Are "Rambo" type knives practical?

[Esav Benyamin]

Sam, I just checked out that FaceBook page. You do have an impressive line of working knives!

 

[Hevy Devy]

Then, we'll have at least one example of where a Rambo knife didnt cut it, so to speak. And obviously we're talking about quality knives, so no cheapies.

Everything I have said here is backed up with photo/video proof.

Do you really think making videos of yourself using a knife as improvised pull-up bar is evidence for practicability?

This is a nice way to show how sturdy the knife is.. but it says next to nothing about it's geometry, it's efficiency and practicability.

And this is not determined by it's price.. or if it is handmade or factory made. It's determined by it's design..

You're statements have already been disproven

I don't agree.. he just had a different opinion.I feel this thread had turned into a circle jerk about how great and practical "Rambo" type knives are.. with no place for different opinions. So I have a few questions..

What is the major advantage (or what are the major advantages) of a "Rambo" type knife?

What's the intended use for the "Rambo" design?

Who in this thread had to cut himself out of an aircraft (with the saw back on a rambo knife)?

If there's an intended use, has the design proven itself? Which person in this thread uses it on a daily basis for it's intended use?

In what situation is a "Rambo" type knife more practical than other knives?

What's the advantage of this wide ricasso?

etc.

And don't get me wrong.. I think the "model 3" on your facebook page or a knife like that could be a very good and practical outdoor/survival knife.

With an acute angle, if the handle fits and without a guard this could be right for me.. I also liked how the HH knife from Iz Turley turned out... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUD_upHfPEM#t=42).. but again.. no "Rambo" design. No saw back, no saber grind with silly thick stock (like on many of thise "Rambo" type knives, no (wide) ricasso..

 

[Sam Wilson]

Sam, I just checked out that FaceBook page. You do have an impressive line of working knives!

Thank you Esav. If you like those, in the next 60 days you will see some really cool stuff then, sir! Stay tuned!

Sam

 

[Sam Wilson]

Do you really think making videos of yourself using a knife as improvised pull-up bar is evidence for practicability?

This is a nice way to show how sturdy the knife is.. but it says next to nothing about it's geometry, it's efficiency and practicability.

And this is not determined by it's price.. or if it is handmade or factory made. It's determined by it's design..


I don't agree.. he just had a different opinion.I feel this thread had turned into a circle jerk about how great and practical "Rambo" type knives are.. with no place for different opinions. So I have a few questions..

What is the major advantage (or what are the major advantages) of a "Rambo" type knife?

What's the intended use for the "Rambo" design?

Who in this thread had to cut himself out of an aircraft (with the saw back on a rambo knife)?

If there's an intended use, has the design proven itself? Which person in this thread uses it on a daily basis for it's intended use?

In what situation is a "Rambo" type knife more practical than other knives?

What's the advantage of this wide ricasso?

etc.

I think the thing to look at here is the question: Are they practical? The answer is that they unequivocally can be. Much of that is in the hands of the end user. But to say they are NOT practical, you have provide some type of proof/evidence to support that. As far as advantages, who would argue that having a built in storage compartment is a disadvantage?

I have never used a knife to cut myself out of an aircraft, but Bo Randall stated that the saw worked fine on metal, which was its' intended purpose. As far as the rest of the questions, this video clearly shows my knife being used in a practical manner. You simply cannot say that they don't work in a practical setting. The purpose of the wide ricasso/choil area, which is explained in the video, is to allow you to choke up on the knife, while having a comfortable place to put your finger while doing so. Other than the sawback, these knives are very similar to other large fixed blade knives, and people don't call all of them impractical.

Hevy Devy, which "Rambo" type knife have YOU used, and which of the Rambo features prevented you from completing the task at hand? As far as edge/cutting geometry, here are some photos of my knife cutting vegetables and making feather sticks just as good as any other large fixed blade I have used, short of a chef knife. I look forward to discussing your personal use of these knives.

