Kershaw RAM question

[Artfully Martial]

If I use the thumbstud esque things on the blade, will it open like an assisted, or will it open just like a conventional thumbstud (NON assisted)?

 

[Thomas W]

AM, there are no torsion bars or springs, so if you use the studs, it will open like a conventional one-hand manual folder.

 

[Artfully Martial]

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to hear. Why does the flipper make it act as if it were an AO and the studs do not? Or is it just the amount of AO-esqueness is equivalent to the amount of inertia you invest into the opening...and naturally openings are slower on the thumb stud.

 

[Thomas W]

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to hear. Why does the flipper make it act as if it were an AO and the studs do not? Or is it just the amount of AO-esqueness is equivalent to the amount of inertia you invest into the opening...and naturally openings are slower on the thumb stud.

I think this a true statement, although you can get it to fire hard via the thumbstuds with just a halfway talented thumb.

 

[SladeGT40]

or pinky

 

[senoBDEC]

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to hear. Why does the flipper make it act as if it were an AO and the studs do not? Or is it just the amount of AO-esqueness is equivalent to the amount of inertia you invest into the opening...and naturally openings are slower on the thumb stud.

From what I understand, it seems to be because
A) the lock is obviously spring-loaded as the detent is overcome - giving the blade a little "nudge" - though not a true A/O
B) the pivot and lock design allows for as little friction as possible with the blade tang

Resulting in one of the best actions in any folder I've seen. Would be nice if the M.U.D.D. were like that too (blade might be too heavy?).

 

[Artfully Martial]

It sounds like the RAM is the current leader in mid priced EDCs. Good steel, great handle materials, great ergonomics, great lock, great action, flipper and a price reasonably comparable to the minigrip and a little more than a delica.

I do wish it looked a little less tactical though.

 

[knivesandguns]

It sounds like the RAM is the current leader in mid priced EDCs. Good steel, great handle materials, great ergonomics, great lock, great action, flipper and a price reasonably comparable to the minigrip and a little more than a delica.

I do wish it looked a little less tactical though.

It is a great EDC--it looks really un-tactical to me though

 

[dmonay]

I love the way my RAM fires with the flipper, its so fast and smooth. Why would you want to use the thumb stud. borrring! :yawn: (Actually I'd probably cut my self !!)
It's unlike any other knife I own, yes I've handled other flippers but I like the action on the RAM.
The Hawks have a near perfect edc knife in my opinion.
However, I'm waiting on the Ram III with the relocated release lever and maybe S110v steel. I also remember a thread on possible composite blades
Or S30v would be a good steel and still be at a good price point. :thumbup:

Any word on this Thomas ?
I know a while ago you said it was on the back-burner.
Maybe for 2010 ?

 

[Artfully Martial]

Well, I'm a bit of a connoisseur of folder opening. I love knife tricks, etc, and AO and AO-esque actions remove the ability to do a lot of knife opening tricks. Additionally, in public places where I use my knife, which is quite often at my job, I like to be able to open it slowly as to not draw too much attention.

This does seem like a near-perfect EDC, I must agree.

I'd definitely be interested in hearing about an updated RAM...the lock is definitely located a little far down...if there is an updated RAM on the horizon, I might get a Tyrade for now and get the updated RAM down the road.

 

[senoBDEC]

Current R.A.M. design:
+ Handle - anod. aluminum - light and strong, G-10 is nicely grippy but not too abrasive IMO.
+ Clip - deep-cary, thick, strong, without being uncomfortable. Nice shape overall. 3-positions.
+/- Blade is hollow-ground and tapers to a VERY thin point. Definitely not a woodsy knife. However, the choil and inwardly curved spine give great ergos for thumb/index finger reinforcement.
+ & - Lock is very secure open or closed. Very good detent. However, location of lock button is very awkward requiring (for me) grip changes to use the lock. However, it makes it a very good left EDC.
+/- Steel sharpens to a nice polished edge, but doesn't hold it as long as say, ATS-34 or 154CM. The price of course reflects this.

With updated steel and a relocated lock, this could very well become a perfect city EDC. A flat-ground blade with that nicely curved spine wouldn't be a bad idea either .

 

[Dekz]

If I use the thumbstud esque things on the blade, will it open like an assisted, or will it open just like a conventional thumbstud (NON assisted)?

To be honest I'm not a fan of opening my RAM using the thumbstuds. There is a lot of resistance at first while you overcome the lock, then absolutely no resistance at all, then some resistance again at the end while you engage the lock. It's doable, but it's not going to be like your other thumbstud knives.

And when I say there is no resistance at all, I mean it; it's the smoothest action of any knife in my collection, by far. The blade can swing completely freely yet still has ZERO play once opened, it's really quite amazing.

That being said, it has the best flipper action available imo. I find it interesting how the JYDII and the RAM both have absolutely awesome flippers, that are completely different from each other. The JYDII requires a pretty good flipper technique, the RAM I can open upside down in my left hand using my pinky.

I do wish it looked a little less tactical though.

Get some wood scales like I did:

I should really take better pictures if I'm going to plaster them allover the board

 

[jack lowe]

great lookig ram there!