Any experience with the Wilson/Ralph rapid response folder?

shootist16

shootist16

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I like the looks of it, but would like to get some feedback before I fork out the $$$.

newfolder.jpg
 
I like the looks of it also, and at the price being quoted looks like a real deal for a titanium framed framelocker. Btw Dennis sent you a pm on another matter.
 
Ohhh-kayyy ... thanx, you guys, for sending me to Darrel's website !!! I've been wondering what would get me interested in buying another knife.

It's been dry lately. Nothing caught my eye. Not the Dominator. Certainly not the Heat. This knife is evil. Dennis, Art, you two aren't allowed to play with evil. :eek: What's the street price gonna be, or is Combat Elite the only source for now?
 
Nice knife. I talked to a dealer at a gun/knife show. He says they'll be available around August. I really like the look of it. I just hope I can find a retailer that will have them at a good price.
 
that looks fantastic, i would really like to see the lock side of the handle but right now it looks like something i will have to buy.
 
Tracking it down at Darrel Ralph's site, going to the Combat Elite section:

RAPID RESPONSE FOLDER (RRF)

• Our Superior Titanium Frame-Lock Design
• CPM S30V Steel Blade
• 3.375 Inch Blade Length
• Tip-Up or Tip-Down Carry
• Black Armor-Tuff Blade for Maximum Protection or Stone Washed Finish Blade
• Green Armor-Tuff Frame
• 3 Dimension MAXX GRIP 3DTM Machined G10 Inlays
• Sure Grip IITM Frame
• All Hardware Black
• Available with a Partially Serrated Blade
• Manual version available March/04
Double Action Spring Assist available July/04
 
From reading at another forum it seems that mid to late June will be the timeline for the manual version, Darrel may have a couple at Blade is my understanding. Also read that these will list at $200.00, and that is an awesome price for a titanium framed framelock with S30V blade steel. Have also read that the workmanship on these is top notch and that this may be the first real challenger to the verenable Sebenza! :eek: :D :cool:
 
I am certainly looking forward to handling one.
Darrel, what's the word will you have some at Blade?
 
I got the chance to hanlde this knife for a little while before Darrel sent it off for a write up. Don't know which magazine has it. We will know soon! Darrel was telling me mid June should see these babies ready to go! With some luck, there might be a couple at Blade! Man, I am really hoping for that!

When I handled this knife, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed! The fit and finish is incredible! Darrel said he is working at the tightest tolerances he has ever done on this knife! He was showing me the parts as they came off the machine. They were ready to go at that point, but Darrel said they would under go a bit more finishing. The knife fits the hand perfectly, in any grip. No hot spots, no feeling of compromise. The 3D inlay gave it an amazing feeling of traction, that combined with the shape of the handle made you feel like this knife not only was a part of you, but a part of you that you didn't have to think about to use. It's a deceptive knife, visually. You see the illustration and you read the specs and then you see the knife. It LOOKS smaller than you expect. Initially, I thought it was going to be too small for my hand. Nope, perfect. That deception also translates to a very inconspicuous carry knife. It barely prints when it's in your pocket and it doesn;t feel like it will annoy you throughout the day.

The Sebenza was there first and arguably sits there by itself. I honestly believe this knife will at the very least, be the equal of the Sebenza, if not it's better. At a substantially lower price as well.

I can't wait!
 
Thanks for chiming in Dirk as it was you I was quoting from the "other" forum! :D :cool: :)
 
I've been excited about this knife since first seeing a picture. I love some of Darrel's designs. He has a way of making a knife that feels great, performs great, and looks great doing it. The CF EDC, AL, and ALB are some of my favorite knives, and most pleasurable to use. Don't know for sure if I'll make Blade, but if I do, checking out the RR is one of my top priorities, because everything I see about it appeals to me, which is true of very few knives, folders or otherwise. The size, materials, shape of the handles, thumbrest, guard, blade style...man, Darrel knows how to float my boat.
Awesome.
 
Hi Folks,
This knife is the creation of Ryan Wilson and myself. We formed the Combat Elite company so that we could melt ideas from the knife world and the gun world to make ultimate tools for professionals.
The RRF folder will be a big surprise when you handle it.
This knife was designed with gun handle comfort and high performance cutting in mind.

We will be giving two of these folders away at the blades show via drawing.
We will have our new SOS and SOB straight knives at the show also.
The SOS and SOB knives that will be for sale at the show will be part of the first production run of 26 knives each. They are numbered. We will have green black and black handles for them and either green or black armor tough blades.
We will also offer the prototypes for sale at the show. These will be blue black g10 with hand rubbed blades!~

Stop by either Ryan's table or my table (11-P) to enter the contest.

Thanks for the ear.


A special thanks to Philip La Barbera for the illustrations that are shown at this time for the RRF And the straight knives at our site and inour catalog.
Phil does great work and we appreciate it.
We will update the site after the show with the pictures of the knives.
 
Darrel Ralph said:
A special thanks to Philip La Barbera for the illustrations that are shown at this time for the RRF And the straight knives at our site and inour catalog.
Phil does great work and we appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the plug Darrel, wild horses couldn't have gotten it out of me that these folks weren't looking at a real knife. I thought we would keep it our secret. I'm glad it worked out for you and Ryan.

I'll see you at Blade.
 
PhilL said:
Thanks for the plug Darrel, wild horses couldn't have gotten it out of me that these folks weren't looking at a real knife. I thought we would keep it our secret. I'm glad it worked out for you and Ryan.

I'll see you at Blade.
Click to expand...


Are you saying that the pic of the RRF knife at the start of this thread (green handle, blk blade is NOT a photo? tell me I'm wrong!
 
patrickb said:
Are you saying that the pic of the RRF knife at the start of this thread (green handle, blk blade is NOT a photo? tell me I'm wrong!
Click to expand...

Well the background with the pistol is a photograph, but the knife was made in Photoshop from a line drawing that Darrel supplied. Darrel explains the colors and surface textures he wants and I show him different stages for his approval. I know it's a lot easier to make changes in PS rather that on a sucsession of different prototypes. I've been doing this kind of work for several years with Darrel and a few other makers. I love doing this kind of work and Darrel has always been great to work with. Trust me the picture you see is what Darrel and Ryan envisioned their knives to look like, and when you order a knife it will be the real thing. ;)
 
PhilL said:
... but the knife was made in Photoshop from a line drawing that Darrel supplied. Darrel explains the colors and surface textures he wants and I show him different stages for his approval. I know it's a lot easier to make changes in PS rather that on a sucsession of different prototypes. I've been doing this kind of work for several years with Darrel and a few other makers. ...
Click to expand...

Wow, Phil, that's really great work. I work with PS Elements quite a bit post processing photos, and I've seen some PS Experts on the photography boards in which I participate, however, what you've done is simply amazing! I'm very impressed. I've always known PS had the capability, but when you get fooled with a manipulated image like that, it's hard to believe. Again, very well done.

-pb
 
I knew it all along! Well actually I really didn't. :footinmou :eek: That is amazing work as I would have sworn it was the real thing! :cool: :cool: :cool:
 
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