For self defense, Vaquero Grande or Cuda Max?

Phil,

I agree with you assessment of the CUDA Maxx, it looks like a great knife, made from excellent materials. My problem is the 'size and problem solving' aspect.

You've been around the block. We all know guys who bolt on a bigger carbuerator because bigger is better. I used to run into rocket scientists during my 'metallic silhuette' days that would buy a Ruger .45 Long Colt and load it with .44 Rem Mag data. To their wisdom, .452 was bigger than .429 and 26 grains of H110 was good for everything!

The truth is, a Colt is a great gun, don't make it into something it isn't, and if you need a magnum, buy one.

If I couldn't beat you with a stick, I wouldn't get a bigger stick, I'd learn to be a 'better stick man.'

I'm sure these big knives are as impressive as hell. I'm also sure that if Ernie Emerson saw one, he'd pull out a three-inch knife and cut the guy into sausage.

And I have to honestly ask, just exactly what the heck kind of UPS box is out there that needs a 6-inch knife to open it? :eek:
 
Originally posted by The Tourist
And I have to honestly ask, just exactly what the heck kind of UPS box is out there that needs a 6-inch knife to open it? :eek:
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Once you've sliced a bagel in one stroke it's hard to go back to sawing your way around the edge with a tiny little knife. ;)

Seriously, there are very few tasks that are too small for a Maxx. There are always a few tasks that are genuinely too big for a 3- or 4-inch blade. And there are plenty of tasks that can be performed with a smaller blade, but are easier with a Maxx. Given that a Maxx is more comfortable to carry than many smaller blades, why not carry one?

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner
I had a Vaquero, the Grande's little brother with 5" blade, a few years back. It was a good knife but not a great knife. Mine was the older version without a pocket clip, so it was a little tough to tote around. They've since fixed that though, so it's no longer an issue. The other thing was that I hate their serrations, so I made mine plain-edge.
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Very interesting. Was it difficult to remove the serrations? What method did you use? Did you like it after removing the serrations?
 
Question...I have a custom 4" Maxx (and a 12" on order)...one thing I like about the knife is the symmetrical handle that allows you to hold the knife comfortably in all grips (and transition from grip to grip)...how does the VG measure up? It doesn't look like it would be comfortable in reverse grip (nor in getting there)...

RL
 
I gotta disagree on some minor points here with The Tourist.

First of there aint nuthin' wrong with soupin' up the ole' .45 LC jus' cause SAAMI specs gotta keep 'em gentle for the older guns out there don't mean you can't safely run 'em hotter out of a MODERN STURDY gun designed for such IE: Rugers, Windchester Lever Actions, Thompson Contenders, etc. If ya' can achieve a harder hitting load while runnin' less Copper Units of Pressure, why not?

Regarding Ernie Emerson being able to make confetti out of the average dude armed with a Maxx 5.5 I'm thinkin' that's kinda a poor analogy. Imagine Ernie Emerson fighting his evil clone that has a Maxx....makes for a more challenging perception, yes? Ya' know there is truth to the statement about being able to do more small knife tasks with a big knife than big knife tasks with a small knife. Bill Bagwell once skinned a mouse with one of his Hells Belles just to demonstrate that point. (not sure how the mouse was prepared and cooked though)

And ya' know...there is truth to the statement about the bagel...it's damn near impossible to go back to a smaller knife after cuttin' 'em open in one fell swoop...:D
 
Originally posted by RL
Question...I have a custom 4" Maxx (and a 12" on order)...
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Have you thought about having Darrel put a sub-hilt on the 12-incher to help keep your hands separated on the grip? ;)

I hope you'll post some pictures once that monster is finished.

--Bob Q
 
Subhilt? Hmmm...an interesting idea!

Sure, I'll post pics...BTW, I already bought special pants to carry it :)

RL
 
I've spoken to Darrel at length about the 12" Maxx. He wants input on these knives. He wants them to be unique. As if a 12" folder isn't unique enough?!?!? Let him know your ideas. If he thinks it's doable, he'll tell you.

Personally, I am going to have him do a quillion dagger for my 12" Maxx. :D
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors

And ya' know...there is truth to the statement about the bagel...it's damn near impossible to go back to a smaller knife after cuttin' 'em open in one fell swoop...:D
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True. And if I can't spread cream cheese or peanutbutter on a bagel with my EDC knife than it isn't worth schit! ;)

You GOTTA have your priorities!:D
 
Originally posted by fulloflead
True. And if I can't spread cream cheese or peanutbutter on a bagel with my EDC knife than it isn't worth schit! ;)
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A man after my own heart!

