Combat Elite?

K

K man

Joined
Nov 26, 2000
Messages
515
I had never heard of this company until recently. Can anyone comment on the quality of their knives, especially the framelocks?
 
The Combat Elite ti frame folder series is the direct result of a collaboration between Ryan Wilson and Darrel Ralph.

Two custom knifemakers collaborating on a very nice product. Definitely high quality. Temptation, temptation ... :cool:
 
I had an Elite level 2 for a year. Extreme quality, and outstanding fit and finish. They are referred to as mid tech. To tell you the truth, I never should have traded it away. I havn't held the other models, but I am sure just as much thought and execution has gone into each of them. I don't know Ryan Wilson, but have spent hours on the phone with Darrel and have bought his customs before. I actually have one on order right now. He is a first rate guy.
 
Thanks for the info, guys. How well do the blades on the tactical elite's slice? Are the blades pretty thick?
 
The Tactical Elites are actually designed more to cut than to be a folding crowbar. They are in the ground between a medium to thin blade. Closer to medium. This is hard to quantify. Darrel and Ryan are very much a believers in the idea that knives, especially folders, should cut well first and foremost. While it is designed to cut first, it is still a very strong and tough folder. It has the same design and engineering in it's lock that you will find in the Madd Maxx. Which is among the strongest locking folders around.
 
The only thing i dont like is the black coated blades, i think satin & black should be standard, not another 100.00. for satin.................
 
I wasn't ready for love of black coated blade.......until I met RRF.

Haha.....i have to say, if you have extra cash, give it a try.
Don't that black coating bother you.

You just can't be close minded to have fun.
 
My level 2 was really sharp, and it cut extremely well. It was also very easy to sharpen. And yes the lock was vault tight! Just buy it, you won't be dissapointed. If you don't like it, it should go fast in the sale forum.
 
I don't know Ryan Wilso either, but I have been talking with Mr. Ralph, and I have a custom on order. If he has a hand in it, I am quite sure that it is an awesome knife!! And an RRF is on MY want/must have list!!!
 
Ryan Wilson is the son of the owner of Wilson Tactical, a company that makes high end custom 1911 pistols and other firearms. Ryan learned precision machining there and was head of quality control. He started his custom knife business about 3 or 4 years ago at the tender age of 20 something, making tactical fixed blades of high quality and performance. His first folder was done in collaboration with Darrel Ralph a couple of years ago, as was noted earlier in the thread.

Combat Elite is Ryan's "semi production" knife company. We've seen most of the models come through here, both folders and fixed blades, and they are truly excellent. Think of them as being in a category of quality like Microtech. They are not inexpensive but great products never are.
 
And to add to what has been said, I do believe that both Ryan, and Ralph will do work on them if they are in need of a tune up, or repair. The levels show what options are on the knives. 1 is for the basic knife, and 4 is for a full dress model. All have the same materials, just different embellishments.
 
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