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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Browsing a knife site, i saw this THING...
- Thread starter BePrepared
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Hehehe.
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One of the knives I want to get down the road when I have a bunch of extra money - I like the rugged, utilitarian design and stark contrast between this and something like a Spydie Military.
It's always interesting to see what knives are considered advertised/designed for military personnel, specialized units or in general, and to what amount they differ from the other products the company makes.
It's always interesting to see what knives are considered advertised/designed for military personnel, specialized units or in general, and to what amount they differ from the other products the company makes.
I think the key word here is "advertised." Company X takes some cockamamie design, paints it black, stencils stuff on it, and markets it as "designed for the military." Consumer Y says "Hey! That thing is designed for the military, so it must be perfect for the covert high-speed awesomeness that is my life!"
In the meantime, "the military" is using mutlitools and Gerbers from the PX.
But, hey...more power to Company X.
What is a "folding fixed blade"?
Isn't a folder a folder and a fixed blade a fixed blade?
shunsui
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A well turned phrase. :thumbup:
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lol by folding fixed blade i meant a folding knife with an extremely strong lock that can go toe to toe (to a certain degree) with a fixed blade. IE, cold steels larger triad series knives and the extrema ratio RAO
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It actually was designed for, and accepted by, a unit in the Italian armed forces. Which doesn't mean too much, its not like being in the military means you have advanced knife knowledge. But, at least the claims from extrema ratio about this piece are true.
Is it over the top? Absolutely. Is it comparable in terms of quality/ durability to so called cheap mall ninja knives? No, they wouldn't be in the same class at all. I own a few ER knives. They aren't crap at all.
I always shake my head when I see a knife bashing thread on a knife lovers forum....is this not our hobby, our passion, and for some, our shared madness?
Is it over the top? Absolutely. Is it comparable in terms of quality/ durability to so called cheap mall ninja knives? No, they wouldn't be in the same class at all. I own a few ER knives. They aren't crap at all.
I always shake my head when I see a knife bashing thread on a knife lovers forum....is this not our hobby, our passion, and for some, our shared madness?
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What were their requirements, I wonder. What does the RAO excel at? What design philosophy? I'm wondering why if they were not a covert unit, did they need a folder. Why not just a fixed blade?
Would be nice to know the why.
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What's it good for!? C'mon, haven't you ever had to hack through the fuselage of a crashed plane? Kill a giant robot? Neatly slice a concrete block?how the heck is this thing $365.00? This is unbelievably stupid looking, and i can't even figure out what it would be useful FOR
Amateur.
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Actually I did, I wish few pseudo american+chinese Co. following suit.
[video=youtube;QiBtHGfgZLI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiBtHGfgZLI&feature=player_embedded[/video]
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New respect for it after seeing EdgeObserver's review. I used to think it was hideous and purposeless, but now I understand that the hideousness is intended to make it as durable as a folding knife can possibly be. It's basically relegated exclusively to military use. It seems like it would be better suited as fixed blade, though.
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You're looking at the end results of what the requirements were for them when you look at the RAO. Which yes, is also a great punchline, but I can't change peoples opinions.
I can't speak for the Italian unit as to the whys, but I can say the RAO is set up to be carried as a fixed blade, in sheath. As in, its design, and included sheath, means it can be carried as a folder or as a fixed blade.
ER has always designed their knives to be very large and stout, to be able to perform tasks not normally expected of a knife. I've yet to come across a bad review of the RAO, and considering their generally pretty unpopular here in the US, to me that says a lot, but one of my first big knife purchase years ago was from ER, so I'm not surprised, its kind of like how cold steel is being more and more accepted, only on a smaller scale.
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The designs are not for everyone, but definitely not crap.
Sometimes bashing or humor is reasonable (and fun?), but its best to do a little research first to make sure one understands the the object of one's ridicule and doesn't wind up making himself the joke.
My understanding is that they going for something that could be carried more easily than a fixed blade and was still substantial and usable as a folder, but that could be converted (with the pin) to near fixed blade strength when needed.
It is only fair to question all "heavy duty" knives (direware, peter r, hell, even esee 5) rather than a particular brand
Why such design? because of the intend use? because it appeals to target group? because consumer request? I cant speak for the company, but moreover: because they can.
everyone have their preference. Some like classic slipjoints, some like heavy-use folder, I don't see the point of bashing another style just because one do not like it.
P.S. sure, ER produce overbuilt knives to many, but many won't take in consider their thinner blade stock lines (BF & MF comparing to heavy duty ones)
Just my 2 cents
Why such design? because of the intend use? because it appeals to target group? because consumer request? I cant speak for the company, but moreover: because they can.
everyone have their preference. Some like classic slipjoints, some like heavy-use folder, I don't see the point of bashing another style just because one do not like it.
P.S. sure, ER produce overbuilt knives to many, but many won't take in consider their thinner blade stock lines (BF & MF comparing to heavy duty ones)
Just my 2 cents
I did not know that an object must be hideous to be durable! Learn something new every day! Well that thing must be the most durable knife on the planet. :thumbup:
And "relegated exclusively to military use"! Sounds too tactical for mere ordinary men to own! Perfect for me though.
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I did not know that an object must be hideous to be durable! Learn something new every day! Well that thing must be the most durable knife on the planet. :thumbup:
And "relegated exclusively to military use"! Sounds too tactical for mere ordinary men to own! Perfect for me though.
In situations like this I think form follows function. I highly doubt the designers of that knife were trying to make it stylish or attractive in any way, although I could be wrong.