Blade-Tech RIJBAK

jlfletcher83

jlfletcher83

Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
1,277
I picked this knife up from the pharmacy in January of this year, and I have really enjoyed it. Here are the specs from the Blade Tech website:

• Blade Steel S30V (Flat Ground)
• Blade length 3 3/4”
• Blade Thickness 5/32”
• Overall Closed Length 4 7/8”
• Overall Open Length 8 5/8”
• Blade-Tech V-Hole
• Ambidextrous tip-down pocket clip
• Chris Reeve Style Titanium Integral Lock
• Titanium Front Scale/Integral Lock
Thickness 0.080
• Weight 5.5 oz.
• Black G-10 or Carbon Fiber Overlay
• Plain Edge Only

I will address these starting at the top.
S30V as you know is a high performance steel, that is also somwhat easy to resharpen. It has held up well to, food, cardboard and even some aluminum. The spear point shape of the blade was perfect for utility use. Resharpening was easily accomplished on a Spyderco Sharpmaker. The factory edge and grinds were fantastic.
The blade length of 3 and 3/4 inches is right on for what I consider to be prime utility length for work and outdoor carry.
The blade thickness did not overly impede slicing; yet it still looks like it would have plenty of torsional strength.
The overall size is pretty big but the knife is extremely light. For a knife this size and strength it is a featherweight.
A big plus is that it already comes with a lowrider pocket clip. It rides very low in the pocket with only the clip showing. It does not seem to slow the draw, but it did take some getting used to for me.
The V hole functioned with no surprises. Very comfortable but still catches.
The lock on this knife is really what sets it apart it is flawlessly executed and really lockis tight. The locking bar is not very easy to access, but also would prevent accidental disengaging.
The handle is comfortable during extended. I used it in the kitchen with wet hands and no slippage. The black G 10 over titanium also just downright looks cool.
This has replaced my Spyderco Manix as my heavy use folder. My only gripes are the false edge on the top is only ground on one side, it would look better ground on both, or not ground at all, but that doesn't have anything to do with function. The knife was also extremely stiff when I got it, however it loosened up nicely with a little bit of oil.
Bottom line is buy one it is definitely worth it.
 
Very good review of the knife. I've had the knife for about 4 to 5 months now. There have been no surprises during that time. It's still only breaking in as I haven't carried it every day. It's part of a rotation. The only thing I'll add to your review is it's a don't buy if you have bad arthritis or some other loss of power to the hydraulics. Mine did ok but it really made me aware how much the arthritis has progressed. It's still very nicely made and it's always up there when I'm thinking about/responding to those "If you could only pick one knife" type questions someone invariably posts.

Good steel, good grinds, well built Ti framelock with CF overlay to help keep the blade pointed where it needs to be. All in all I could live with it as my only knife but I'm glad I don't have to. I'd still take the large manix first. Joe
 
Have had mine for about 5 months also and it has been a great edc for me. Still has one of the strongest sprung locks I've felt, and I count that as a plus. Great review!
 
i've had mine for a couple weeks now and really enjoy carring it! my only complaint is it not tip-up carry. but i'm dealing with it.:)
 
I've had one for several months now, as well. Two things I've noticed, besides coming VERY VERY dull (which was pleasantly easy to remedy). Firstly, I've noticed that the lockup isn't quite as tight as it used to be (this after some hard use), there's definitely some back-to-front play, to the point where vigorously shaking the knife with the blade locked open, results in a bit of a rattle. It doesn't seem to be in danger of closing yet, though. And, secondly, I used it to open a tin can (as a test), and chipped the edge of the knife out noticeably (not really badly, just enough to reflect light, jaggedly along the edge) This may be common with s30v. Anyway, other than these things it's a good knife. That said, I'd lose the half-swedge if I were Blade-Tech. :)
 
The edge on mine came sharp and the lock up was incredible. It has been my daily use since January and the only change was once I applied militec the action got much smoother.
 
Ohmy, you may be able to fix that up and down play by diassembling the knife and giving the lockbar a little bit more bend. Just do it in tiny increments. I've done this on other framelocks and it has workeded wonderfully.
 
ohmyheckinslc said:
I've had one for several months now, as well. Two things I've noticed, besides coming VERY VERY dull (which was pleasantly easy to remedy). Firstly, I've noticed that the lockup isn't quite as tight as it used to be (this after some hard use), there's definitely some back-to-front play, to the point where vigorously shaking the knife with the blade locked open, results in a bit of a rattle. It doesn't seem to be in danger of closing yet, though. And, secondly, I used it to open a tin can (as a test), and chipped the edge of the knife out noticeably (not really badly, just enough to reflect light, jaggedly along the edge) This may be common with s30v. Anyway, other than these things it's a good knife. That said, I'd lose the half-swedge if I were Blade-Tech. :)
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This is the 1st I've heard of these problems...Please send the knife back to me so that I can repair or replace it. We do not want sub-standard product in the hands of our customers. Lucky for me that I stumbled across your post because now I have the opportunity to help you out. If you ever experience problems with our products or service, please don't hesitate to call me directly. Cell# 303-263-2468 day/night:thumbup:

Respectfully,

Mikey Vellekamp
Cutlery Production Manager
Blade-Tech Industries
mikey@blade-tech.com
 
Shavin' Sharp said:
This is the 1st I've heard of these problems...Please send the knife back to me so that I can repair or replace it.
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Hey, sir. Email incoming. I really didn't mean to seem like I was complaining but, if a tune-up is in order, who am I to argue. :)
 
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