- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,957
I don't really pretend to know the answer to that question. I think it probably depends on who you ask. Some would laugh at the idea of such a knife. Others relish it and buy them up one after another finding them quite appealing. I know over the years just from making pocket clips to fit many production knives and custom folders that I've been surprised numerous times at the size of knives people call their EDC knife. I've put low riders on Camillus Cuda Max knives from China Town and Queens NY to Los Angeles knives and Denver knives to the Netherlands and all in between and I've seen some pretty dang large custom knives sent to me over the years as well as many other beasty folders for guys out there so I think it is mindset. Some consider the Spyderco Military to be a relatively small knife.
Anyway, with that thought in mind that I don't know the answer I can honestly say that what I do know is that they are a lot of fun if nothing else. The Cold Steel Rajah I is a big knife. There is no doubt about it. At 12.6 ounces and 14" open with a 6" blade it is what you would call a rather big foot print both in the hand and in the pocket. Cold Steel seems to have made a reputation on building some large examples of folders and fortunately for end line users the companies they contract with do them well. I've been using a Rajah I here in the yard preparing for something I knew I had coming. I bought the back end of a canary yellow Penske rental truck. Its a 24" long box fully enlosed and water proof. At first my wife rejected this idea and wanted a building from Lowes. This was cheaper and in my opinion it will probably outlast that building. It was also much bigger with a lot more to offer in the way of usable space. The fact that it had two doors made it all that much more appealing as I would probably not find another one like it if I tried really hard, at least local. The best part was that this box won't increase my property taxes like a permanent building would and I don't need a permit to build it. That cinched the deal for the wife and I had the okay. Once that was done I had to make some changes to the yard. Guess what came in the mail at about the time I was starting that job! All I had to do was clear the way for it and that involved hiring a service to take off some big ole box elder limbs in the front drive way overhanging the roof of our house. I was not interested in that but I had more to do after they got done and a lot of branch and hedge trimming out back to make room for my storage box. Then once it was placed I had orders to paint it white ASAP. Been working on that weather permitting since getting it.
The Rajah I was a lot of fun in the yard. I found it both comfortable and capable to the point I must say I'm very impressed and surprised at the chopping ability and potential this knife has for both a defensive weapon in the right hands, and a great camping or hiking buddy if you are just wanting to take something along that is easier to pack and easier to tote while out and about. In truth I'd have never bought this knife had it not been for the close out on it. I'm glad I did because I must admit the thought occurred to me as I was purchasing it on the net that I'd probably be listing it for sale here soon. Not happening I can tell you that much. I find I'm rather smitten for the first time by a giant folder. The Triad lock has earned bragging rights with me and I don't really care about who made it where its sold or anything else. The fact is this knife is awesome plain and simple regardless of bias toward anyone or anything before even looking at one.
Between the hired help, my big pruning shears and my Rajah I I managed to make room for my box and had it delivered right on time the other day. I emptied my U-Haul truck which I bought from U-Haul when April and I decided to move and after that I managed to make a new place to park it out by the shop that was overgrown with brush before that. I've created quite a brush pile here using both the Rajah and my pruners. Some of the jobs I used the Rajah I on are shown. Before doing anything I sliced a news paper with the knife right out of the box. That is the shorter of the two cuts shown. After doing a lot of chopping with it and chipping the blade in two places, one from a spike I didn't see and one from a dead limb I also did not see because it was above my head. I spent all of ten minutes no lie, took the chips out with the Edge Pro and touched it up nice and slick on the Sharpmaker and you see the second slice. Its ready to rock again now. Note: I also know some of these branches are probably bigger than is recommended for this folder but I wanted to see what it would do. Besides I bought two on the close out so I figured what the hey, I'll beat one up. I have and its taken it all and asked for more. No lock play. Nothing other than a bit of side to side blade play that developed but not much and easily corrected with one tweak of the pivot screw. I'm quite impressed with this knife's ability to absorb shocks that quite simply would ruin another folder of lesser build.
