Chris Reeve and Darrel Ralph knives

[Moloko Plus]

Sometime in the future I would like to buy a killer folder. I have thought about Chris Reeve knives for a while but never got one, largely because it looked like they'd be around a while and thus give me time to save up and think it over.

As a personal preference, I rather like the axis lock system on Benchmade's and am used to effortlessly opened folders. So when I discovered the Darrel Ralph Trigger series I was impressed not only by the spring-assisted opening feature but also that he uses the same steel that Chris Reeve uses. He also uses titanium for handle material. So it looked like I could pay more and get a knife with Chris Reeve-like quality but with the semi-auto feature.

It seems that the difference would really come down to personal preference (blade design, handle design, semi-auto versus manual, price difference, aesthetic, etc). But, without having tried either knife, I cannot say whether one is better than the other or why.

Can anyone help me with this? For now it seems I am balanced between buying a Darrel Ralph or an Umnumzaan, as I rather like that design.

Thanks in advance for your input and assistance.

 

[tsiloics]

I don't personally care for assisted openers. My thumb has a tendency to get out of synch with the blade, and then re-connect with the edge, rather than the stud.

Either a full auto or full manual would be preferable.

From a practical standpoint, full manual works just fine for me. Autos are fun for the gee-whiz factor, but easily seen as more of a liability than an asset.

 

[Moloko Plus]

I don't personally care for assisted openers. My thumb has a tendency to get out of synch with the blade, and then re-connect with the edge, rather than the stud.

Either a full auto or full manual would be preferable.

From a practical standpoint, full manual works just fine for me. Autos are fun for the gee-whiz factor, but easily seen as more of a liability than an asset.

And I am guessing semi-autos wouldn't last as long as a full manual since the spring in them is more likely to wear out. But I don't know if this would be a factor of concern with Darrel Ralph knives since I don't know anyone who owns one or has compared one to a Chris Reeve folder.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I've had a few Darrel Ralph customs. All of mine are fully manual. They are as close to perfect as you can get. Beautiful knives, even though I don't get the more lushly decorated models.

I also have a few CRKs. Look both over for yourself and decide what's worth the money. I cannot recommend one over the other. I will say I don't really lean towards assisted openers.

 

[Scott Dog]

I thnk that it comes down to personal preference. No doubt that Darrell makes a fine product and backs it up without question. I think the assisted openner is nice but it doesn't do much for me. Darrell will make you a knife in any number of blade steels, CRK uses only S30V and damascus when available. I prefer the CRK products because they are more widely available, I like the clips on the Sebs better and they just work better for me. Darrels work is fancier and his folders are generally more expensive. The Sebbies are more utilitarian and that appeals to my pragmatic side. The Seb is a simpler very solid folder and that's why I like it. The Um Num won't be available for a few months at least. It depends on what you want in a knife, how much you are willing to spend and how long you are willing to wait. If I were you I would wait until the new CRK folder comes out see how it works out. I think the Um Num will be a huge success for CRK and a great folder. My opinions however aren't unbiased and there is no shortage of those who will dissagree with me. Anyway I'd say wait till the Um Num comes out to make you decision thatis unless you really need to get a folder right away.

 

[Moloko Plus]

I thnk that it comes down to personal preference. No doubt that Darrell makes a fine product and backs it up without question. I think the assisted openner is nice but it doesn't do much for me. Darrell will make you a knife in any number of blade steels, CRK uses only S30V and damascus when available. I prefer the CRK products because they are more widely available, I like the clips on the Sebs better and they just work better for me. Darrels work is fancier and his folders are generally more expensive. The Sebbies are more utilitarian and that appeals to my pragmatic side. The Seb is a simpler very solid folder and that's why I like it. The Um Num won't be available for a few months at least. It depends on what you want in a knife, how much you are willing to spend and how long you are willing to wait. If I were you I would wait until the new CRK folder comes out see how it works out. I think the Um Num will be a huge success for CRK and a great folder. My opinions however aren't unbiased and there is no shortage of those who will dissagree with me. Anyway I'd say wait till the Um Num comes out to make you decision thatis unless you really need to get a folder right away.

Thank you! That's good advice. I can't afford a new knife right now anyway so maybe I'll save up and get an Um Num when they come out. I doubt they will be as pricey as a Darrel Ralph anyway, so I can probably save some money and doubt I will regret the purchase. The Um Num looks incredible and is definitely more my style than Sebenzas (a personal preference regarding the blade style).