Blade length 4.72"
Closed length: 5.59"
Total length: 10.28"
Blade thickness: .240"
Blade material: N690 Stainless Cobalt Steel
Blade length: 4.72"
Closed length: 5.59"
RC: 58
Handle: Anticorodal aluminum alloy
The RAO next to my Spyderco Endura
I have had my eye on the RAO since it came out. I finally decided to purchase one.
I decided to put it through a few tests just to try it out and see if it would suit my needs.
I bought this folder because it looked big and tough and I wanted to add it to my civilian utility belt. I knew it was big but man until you see it in person you don't really know how big it is. Anyway it is big.
The fit and finish on it is first class and I expect no less for 360.00 bucks. I swore I would never buy a folder that cost this but this is not an ordinary folder. It is just built like a tank.
The lock is very simple in design just a spring loaded drop cross pin. It locks very secure and tight. This lock also has a nice little bonus when you baton with the knife also.
The sheath is very nice but big. You can carny the knife folded or the sheath has and extra pocket for carrying the knife in fixed blade mode. It also has a pocket containing the included diamond stone. It is a very well build sheath with plastic reinforced belt loops and several carry options.
Onto the test.
Chopping: Since this is a heavy hard use folder I wanted to to something considered hard for a folder just to prove to myself I got my moneys worth. I chopped all the way through a 2x4 and darn the RAO actually chopped better then some of the fixed blades I tested. I got through it in no time and with little energy. I did not expect this. But Hell yes. :thumbup:
Cutting tests: The knife came very sharp out of the box. After the Chopping I was able to easily cut some 10,000 pound webbing and some card board. The blade is .240" thick but it cuts very well.
Tip Penetration: The tip on the RAO is different but sharp and it is thinned out enough to get some good penetration. I would not do this test with most folders without using some type of safety because I value my fingers. The RAO comes with one installed the extra locking pin keeps the blade from closing should the primary lock disengage. Using a inverted reverse grip I stabbed into a phone book getting decent depth. I was never afraid of the blade closing and cutting my fingers. The safety pin is not only functional but it adds mental comfort so you can go at your target hard with no fear of injury. A great feature.
Batoning: There has been discussion about leveeing the lock disengage during this but after seeing how this knife is made first hand I was not worried about lock failure or damage especially with the safety pin in place. The blade just has no where to go so the chances of lock damage during batoning are low. With the primary lock engaged and the safety pin in I batoned a 2x4 whacking the tip good. No damage occurred to the blade lock or handles. Also because of the vertical lock position when you baton down the inertia created drives the lock pin down into the blade catch. This is an added bonus the lock just gets more secure as you hit the blade downward. However I would not baton without the safety pin in place.
Overall: I'm happy with it. The RAO is tough and functional I feel I only scratched the surface at it's full capabilities of hard use though. Another time perhaps as I plan to keep this one for my own personal use.
The videos are in three parts posted at www.knifetests.com
Enjoy the videos. They were made for you :thumbup:
Closed length: 5.59"
Total length: 10.28"
Blade thickness: .240"
Blade material: N690 Stainless Cobalt Steel
Blade length: 4.72"
Closed length: 5.59"
RC: 58
Handle: Anticorodal aluminum alloy
The RAO next to my Spyderco Endura
I have had my eye on the RAO since it came out. I finally decided to purchase one.
I decided to put it through a few tests just to try it out and see if it would suit my needs.
I bought this folder because it looked big and tough and I wanted to add it to my civilian utility belt. I knew it was big but man until you see it in person you don't really know how big it is. Anyway it is big.
The fit and finish on it is first class and I expect no less for 360.00 bucks. I swore I would never buy a folder that cost this but this is not an ordinary folder. It is just built like a tank.
The lock is very simple in design just a spring loaded drop cross pin. It locks very secure and tight. This lock also has a nice little bonus when you baton with the knife also.
The sheath is very nice but big. You can carny the knife folded or the sheath has and extra pocket for carrying the knife in fixed blade mode. It also has a pocket containing the included diamond stone. It is a very well build sheath with plastic reinforced belt loops and several carry options.
Onto the test.
Chopping: Since this is a heavy hard use folder I wanted to to something considered hard for a folder just to prove to myself I got my moneys worth. I chopped all the way through a 2x4 and darn the RAO actually chopped better then some of the fixed blades I tested. I got through it in no time and with little energy. I did not expect this. But Hell yes. :thumbup:
Cutting tests: The knife came very sharp out of the box. After the Chopping I was able to easily cut some 10,000 pound webbing and some card board. The blade is .240" thick but it cuts very well.
Tip Penetration: The tip on the RAO is different but sharp and it is thinned out enough to get some good penetration. I would not do this test with most folders without using some type of safety because I value my fingers. The RAO comes with one installed the extra locking pin keeps the blade from closing should the primary lock disengage. Using a inverted reverse grip I stabbed into a phone book getting decent depth. I was never afraid of the blade closing and cutting my fingers. The safety pin is not only functional but it adds mental comfort so you can go at your target hard with no fear of injury. A great feature.
Batoning: There has been discussion about leveeing the lock disengage during this but after seeing how this knife is made first hand I was not worried about lock failure or damage especially with the safety pin in place. The blade just has no where to go so the chances of lock damage during batoning are low. With the primary lock engaged and the safety pin in I batoned a 2x4 whacking the tip good. No damage occurred to the blade lock or handles. Also because of the vertical lock position when you baton down the inertia created drives the lock pin down into the blade catch. This is an added bonus the lock just gets more secure as you hit the blade downward. However I would not baton without the safety pin in place.
Overall: I'm happy with it. The RAO is tough and functional I feel I only scratched the surface at it's full capabilities of hard use though. Another time perhaps as I plan to keep this one for my own personal use.
The videos are in three parts posted at www.knifetests.com
Enjoy the videos. They were made for you :thumbup:
:thumbup:
I only have a few questions; how stiff is the primary lock to disengage, do you think it could accidently disengage on its own? Also, could you post a picture of the sheath both for the folded knife and the open carry knife? Any plans to go with a "smaller" sheath if the oem is too big?
