Todd's Knife

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:30 pm

I just say this like 30 min ago. Has anybody got one of his Raider's fieldknives? They look pretty decent for a decent buck.

Bests,
Adam

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:52 pm

I just bought one... ill report once i get it
it looks close

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:55 pm

Bump to the top - I was just looking at these myself. I even did a quick search on Ebay to find something similar. No luck though.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:13 pm

well I got my knife in today...
and its... well..... interesting...
It was just wrapped in light paper and had a sticker on the outside: MADE IN PAKISTAN"

i Thought.... ah @#$%....
In the past Pakistani knives were absolute @#$%...
but i was actually pretty surprised once i opened it.
First off, for a $19 knife, it has a very keen edge.
I carry a $70 kershaw daily and collect alot higher end $300+ knives so that is my basis for comparison...
The one gripe which i dont know if accurate or not, but the bone scales (yes they look like REAL jigged bone) is the thickness of the bone scales.
I will no doubt take pictures, but the scales are pretty thick.....

regardless it fillls the hands well and i could definantly see this being a good little everyday pocket knife

i DO like that the blade has NO markings on it... no "made in..." any kinda marks.... NOTHING... so makes it more belevable as a 1930s era knife

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:37 pm

Someone post a pick of this!!!!

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:09 pm

Tennessee Smith wrote:Someone post a pick of this!!!!

Here's a link to a pic on Todd's site -

http://www.toddscostumes.com/indy/india ... _knife.htm

It's really a great looking little knife. I think I'm going to pick one up myself. I'm a bit of a knife collector and have similar interests to what Shagbd described as his own.

I would prefer that it was made of a good carbon steel rather than stainless. That would be more period correct. I don't think that stainless alloys were used in blades much until the 60's. Not only that, but good carbon steel takes an edge and holds it so much better than any stainless out there, no matter what the knife makers say.

One thing that I would like to see described better is the type of locking mechanism used. It doesn't appear to be a liner lock, and I can see the spring protruding on the back of the handle with the blade partly extended, but if it is a lockback style, then where is the lock release?

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:15 pm

yeh its a lockback design, there is a rectangular protrusion from the back. Depress it and the blade unlocks...
pretty tight lockup too when its opened

heres the picture, as requested (among various gear)

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:18 pm

Thanks, I saw the pick from Todd's site earlier but I was still wanting a pic of the knife from one of us. That way we can judge the SA and discuss the quality

Shagbd, the knife looks great!!!

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:18 pm

Wow, I'm sold.

Not only do you have good taste in knives (the Kershaw Leek is my favorite daily carry knife), but you know how to take a good picture. That would be a great pic for Todd to use for his site. It would sell a few knives. Nice job.

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:24 pm

thats a beauty, thanks for posting it! Another excellent piece by Coyle.

Bests,
Adam

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:40 pm

well I will have to take another someother time of the thickness of the handle scales...
thats really my only turn off to the knife
but heck... for $20 its a steal!

thanks for the compliments!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:55 pm

Shagbd, what about the thickness of the scales do you not like? Are they too thin or too thick or something else, altogether?

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:09 pm

Here are a couple photo's of my Linder folding hunter knife, cost from Europe to the US, $107.00.

Todd's knife definetly looks the part and probably runs $25.00 shipped to the USA.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:33 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:Shagbd, what about the thickness of the scales do you not like? Are they too thin or too thick or something else, altogether?

yeh too thick
well... thicker than that knife in the above post

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:48 pm

Compared to the photos of that Linder, I'm not quite as hot on the Todd's as I was. Still a decent price.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 10:43 pm

yeh its more of a price thing to me really

Ill drop $100+ on a Emerson knife any day.
but im not spending $100 on some 420 stainless knife

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 10:52 pm

Shagbd wrote:yeh its more of a price thing to me really

Ill drop $100+ on a Emerson knife any day.
but im not spending $100 on some 420 stainless knife

Excellent point. That's why $20 for an unknown grade of stainless is fine for someone who knows how to sharpen a knife and doesn't mind doing it, or even enjoys doing it, like myself. It is just an average daily use pocketknife that I don't have high expectations of, so I'm sure I'll be happy. I just sent payment to Todd for one.

