Darrel Ralph Designs (DDR) HTM Gunhammer 2 - bowie - WARNING: big pix inside

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
4,984
3 - 29 - 2010
I just got this knife in today and haven't had much time with it, but I was so excited about it (still am) that I wanted to post pictures.

Since I have no experience to write a review of the knife yet, I will share my experience dealing with Darrel Ralph himself. Darrel and I exchanged emails quite a bit even before I decided to purchase the knife. I had several questions before hand, and when I emailed him a few weeks ago in February as I recall it, I never planned on purchasing the knife so soon, so our correspondence began around that time. Fast forward to just last week and I inquired if he had the bowie blade configuration in stock. His first reply back was that he was weeks out before the next knives were completed. Then by chance, he replied back with news that he might be able to finish one in the next couple days, but he'd have to check back at his shop the following day. I was never as excited about a knife as this one, and sure enough, the following day, Darrel responded back with news that he could finish the knife and have it out the same week. So, we worked out the details and he gave his number and asked for me to give him a call...which was a nice touch to actually get a chance to speak with the knife maker. That is what I call customer service, not this automated robot voice stuff we deal with all too much these days. Through talking with him on the phone, I believe Darrel to be one of the most personable people one could ever deal with. What a stand up guy. Anyway, I gave him my purchasing info and that was that. The result of our interaction is below.

Quick knife specs:
closed length: 4.5 inch
overall length: 8.25 inch
blade: 3.6 inch non-glare, non-coated s30v bowie
blade thickness: .121 inch (I believe; don't have calipers handy, but I compared it to a ZT 0350)
grind: high flat grind
liner lock thickness: .095 inch titanium
weight: 4.1 ounces
handle material: 3d machined aluminum scales with military type II hard coat
clip: right side tip up/tip down carry
hardened wear parts
open pillar construction

The knives come in assisted and non-assisted flavors as well as non-glare and DLC coated. OFC, assisted and DLC versions cost a little extra.

EDIT: Excuse the fuzz in some of the pics. The stuff on the blade is from pocket lint. The hair on the bed is from my cats.
EDIT: I was surprised that Darrel included the "taco" shell soft carrying case.

4 - 02 - 2010
EDIT: This is the latest revision, just released in fact, EVO 2. I believe I am the first person to have this revision according to Darrel. The first version had sculpted g10 handle scales. The second version changed the sculpting on the g10 to look like the first aluminum version (seen in the following picture), IIRC. The third version had aluminum handle scales that looked like
maxxq.jpg
. I have the final version.
  • Aesthetics: The pictures below don't truly do this knife justice. From the blade grind to the textured machined aluminum handles, this piece is absolutely beautiful. I admit, I wasn't a fan of metal handles before this knife, but I'm sold. If done right, and Darrel definitely does it right, aluminum handles can do a lot for a knife, much like titanium. Some of you might be wondering why the handle material wasn't in fact titanium. For that you have to keep in mind that the HTM is DDR's middle range of knives, much like Swamp Rat is the middle range of the Busse kin family. That is not to say that the HTM line is short on workmanship. The knife exudes quality; you'd be hardpressed to find faults in the knife. Anyone that isn't familiar with DDR's knives would sooner think that the HTM GH2 is a custom piece. The HTM GH2 is very beautiful indeed.

    I was surprised that Darrel added the Celtic cross as the pivot pin; most websites that sell the HTM GH2 showed pictures of the knife with a regular torx screw as the pivot. It may not seem like much, but the Celtic cross does add a little character to the knife.

  • Build Quality: Fit and finish are excellent. The blade centers perfectly and everything lines up as it should. There are no tooling marks on the blade or handle. There really isn't a whole lot to say about build quality beside it being phenomenal, and that's because there is nothing wrong. On the other hand, if there were flaws, I could write a helluva lot more in this category.

  • Materials: s30v blade steel, titanium liner lock, aircraft grade aluminum scales (6061 I believe), hardened steel pivot and pins...all combine for one stout folder. This knife does not feel the least bit flimsy.

  • Blade: Very aesthetically pleasing bowie blade with a high flat grind. Up until this point, I have had no desire whatsoever to own a knife with a bowie style blade. Needless to say, this HTM GH2 has made me a convert, so much so that my next purchase will be a Spyderco Street Beat, which for those that are familiar with that knife, has a bowie blade designed by Fred Perrin. The grinds are perfect and the swedge really makes the blade look amazing. One neat touch in the grind is the tip. Darrel could have just taken the grind straight up, but instead finished at an angle formed by the swedge (not sure how to put this in words, but check the pics).

  • Sharpness: I finally know what hair popping sharp really means. Right out of the box, I tried shaving arm hair and the strands literally popped up. This knife whittles hair. To say it cuts like a light saber is understatement.

