- i got my cuda maxx today and must admit its some kinda knife for the $$ imho - came w/a pretty dark blue anodised handle, but put some windex to it and it is like a dark blue border w/a purple middle (hard to describe, but is both unusual and attractive imho, wonder who figured out this trick, when my wife watched me do it she wonsdered and said we all had too much time on our hands lol - but it does work well)came sharp enough, but could be better, mine has a very shiny finish almost reminescent of chrome plating (i said almost) but is much shinier than i expected - i thought they were like stonewash?? doesnt necc look bad, just diff from what i figured from pics - and it is flat across, in my head i thought the pics looked like the handles were rounded some, and raised in the middle, not, they are flat across, which is a plus in my mind, looks better i think - dont have a ralph maxx to compare to but can compare to my ralph mini maxx talonite spearpoint, w/CF grips - for one thing it is MUCH thinner than the mini maxx, yes thats right, the cuda maxx is MUCH ( i would say 30%) thinner than my mini maxx, maybe due to the CF handles vs straight ti?? nothing wrong w/that, helps to conceal it imho, and still plenty big to get a good grip on it, and i have a big hand too - mini maxx is fine too, just thicker, no real preference hear - the cuda is open on the bottom not enclosed like my mini, but dont know about full size maxx, maybe they are too - fit/finish of course is not as good on the cuda but hey its not bad ($150 vs $500+) and is perfectly serviciable imho - the lock on both are pretty similar, and lock very well - no way does this thing 'fold' on ya unless really abused - not even a need to 'whack' these two knives, imho this lock (the integral ?) and the new BM axis both work well, and prob are the way of the future, w/the integral prob being better for pure tac ops due to it would be less likely to accidently release imho - but, i cant stress enough how well the lock up and blade alignement are, top notch, well done cammilus people - only carried it 2 times so far, but seems to carry well, is lighter/slimmer/shorter on OAL than my REKAT sifu and w/the same blade length. not by much on any of the accounts, but some for sure - the clip on the cuda is very much diff than the mini maxx, and i think the minis is better because it positions the knife a little lower in the pocket, but not oo low, were th ears could catch your pocket lining - and waving this thing?? might try IF i can find some old pants, but man, its a big knife, maybe i know why ernie hasnt came out w/any +5" folders w/the wave, of course ya would have to change to tip up, i dunno if it would be worth it -
cuda cons - hmmm, arent many - i think it would look better w/a bead blast/satin finish blade rather than being so SHINEY, i really wasnt expecting that, are they all like that?? i thought more of a stone wash finish, i know some like 'em polished bright, if ya do, EM me w/trade offer, this is the one for you (of course if yours is dull finish, wouldnt sell/trade this one, its a keeper) also the area behind the 'opening wings' on the blade was poorly finished, ya can still see saw/laser/plasma/whatever they cut D2 with, i almost thought it was 'filework' for just a split second, is pretty deep, shoulda been polished out imho, but no biggie -also, get rid of the logo stuff on the blade, just tooo much, cuda maxx 5.5 D2 quik flik d ralph design usa and a montage of knives opening/closing to the left of that, just looks 'busy' to me - but wow, other than that, and keep in mind these are mostly cosmetic, really not much........
pros - a big, heavy duty 5.5" D2 blade w/a kick butt no fail lock system at a good price, worth every bit of $150, somewill not like the anodised handles, but i do, i think they all look different, very happy w/mine, carries well, opens well, superb lock imho, i can see now why the mini is called a mini, heck its got a 4" blade, but its puny compared to this one - if your state allows 5.5" blades, ya should check this one out - not many in this size to choose from, and w/REKAT dropping the Sifu, even fewer now, and if ya can carry a BM AFCK, ya can carry a maxx/sifu, ya hardly can feel the diff once ya get used to it - imho the cuda is a lot of knife for the $$ w/the D2, etc, amazing at the price, really, i'm sure they will sell quite a few of them .............
i say in closing to cammilus - improve the finisha little, dull the finish on the blade, easy on the logo stuff, and maybe G10 or CF handles for those who prefer black to blue, or hey, how about black anodised(not me but i guarantee some will not like the blue)?? congrats to darrel ralph and cammilus, a helluva collaboration imho, ya got it right the first time, i'm sure i'll carry mine a lot
sifu
cuda cons - hmmm, arent many - i think it would look better w/a bead blast/satin finish blade rather than being so SHINEY, i really wasnt expecting that, are they all like that?? i thought more of a stone wash finish, i know some like 'em polished bright, if ya do, EM me w/trade offer, this is the one for you (of course if yours is dull finish, wouldnt sell/trade this one, its a keeper) also the area behind the 'opening wings' on the blade was poorly finished, ya can still see saw/laser/plasma/whatever they cut D2 with, i almost thought it was 'filework' for just a split second, is pretty deep, shoulda been polished out imho, but no biggie -also, get rid of the logo stuff on the blade, just tooo much, cuda maxx 5.5 D2 quik flik d ralph design usa and a montage of knives opening/closing to the left of that, just looks 'busy' to me - but wow, other than that, and keep in mind these are mostly cosmetic, really not much........
pros - a big, heavy duty 5.5" D2 blade w/a kick butt no fail lock system at a good price, worth every bit of $150, somewill not like the anodised handles, but i do, i think they all look different, very happy w/mine, carries well, opens well, superb lock imho, i can see now why the mini is called a mini, heck its got a 4" blade, but its puny compared to this one - if your state allows 5.5" blades, ya should check this one out - not many in this size to choose from, and w/REKAT dropping the Sifu, even fewer now, and if ya can carry a BM AFCK, ya can carry a maxx/sifu, ya hardly can feel the diff once ya get used to it - imho the cuda is a lot of knife for the $$ w/the D2, etc, amazing at the price, really, i'm sure they will sell quite a few of them .............
i say in closing to cammilus - improve the finisha little, dull the finish on the blade, easy on the logo stuff, and maybe G10 or CF handles for those who prefer black to blue, or hey, how about black anodised(not me but i guarantee some will not like the blue)?? congrats to darrel ralph and cammilus, a helluva collaboration imho, ya got it right the first time, i'm sure i'll carry mine a lot
sifu