Graham Knives Mid Tech Razel Review

TOB9595

TOB9595

Joined
Jan 3, 2003
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Well the Brothers Grim.....errrrrrr.GRAHAM ...sorry bout that :)
were gracious nuff to offer a passaround of their new Mid Tech Razel.

Passaround thread is HERE

Graham Knives website is HERE
A short note on the Graham website. Cruise around it cause there are a bunch of tuff to get at pages and pics. I just last week discovered that they had a short sword.

Graham Knives makes a custom Razel and is now making a more affordable, ~ $139, Mid-Tech Razel.
specs are
3/16 154CM
available in either black G10, or green canvas micarta
7 1/4'' overall
3 1/2'' blade
kydex pocket sheath
Heat Treating by Paul Bos
Blade is ground on four edges...Meaning it ain't chisel grind
I am carrying a Graham 154 steel SPT that I was embarrassed to be told that it is 154...I thought it was S30...DUH!!!! was my face red.

I used this wee handful and was mightily impressed. I cut, slashed, sliced and diced for almost a week and this is still scarey sharp.
I used it for all the mundane things like cardboard slicing, tape and letter cutting, parsley chopping, and my favs the reinforced garden hose push cutting and tree slicing!
The Razel performed admirably for all tasks I tossed at it.
First I cut some cardboard......You know how quick cardboard box will dull a blade.....Not here. I NEVER sharpened the Mid Tech Razel the time I had it.
Here it is push cut thru garden hose.
As you can see it did a dandy job. No Need to saw....just push!
IMG_4844_r1.jpg


IMG_4846.jpg


Smooth a cut as I've done. Look closely and you'll see my previous push cuts with the Razel :)
IMG_4849.jpg


Slicing thru thin layer of bark was like a microtome....Well sorta....
IMG_4852.jpg


Both edges are GREAT for cutting and doing stuff in our edc lives.
IMG_4853.jpg


It actually has two points with four edges which is handy.
IMG_4857.jpg


The points are especially handy for the DAMNED clamshell plastic packaging that you have to slice open to get at the teeny tiny thing inside....
Without a fine strong blade yopu don't get the inside of the aforementioned devil's case.
 
The Mid Tech Razel was able to be carried in a few configurations.
IWB = In Waist Band.......NO WISE $$S remarks about WHERE IS my waistband........
Carried well IWB. No rib or fat poking with this.
IMG_4825.jpg


Carried in the belt tho a bit too top heavy. The knife wanted to roll around on the pivot of the clip.
IMG_4824.jpg


And in the pocket. Also rode TOP long... Needs more sheath.
IMG_4831.jpg


The Bros Graham has changed future makings of the Mid TEch Razel to ride lower in the sheath.
Thanks Guys! :)

And here is the Graham's pic of the Mid TEch Razel.
knives594.jpg


I like this pic so much I figure that I'll put it here even tho it will pale in comparison to my pics
Hahahahahaha

An EXCELLENT BLADE, Jon and Josh!
Tom
 
Tom, as usual, you did an excellent review!! That is coool!! Hmmmm, now you are making me think about a Razel!
 
Thanks for the write-up, I'm looking forward to getting a Micarta version myself. I don't think I can wait for my turn in the passaround!
 
Great review, thanks for the writeup. I think that I am going to have to break down and order one of these when I finish paying for Christmas. :cool:
 
Wow, a fixed blade I may be able to justify for the EDC role. Back this knife up with a small folder and you could handle a plethora of jobs.
This design also seems like it would go over well if seen by LEO's and sheeple: it LOOKS very utilitarian and non-threatening.
I very much like the pocket sheath idea but it seems like care must be taken not to cut ones pocket on exit or entry.
Sharpening the tip looks like a pain but I supose you just go at it like it's a chisel.
Thanks for the review,I just may have to try this bad boy out.
 
I had always been curious about the "Razel" designed, so I decided to give the Mid-Tech a try. I received an example from NGK yesterday. My first impressions are positive. The fit and finish are solid with the steel showing no flaws in grind or polish. I like the G10 handle, though it's a little smoother/slicker than I'd prefer. I like a little more roughness on smaller handle knives. I think, too, that 154CM is a good choice for smaller fixed blades that serve in EDC applications.

The Kydex sheath seems to be well put together. I had some trouble figuring out out whether it's a right hand or left hand configuration but decided it can be used as either. Also, I can't tell for sure; but it looks to me that the clip might be Kydex rather than steel. I need to find a magnet to test it. That concerns me some. I'm not sure how well a non-steel clip will hold up to EDC. I might be wrong, but the clip sure doesn't feel like metal. I like Kydex, but I think a sleeve type leather sheath might be a better match to this knife.