About the stainless; I just talked myself out of spending $85 on Gerber's newest version of their Mark 2. What kept me from buying it was the 420C stainless steel it is made of. There are better materials that could be used. Gerber has really lost their sense of priority in the last few years. They don't even stamp the tangs anymore.

I'll hold off until I find a good deal on an older Mark 2 to add to my collection.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 12:08 am

yeh Gerber has really fallen from grace...
the only production company whos stuff i will TOUCH is Kershaw, thats because they have the best warranty known to man...

Alkali Jones · Post by **Alkali Jones** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:52 pm

Hey Shagbd

If you look here, http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t ... hlight=440 the Linder knife is 440a steel, not 420. There's some kind of mistake in their advertising. GeordieIndy contacted them. Don't know if that makes it a $100.00 knife or not, though.

Dan S

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:09 pm

Even if its 440 grade the class of that grade makes a big difference also, if you want to split hairs. So is the Linder an A, B, or C grade? As far as I'm concerned, if it sharpens and is functional, then the $20 is well worth the price. I'm just happy to see a SA knife offered state side.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:33 pm

I'm a Case knife fan, mostly because that's what I inherited from being a part of my family. The knife I carry with me most days is a 30+ yr old stockman that was carried by my dad and my grandpa before him. I have no idea what dad carries now, I think it could be another old Case he bought.

No markings on the blade would be a plus for me. I'd hate to get one that says made in Pakistan or something. May pick one up just for the heck of it.

Randy

Alkali Jones · Post by **Alkali Jones** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:15 pm

Hey Tennessee Smith,

I know nothing about steel.

I was just trying to clarify the issue. The Steel according to GeordiIndy was 440a. Now, the thing I want to know is: Is the "a" the grade? Is that good? Or is "c" better? If it's 440a, is it a worth while knife, or no?

I'm as cheap as the next guy, or cheaper, but I'm also not rich. If the Linder is a good knife, that I'd have for life and maybe even pass to my sons, I'd be interested. If not, then Todd's seems an ok choice until a better comes along.

I know some of you guys know this stuff, so come on, Knife Steel 101 is in session.

Dan S

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:54 pm

Alkali Jones wrote:Hey Tennessee Smith,

I know nothing about steel. I was just trying to clarify the issue. The Steel according to GeordiIndy was 440a. Now, the thing I want to know is: Is the "a" the grade? Is that good? Or is "c" better? If it's 440a, is it a worth while knife, or no?

I'm as cheap as the next guy, or cheaper, but I'm also not rich. If the Linder is a good knife, that I'd have for life and maybe even pass to my sons, I'd be interested. If not, then Todd's seems an ok choice until a better comes along.

I know some of you guys know this stuff, so come on, Knife Steel 101 is in session.

Dan S

Here’s a breakdown of the two types we’ve mentioned.

"Type 420—Cutlery Grade martensitic; similar to the Brearley's original rustless steel. Excellent polishability.

Type 440—a higher grade of cutlery steel, with more carbon, allowing for much better edge retention when properly heat-treated. It can be hardened to approximately Rockwell 58 hardness, making it one of the hardest stainless steels. Due to its toughness and relatively low cost, most display-only and replica swords or knives are made of 440 stainless. Also known as razor blade steel. Available in four grades: 440A, 440B, 440C, and the uncommon 440F (free machinable). 440A, having the least amount of carbon in it, is the most stain-resistant; 440C, having the most, is the strongest and is usually considered more desirable in knifemaking than 440A, except for diving or other salt-water applications." -Wikipedia

And as far as I’m concerned the knife had me at $20. If I happen to need to sharpen it a few times more then so be it, it looks the part and I can order it with a tracking number for shipping purposes. I think it’s a good deal personally and I hope to give it to my son one day also.

