Hi there Forumites!
Got my Darrel Ralph Apogee today! It is a spiffy knife! Only having had it for 3 hrs or so (I had it delivered to my office) it's tough to make a full report, So it's just going to be some initial impressions. Here Goes.....
It's a BIG folder! (Darrel offers 3 sizes.... Gentleman's carry - 3.17 in., Legal in Most Jurisdictions - 3.95 in. and Plain Ol' BIG 4.25 in.[I got BIG!]) Everyone who's handled it has commented on how big it is and also how light! With titanium slabs (Ti has a lower specific weight than steel) This monster knife is not a monster to handle. Darrel also has a a carbon fiber model w/ a full liner which is even lighter! It's other great attribute is it's flatness. It's really flat .... "How flat is it?" ... you ask, how does 3/8 of an inch grab you. Slab to slab, add about 1/8 inch on one side for the clip.
Next of course is the lock. It's a full slab lock, similar to a Sebenza. It locks very solid, there's no play in the locked position whatsoever. It passes all of Darrel's Tests! The blade also slides buttery smooth into both the open and closed positions
On to the blade: Of course the most critical aspect of a knife is the blade, that's what you got the knife for, ain't it? This blade has a very nice recurve in it, that compliments the drop point and reflects the curves in the handle slabs. Steel type: CPM420V, this stainless steel is starting to come into it's own and it's a big step above ats34. Plus 2 cone shaped studs for ambidexterous opening.
The hanlde slabs, did I mention titanum,
did I mention scallops (or finger grooves or whatever you want to call 'em) both for the forefinger and the pinkie for a positive grip. Massive posts holding it together, open back for ease of cleaning and a lanyard slot (the smaller models have a hole or so I've been told). Also on the subject of grip theres file work that starts on the handle slab back that flows out onto the blade back so the your thumb can enjoy some grippiness as well. Oh yeah, even though it's incredibly flat there is a palm swell to the slabs so that it really sits well in the hand, both forward and reverse. The edges of the slabs are also cut down to give a nice radiused line in areas where your fingers will move. These perimeter cuts and the edges of the slabs are also anodized purple! With the cross hatching of the main flats of the slab a golden color, while the main flats themselves are natural titanium in color. The cross hatching grooves are another grip feature. There's even machining on the inside of the integral liner lock for opening grip.
Sharpness, there's a topic near and dear to all our hearts. In my case I don't want a hair popping sharp. What I want is a rougher edge that will stay that way longer and be more useful for me. I told Darrel this and that's what I got! For those of you who are interested that's like just sharpening up on the rough Spyderco sharpmaker sticks and not going on to the fine ones.
Well I've got to get back to work now so this will have to wait
Oh, for you collectors out there Darrel informs me that he will only number the first 20 of each size, so besides the prototypes theres only going to be 60 of these bad boy's that will have that little extra value. So you may want to get in touch with Darrel soon, before he runs out of numbers and you get an plain old un-numbered model. (Just so you know I got #2 nyah nyah
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JerryO
Got my Darrel Ralph Apogee today! It is a spiffy knife! Only having had it for 3 hrs or so (I had it delivered to my office) it's tough to make a full report, So it's just going to be some initial impressions. Here Goes.....
It's a BIG folder! (Darrel offers 3 sizes.... Gentleman's carry - 3.17 in., Legal in Most Jurisdictions - 3.95 in. and Plain Ol' BIG 4.25 in.[I got BIG!]) Everyone who's handled it has commented on how big it is and also how light! With titanium slabs (Ti has a lower specific weight than steel) This monster knife is not a monster to handle. Darrel also has a a carbon fiber model w/ a full liner which is even lighter! It's other great attribute is it's flatness. It's really flat .... "How flat is it?" ... you ask, how does 3/8 of an inch grab you. Slab to slab, add about 1/8 inch on one side for the clip.
Next of course is the lock. It's a full slab lock, similar to a Sebenza. It locks very solid, there's no play in the locked position whatsoever. It passes all of Darrel's Tests! The blade also slides buttery smooth into both the open and closed positions
On to the blade: Of course the most critical aspect of a knife is the blade, that's what you got the knife for, ain't it? This blade has a very nice recurve in it, that compliments the drop point and reflects the curves in the handle slabs. Steel type: CPM420V, this stainless steel is starting to come into it's own and it's a big step above ats34. Plus 2 cone shaped studs for ambidexterous opening.
The hanlde slabs, did I mention titanum,
Sharpness, there's a topic near and dear to all our hearts. In my case I don't want a hair popping sharp. What I want is a rougher edge that will stay that way longer and be more useful for me. I told Darrel this and that's what I got! For those of you who are interested that's like just sharpening up on the rough Spyderco sharpmaker sticks and not going on to the fine ones.
Well I've got to get back to work now so this will have to wait
Oh, for you collectors out there Darrel informs me that he will only number the first 20 of each size, so besides the prototypes theres only going to be 60 of these bad boy's that will have that little extra value. So you may want to get in touch with Darrel soon, before he runs out of numbers and you get an plain old un-numbered model. (Just so you know I got #2 nyah nyah
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JerryO
