Kershaw RAM

myowngod

myowngod

Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
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*I realize pictures REALLY help with reviews, but I don't currently have my camera and I did not feel like waiting... sorry.

Kershaw RAM

First Impression:
Looks mean, g10 is grippy, blade shape is cool looking... The flipper took me a bit to get used to, which I will explain later.. I keep trying to remind myself this is a ~50 dollar blade, because it feels cheaper than most my other knives.

Overall Design:

The knife feels good in the hands. It is about the perfect size for edc (to me) but it is a little wide and the g10 is very grippy. The knife feels kinda cheap to me... but I think it's because I've been carrying around its bigger brother, a zt350, lately. I will say I much prefer the flipper on the ZT to that on the RAM.. where I typically rest my fingers when opening flippers will not allow the lock on the RAM to open, so the blade never fully "flips".. obviously I will just have to move my finger, but it is bothersome..

Given the other knives I've handled/owned in the price range, I'd say it is a pretty nice knife... no liners makes it feel less secure (though I'm sure it is plenty strong), but dollar for dollar it includes some nice features (AO, G10, Good Steel, Kershaw customer service, etc...)

[8/10] Given the price point, pretty darn good.

Ergos:

The knife fits my hands great. The choil is well placed and the g10 is super grippy.. while that is bad for my pants, it is great for slippery conditions.

[9/10] Fits me great... minor issue being it is not perfect, but close...

Build Quality:

Dollar for dollar it is kershaw quality. That means, well put together given what you paid. There was a tiny bit of bladeplay in mine when I got it, but other than that, the knife works/looks great.


[8/10] Not perfect, but pretty good.

Price/Bang4Buck:

If I had to choose a ~50-60 dollar new folder, I would definitely consider this one. It is a kershaw, so you get a great company made in the USA flipper knife with a unique blade shape for way cheap. That said, I would still say if I had to take a similar size/weight folder with me somewhere it would be my BM940... and yes I would skip on buying 2 RAMs and save for the BM... just my opinion.

[8/10]

Size/Weight and EDCability:

Size is not a huge issue to me for this knife. It's not particularly small, but it's not large either. It is kind of wide- about as wide as the ZT350/SNG... but that does not bother me.. just know it is not super slim in the pocket. It is a fairly heavy knife for one without liners in it, but it is by no means too heavy to EDC. The blade shape and flipper make it a not so people friendly blade.. along with the super grippy g10, it makes it a knife you should be cautious of using around the wrong people or in the wrong pants.

[7/10]

Materials:

G10, 14C28N, a good lock and kershaw support for 60 dollars... knife came really sharp too.

[8/10] Not super high quality stuff, but not bad for a budget edc folder.

Thoughts from use:

I have to admit I have not used it that much. For one reason I will mention later (because I feel it may just be me) and because it feels inadequate compared to my others. I by no means think it is a piece of junk, but when I reach for a heavy use folder I go for a ZT350/SNG.. when I want a lighter duty blade, or more people friendly knife, I go with the BM940... If I did not already have blades that fill the spot this one would command, I would carry it all the time, because it is a very awesome knife for the money. It cuts/slices well, it has a great grip, and once I got used to it, the flipper was a breeze to open fast. If you are looking for a user blade and don't want to drop 100+ I highly recommend looking at the RAM.. if you already have a spyderco or BM that fills the slot this one would take.. you may wish to reconsider.

Individual Scores:

Ergos ----------- 9/10
Build Quality ----- 8/10
Materials -------- 8/10
Bang 4 Buck ----- 8/10
Weight ---------- 8/10
EDCability ------- 7/10

Overall Score: 8/10 (not an average)

Comments:

The main reason I don't use the knife more is actually because I can't use the lock release one handed. The g10 in the handle is so grippy that trying to slide the lock release down with my thumb merely results in my thumb sticking to the surrounding g10 more than the slide itself... this makes it a pain to close.. I did not factor this into the review, as I feel it may just need to wear in... but it was something I noticed, and it continues to bug me...
 
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Nice review!

I don't have any sense of cheapness with this one. I also carry a ZT350 and I think that when comparing the two directly there is a risk of perceiving the lightness of the RAM (considerably lighter than the 350) as being cheapness. As the actual handle of the knife is is made up of 6061 T6 aluminum I can live without steel liners. I don't see any significant sacrifice in strength for what surely amounts to a savings in weight.

As to the flipper, with some practice I find the deployment to be 100% satisfactory. It isn't spring assisted opening like the ZT350, but I find it to be quick and positive. Placing the thumb forward of the lock is key. If you move your thumb back some just ever so slightly up against the lock you will find that the tiny amount of pressure exerted on the lock will cause a slight delay that causes the lock to really snap open with more force with no real loss in speed. I don't care for the six small thumb studs at all. I do find the knife to be outstanding for one-handed operation, with some practice.

I bought two RAMs and have found no blade play in either. Some pivot screw adjustment may be in order. The clip is off on the one that I carry most and this knife carries extremely well, very flat, and almost forgotten in my pocket.

As an EDC if my BM 940 Osborne is a 9.75, this knife is maybe a 7.75, which is still nothing to sneeze at.
 
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I agree with your statements.. I think the weight helps me feel it is cheap.. also the metallic clank when the knife locks open... sounds pretty puny even if it isn't. Is yours easier to close one handed? mine still gives me a hard time... I agree with your comments though, I feel a ~8/10 for a 60 dollar folder is an acheivement rather than a negative mark.
 