Hope this helps

-Erin

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:06 pm

Excuse the quick photo, but here's the knife I recieved from Todd's. Will echo what's been said above about the thick scales, but the flip side is it fits VERY nicely in the hand. As this is on the largish size for a pocket knife that's important.

For the price I'd say these are decent, sturdy knives and worth a place among your gear.

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:52 pm

Raider S wrote:Excuse the quick photo, but here's the knife I recieved from Todd's. Will echo what's been said above about the thick scales, but the flip side is it fits VERY nicely in the hand. As this is on the largish size for a pocket knife that's important.

For the price I'd say these are decent, sturdy knives and worth a place among your gear.

My knife looks almost exactly like the ones pictured, except of course that the stag handles, being a natural material, are all going to be unique. I have to disagree about the thickness of the scales being a bad thing. I find that the knife fits very well in my hand and is very comfortable to use. It really is a great knife for the money and so far, with some light use, has held an edge very well. Of course, the catch to that is the knife was shipped to me with a dull blade, not unsharpened, just dull by my own high standards. However I was able to easily put a razor edge on the hollow ground blade.

I would recommend this knife as a fair purchase. It's not a rip-off, but you do get what you pay for.

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:01 pm

Looks good RaiderS. So are the handles on Todd's really stag horn or are they a synthetic material?

Bests,
Adam

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:04 pm

wannabe wrote:are the handles on Todd's really stag horn or are they a synthetic material?

They are natural stag horn. They are not synthetic, so the coloration and the shape varies as individually as a fingerprint.

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:07 pm

Great! Good to know, thanks a lot Canner.

Bests,
Adam

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:16 pm

Cammer wrote:I find that the knife fits very well in my hand and is very comfortable to use.
I would recommend this knife as a fair purchase. It's not a rip-off, but you do get what you pay for.

Agreed! Mine arrived last week and I couldn't be happier with it!

I have Mora knives that I'd use for real applications, but as a simple pocket knife or just a prop, you couldn't ask for a better item for the money.

Indiana Charles · Post by **Indiana Charles** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:10 am

Just ordered one along with some gloves. Can't wait.

- I.C.

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:26 am

Indiana Charles the gloves are pretty decent depending on what you are using them for. You'll enjoy them.

Bests,
Adam

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:32 am

That really is a nice piece for $20

Redinight · Post by **Redinight** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:39 am

I got my knife today.

I am pleased with it. The knife was a lot larger than i was expecting!!! I haven't done that much looking into about the Raiders knife as it's not a key prop or peice of gear but it's certainly going to be fun to have in the MK VII for those time that people make fun of the "man purse"!!!!

As always, it's great when you get the gear in your hand, to realize what you are actually studying on film... Unfortunately the stag is a little more personal than I would like on my knife, as there is a huge grove or chunk missing on a corner. Other than for twenty bucks Im satisfied.

I would'nt want to pay $100 for a little better quality. Maybe some other time but this great for the price. However as far as accuracy goes...I have one issue. The silver round piece of the handle is not round enough. That part is too square in shape. Aside from that, the stag is not consistanly dark enough but that's pushing it because the lighting is dark etc....

I am considering another one as a gift to my father... I like it the old world feel to it. It's something my Dad would appreciate too and I could try my luck with the stag again. Perhaps I will throw it in the cart if I get my jacket from Todd.

Local Land Surveyor · Post by **Local Land Surveyor** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:56 am

I got my knife recently for my birthday. I grew up with Old Timers and Buck Knives. This is really a great knife. The blade is very stout. I'll see as time goes by at how well it holds an edge. It now goes wherever I go. I'd hate to be where I would need to "borrow" one from someone in a crypt. ;-)

http://public.fotki.com/2756/knife/image093.html
http://public.fotki.com/2756/knife/image095.html

Great knife Todd. No land surveyor should be without one.

LLS

Darth Indiana · Post by **Darth Indiana** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:12 pm

well, i'm sold.

