Tuna Valley Picture Show

[Rookie]

Railsplitter in Burnt Stag

[kootenay joe]

Tuna Valley seems to prefer the big, 'chunky' patterns like the Railsplitter. Besides being a handsome knife it is a knife capable of being 'pushed' to work as hard as a folding knife can do (or be).
Are there T.V. examples of the more slender patterns like a Slender Stock knife or single blade Slim Trapper, etc. ? (only one i can find is the mini barlow, 2 blade "Tadpole")
kj

[Rookie]

The tadpole is the smallest knife they have released, and the next one would be the 2016 carpenter whittler pattern. Although 3 1/2 inches long, is fairly narrow and thin. But you are right, a majority of their knives are larger in size. The 2016 teardrop single blade is nearly 4 inches long, but it is narrow due to only having 1 blade/spring. It fits the hand really well.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks R. Have you posted a pic of the 2016 teardrop single blade ? I've looked through this thread. Did i miss it ?
kj

Oops ! i just found it, the Easy Opener Jack. It looks more 'bulky' than slender and indeed it is a pattern that is supposed to be 'well rounded' rather than skinny.
kj

[btrwtr]

Real nice stag on the muskrat and railsplitter!

[Rookie]

Thanks Wayne! I'm happy to be able to share the photos with folks who enjoy seeing them.

[RalphAlsip]

the 2016 carpenter whittler pattern. Although 3 1/2 inches long, is fairly narrow and thin.

I have the TV carpenter whittler in the black buffalo horn handles that I carry often. It is hardly noticeable in the pocket and the blade configuration is very useful.

[Rookie]

Awesome knife Ralph. I always thought I was a stag only guy, but I have to admit that the buffalo horn used on the TV looks really really nice and sharp, and feels really nice in the hand.

[Rookie]

Here are a few new photos, 2014 Gunstock, and 2016 Cattleman.

[kootenay joe]

Wow, what a big 'aggressive' clip blade on the Gunstock. Tuna Valley knives definitely grab one's attention.
kj

[edge213]

Rookie, those two are crazy awesome!!

[Rookie]

Thanks guys, happy I can share photos of them with others here to enjoy.

[Adog]

The new Tuna Valley Humpback Whittlers .
Small but pretty.

[Rookie]

Those are so cool. I saw them at the Queen knife show today in Titusville, and picked up the trio.

[edge213]

I don't own a single TV knife, but this thread shows they have to be the most beautiful knives on the planet.

[Rookie]

I agree Edge, I really like them and they are exquisite eye candy. If you get the chance, don't be afraid to pick one up second hand. They have a pretty good secondary market, and you can get certain patterns for 25% less than new retail price.

[kootenay joe]

Whoa. you guys are buying them 3 at a time ! I guess all 3 are so good you cannot pick just one ?
Here i am fussing over the expense of buying just one. You fellows are inspirational.
kj

[Rookie]

1 of the cool parts about buying the Tuna knives is that they only release 2-3 patterns a year. So buying 3 at a time is cool, cause you only do it every 4 months. Also, if buying at a knife show, you can sometimes get a discount when buying multiples.

[Rookie]

Here are some better shots of the humpbacks.

[kootenay joe]

Is this Humpback a different pattern than the T.V. "Carpenter's Whittler" ? If so would you mind posting a pic showing both patterns ?
Edit, i just checked previous page, the Humpack & Carpenter's are quite different patterns
Of the above 3 Humpbacks i think the jigged bone is a real 'stand out'. I think i need to find the right dealer to get one of these.
kj
Edit: looks like the Humpback Whittler might be sold out, but there are quite a few Carpenter's Whittler available including some with mammoth handles.
Do you know if the Humpback will be made with mammoth handles ?
kj

[Rookie]

Hey KJ, yes they are quite a bit different. The Carpenter had a sheepsfoot main blade, with clip and coping secondary. This knife has a clip main, with pen and coping secondary. The humpback is a little shorter, only 3 1/8 vs the carpenter which is 3 1/2 closed. TV always releases the knives in 50 burnt stag handles, 50 amber stag handles, and 25 buffalo horn handles. Then at a later date, they release them in the timekeeper version, and the mammoth ivory.

Don't worry, these knives haven't been listed for sale yet from the dealers. They were sent out on Friday, so I expect the dealers are likely taking pictures of them and should be listing them very soon. I only was able to get these sooner because Ryan Daniels had them for sale at the Queen Knife show this past weekend. Usually I have to wait and buy from one of the dealers, but this time I lucked out. I believe both stags will list at $150 and the buffalo horn will be $125.

I'm sure they'll release the humpbacks in mammoth ivory, but it will likely be 3-4 months from now because they need to get the ivory fluted and the bolsters engraved by Oiseau Metal Works.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Rookie. Very helpful information and good to hear that Humpbacks have not sold out. I will keep checking for them.
kj

[kootenay joe]

I spent much of today looking at pictures of available Tuna Valley knives, going back and forth trying to remember 'this mammoth handle' to compare with 'that' mammoth handle. Looked at other handle materials as well.
The only aspect of these knives i do not like is the tendency for thick handle slabs. I know it is more difficult to craft a thin handle piece but when done properly the result is a far superior knife. Look at, or handle, any Jos. Rodgers (and others) pre WW I stag handled folding knife if you need any convincing.
Only one of the T.V. sellers shows a pic taken from overhead, knife on it's spine, to show handle thickness. Some are not too bad but none are as slender as they could be.
Does anyone in the Daniels family read threads like this one to see what the 'knifers' are saying ?
kj

[Rookie]

I know Ryan Daniels is active on Facebook knife groups. I don't believe he goes on any of the main knife forums, at least not yet. That may change in the future from what he was saying.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the handles. I think it's just a personal preference of liking huge chunky thick handles, or slim ones for more comfortable carrying.

[RalphAlsip]

The only aspect of these knives i do not like is the tendency for thick handle slabs.
kj

I prefer a thin and and well-matched (symmetrical) set of handles, too. In my experience the Tuna Valley Buffalo horn is thin, well balanced, and comfortable. The Buffalo is not as "eye catching" in my opinion..