  • Clip: The clip is snug, but not impossible to overcome like on the Zero Tolerance knives for example. I would have preferred a different shape for the clip, but it's a minor gripe.

  • Ergonomics: The knife fits my hand like a glove, and I have some large hands. You can also grip the knife by choking up on it behind the choil. Whether this was intentional, the choil that is, or not, I can't be sure, but it works for me.

  • Lock: Very robust titanium liner lock, especially at .095 inch thickness. The knife is designed so that there is no finger relief on the opposing scale that many liner and framelocks have (to make it easier to disengage the lock). Personally, I really dislike knives that are designed with that finger relief. Darrel also holds this same design philosophy. Whereas my preference only stems from an aesthetic stand point, Darrel's standpoint comes from a functional one; linerlocks with the finger relief can have the lock disengage when torqued...not that I do any sort of twisting motion to embark torque. But hey, the strength is there should you need it because of the lack of the finger cut out.

  • Thumbstud Opening: The knife is not designed for thumbstud opening, but it is possible. I actually found it pretty easy to open the knife using the thumbstuds, but it takes me a bit longer because I have to adjust my grip since the studs are so close to the handle; they don't touch the handle, but they come very close to touching. The studs are nice for when you want to be more discreet in opening the knife.

  • Flipper Opening: This is where it's at. Very smooth and very fast opening considering the knife is non-assisted. No need to use any wrist motion to open the knife because the action is so smooth. With practice, I can open the knife as fast as I can open an assisted flipper. The design of the flipper not only looks nice (Darrel takes obvious cues from a gun hammer, hence the name of the knife), but is also functional. The "jimping" allows you to get some grip on the flipper to help when opening the knife.

    When using the flipper, the knife opens with a nice satisfying clang. When you close it, there is a less audible click when the ball detent engages.

  • Value per dollar: I have to mention what steel ( <--- see what I did there?) this knife is. Just the CNC machining on the handle scales alone most likely would not get covered by the price Darrel charges for one of these knives. If anyone has ever had to get machining work done (and I know, because my older brother is in and out of our local CNC machinist at least once a month; he gets custom parts made for his car), then you'd know how expensive it can get. Machining something as intricate as these sculpted aluminum scales is time consuming and no where near easy.

htm01.jpg


htm02.jpg


htm03.jpg


htm04.jpg


EDIT: The dust around the Celtic Cross pivot pin is lint from pocket carrying it today.
htm05.jpg


htm06.jpg


htm07.jpg


Here are the other two blade shapes:
Radian recurve; drop point
otherblades.jpg
 
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i called ralph coupal of times in te past inquiring about models & on one ocassion the quality of an alloy . he was always very informative & quick to reply. its nice to be able to talk to an expert whom is so busy great guy.
 
DennisStrickland said:
i called ralph coupal of times in te past inquiring about models & on one ocassion the quality of an alloy . he was always very informative & quick to reply. its nice to be able to talk to an expert whom is so busy great guy.
Click to expand...

He definitely knows his craft. He will have more business from me in the future.:thumbup:
 
:thumbup::cool:Awesome Score!!!


How's it flip?Pretty smooth/fast?
 
I've been trying to work the lock in by opening and closing the knife a lot. If anyone's ever handled a titanium lock bar, you'd know how easy they stick at first. I may have to do the graphite trick from a pencil. It's not really a problem. I don't mind it...I just figure my thumb will develop more strength this way. Of course, being the exercise science major that I am, I would say that. :P

Small update on the knife over all. Fit and finish is excellent. Blade is perfect centered, which I tried to capture in the picture above. The knife is so light that I'm constantly checking my pocket to make sure it's still there. I'm used to heavier knives. ZT for example. I don't mind the weight...again my mind frame stems from my background. The blade to handle ratio is very very nice.
 
Darrel has been very focused on the HTM line.

I've been watching these evolve from the drawing board in 2006 or so, to shop model, soon named the MaxxQ, now the HTM GH. This evolution reflects a lot of design changes. Changes not always so visible to the eye, but are all about putting the quality and functionality of a custom into an affordable USA made EDC. There is some "photojournaling" of the evolution of these from their inception in some of my other posts which are scattered about the various forums withing "General."

There is more info here, and as Dennis mentioned, you can give Darrel a call.
 
mndart said:
Darrel has been very focused on the HTM line.

I've been watching these evolve from the drawing board in 2006 or so, to shop model, soon named the MaxxQ, now the HTM GH. This evolution reflects a lot of design changes. Changes not always so visible to the eye, but are all about putting the quality and functionality of a custom into an affordable USA made EDC. There is some "photojournaling" of the evolution of these from their inception in some of my other posts which are scattered about the various forums withing "General."