[video=youtube_share;jmkReKDTrR8]http://youtu.be/jmkReKDTrR8[/video]

The burden of proof is now on YOU to show why they are impractical.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hevy Devy, possibly we are closer in thinking than we realize then. I agree with you about edge geometry and grinds and thickness and much of that. I use 1/4" stock on the big knives, and distally taper it to the tip for both balance and cutting ability. I use a full flat grind for a very effective cutting edge. So, I don't think we're polar opposites on many of these things. The video of the chin-ups and the other demonstrations were to show that my HH knives are not weak, or cheaply made. I believe they did so. I do agree with you that they do not demonstrate any practical use of the knives. That is the purpose of the Field Test video. I think that also serves its intended purpose.

I just think that these knives get bashed a lot undeservedly. I use the pictures and videos of my knives for two reasons: First they are the only vids/pics of their type that I am aware of, and Second, I obviously want to sell my knives. But not at the expense of providing a good, effective product. I think my knives are just that.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[TAH]

Hey leghog and Hevy,

You guys are holding up my Sam Wilson HH knife order with all your questions.

Sam, stop goofin' around and get back to the grinder! :thumbup:

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hey leghog and Hevy,

You guys are holding up my Sam Wilson HH knife order with all your questions.

Sam, stop goofin' around and get back to the grinder! :thumbup:

There you go being all sensible again, Tom. Sometimes us kids just want to play, lol. Ok, back to the grinder for me...

 

[TAH]

Just make sure my blade is long enough so I can turn off my Rambo DVD without getting off the couch.

 

[Sam Wilson]

LOL, now that is a practical use for a knife.

 

[Hevy Devy]

Honestly, I really don't consider the shown knife (Model 1 I believe?) as a typical "Rambo" type knife.. It's just not as "Rambo"ish.. and that's a good thing, imho.

It looks like a big "drop point" knife with full flat grind and hollow handle, no "saber grind", no saw back.. Don't know the geometry or angle but in theory this should be a good knife with the advantages and disadvantages of a large knife in general. In my opinion using 5160 as knife steel is also a better choice for this type of knife (if it's getting used) than using 440C/CPM154 like the Lile/Hibben Rambo knives or the Martin Knives Apparo from Boker.

The disadvantages for me could be:

the handle (not the fact that it's hollow.. I just don't know if it fits my hand under any condition),

the blade length (I prefer a smaller blade for the most tasks in our climate zone and the Scandinavian boreal forests),

the ricasso (I don't like choils/ricassos.. I just choke up on the knife a bit)

and the guard.. at least the upper part of it.

That doesn't mean the knife isn't capable of handling the tasks I throw at it, it just isn't as efficient as my smaller knives and much more cumbersome.. but I have no doubt that it could easily be as efficient as many other big knives. I would not label your knife as impractical, I think it is much more practical than the typical "Rambo" type knives. I'm not fond of the movie knives and their replicas, the Aitor Jungle Kings, the Apparo, the cheapo 80's survival knives.. etc. - But these are different designs.. often more "Rambo"ish and impractical in my opinion, though I liked the russian army HH survival knife (from Izhmash).. not a very good knife, but I liked the whole package..

Edit:

Hevy Devy, possibly we are closer in thinking than we realize then.

That's quite possible.

 

[BladeScout]

I think the thing to look at here is the question: Are they practical? The answer is that they unequivocally can be. Much of that is in the hands of the end user. But to say they are NOT practical, you have provide some type of proof/evidence to support that. As far as advantages, who would argue that having a built in storage compartment is a disadvantage?

I have never used a knife to cut myself out of an aircraft, but Bo Randall stated that the saw worked fine on metal, which was its' intended purpose. As far as the rest of the questions, this video clearly shows my knife being used in a practical manner. You simply cannot say that they don't work in a practical setting. The purpose of the wide ricasso/choil area, which is explained in the video, is to allow you to choke up on the knife, while having a comfortable place to put your finger while doing so. Other than the sawback, these knives are very similar to other large fixed blade knives, and people don't call all of them impractical.

Hevy Devy, which "Rambo" type knife have YOU used, and which of the Rambo features prevented you from completing the task at hand? As far as edge/cutting geometry, here are some photos of my knife cutting vegetables and making feather sticks just as good as any other large fixed blade I have used, short of a chef knife. I look forward to discussing your personal use of these knives.

