MikeF
15-12-2008, 09:50
A review of sorts ... prompted by Warrigal's 'review' http://www.laventrix.net/showthread.php?t=1401
I've had a TK3 for about a year now. It's my weekend EDC. I've left it with its original bevelled edge, i.e. not convexed.
The Super Gold-coated Powder Steel is easy to keep in good order with the DC4 sharpening stone, and a strop on one of JDee's bats.
As a utility knife, it's been used on weekend barbies for separating snaggers, cutting twine around the garden, cutting fishing line, pruning small green twigs, trimming rubber padding for a bike rack, a bit of whittling here and there, and countless other tasks.
This weekend I had to dismantle an old trampoline. The springs being too hard to pull by hand, there was only one thing for it ... pulled out the TK3 :)
It made short work of the straps. At first these were under tension, but as the bits were removed I was able to keep cutting each strap in situ without any noticeable degradation in cutting ability. [Yes, I could have unhooked the springs by then, but I did was having too much fun with the "Fallkie" at that point!]
Along the way I tried it on the mat itself. Push, pull, pierce - all cuts were easy. And the mat was - at least until then - in very good nick (pun intended). Not degraded or sun damaged.
Dunno how it would go in a true rescue situation (see Warrigal's topic), but I'd be confident it could go through a seatbelt if needed.
I gave it a quick touch up on the ceramic part of the stone, and a strop to get it back to hair-popping sharp.
It also did very well with a champagne cork I remodelled at the beach last night. Always a good test of sharpness, eh: cutting a cork without it bending or giving with the blade. I thought I was going to need to refit the cork, but by the time I was done, and the sun was down - the bottle was empty! :D
In all, I've found the TK3 handy and easy to hold. It's quite a flat design, and slips easily and unobtrusively into the front pocket of my jeans. Light, too, but heavy enough to give it good weight in the hand.
The fit and finish is superb and it still walks and talks like the day I took it out of its package. No play in the blade whatsoever. It's even been washed in the regular washing up, but well rinsed afterwards. I think I may have put a drop of oil on it once?
The gold crowns on the blade have discoloured over time, probably with regular dirt. I haven't bothered to try and restore it because 1) I bought it as a user and 2) I'm worried I may remove the gold underneath altogether.
The blade and bolsters are a little marked up, but the jigged bone scales aren't showing any signs of wear.
IMHO - if you're looking for a classy EDC, the TK3 is excellent value for money. It comes in a choice of scales, too!
I've had a TK3 for about a year now. It's my weekend EDC. I've left it with its original bevelled edge, i.e. not convexed.
The Super Gold-coated Powder Steel is easy to keep in good order with the DC4 sharpening stone, and a strop on one of JDee's bats.
As a utility knife, it's been used on weekend barbies for separating snaggers, cutting twine around the garden, cutting fishing line, pruning small green twigs, trimming rubber padding for a bike rack, a bit of whittling here and there, and countless other tasks.
This weekend I had to dismantle an old trampoline. The springs being too hard to pull by hand, there was only one thing for it ... pulled out the TK3 :)
It made short work of the straps. At first these were under tension, but as the bits were removed I was able to keep cutting each strap in situ without any noticeable degradation in cutting ability. [Yes, I could have unhooked the springs by then, but I did was having too much fun with the "Fallkie" at that point!]
Along the way I tried it on the mat itself. Push, pull, pierce - all cuts were easy. And the mat was - at least until then - in very good nick (pun intended). Not degraded or sun damaged.
Dunno how it would go in a true rescue situation (see Warrigal's topic), but I'd be confident it could go through a seatbelt if needed.
I gave it a quick touch up on the ceramic part of the stone, and a strop to get it back to hair-popping sharp.
It also did very well with a champagne cork I remodelled at the beach last night. Always a good test of sharpness, eh: cutting a cork without it bending or giving with the blade. I thought I was going to need to refit the cork, but by the time I was done, and the sun was down - the bottle was empty! :D
In all, I've found the TK3 handy and easy to hold. It's quite a flat design, and slips easily and unobtrusively into the front pocket of my jeans. Light, too, but heavy enough to give it good weight in the hand.
The fit and finish is superb and it still walks and talks like the day I took it out of its package. No play in the blade whatsoever. It's even been washed in the regular washing up, but well rinsed afterwards. I think I may have put a drop of oil on it once?
The gold crowns on the blade have discoloured over time, probably with regular dirt. I haven't bothered to try and restore it because 1) I bought it as a user and 2) I'm worried I may remove the gold underneath altogether.
The blade and bolsters are a little marked up, but the jigged bone scales aren't showing any signs of wear.
IMHO - if you're looking for a classy EDC, the TK3 is excellent value for money. It comes in a choice of scales, too!