So what makes the Tactical Folder 15 that good? Simply put, the quality of the materials that go into it and the designers' commitment to overall quality work.
Wilson and Ralph are personally involved in making their knives, taking turns working on them at various stages of production. Then each knife is inspected prior to shipping. One of the areas that gets extra attention during assembly is the pivot point of the folder. Instead of using a ball bearing race, all surfaces are fitted. Although Wilson wouldn't share the specifics with me, as smooth as this knife is to open and close, I'm sure there is a lot of polishing involved.
Some might call the TF 15 a boring knife because it adheres to the KISS principle. Although it's simple, it's built to work. And it's even available in several combinations: with a bead-basted frame and stone-washed blade (basically a flat finish); a Green Armor Tuff-coated frame and Black Armor Tuff Blade; bead blasted frame with G10 inlays and Black Armor Tuff blade; and an anodized frame with G10 inlays and Black Armor Tuff blade. The G10 inlays are something I would opt for because they give you a better purchase on the knife in a wet environment.
The knife's other notable features include a lanyard hole and an adjustable clip. A standard feature on all Wilson/Ralph TFs, a lanyard hole is very effective in keeping your knife attached to you no matter what happens. This is something many "tactical" knives seem to miss. The knife's removable clip allows you to put the clip at the point end of the knife or position it to carry with the pivot point up. Just remove three screws and adjust to your preference.
At first, the Wilson/Ralph TF 15 may appear too large to comfortably carry all day. But thanks to its slim profile, unlike other knives of its size, the TF 15 can be carried easily for hours. It rides well in the pockets of tactical pants, jeans, or duty trousers. Thanks to careful machining and the lack of sharp edges, wear and tear to clothing is kept to a minimum.
