Combat Elite, Inc ??

NGK-Webmaster

NGK-Webmaster

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Time to learn from the masses:

Anyone have anything to say about Combat Elite knives? Quality, construction, QC issues, worth the money, customer service etc. Anyone who has dealt with them or owned one of these knives speak up and let me know.

No model in particular just the whole line general, some of their designs look great IMO, materials seem up to snuff.

Thanks for the heads up.
 
I have a Combat Elite RRF, and I LOVE it! The fit and finish is as good, if not equal to my Sebenza. But, my RRF is smooooother than my Sebbie. I highly recommend Combat Elite!! And I am a HUGE fan of Darrel Ralph. They are worth twice what they charge for their knives. Quality control is awesome!!
 
As per Darrel Ralph's suggestion, I called Combat Elite to get my zippered pouch for my RRF today. I spoke with Jake and he is shipping one out to me!! I received my RRF as a Christmas gift, and it came in a little plastic bag, instead of the normal pouch. They ran out of the zippered pouches. So, as DDR suggested I called Combat Elite, but called the wrong #, but got to talk with Darrel!! I just like him and respect him more and more!! After a lovely conversation, and getting the correct #, I called Combat Elite, and spoke with Jake. I am happy that I called today. I wanted to do it, before I forgot to. Anyway, I LOVE my RRF, it is a FANTASTIC knife; absolutely perfect for EDC. I carry mine daily. I highly recommend getting one! They are worth twice the price that they charge for them, in my opinion.
 
Bought my Combat Elite RRF (non-assisted) from a fellow forumite at a substantial discount.

Agree with TheKnifeCollector that this appears to be a great knife that I do not regret purchasing.

Although I haven't got to use it much to give a full evaluation it definitely reeks of quality construction.
 
How would you guys compare the Combat Elite RRF to the Al Mar Sere 2000?

I just ordered the Al Mar Sere 2K, but am highly interested in the RRF also. I may have to pick it up, along with the Sebenza later this year.

Thanks for your advice.
 
NGK-Webmaster said:
Time to learn from the masses:

Anyone have anything to say about Combat Elite knives? Quality, construction, QC issues, worth the money, customer service etc. Anyone who has dealt with them or owned one of these knives speak up and let me know.

No model in particular just the whole line general, some of their designs look great IMO, materials seem up to snuff.

Thanks for the heads up.
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I just found this thread.

I'm a big fan of Combat Elite. I have a Level II and it's one of my favorites. It's one of my if-I-could-have-only-one-knife knives. It's simple and tough. No problems like off-center blades, etc. Good detent keeps it closed. Clip for tip-up/tip-down. :thumbup:

Same with the RRF flipper folders. It's my only flipper becasuse I hate flippers and, actually, the flipper doesn't work that well on this knife unless you really loosen the pivot, but I just ignore it and use the stud. It's one of the beefiest LITTLE knives I've ever seen. It's going to be my travel knife now. :thumbup:

I've pried, scraped with them, etc. Just love 'em. Like Sebenzas on sterioids. They're actually beefier in person than the specs you read on them would lead you to believe.

That said, I hated their new RRF autos. :thumbdn:Got a couple recently, took one look at them and sold them right away. They looked like they were made by a totally different company. Thin liners, blades thin like the little Benchmade autos, scales that didn't match color from side to side. Blade play. Thumb studs even though they didn't do ANYTHING - not even act as blade stops. Looked like they were farmed out to China or something. I couldn't believe Combat Elite would even put their name on them.

I've never handled any of the older stilletto autos.

I gotta get me another "Level" knife. They make 'em with opening holes now. I need one of THOSE!:cool:

.
 
I think Combat Elite's knives are way under rated!! They are awesome! And I think their prices are great!
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
I think Combat Elite's knives are way under rated!!
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I wouldn't put it that way. That implies that there are a lot of people saying bad things about them, which isn't true.

I'd say Combat Elite doesn't get as much good press as they deserve. They're not talked about ENOUGH. (Like Al Mar.)

.
 
fulloflead said:
I wouldn't put it that way. That implies that there are a lot of people saying bad things about them, which isn't true.

I'd say Combat Elite doesn't get as much good press as they deserve. They're not talked about ENOUGH. (Like Al Mar.)

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You are right!! I didn't mean it to sound like there are bad things being said about tthem!! I agree in putting it that they are getting enough good press, like they deserve. This IS what I meant to say!! THANK YOU!!
 
I've never looked into them because I don't like the name, Combat Elite. Sounds cheesy, but after looking at the knives, I want one. What dealers stock them?
 
I had a level 2 back when they first came out. The blade and handle coatings were first class, as was the metal work. I really liked the knife... it was a very good large user. My only complaint was at the price point thumbstuds looked like cheap POS castings. I said as much in a review I gave on the knife on another forum and the man himself told me to call him up and he'd fix me up. After a long, non-rushed phone conversation he told me he was going to throw out all their old studs and were getting in some new thumbstuds and he'd send me some ASAP. The new ones were of the quality I expected and he showed amazing customer service.

Blade was 440 OS, but I really couldn't tell a difference from ATS 34 or 154CM. It took a razor edge and held it. Blade had a knife thin grind and was an excellent cutter. Thumbstuds were very comfortable to use. Lockup was solid. The knife felt secure in the hand, especially considering the titanium scales. I wished for the G10 overlays not for more grip, but for more thickness. But the thin profile of the level 1 and 2 made it carry easy.

I think the MSRP on the Level 2 was round $350... which was a little steep. But at $225-$250 it was a hell of a knife.
 
I bought a RRF and returned it the next day. The lock would not fully engage. The QC sucks. I wouldn't even begin to compare it to the sebenza.
The sebenza is light years more advanced. Nice try though.
TKD
 
TKD said:
I bought a RRF and returned it the next day. The lock would not fully engage. The QC sucks. I wouldn't even begin to compare it to the sebenza.
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So you handled exact ONE knife, and the QC sucks? Did you even try to exchange it?
I met Ryan (DR's son) at a show, and not only was he very friendly, the level knives I looked at were top notch, I was very surprised. These knives are nice and thick! Although I don't "need" one because my dominator is all the knife I'll ever need!
 
fulloflead said:
That said, I hated their new RRF autos. :thumbdn:Got a couple recently, took one look at them and sold them right away. They looked like they were made by a totally different company. Thin liners, blades thin like the little Benchmade autos, scales that didn't match color from side to side. Blade play. Thumb studs even though they didn't do ANYTHING - not even act as blade stops. Looked like they were farmed out to China or something. I couldn't believe Combat Elite would even put their name on them.

I gotta get me another "Level" knife. They make 'em with opening holes now. I need one of THOSE!:cool:

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I’m interested in either the Strider or Combat Elite. Fulloflead you’ve had great things to say about Combat Elite knives before, so your comments on the RRF auto are of concern to me. I have no interest in the auto version but is the manual version still of the same high quality? How recent was your auto purchase?

Since I want a smaller knife less than 3.5 inches the RRF is the only Combat Elite option for me.
 
gbaker said:
I’m interested in either the Strider or Combat Elite. Fulloflead you’ve had great things to say about Combat Elite knives before, so your comments on the RRF auto are of concern to me. I have no interest in the auto version but is the manual version still of the same high quality? How recent was your auto purchase?

Since I want a smaller knife less than 3.5 inches the RRF is the only Combat Elite option for me.
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The manual version is the same high-quality as the "Level" product line. Fantastic.

The auto version, like I said, looked like it was made by a totally different company - they only loosely resembled the manual version. It was about a month ago that I got mine.

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