Anyway, I realize a giant folder is not for everyone. I can't say I plan to carry this one a lot but when I'm working in the yard or going for a walk in the woods I may just take it along for convenience sake so if nothing else should I see a nice stick that looks like it would make a good walker I can get it down right quick and use it. Enjoy. Thanks for looking.
STR
Anyway, with that thought in mind that I don't know the answer I can honestly say that what I do know is that they are a lot of fun if nothing else. The Cold Steel Rajah I is a big knife. There is no doubt about it. At 12.6 ounces and 14" open with a 6" blade it is what you would call a rather big foot print both in the hand and in the pocket. Cold Steel seems to have made a reputation on building some large examples of folders and fortunately for end line users the companies they contract with do them well. I've been using a Rajah I here in the yard preparing for something I knew I had coming. I bought the back end of a canary yellow Penske rental truck. Its a 24" long box fully enlosed and water proof. At first my wife rejected this idea and wanted a building from Lowes. This was cheaper and in my opinion it will probably outlast that building. It was also much bigger with a lot more to offer in the way of usable space. The fact that it had two doors made it all that much more appealing as I would probably not find another one like it if I tried really hard, at least local. The best part was that this box won't increase my property taxes like a permanent building would and I don't need a permit to build it. That cinched the deal for the wife and I had the okay. Once that was done I had to make some changes to the yard. Guess what came in the mail at about the time I was starting that job! All I had to do was clear the way for it and that involved hiring a service to take off some big ole box elder limbs in the front drive way overhanging the roof of our house. I was not interested in that but I had more to do after they got done and a lot of branch and hedge trimming out back to make room for my storage box. Then once it was placed I had orders to paint it white ASAP. Been working on that weather permitting since getting it.
The Rajah I was a lot of fun in the yard. I found it both comfortable and capable to the point I must say I'm very impressed and surprised at the chopping ability and potential this knife has for both a defensive weapon in the right hands, and a great camping or hiking buddy if you are just wanting to take something along that is easier to pack and easier to tote while out and about. In truth I'd have never bought this knife had it not been for the close out on it. I'm glad I did because I must admit the thought occurred to me as I was purchasing it on the net that I'd probably be listing it for sale here soon. Not happening I can tell you that much. I find I'm rather smitten for the first time by a giant folder. The Triad lock has earned bragging rights with me and I don't really care about who made it where its sold or anything else. The fact is this knife is awesome plain and simple regardless of bias toward anyone or anything before even looking at one.
Between the hired help, my big pruning shears and my Rajah I I managed to make room for my box and had it delivered right on time the other day. I emptied my U-Haul truck which I bought from U-Haul when April and I decided to move and after that I managed to make a new place to park it out by the shop that was overgrown with brush before that. I've created quite a brush pile here using both the Rajah and my pruners. Some of the jobs I used the Rajah I on are shown. Before doing anything I sliced a news paper with the knife right out of the box. That is the shorter of the two cuts shown. After doing a lot of chopping with it and chipping the blade in two places, one from a spike I didn't see and one from a dead limb I also did not see because it was above my head. I spent all of ten minutes no lie, took the chips out with the Edge Pro and touched it up nice and slick on the Sharpmaker and you see the second slice. Its ready to rock again now. Note: I also know some of these branches are probably bigger than is recommended for this folder but I wanted to see what it would do. Besides I bought two on the close out so I figured what the hey, I'll beat one up. I have and its taken it all and asked for more. No lock play. Nothing other than a bit of side to side blade play that developed but not much and easily corrected with one tweak of the pivot screw. I'm quite impressed with this knife's ability to absorb shocks that quite simply would ruin another folder of lesser build.
Anyway, I realize a giant folder is not for everyone. I can't say I plan to carry this one a lot but when I'm working in the yard or going for a walk in the woods I may just take it along for convenience sake so if nothing else should I see a nice stick that looks like it would make a good walker I can get it down right quick and use it. Enjoy. Thanks for looking.
STR