You are annoying.

Here you go ruining a perfectly good heated back and forth exchange with facts, emphirical evidence, level headed arguments and an inquiry for what others use

I checked out your knives; dang nice! Keep up the good work.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hevy Devy, yes, that is the Model 1 in the pictures. In a lot of ways, I agree completely with you. I wanted to avoid going the whole "Rambo" route in the beginning, as I believe the modified spear point on the Model 1 is more durable and useful, I have never really needed a sawback, although they can be useful, and ironically enough, I just wanted to make a HH knife that was "practical." Now obviously, I realize that a 9 1/2" blade is more than most people need, but I'm a big knife guy, I just love big blades. And I also agree with you, and I even mentioned it in my Field Use video, there are certainly times when a smaller knife is more practical. That is part of the reason I included the PSK knife in the M.O.A. System, and didn't put the sharpening stone on the front of the knife, as I have found they tend to snag on things in the woods.

That's probably part of the reason I put this much into this thread, because I started making knives specifically because I love HH knives, and enjoy using them. And I put a great deal of thought into every aspect of the system, to make it as practical and user-friendly as possible. I thank you for the complimentary words about my knives, as I said, I think we are closer than we realize. The subject of HH knives just has a way of firing people up. As far as your other thoughts on size, configuration, stay tuned for new developments in the next 30-60 days.

You are annoying.

Here you go ruining a perfectly good heated back and forth exchange with facts, emphirical evidence, level headed arguments and an inquiry for what others use

I checked out your knives; dang nice! Keep up the good work.

Thank you very much, BladeScout :thumbup:! The more HH knife lovers we can get, the better! And if you ever want to get rid of that Buckmaster, let me know. Always wanted one. Thanks again,

Sam :thumbup:

 

[stvpourciau]

Is any big knife practical??

Idk, I keep buying em bit I also hardly carry them. I took my BK9 fishing once (1time), where as my SAK has been with me on every trip I take everywhere..

 

[stvpourciau]

Hey Sam, still love your knives but the way bud :thumbup: keep it up!

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hey Sam, still love your knives but the way bud :thumbup: keep it up!

Thanks, stvpourciau. I'm finally getting in a groove, lol. Appreciate the support. :thumbup:

Sam

 

[leghog]

Leghog, that is again embarrassing.

If you are embarrassed, don't look my way. Use your "Rambo" type knife to your hearts content. There's a reason I never see them in the field, and that goes to practicality.

 

[BladeScout]

Thank you very much, BladeScout :thumbup:! The more HH knife lovers we can get, the better! And if you ever want to get rid of that Buckmaster, let me know. Always wanted one. Thanks again,

Sam :thumbup:

Will do:thumbup: But I always wanted one too
Here a few more comparison pics of its strange mottled appearence and ass backwards guard.
Ive never seen a Buckmaster like it; the bottom half of the blade is mottled dark blue and even has a dash of gold towards the 'choil.'
The top half of the blade is left in the raw/steel not being blued.

 

[TAH]

There's a reason I never see them in the field, and that goes to practicality.

Practicality isn't the reason. You don't see them because traditional Rambo knives have non-reflective finishes that hide your position.

 

[SENGVIN]

There's a reason I never see them in the field, and that goes to practicality.

Well you don't see them in the field because most of your friends probably don't have 2k+ to spend on that kind of knife, but again that doesn't mean those knives are impractical

 

[rustyrazor]

Mr. Leghog, You've got lots to say... None of it positive. That was my point about your evangelical rants. Preaching about things based in nothing but "as I see it" without any facts to back any if it up... In 13 pages of negativity you have yet to answer Sam once on which ones you've tried or what you don't find "practical" about these knives other than "they are big"... So are most camp knives, choppers, busseys beckers and kabars... Still all practical for a given purpose... If that purpose is a given task that piece of equipment, then the knife itself becomes practical. You keep talking about how these aren't practical... So please give examples of your "practical" knives from your experience and lend some credibility to your argument. I look forward to it