Are "Rambo" type knives practical?

This is probably spinning my wheels, but oh well...

b yond said:
Lots of people don't like the hollow handles, big blades, and sawbacks, but it there a reason that a well-made knife of this type is a bad choice for field use?
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No, and here's why:

[video=youtube_share;amrJY9blnaw]http://youtu.be/amrJY9blnaw[/video]

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

People seem fixed on these knives being junk, but if your knife does all of this with no problem, what more do you want?
 
b yond said:
I have a question....

Why are these knives NOT practical?

Lots of people don't like the hollow handles, big blades, and sawbacks, but it there a reason that a well-made knife of this type is a bad choice for field use?
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Like I said they are practical, there are just people out there for which the knife is out of reach so the only way out for them is make fun of it that's all ! The hallow handle knife was design for pilots and the saw is there so they can cut them self out of the plane :-)
The main problem here is there where chines replicas made by millions and lot of people can't distinguish between those and the good stuff. It's the same like Hibben knives made in china by UC. Most people even after so many years don't know the difference between the real deal and chines garbage.:thumbup:
 
SENGVIN said:
Like I said they are practical, there are just people out there for which the knife is out of reach so the only way out for them is make fun of it that's all ! The hallow handle knife was design for pilots and the saw is there so they can cut them self out of the plane :-)
The main problem here is there where chines replicas made by millions and lot of people can't distinguish between those and the good stuff. It's the same like Hibben knives made in china by UC. Most people even after so many years don't know the difference between the real deal and chines garbage.:thumbup:
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i think most people who participate here can tell the difference between cheap knives and better made ones.
 
Doc8404 said:
PTSD sure is a comical thing that everyone should mock on internet forums
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Actually Doc, I was poking fun at the imaginative nature that most Rambo knife owners enjoy without the rest of us. How you inferred PTSD from that leads me assume you are poking fun yourself ( not cool ) or are picking a fight with me. I see you posted at 5 am, maybe reread and closely examine tone and sentence structure.

I sure hope you aren't a real doc :p
 
SENGVIN said:
Like I said they are practical, there are just people out there for which the knife is out of reach so the only way out for them is make fun of it that's all ! The hallow handle knife was design for pilots and the saw is there so they can cut them self out of the plane :-)
The main problem here is there where chines replicas made by millions and lot of people can't distinguish between those and the good stuff. It's the same like Hibben knives made in china by UC. Most people even after so many years don't know the difference between the real deal and chines garbage.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


With any knife design, quality is key. We all get that. The sawback may have been great for pilots then but now I don't see it's practicality. Especially for the vast vast majority of us. As for the hollow handle, I personally don't feel it's practical because I have pockets. Not saying you can't find a use for either of those things but that omitting them would not be deleterious to most, nearing all, use. The question isn't whether or not the knife can be used and not break, the question is how practical is it to use one over other designs.
 
The Rambo 4's design provides actually a very usable camp knife (the hollow grind may be questioned, but the versatility you gain detracts some chopping power, that's life...). I see a "true to the roots" copy of a traditional Malaysian pattern : the Parang... Mr. Hibben added some more sticking point, I like that. The Rambo 1 is an exponential Bowie with no added value. The hollow handle ? OK, there's nothing bad with some additional matches, strings, razor blades and all, but unless you're actually into running around naked in the wilderness, you don't really need it. You got plenty of pockets, isn't it ? The sawback... Seriously, there is no serious sawing action to be expected from such a short saw. I won't get into discussing prices because a short basic machete will do anything (and probably better at a way, way lower price) than any movie knife. Now, it's your pleasure. You buy and you should get some fun out of it. There might even be some enlightment coming your way. Especially if you fall for the Rambo 1...
 
If you isolate the key features of what most of us consider a "Rambo" knife -- large size, sawback spine and hollow handle -- the key feature is the hollow handle.

