You're gonna love the Tali-Whacker.

The balance point is about 1/4 inch in front of the handle. It feels REALLY light and it IS fast in the hand.

It is a really nice looking knife and the grind they put on it (a traditional samurai sword grind) really sets the satin finish off. It IS NOT an Americanized tanto point with the sharply angled transition. It is more of a conventional blade grind but they have emphasized the transition from the straight edge toward the tip. It is more of an "Eye Candy" thing on this knife. The edge is one smooth curve from the straight edge, up the "Belly" all the way to the tip. Plus the Spine is "Sort of" swaybacked and I think that adds a little more something as well. One thing I noticed while honing the edge just a bit is when you get to the Transition point at the sweep is you will feel a sort of a bump as you are sharpening. This is nothing more than where they went from one grind to the other and is nothing to worry bout. Just sharpen as normal and you will be OK. Looks are at least initially what it's about. It's the LOOKS that draw us to a certain knife, then we start looking at the other aspects.

Transitions from saber grip to reverse grip are quick and positive. You can tell this ain't no butter knife! Yet it handles like a much smaller and lighter knife. Jerry done good on this re-issue.

It obviously is a fighting knife but I suspect it will work for a lot of other tasks. ONE weak point I see if using it for a "Bush Blade" is the point. It isn't fragile by any means, but it does have a very sharp pointed tip. THAT is what could possible by damaged if you use it for Bushwork, using it to pry with. Now if you get it into your material at least a quarter inch or so, it will handle quite a bit of stress and probably wouldn't be much of a problem. Just be aware that the tip is made for piercing and not prying and you should be just fine.

One other Potential shortcoming, if you want to call it that. The logo and serial number seems (and I could easily be wrong) acid etched on the steel. If it is and isn't engraved when the blade starts developing a patina it could obliterate the logo and SN. Not a problem as I see it, but still something you should be aware of.

Do I like this knife YUP! Would I recommend that everyone get one, YUP. It will just prove to be such a versatile blade that you could pair it with a smaller one and not need anything else. Do I NEED a fighting knife, specially at 59 years old, NOPE. But I wanted it and that is enough. Plus If I ever run across a wild rampaging pig at Mingo, I will have the PERFECT "Pic Sticker"!

Jerry, ya done good boy. Thank you for this Re-issue.