Tuff

[gdwtvb]

I love titanium handled knives. I have seen people say that they get slippery, but that has never been my experience. I wonder if people just think that they do and have never tried them. Even with a plain, non inlaid, Sebenza I never had any trouble holding on to it even when it was covered in blood from cleaning deer or hogs. Now that I moved on to a sage 2, with the contoured handle it is even harder to get to slip. Cleanup on a open design like a RIL is much easier. Quick rinse in the water bucket, and on to the next deer.

I'm not sure I really have a need for a knife like the Tuff, but I sure am excited to hold one. Over the years my tastes in knives have been shrinking. Large Seb to small Seb, then to sage 2...whick is only temporary until the ti handled chaparral arrives....and I still regularly mention that Sal needs to make a ti handled ladybug/manbug.

I can see where the handle texturing may be too aggressive, but I love the look of that pattern. I hope the pattern looks similar to the proto, just not as deep/sharp or whatever.

Grizz

[v8r]

Sign me up, I like funky cool.

[The Mastiff]

So, it sounds like it has the toughness similar to a shock steel, but has edge holding like D2 or VG10.

That's pretty much my experience. I have two Ferhmans and a ZT 100. I know Ferhamn hardens them to RC 58. I think the ZT is the same. It's very tough at this hardness but still has good wear resistance and edge stability.

Jerry Hossum makes his around RC 61 and does some pretty amazing things with them. That I'd like to try. The wear would be up, the toughness down but in a non chopper, say a 5-7 inch blade it would be great IMO.

Good stuff!

[Senate]

I'm really excited about the 2 little big knives (Lion and Tuff) coming from Spyderco; it was the last frontier that remained to be explored.

[speedcut]

I have total confidence that the Tuff will be THE BEST hard knife out there and with Mr. Schempp ergonomics and design will be matched by none...i just can't wait for it.... :)

[toomzz]

Thanks mister Schempp for enlightening us. I am looking forward to finally purchase a ti-handle knife. The textured grip looks cool and grippy, as long as it doesn't rip my pants too fast :D
There is one thing I do not understand however. Explain me how removing material helps stiffening up the blade?

Tomas

[tuffthumbz]

looks like they named a knife after me, guess i gotta buy it :)

[DaBird]

Sal's assignment to me was to make a folder as strong as possible. The original prototype had a sliding plate lock which was probably in violation of other patents, although this was a different mechanism.

The fuller on the blade serves several purposes. First, it lightens the blade. Second, is that it stiffens the blade. Third, it provided a line to grind up to. This is a very strong geometry knife blade, just short of a chisel geometry.

Somehow this knife got into the video loop and still needs much refinement. The handle will be changed, the pivot will be changed. So what you have seen is a work in progress, and it will change. Probably the only part that will not change is the blade....Take Care...Ed

Mr. Schempp --- I LOVE the last sentence of your post and I really hope the blade shape stays the same as on the proto. I own almost all your Spyderco designs and look forward to buying the Tuff as soon as it comes out.

[Ed Schempp]

Fullers increase the surface area much like car unibody components, every curve adds strength. This doesn't necessarily increase the overall strength but it does increase stiffness.

Historically it was also a way of stretching the limited resource of good carbon steel.

Flex points were accurately placed on swords, rapiers, and other long blades of extension with fullers...Take Care...Ed

[harrydog]

I really don't care for the fuller. I was looking forward to this knife but now I don't know...
For this type of knife the small weight savings that the fuller provides wouldn't matter to me plus I don't understand how it can stiffen the blade.

[v8r]

It Stiffens the blade much like putting a rib in a piece of flat sheet metal. A piece of flat sheet metal is quite flexible. If you roll a few ribs In it, it will become noticeably stiffer.
They also flute rifle barrels to increase stiffness and promote quicker cooling due to more surface area.

[2cha]

Mr. Schempp --- I LOVE the last sentence of your post and I really hope the blade shape stays the same as on the proto. I own almost all your Spyderco designs and look forward to buying the Tuff as soon as it comes out.

I'm missing the Barong and the Rock Salt--and I'm bummed about it--won't make that mistake again---BRING IT ON!!!!!

[chuck_roxas45]

It Stiffens the blade much like putting a rib in a piece of flat sheet metal. A piece of flat sheet metal is quite flexible. If you roll a few ribs In it, it will become noticeably stiffer.
They also flute rifle barrels to increase stiffness and promote quicker cooling due to more surface area.

I guess that's the reason for corrugated cardboard and roofing too.

[angusW]

From the looks of that video, it seems it might sport a Military style clip and can be positioned on all four corners. That is just up my alley.

[Alphahunter]

I want one of these. I like what I see.

[Freediver]

This moved up to number 2 on my most anticipated list.