Combat Elite rapid response folder

C

Comrade

Joined
Mar 20, 2007
Messages
54
Hi all! I've decided to buy a new folder and after weeks of searching I've stumbled across this wilson tactical product. I believe it's a collaboration between ryan wilson and darrel ralph. Anyway, it's looks great, S30V spear point blade, titanium framelock, machined g10 inlays, tip-up carry, assisted opening. The thing costs $400 and I was wondering whether it was worth it. How's the lock, is it solid, is it sharp, what's with fit and finish? I suppose it's a good product keeping in mind darrel had a hand in it. Anyway, any feedback is appreciated. Not to cause any confusion, here's the link to that exact model:

http://www.wilsontactical.com/detail.aspx?ID=53
 
I had one of these in non assist and it was one of the smoothest framelocks I have seen. I wish I would have kept it. You dont see to many of these for sale or trade on the forums. It was a nice folder. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :thumbup:
 
The RRF is a great design! As you stated, the design came from a collaboration between Ryan and Darrel in the form of Combat Elite. Darrel and Ryan are no longer together in that venture. Ryan is doing the RRF through Wilson Tactical. To the best of my knowledge, same great design, only an upgrade to S30V for the steel. I don't think you will be disapointed.
 
The original RRF was a far superior knife than the Wilson Combat ones. I have handled the Wilson Combat ones, and they are no where near as good as the CE ones. MY Combat Elite RRF HAD S30V for the blade.
 
I second TKC. My CE RRF is one of my favorite for EDC. S30 too. I actually take it out of rotation in fear of losing it.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Since Darrel and Ryan split, I was wondering if it's worth spending $400 on the RRF. TKC and ZAXDAD66 said that the original one was superior and better than this one. Can anyone recommend any similiar knives with s30v, g-10 and titanium framelock, tip-up carry, spearpointor drop point blade etc.

Thx!
 
Well, I haven't handled a new one, my original says S30V and the new ones say S30V. I doubt that anything has changed. I don't think that Ryan would let the quality drop... I simply can't imagine that.

Now, there is a world of difference between a new RRF and a broken-in RRF. I remember how tight and rough mine was when new. I didn't think that it would ever be smooth and loose enough to flick open, but now it is super smooth and the easiest knife to flick that I have... and there is no blade play.
 
I suggest the Darrel Ralph 'trigger.' It's a similar design & size. The ones I've seen on purveyor sites are tip-down carry, but I ordered one direct from DDR with tip-up carry, which I prefer. You can get it assisted, or like mine, manual open with his unbelievably smooth 'maxx-glide' pivot bearing.
 
I knew Darrel said they were going to go with s3ov right before he and Ryan ceased their partnership. I didn't know any were made under CE.

I would agree on DDR's Trigger. If you are willing to spend a little more, you get a better knife. The design is basically RRF, but with many improvements. Blade options, inlays, fit and finish are awesome, AO etc.
 
wutitiz said:
I suggest the Darrel Ralph 'trigger.' It's a similar design & size. The ones I've seen on purveyor sites are tip-down carry, but I ordered one direct from DDR with tip-up carry, which I prefer. You can get it assisted, or like mine, manual open with his unbelievably smooth 'maxx-glide' pivot bearing.
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I agree on the Trigger (Or Trigger Express.)!! I have both, and they are fantastic!!
 
I am in a dilemma between the rrf and the cqc-12 which is one of my all-time favorites (hence the name :)) and had been my edc for 2 years before I lost it :mad:. However, now I need a new knife that would be a user just like my old cqc-12 had been. I've seen the trigger knife and it's great and all but considering teh price and the fact that it's a custom I'd be afraid to use it. I really dislike the looks of Strider knives (though they're probably tough as nails :D) and I had already owned a sebenza and sold it long ago. The xm-18 seems like a great knife (especially like the blade) but rick has stopped taking orders. I hate spydercos (no offence to the fans of the brand :D) and the only benchmade I liked was the 805 and 806, both of which had been discontinued.

Thus, I'm open to any suggestions. I want a tough folder with 154CM OR S30V, FRAMELOCK, tip-UP carry, titanium/g10 or all tianium handles and preferably drop-point, spear-point or clip point blade.

All suggestions welcome, thanks!
 
The RRF is the best folder of its type for the money hands-down. I second the opinion of those that noted there is a need to "break-in" the knife, but just like a good pair of mountaineering boots, when broken-in, they work perfectly.

Spend more money on other knives and in the end you'll most likely wish you'd bought the RRF in the first place.

Finally, suggest not to compare the Sebenza with the RRF. Completely different design, features, fit, finish, and feel, even if in the same ballpark price range. You get far more for the money with the RRF.
 
I have 3. One A/O and 2 manuals. One off the manuals had to go back twice. Push lightly on the back of the blade and it would,or should I say close on me. They never got it fixed and I gave up. One acutally opens to easily. No blade play and locks like a vault but can just fall open in the pocket and yes the pivot is tightened as tight as I can. The A/O is the only one I am really happy with. Dont carry it much because I am not an A/O lover.
Also when they first came out they were in the $200 range.
Feel great in the hand and to me at least almost the perfect EDC but because of the problems I have had they are at the bottom of the drawer.
That said if they have worked on quality control I think you would love it.
Me,having the ones that I do I would not take a chance of paying $400 and having the same problems.
To bad because if I could trust them it has eveything I want in an EDC
 
I have a manual RRF and have had zero issues with it. Locks up tight, opens with a gentle flick. I needed tip up carry so a DDR wasn't in the picture unless I wanted to pay over $600 for one that I could swap over. If you search around I know there is still one available new for quite a bit less than $400 in the manual version. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it based on the one I received.
 
Comrade said:
Thus, I'm open to any suggestions. I want a tough folder with 154CM OR S30V, FRAMELOCK, tip-UP carry, titanium/g10 or all tianium handles and preferably drop-point, spear-point or clip point blade.

All suggestions welcome, thanks!
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Have you looked at the ZT0300 series of knives? They have everything you outlined, plus they are AO. These things define the word TOUGH! There are several models, 300, 301, 302, and some at TAD Gear that have some extra blade swedge grinds by Tim Gaylaean. Worth a look.:thumbup:
 
Thanks for the thumbs up! I'll check the zero tolerance line, almost forgot about them. I love the look of the RRF and it seems a great knife overall, the only gripe I have about it is the coating and the relatively high price of $400. $200 was, however, more than acceptable. I've narrowed it down to these knives:

EMERSON CQC-12 ~ $260
STRIDER SNG $400
COMBAT ELITE RRF $400
ZERO TOLERANCE 0200 $160
 
I've just noticed that there are two "versions" of the RRF on wilson combat website, respectively. Go to knives section and you'll see a few categories and there's the Rapid response (quite a few pics of the folder and if you look closely you'll see "wilson combat" written on the blade) which costs $429.99 and it doesn't have any options except black or O.D. finish. The other category is Combat Elite and here there are different models, the first being the RRF which looks a bit different than the above one and costs less. So I'm confused; which one were you all talking about and which one is so good??
 
i'm Selling A Wilson RRF On The Exchange And It Is An Awesome EDC. If I Didn't Have An R.j.martin Havoc I Would Not Even Consider Selling It. ESPECIALLY AT ALMOST HALF OFF.But Take A Look.
Best,
Major Rick
 
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