You are 100% correct about the sound of the blade opening not being anywhere near a ZT AO. I try and overlook the sound but take solace in the fact that it opens so nicely. If you have some blade play adjust that pivot screw and that may affect your opening. When i first got this knife I wasn't thrilled with the opening but once I got my technique down I was completely happy. Just putting that tiny bit of pressure on the lock causes the blade to "slingshot" open once it seems to reach a breakpoint. My only fear is that it is causing some kind of undesirable wear. I also find that getting the fingertip right on the tip and on the tip of the flipper (there's nice jimping for that) really helps propel the blade open with more authority with the same effect as putting pressure on the lock, and this has become my preferred method of opening. Now if there was just something that I could do about those thumb studs.

I hate to admit this, but I will probably pick up a third RAM. Both of mine are black coated with the "First Production 1 of 500 graphics" (one plain edge the other partially serrated) and I'd like to get one plain in satin without the graphics.

BTW, flipping the knife closed is great! I think with some practice and finding the right techniques this is one of the best one-handed knives out there, although I am a big fan of the BM Axis lock.

Again, thanks for a great review.
 
Thanks for a good review:thumbup: I really like the R.A.M. at this price point, an exceptional value.

I agree, if you're used to more expensive knives, especially those as tough and well made as the ZT line, then this knife may naturally seem a bit "lighter duty". That being said, the R.A.M. is a great knife for everyday tasks in my opinion, even many of the tougher ones. Mine have spent many days in my pocket.

As far as the G-10 goes, yes it can shred your denim but I do like how easy it is to get a firm grip on the knife. As far as one handed closing goes, my hands aren't huge and I find it pretty easy to slide the lock button.

Thanks again for taking the time!
 
i also really like the RAM! i have a great time opening it! infact i can flip it open with any finger. i do not have any problem closing it one handed! i think of it as an expensive knife,rather than a cheap knife!:D
 
jonnymac44 said:
I agree, if you're used to more expensive knives, especially those as tough and well made as the ZT line, then this knife may naturally seem a bit "lighter duty". That being said, the R.A.M. is a great knife for everyday tasks in my opinion, even many of the tougher ones. Mine have spent many days in my pocket.
Click to expand...

That's exactly it. Where I think the ZT350 is capapble of more heavy duty service the RAM isn't something that you are going to use to whale on logs or cut bolts. I'd put it at light to medium duty and I think that building it with that as a goal Kershaw has been able to offer the knife at a great pricepoint and a great value. I sort of look at it as the 350's little brother with the weight savings of the RAM greatly appreciated. If I had to keep one and give up the other I'd be keeping my 350, but that RAM spends a heck of a lot more time in my pocket.
 
the RAM is the little brother of the MUDD 500! the 350 is the little brother of the 300 series. :)
 
Has anyone noticed any differences other than finish between the blades on the coated and satin RAMs?
 
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jack lowe said:
the RAM is the little brother of the MUDD 500! the 350 is the little brother of the 300 series. :)
Click to expand...

You are 100% correct. I don't have a Mudd yet (but will hopefully soon just having received my 0400 and having a 0350, 0200 and 0301) so I think of it in terms of my own carry options to date.

I can't wait for the Mudd!

I should also add that I find the 0350 perfectly viable as an EDC as it carries flat and much lighter than its weight.
 
I took the G10 scale off the lock side and removed one of the two springs. It made the lock much more comfortable on my finger and I haven't even thought about putting the spring back in. Something to try for those that like to tinker.

I also haven't found any downside to removing the spring. It has never seemed like it was going to accidentally unlock or anything. I also think it is a great knife and a really good size for EDC if you don't want to carry a big knife. It is smaller but big enough to get a good grasp on with the choil. I also think it can stand up to just about anything that isn't considered abuse. I had put mine in a backpack and this thread caused me to go pull it out and I will probably carry it around for awhile. It has an addictive flipper and the lock can be disengaged to flip it open and closed as well, similar to an AXIS lock.
 
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I was late to the party, but just got my first RAM yesterday (thanks KERSHAWGUY). Fantastic knife!
 
Nice review! I have had the Ram on my mind for a while now. Maybe some one who has one can do us a favor and post a picture or two.
 
Thanks for the review !!! :)

I LOVE my RAM.

Good review but having used mine EDC at least one workday a week I can say it is fits all my needs and then some.
I was concerend about the thin tip but so far I have had no problems , naw , this is not a knife to baton thru forests or your last stand against hordees of the undead but it is a high quality light/medium duty folder.

I agree the overall look of the knife will scare the weak minded metrosexuals , it has an aggressive look , but I dig that about it.

I took mine apart , polished all hardware and the blade , got rid of all bead blasting , smoothed the g10 up a bit and now it is a much nicer looking knife , I also lubed the washers , the action is flawless and makes a formidable click upon opening and I had no blade play on mine whatsoever.

I disagree strongly with the feels cheap part , I think it feels, looks and operates like a much higher dollar knife.

For the price it is a bargain and I would easily put it against any Benchmade or Spyderco offering in the same price range and even higher.

Well done RAM fans

Tostig
 
Here's a picture of one of my RAMs.

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Good review myowngod, but I kept noticing you mention that the knife was AO, it opens up quicker and smoother than some AOs but there is no torsion bars in it, and the only springs is in the sliding lock.
 
hwpaintballer said:
Good review myowngod, but I kept noticing you mention that the knife was AO, it opens up quicker and smoother than some AOs but there is no torsion bars in it, and the only springs is in the sliding lock.
Click to expand...

You are correct, I guess the fact that it is as fast as my ZT350 threw me off. Oh well, I'll correct it.
 
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