The edge of the blade is consistently sharp it's entire length. I don't anticipate any issues with it being able to serve for everyday cutting. The corner of the blade tip is sharp and "pointy" enough to perform some non-traditional chores. I used it, for example, to pry open the back of my wrist watch to change a battery. It was sharp enough, "pointy" enough, and sufficiently substantial to do that without slipping or chipping.

So far, I like it.
 
Goodguy,
Glad you like the Razel, you'll find more uses for it everyday.
The clip is steel, but instead of the plastidip, so it wont scratch things,
shrink tube was used, and covers the whole clip.

Jon
 
Looks like a great knife and a great design but the part of the tang sticking out of the rear of the handle (glass breaker or whatever) seems a bit counterproductive to me. Doesnt it prevent you from palming the knife and pushing on it like you can on a real chisel?

Regards Jan
 
Jon... Thanks for the information. Good idea for the clip. I can stop looking for a magnet now. Of course, now I want a "ringed" one and an "entry" one.....
 
Jan P said:
Looks like a great knife and a great design but the part of the tang sticking out of the rear of the handle (glass breaker or whatever) seems a bit counterproductive to me. Doesnt it prevent you from palming the knife and pushing on it like you can on a real chisel?

Regards Jan
Click to expand...

Jan,
The extended tang makes it easier to palm, because it
makes a flat wide area to put your palm against .

Goodguy,

once you get a ringed one, it's hard to go back.
 
Just got mine today in green micarta.

This is a wonderfull tool as well as knife. Thanks Jon, this is a great all purpose usefull device which is just beautifully designed. Love it!

Great addition to my BOB. :)
 
Thanks to Jon Graham and TOB9595 for making the passaround possible.

Knives are a very personal tool. Generic blade shapes are popular because over the course of eons they have proven utility. Unusual blades like the Razel are more specialized and have a more limited utility. The way we use knives determines our likes. I carry a knife for utility and self defense and therfore would normally prefer a knife with a point.

The environment also influences what you carry. Here in Texas we are limited to carry blades no longer than 5.5 inches. So far so good. Here in Houston, the urban environment makes open carry of fixed blades impractical.

I tried the passaround Razel because I am intrigued by the look and potential for utility. Before I got it, I knew it wouldn't be a carry knife but could be an around the house utility knife.

It is a high quality knife. Fit and finish are equal to any custom. I don't care for the sheath for reasons stated by others but I see this has been remedied.
I like the way it cuts!

I find the handle too small which is odd since I have small hands. I don't care for the extended tang, personal thing. I find the scales too slick but the option for rougher scale type remedies that.

The knife is just a bit too big for inside pocket carry and as noted above, exposed carry in Houston would raise too many eyebrows and maybe the attention of a LEO.

My thought is the reason for the poor feel in my hand is likely the balance between blade and handle. A Mid Tech Razel with a two inch blade would balance better for me and allow pocket carry. While not very useful for self defense, it would make a wonderful "gentleman's knife".

Will I buy the current Mid Tech Razel? No, for the reasons noted. I will definitely look around the site for a Graham custom in a size and blade style that fits my needs better. And Jon, if you ever get around to making that Mid Tech Gentleman's Razel, put me down for one. I'd preorder one now :)

Thank you again for the passaround opportunity and your deep involvement with your customers.
 
A fine review, Roshi.
:)
All knives aren't for all folk.

The Razel made me buy a Custom Razel SS3....THE best edc so far in my handling of blades.
Eat your heart out!!!!!
IMG_4977.jpg


Tom
 
Jan P said:
Looks like a great knife and a great design but the part of the tang sticking out of the rear of the handle (glass breaker or whatever) seems a bit counterproductive to me. Doesnt it prevent you from palming the knife and pushing on it like you can on a real chisel?

Regards Jan
Click to expand...

Jan, I see that Jon has said that it'd work.
The exposed tang DOESN't work for all people.
If you ask The Grahams grim......THey will grind the tang off so you can palm it better.
THe cost for this is pretty small in the scheme of things, especially if you tell them before they ship it to you.
I will be getting the point ground off my ringed SS3 because it digs into my palm. They said send it back and it'd be a few bucks to grind away.
I thought the glass breaker looked cool and it is....It just hurts the palm when you use it that way.
Live and Learn!!!!!
Good cutting to you :)
Tom
 
TOB, have you had that ringed SS3 long? I'm wondering if the angle on the front edge makes it any harder to use to scrape things.

I've got a green mid-tech on the way, and have been eyeing the SS3's, both ringed and not. I'm concerned about legal issues for having the ring on the knife (stupid Canadian knife laws), but I like the idea of having somewhere for my pinky finger to sit. Could you take a picture of it in-hand, from the "finger" side, not the "back of the hand" side? I'm thinking that maybe a complete ring might not be legal...but if I asked them to grind off most of the ring, it would still provide a secure resting place for the small finger.

Something like this, in fact. (please excuse the photshop-chop)

deringedss3.jpg
 
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