School me on the tad dauntless

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Spartan00

Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
1,329
Looking at this knife . Interested in it but would like to hear thoughts from owners of it .

How is it compared to other knives in its price range ? Also who makes it ? May be a dumb question just curious didn't know if they are made in house or something like lions Teel does for dpx.

Also how's the warranty ? I found the warranty info on their other products not sure if the knifes is separate. Thanks all.
 
I've got two of them that I really dig.

One is a Ban Tang limited edition Dauntless (MKIII version) w/ a wicked convex grind, and the other is a newer MKIV stonewash blade/carbon fiber version. They carry deeply and take up little real estate in the pocket. F&F is flawless on both, but it can be spotty...especially in the earlier versions, or so I understand. I've not had any first hand experience with any other ones than the two that I currently own. Both of mine are dead centered with no play.

I'm not a huge 50/50 forward choil guy, but it works well on this pattern and just looks plain cool. Their S35VN blades handle all of my daily EDC cutting tasks/purposes without issue. I've had lots of production knives go through my hands over the last several years on here, along with a good number of mid techs, and the TAD Dauntless is one of my favorites. That's why I have more than one :)

As far as who makes them, well, TAD keeps that close to the vest...other than they're made in the USA. Rumors float around here and there about this, and I've even heard ProTech mentioned as a possibility.

They come up on the Exchange fairly frequently, so if you see a good price on one, take the plunge! Hope this was helpful.
 
It's a cool knife, but after reading about a member's experience trying to get parts for his (it was missing a screw direct from them) and basically there's no warranty service at all, the only time they can give you parts is when they get more knives in. I have no idea what they would do if there were lock issues.
 
I have a MK4, carbon fiber, black blade. Fit and finish flawless EXCEPT the pivot screw slot arrived damaged. Looked like it was tightened with a screw driver too small. After reading about issues getting spare parts I just refinished it myself. Poor blade to handle ratio if that's important to you due to the large choil. Out of the box it's wicked sharp and flicks open lightening fast. It's a very slim knife and carries easily in pocket or IWB. The deep carry clip has recessed screws so it poses no issues in drawing the knife. Very refined, a smooth bourbon compared to the beer experience of an Emerson (which I often carry).
 
I've had two and I REALLY like this folder. I believe that both were Mk 3's.
However, I sold them...for one reason. The choil is so large that it can hang up, particularly if you make a stabbing motion and then try to cut. It happened to me...I sold the knife. I bought another...never carried it; sold it.
If they could just minimize the choil, I would love the knife.
 
I rarely use warranties I think 3 times on 200 knives maybe . I like to know the company had my back though . If I think there's a chance the company won't stand behind me I wouldn't carry the knife . While it looks attractive and personally I like choils right now I'm going to pass thanks guys .

Don't get me wrong I think TAD is doing something right hell everybody works with them so they haft to be respected . I just don't feel comfortable not knowing who'd making my knife for that kind of money and if thered a doubt I could end up with a paperweight that's not a risk I want to take for that kind of money. Thanks guys.
 
Mine was impeccably made and a great design. If I were to get another one I'd go for a later iteration with a stonewash and bearings. The OEM is a secret, which is a little annoying, but other than that I had no complaints. Definitely worth the $300.
 
What about the tad collaborations? Are those made by whoever is doing the collaborations or by the same folks as the dauntless?
 
Spartan00 said:
What about the tad collaborations? Are those made by whoever is doing the collaborations or by the same folks as the dauntless?
Click to expand...

Those are made by the custom makers who originally designed them. TAD just contracts them to make a model for them, usually with some sort of green handles and the three fullers. But TAD's OEM only makes the Dauntless.
 
Digging up an old thread... I've tried to read everything I could find on a TAD Dauntless Mk 4 knife and finally decided to buy one. The one thing I could never pin down was who is making them though. Not exactly sure if this is the definitive answer, but I just received an email news feed of sorts that mentioned the TAD Mk 4.
They stated it is "Made for Triple Aught Design by Millett Knives" (I'm sure they meant Millit Knives...)

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2017/07/1...ent=2017-07-23&utm_campaign=Weekly+Newsletter
 
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RUSirius said:
They stated it is "Made for Triple Aught Design by Millett Knives" (I'm sure they meant Millit Knives...)
Click to expand...

That's Tony Sculimbrene of Everyday Commentary, who I'd say is pretty trustworthy. He says in this article that he discovered Millit was the manufacturer "after three years of sleuthing," so I'm guessing he has a pretty good basis for the claim. It also makes a lot of sense. The quality of the Dauntless is in line with Millit's other work, which is really excellent.
 
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