How much weight savings on a CDT?

J

jthuang

Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
14
Hi,

I've got a RMK #14 on order for delivery in 6/05. Anyone know how much weight (approx) I'd save by going with a CDT instead of the regular tang? It is not listed anywhere in the catalog, although my catalog may be out of date (2002 printing).

[I'm sure others who have ordered from RMK have gone through the same thing ... in the intervening three years, I've considered and discarded numerous changes to my original order ... this is just another one :D]

TIA,

Justin
 
jthuang, I don't have an exact (in ounces or grams) answer for you because for the answer to be precise, one would have to look at two knives with the exact same materials where only the slotted tang was compared to the CDT. I would expect the difference to be only about an ounce, maybe less. The exact weight of these knives varies because of so many more variables than just the type tang that it is hard to make a prediction. Variability comes from the fact that all the grinding is done freehand so no two grinds are the same, hilts can be the standard #14 full hilt, or shaped as in the model #1, the CDT type handle has more "handle material" than a slotted tang handle which offsets the weight of the tang. Also buttcap material (brass versus aluminum versus nickel silver), thong holes, and slight variations in overall length all contribute to the "murkiness" of the impact of a slotted versus cut down tang. Example: A #14 with a full tang and slotted micarta handle probably weighs no more than a #14 CDT with a micarta handle and a brass buttcap (rather than duralumin).

My overall opinion from doing measurements on the 30 or so Randalls I've owned over the last ten years is the CDT doesn't save enough weight to make any difference.

Although my personal carry #14 during my military service (1976-1999) was a standard model (01 blade, black micarta finger groove handle), I did order a #15 CDT once that I really liked. If I were to order another for military service, it would be a CDT.

Bruce
 
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