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:32 pm

I have a Todd's knife on the way, I will let everyone know how it compares to the Linder Folding Hunter.

tym · Post by **tym** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:35 pm

Tennessee Smith wrote:
Alkali Jones wrote:Hey Tennessee Smith,

I know nothing about steel. I was just trying to clarify the issue. The Steel according to GeordiIndy was 440a. Now, the thing I want to know is: Is the "a" the grade? Is that good? Or is "c" better? If it's 440a, is it a worth while knife, or no?

I'm as cheap as the next guy, or cheaper, but I'm also not rich. If the Linder is a good knife, that I'd have for life and maybe even pass to my sons, I'd be interested. If not, then Todd's seems an ok choice until a better comes along.

I know some of you guys know this stuff, so come on, Knife Steel 101 is in session.

Dan S
Here’s a breakdown of the two types we’ve mentioned.

"Type 420—Cutlery Grade martensitic; similar to the Brearley's original rustless steel. Excellent polishability.

Type 440—a higher grade of cutlery steel, with more carbon, allowing for much better edge retention when properly heat-treated. It can be hardened to approximately Rockwell 58 hardness, making it one of the hardest stainless steels. Due to its toughness and relatively low cost, most display-only and replica swords or knives are made of 440 stainless. Also known as razor blade steel. Available in four grades: 440A, 440B, 440C, and the uncommon 440F (free machinable). 440A, having the least amount of carbon in it, is the most stain-resistant; 440C, having the most, is the strongest and is usually considered more desirable in knifemaking than 440A, except for diving or other salt-water applications." -Wikipedia

And as far as I’m concerned the knife had me at $20. If I happen to need to sharpen it a few times more then so be it, it looks the part and I can order it with a tracking number for shipping purposes. I think it’s a good deal personally and I hope to give it to my son one day also.

Hope this helps

-Erin

What about CPM S30V? There's a good discussion here. I have a Spyderco Military G-10 and it's quite a nice (and scarily sharp) knife.

Indiana Charles · Post by **Indiana Charles** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:14 pm

Recieved my knife and gloves yesterday. They look great. The gloves are pretty good. I wont be hanging off the front of any trucks anytime soon but you never know ;-)

- I.C.

carolinamike · Post by **carolinamike** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:00 am

Cammer wrote:They are natural stag horn. They are not synthetic, so the coloration and the shape varies as individually as a fingerprint.

Dang that means it won't be perfectly SA

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:40 am

Surprised I missed this thread for this long considering my interest in knives. I definitely need to pick one of these up!

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:09 am

It looks a little big for pocket carry. Perfect for the MKVII. Is that a pretty accurate statement?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:27 am

I've been using mine for about 2 months, every day at work. It's been holding up real well, and haven't had to sharpen it yet.
I think it's worth every penny.
'Blues

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:50 pm

Alright... I'm in. I'll be placing an order in the morning.

Redinight · Post by **Redinight** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:23 pm

I'm in the process of customizing/modifying it... I will have pics up later. My dremel and I are very busy

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:32 pm

How are you modifying it? Please post pics after you are finished!!

Nibs

Clutters · Post by **Clutters** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:41 pm

Anyone had any luck getting one of these sent down under?

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:55 pm

Redinight wrote:I'm in the process of customizing/modifying it... I will have pics up later. My dremel and I are very busy

What are you doing?

raider 57 · Post by **raider 57** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:49 am

Just got my Todd's knife about a week ago. I like the size,abit larger than most "pocket" knives. I think the fatter handle fits the hand well. Out of the box it did need sharpened up some more.
A couple of the rivets on the handle weren't flush. I just filed them down. looks/feels better now.
I'll try to post up some pics soon......
~raider 57

Redinight · Post by **Redinight** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:42 am

I will get better pics later...this is my phone camera..

I just wanted to add that beveled or routed edge that the film knife has. I also added a few more groves on the stag as the upper portion near the top was really sanded down. I am pleased with the outcome except that I left a lot of clumsy tool marks on the high polish that the knife came in, but it adds to a more used look I suppose.

darthinvictus · Post by **darthinvictus** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:24 pm

i am now the proud owner of one of these babies and i love it
like all the todds products i own fabulous and priced to be used and not simply put on a shelf.
yay todd coyle!!!