And I can personally attest that the Maxx serves very well when making sandwiches. In fact, I often use it or my Aftermath instead of a table knife because that wide blade can carry and apply more peanut butter, jelly, or cream cheese in less time. :D

Everybody's got to eat...

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
Regarding Ernie Emerson being able to make confetti out of the average dude armed with a Maxx 5.5 I'm thinkin' that's kinda a poor analogy. Imagine Ernie Emerson fighting his evil clone that has a Maxx....makes for a more challenging perception, yes?
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I agree. Size does matter. While I really like my CQC-7B I know I'd be at a disadvantage against an untrained person with a Bagwell Bowie. Bigger blades give you more distance. For some reason, there seems to be a wierd argument over quality of weapon vs quality of training. I say get the best of both.
 
Originally posted by bquinlan
more peanut butter, jelly, or cream cheese in less time. :D
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TIME? I never really thought of time being an issue in sandwich making. So, are you Scooby or Shaggy?:D
 
Well I've ordered my CUDA MAXX from Newgraham so I'll let you all know my impressions of it when I get it. It'll probably come in on wed cuz that's when my knives almost always come in. I'm really looking forward to it, I just can't decide whether I want to go with my MAXX clipped to my right pocket and my 806D2 clipped to the left or vice versa.
 
Originally posted by fulloflead
TIME? I never really thought of time being an issue in sandwich making. So, are you Scooby or Shaggy?:D
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Hey, might as well be efficient, right? :D

I'm probably Xander. (Sorry. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" reference.) I'd like to be Scooby, but I'm probably Shaggy. :rolleyes:

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by fulloflead
Very interesting. Was it difficult to remove the serrations? What method did you use? Did you like it after removing the serrations?
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It was actually very difficult to remove the serrations, I used my Edge-Pro Apex with the coarse stone. The stone was already worn when I started, and mostly gone when I finished. I made it a conventional V-ground edge, as opposed to the original chisel edge. As a result, the edge was quite a bit thicker than I would have liked. A better option would have been to leave it as a chisel edge, and to use a dremel to grind the serrations off. I'd say that anyone with a little sharpening experience and a lot of patience could do it.
 
Originally posted by RL
... how does the VG measure up? It doesn't look like it would be comfortable in reverse grip (nor in getting there)...
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The VG is no more uncomfortable in reverse grip than in a hammer grip, and the transition isn't difficult, but you might want to drill a couple of pivot holes in the Zytel.

The widest part of the VG handle is about the same as the narrow part of the Maxx. I don't think it would rotate in your hand, but it isn't as secure as the wider, flatter Maxx grip. Also, the VG handle is about 2" longer than the Maxx 5.5 which means you aren't holding as much handle-to-blade when the blade hits, or someone hits the handle, sticking out both sides of your hand. You must grip the VG at the center swell, and even that might not keep you from sliding up onto the blade on a hard stab.

I find it makes a great brushcutter, and I guess it would intimidate an amateur. But, thinking about it, there are better designs out there for fighting knives.

Sharpen the swedge, maybe get rid of the serrations (but note that these miniserrations won't get hung up like sawtooth serrations will) and widen the handle and make a deep choil for the index finger, and you would have a killer.
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
...Sharpen the swedge, maybe get rid of the serrations (but note that these miniserrations won't get hung up like sawtooth serrations will) and widen the handle and make a deep choil for the index finger, and you would have a killer.
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...And why not superglue a chainsaw to it while you're at it?...:D.:D.
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner
It was actually very difficult to remove the serrations, I used my Edge-Pro Apex with the coarse stone. The stone was already worn when I started, and mostly gone when I finished. I made it a conventional V-ground edge, as opposed to the original chisel edge. As a result, the edge was quite a bit thicker than I would have liked. A better option would have been to leave it as a chisel edge, and to use a dremel to grind the serrations off. I'd say that anyone with a little sharpening experience and a lot of patience could do it.
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Hmmm. That DOES sound like a lot of work. Having a big plain-edge recurve that big sounded cool but I don't know if it's THAT cool. Or is it? Now that you did all that work, are you glad you did? Do you like the results? Was it worth it?
 
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