confidently say that knives of similar stature and quality seem to regularly sell for significantly more than LWF was asking for this one.
Initial Impressions
LWF shipped this to me in a timely fashion as promised. The knife was sold without a sheath, and the packaging respected that. The blade was well-secured in way that was safe and that protected the knife.
The knife itself made a very strong first impression. It was much more impressive than it appeared in photos. To me, the overall size was ideal for a fighting knife. The proportions were elegant. The balance and weight were authoritative but nimble. The lines were crisp, uniform and symmetrical. And it was sharp.
In photos, the grips looked interesting but not fantastic, with an unusual cross hatch pattern. LWF’s ad stated that the knife had grips made of stabilized pinecone. I’ve handled countless pinecones in my time, and the thought of grips made of one seemed questionable. Wow, was I wrong. In person, these are some of the best looking knife grips I have ever seen.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 10” (within the historical range of Japanese tanto: 6-12”)
Handle/Tsuka Length: 4 7/8”
Overall Length: 14 3/4”
Guard/Tsuba: integral with the blade
POB (Point of Balance): approx. 3/4” from the grip or about 1 1/4” from base of the guard
Blade Width: 1 3/8 at the shoulder
Thickness: .210” at the spine
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: The blade is 5160 spring steel; through hardened. The swedge, grind, and side profile give the blade a geometry reminiscent of a no-hi unokubi-zukuri tanto (if such a thing exists). It has a uniform satin polish with a hammered look to the shinogishi. The lines are crisp, straight and symmetrical. There is some jimping on the spine which is also very crisp and uniform. This as a beautiful blade.
The Handle/Tsuka: As stated earlier, the grips are of stabilized pinecone. If the blade is beautiful, the grips are outright gorgeous. The cross-hatch pattern from the pinecone is organic and natural. There is a depth and complexity to the wood grain that is captivating, active and dignified. I don’t know what is used to stabilize the wood and fill inherent gaps of pinecone wood, but in this example it is very tastefully and artistically done. Pictures truly do not do the handle justice.
The shape of the grip is ergonomic and attractive. The tang is fully exposed, which gives weight and seriousness to the hilt. The grips are pinned. The construction is very solid and reliable.
The Guard/Tsuba: There is a small integrated finger guard.
The Scabbard/Saya: The knife came without a sheath.
Handling Characteristics
This blade is authoritative but nimble. It is very well balanced, and is just short enough to use in many trapping and threading techniques. It would be an excellent slash and stab weapon, and a good cutting tool. It isn’t really forward-balanced enough for chopping.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I have only cut paper and shaved arm hair with this knife. It does both easily, but with an air of boredom given such mundane tasks.
Conclusions
This is a fantastic knife. It is handmade by a smith that knows what he is doing. Being handmade with organic grips, I can truly say it is one-of-a-kind. Now that I have it in hand, I think it was underpriced. With no disrespect, photos did not do this knife justice. If LWF learns to photograph his work as well as he crafts it, his blades will soon be well out of my price range.
This knife is attractive, durable and masculine. It is rugged enough to take out into the world, but nice enough to show off to friends. Ultimately, it is built and intended for use, and it is inexpensive enough to keep in your truck or on your belt instead of in your safe.
Pros
Excellent build quality
Elegant execution
High quality materials
Solid reliable construction
Sharp
Cons
This is a handmade smith-designed knife. It is not laser beam perfect (but it’s close). I don’t really consider this a con, but others may.
Does not come with a sheath. I don’t really consider this a con either, but others may. This knife is of sufficient quality to justify commissioning a sheath. LWF offered to have a basic sheath made for a very reasonable price, but I didn’t want to wait.
The Bottom Line
I really like this knife.
I very strongly recommend LWF’s work. As a seller, he is also prompt in communication and delivery.
If you can convince LWF to make you a knife similar to mine, by all means do so!
Thanks for looking.