There is more info here, and as Dennis mentioned, you can give Darrel a call.
Click to expand...

I have followed those posts quite a bit myself. It really is a splendid knife. Can't say that enough.

I added a bit about the revisions. I think I got the order correct.
 
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Fantastic review Harkamus. HTM has taken many strides forward from a few years ago.
Unlike Maxx Q's, the HTM GH's sport a variety of blade styles and can also be had as an assisted.

I'll drop some old reference pics in here to compliment your great post. I hope you don't mind.

Going back to about day one: This is one of the original protos. It is one of a very few assisted.
DDR-MQ1-PROTO-1.jpg


This is a very rare early MaxxQ late 06, early 07. It has a hand rubbed satin blade. Very few of these around.
DDRMaddMaxx033.jpg

It is #01
DDRMaddMaxx032.jpg


Here's another old one, and rare. Hand rubbed satin, DLC blade.
Mar29DDRVisit017.jpg


Early run of the new handle pattern on Maxx-Q
DDR-Apr2009019.jpg


Here is a shot showing the new linerlock design, smaller and thicker than the original larger linerlock which propping up the new one.
DDRJan2009005.jpg

shows difference in material thickness.
DDRJan2009004.jpg
 
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Fantastic post. I was actually hoping you'd add some pics. I believe I got the order correctly for changes that Darrel made to the handle design and material.

Something I've noticed about the design is that the handle scale opposite of the liner is machined inside, which leads me to believe that if one so desired to add an assist down the line (a collab between Blackie Collins and Darrel himself), it would be a simple drop in mod. Maybe Darrel can chime in to elaborate on this. I know he is a member here.

EDIT: Added a section on blade sharpness.
 
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Hmmm. Memory test.... The materials were:

Original: G10 and had machined verticals running NW to SE. You can see this in the pic of my proto, the first pic.

The original MaxxQ DDR midtech knives made in Ohio had G10 and aircraft aluminum scales. The experimention included micarta seen in one of my pics.... and I am pretty sure I saw some CF trials too. There were variants in the 3D milling. Darrel was constantly testing out new patterns for improved grip and ergo. I recall looking over some aluminum scales with spirographic like patterns. I don't know if any of those ever made it into collections.

The Meyerco is 3D machined G10.

Variations are present in the pictures above... the later pattern has about 11 opposing verticals, NW to SE bumping against a NE to SW pattern at about 33% from bolster's edge (micarta is the material in the picture). The one above it is an earlier version and has finer machining and runs almost 50% from bolster's edge into the handle before switching directions, it is aluminum.

Darrel settled on the 3D chiseled pattern for HTM like you have on yours and uses aircraft aluminum. IIRC, I believe you are correct Hark; the inside of the scales are ready to accept assisted if you want to have it converted.

There are also varations in the jimping of the thumb ramp and the linerlocks. My proto was not contoured for access to the linerlock, that change came pretty quickly :)

So, the HTM you have is the product of about four years of constant change. ;) DDR is pretty happy with it, but stay tuned. You never know what ideas will be factored into play.
 
Very interesting. That is some great insight. I always thought it would be neat if he made modular scales, kind of like Wilkins does for the Griptilians. Maybe make some out of ti to replace the aluminum, or perhaps even something cheaper, 440c. He could have the materials bead blasted for a more wear resistant finish as well, which would be cheap and still look good. Maybe I'll take it upon myself to beadblast the handles years from now when I get tired of the mil spec II hard coat; I have a blasting cabinet in my shed. Scales would just be another way to add a little customization down the line. I intend to take this knife to the grave with me, but at some point I may decide I want to change it a bit. Scales would do the trick.
 
Great knives! And while the Meyerco MaxxQ DDRs are certainly not up to this level I own two of them and really like them quite a lot.
 
I have a nicely developed callus on my right thumb from working the titanium liner lock. Hehe. I guess that always happens with new knives.
 
One more week has passed since I first took delivery of the knife. The knife feels completely broken in now. It opens smooth as silk. As smoothly as it does open, I really don't see a need for an assist. Nor do I see how an assisted mechanism would/could open the blade any faster. I said it once, and I'll say it again. Darrel knows how to make flippers. The slightest amount of pressure from my index finger sends the blade flying with a satisfying click on lock up. The detent is nothing to be scoffed at either. It takes some deliberate action to overcome the ball detent; you really have to shake the knife hard before enough momentum overcomes the detent. BTW, after about 3 weeks of breaking the knife in, lockup is at about 35 to 40%, not much different from when I got it.

I love this knife more and more.

EDIT: To me, this really is my grail knife. I will get a Burger LEXK somewhere down the line, but only to serve as a gentlemen carry alternative.
 
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