It's important in a survival situation to have a compass, fire starter, fish hook and line, etc. If that gear is always in your knife handle, you have an insurance policy that may save your life. You can carry all that extra survival gear in your pockets or in a pack, but my pockets are already full, and I don't always carry a pack for day hikes into the remote areas where I live. I always carry a knife, although usually a folder.

A hollow handle can be a useful place for survival gear in an emergency, and a hollow handle knife can be made to withstand hard abuse. But for me, I prefer to put survival gear in a pocket on the sheath. I suppose I could lose the sheath and have only the knife, but that's getting a little farfetched. I could also lose the cap to my Rambo knife.

Still, I have always been captivated by the hollow-handled knife.
 
j4ckwr4th said:
Actually Doc, I was poking fun at the imaginative nature that most Rambo knife owners enjoy without the rest of us. How you inferred PTSD from that leads me assume you are poking fun yourself ( not cool ) or are picking a fight with me. I see you posted at 5 am, maybe reread and closely examine tone and sentence structure.

I sure hope you aren't a real doc :p
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The entire movie was based on a man with PTSD who suddenly realizes he is alone in the world and loses it. I didn't mean to jump on you- some asshole on another forum had me riled up and I hastily read that and thought it was mocking something it wasn't. Apologies.
 
machine26 said:
I love hollow handle knives, they rock. If you have a decent made tool, it's as practical as the user. Too many guys soured by the imported junk I reckon.
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I'm with you, Machine, but I think we're out numbered on this thread. Just please don't say the word "baton" or all hell will break loose. :D
 
Pound for pound, the level of funny in this thread is epic.
L
Haven't laffed this hard in a while.

And for the record, the CRK hollow handled blades are awesome. And comes sans sawback......

Moose
 
crom said:
Always liked the Chris Reeves examples
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The handles aren't great for ergos, but a little inner tube goes a long way in making it work.

One piece, milled stock, and a great blade shape. Plus, cargo for your ganja to boot. :D

Moose
 
TAH said:
I'm with you, Machine, but I think we're out numbered on this thread. Just please don't say the word "baton" or all hell will break loose. :D
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;) I baton that Randall 18 alot. Hollow handle, sawback, sharpened top edge. Amazing I get any bushcrafting done. :p
 
I hate to admit it but I had a Buck 184 Buckmaster that I got for Christmas back in the 80s. It was a really cool looking knife, and if I ever got lost in the wilderness I wouldn't mind having it. But was it practical? Is there something better suited for the "survival" situation. Heck yeah!

Do you need a hollow handle? PUT THE STUFF IN YOUR POCKET! Huge serrated edge (it could supposedly cut through an airplane fuselage, yeah really). Need that as much as a hole in my head. Also this knife had "anchors" that could be used for sinkers(???!!!). Really? Carry a few split shots in your pocket! A 7.5" blade, do you really want to lug around a monster like this for the slim possibility of a Rambo mission?

184-04-1.jpg
 
jaymeister99 said:
I hate to admit it but I had a Buck 184 Buckmaster that I got for Christmas back in the 80s. It was a really cool looking knife, and if I ever got lost in the wilderness I wouldn't mind having it. But was it practical? Is there something better suited for the "survival" situation. Heck yeah!

Do you need a hollow handle? PUT THE STUFF IN YOUR POCKET! Huge serrated edge (it could supposedly cut through an airplane fuselage, yeah really). Need that as much as a hole in my head. Also this knife had "anchors" that could be used for sinkers(???!!!). Really? Carry a few split shots in your pocket! A 7.5" blade, do you really want to lug around a monster like this for the slim possibility of a Rambo mission?

184-04-1.jpg
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Yes. :D

Strap that knife on. Next thing you know you're jumping out of airplanes, killing vietcong by the droves and some hot vietnamese chick asks if "I can come america with you?". What's not to love.

Not to mention, carrying a Rambo knife makes the sound effects so much cooler. Y'all should give it a try sometime.
 
That's the thing here, if anyone wants to use one, by all means do. But I'm not sure anyone could actually call it practical. No matter who made it or how well it's made, the practicality of it is inevitably minute.
 
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