AMERICAN HANDGUNNER FEATURE ARTICLE ON BRAD DUNCAN CUSTOM KNIVES PUBLISHED 2002 BY: PAT COVERT There are three ways you can become a successful knife-maker in the tactical world. Fast, slow, or somewhere in between. In just two years, Texas custom knifemaker Brad Duncan chose to forego the slow route, rocket past the followers and scare the pants off the top dogs. Brad's story is unique to the often quaint and sometimes easy-going world of custom knifemakers. Collectively, the cosmos of custom cutlery makers is full of talented individuals who make both beautiful and wicked-edged tools. But like any group of creative people who possess artistic talent and a penchant for working with their hands, they can be a bit laid back. Some make a living making knives full time and a whole bunch don't. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just that Brad Duncan decided when he got into knifemaking that he'd rather take the interstate than the back roads. Born To Grind You could write the story of Brad's career as a custom knifemaker on the back of a napkin and still have enough room to wipe your mouth off without getting any ink on your chin. Duncan is 31-years-old and he's only been a knifemaker for two years. To really flesh the story out, you have to go farther back. At age 11 he saved his money up to buy his first knife. That first knife quenched his thirst until he could save up a bit more and buy a Gerber, a sure sign to a kid of his age that he had arrived Brad didn't know there was a knifemaker lurking within until he attended a knife show in the fall of 1999. Inspired by some of the custom knives he'd seen, he started using his off time between machining cycles to tinker with knife design. By December of that year, he had a vision in his head about what the perfect knife might be, but the intrepid Texan still lacked the outright knowledge that comes from guidance and technical know-how. Ironically, he wouldn't find it in Texas, but many miles away in our neighboring country of Canada. In February of 2000, Brad picked up a copy of a knife magazine and happened across an article on accomplished Canadian knifemaker Greg Lightfoot. Out of the blue, he called Lightfoot just to talk and found the knifemaker to be more than willing to give him advice on how to get started, what to buy and where to find it. He also got advice from fellow Texan and noted folder maker Bailey Bradshaw. These two knifemakers gave him all the advice and inspiration he needed to get going, and by March, 2000 he bought his first grinder and drill press. Brad broke out of the gate at breakneck speed, thanks in large part to a folder he designed by the name of "Whiplash." Rare it is that a knifemaker's first major design strikes oil, but in Brad's case, he hit Spindletop. His Whiplash folders have sold like towels in Afghanistan since the day he introduced them and have given the knifemaker an almost instantaneous customer base for future sales. How is it possible that this knifemaker that nobody ever heard of is so fast becoming a household name in tactical circles? First, Duncan's Whiplash folder has a fast, butter-slick action that flies in the face of the word "manual." Brad calls it the Whiplash Quick Release System, a specially designed sealed-bearing setup that allows the blade to pivot open with unbelievable speed and ease. There is no spring to assist the blade, but with a bit of practice, blade engagement can rival that of the fastest automatics. In fact, Brad offers Whiplash models in a double-action automatic, but the manual model can be activated so swiftly it's hard to imagine needing it. Brad is quick to point out, however, that the bearing system is only as good as the tolerances he keeps, which are within .0001" on the working parts. Other reasons the Whiplash has achieved such swift success is that it is a well-built knife with excellent design traits. The liners are machined of .070" thick titanium to cut down on weight. This not only makes for a sturdy frame, but also serves as a liner-lock design so the extra thick locking leaf makes for deadbolt-like security when the blade is in the business position. At 4.5" closed and 8.0" extended, the standard model Whiplash is not a small knife. Generally speaking, larger tactical folders tend to be slower to employ, but the Whiplash's superior pivot system negates any notion of that. The 3.5" blade is a discreet drop-point design with a wide hollow grind that offers excellent slice. Duncan offers his customers a wide range of blade steels, including BG-42, 440V and 154CM. He has also been experimenting with the new-age, non-steel alloy stellite that is reported to be 100 percent corrosion resistant and has a edge-holding capability that far exceeds even the best of today's stainless offerings. The blade is deployed via stepped, ambidextrous thumb studs located on either side of the blade, just above the hilt. The Whiplash has flared bolsters that offer excellent finger protection. The scales-- offered in a variety of synthetic and natural materials-- are dovetailed into the bolsters, protecting them from the forces of stress or shear. All of the outer edges of the handle are radiused, making for a comfortable grip. An ample 2.25" pocket clip is standard. Brad offers several different models of the basic Whiplash and different variations have been spunoff the platform since its release. The knifemaker's most popular model is the Stealth, which features a titanium frame and bolsters with black carbonfiber scales. The Police model has blue and black G-l0 scales; the Desert Storm does G-10 as well, but in tan. A Mini Whiplash with a shorter handle and 2.5" blade is also available. There is also a very basic frame-lock version of the knife, devoid of bolsters and scales. Duncan's Thrusting Whiplash has all the attributes of the standard model but sports a wicked Japanese tanto-style blade that features a V-grind instead of the chisel grind typically found on contemporary folders with this blade style. Historically, it should be noted that original Japanese tantos were V-ground. The chisel ground blade was originally made for culinary purposes, and has only recently been adapted to tactical knives. So far, Brad's collaborations have been limited to the custom world. He has produced two limited edition folders--the X-Pert and Corollas--designed by talented designer Joel Pirela. He has also done an exclusive model, the Backlash, for KnifeArt.com, an internet company that specializes in custom knives by a wide range of knifemakers. Look for a major knife manufacturer to pick up the Whiplash design for a production model very soon. Oh, and that big bad fixed blade knife that's lurking in the background of the exquisite Ichiro Nagata photos shown herein? That's a prototype for a 12 bladed can of whupass Brad lovingly calls "The Punisher." Get The Cure Brad Duncan is a knifemaker on the way up, and his knives can only get harder to come by as time goes on. As you can see, Brad's work varies widely despite his relatively short time as a knifemaker. As you might expect, so do the prices for his knives. The basic Whiplash Stealth model will run you $500, very typical for a folder of this quality in titanium and carbonfiber. The Police and Desert Storm variants run the same, while Mini Whiplash models cost approximately $25 less. A double-action Whiplash--offering both manual and spring assisted automatic blade opening--sells for $750. Uptown Whiplash models ordered with special materials such as pearl, ivory and Damascus steel start at $775, then go up from there depending on the customer's appetite. Given his busy schedule, Brad prefers to do business by telephone or through the internet. |
