Lock Strength Test Request - Extrema Ratio RAO vs the Cold Steel 4-MAX

Would any interested parties be open to crowd-funding the price of two RAOs and two 4-Maxes for testing, provided that CS agrees to do the test? I'm thinking just $20 from about 85 people would be enough to bring it to fruition.

I'm sure there's at least forty people out there who want to see the Triad fail enough to donate $20, and at least as many people who want to see it prove itself once again.
 
How many people have contributed to the other tests Cold Steel has conducted and how much did those people pay to provide Cold Steel with the test knives?
 
bld522 said:
How many people have contributed to the other tests Cold Steel has conducted and how much did those people pay to provide Cold Steel with the test knives?
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None that I know of, but say CS wasn't open to testing the RAO. Crowdfunding the test would give them zero excuse to not go ahead and do it.
 
With all due respect, I think Cold Steel has far more reason to conduct the test that we have in asking them to conduct it. And I can't imagine that they or anyone would say that my request is unreasonable. So I'd suggest we wait and see how they respond.
 
It would be interesting to see Cold Steel test the RAO against one of their knives...at this point it's the only test I'd care to watch. It would be interesting.

I keep waiting for Cold Steel to start the "blade steel strength" tests, to show that their blades are stronger than the competition. The whole, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link adage.

I've never used the RAO but it does indeed look pretty stout, as does the 4-Max...I hope they do the test.
 
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Yes, there's that. But I think it's best to set the CS vs CRKT lawsuit aside. CS is clearly sensitive about it and I'd prefer not to poison this thread. Let's just stay focused on a potential RAO vs 4-MAX test if we can.

CS has made a powerful statement with respect to the strength of the 4-MAX and they should be prepared to defend it. Asking them to do that shouldn't constitute a problem but an opportunity. Hopefully they'll see it that way.
 
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Yep, especially if "willing to bet" means "willing to put it to the test". That's what I'm hoping for.
 
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They could've said "strongest knife in America." People always put alot of stock and praise in American made knives. This one is undoubtedly the strongest. And they'd have the USA thing on their side. There would be no issue. Because RAO is Kryptonian -- I mean Italian. This is referring to the challenge, not the outcome.

But that's half of it, its really the lock that's being tested. The Tri-Ad lock's strength increases with the size and stock of the knife. That's why the 4MAX was nominated.

Its funny, for years people been hounding CS to make American knives again, they finally do, and we wanna break it...

Joking aside, this is also a test of a claim. Its very exciting, like a heavyweight fight promotion, only our favorite things -- knives -- will be doing the fighting.

This is some development. To hell with that other topic, this ones actually going somewhere.
 
My only concern is that CS decided to test a lesser knife (from a lock strength perspective) from Extrema Ratio rather than take on their top dog. I'm not sure why the did that, but it does open up the possibility that CS knew they couldn't defeat the RAO so they settled for an easier opponent. The question is, does CS have the intestinal fortitude to take the RAO on now?

Jonslaught said:
We will see...
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Yes, we will.
 
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It's pretty ridiculous, all right. But it could also be the world heavyweight champion when it comes to folder lock strength. I mean, are you aware of any folder besides the RAO that claims it can be turned into a REAL fixed-blade? I'm not. Seems to me that's precisely the kind of claim Cold Steel is looking to challenge. And what better way to challenge it than put it to the test?
 
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bld522 said:
I'll say. But it could be the world heavyweight champion when it comes to folder lock strength. I mean, are you aware of any folder besides the RAO that claims it can be turned into a REAL fixed-blade? I'm not. Seems to me that's precisely the kind of claim Cold Steel is looking to challenge. And what better way to challenge it than put it to the test?
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Thats because the steel on the inside rests right against the blade forming a cohesive bond, I think... I don't see how it would fail. And if it does beat the 4MAX, I don't think people will think any less of Cold Steel... They would respect them more for taking the test, especially those here. It would be a good move.

Though I can't tell if RAO is a folder that becomes a fixed blade, or a fixed blade that folds... The sheath allows it to be carried as a fixed blade. Though. I think this is because of the time consuming task of screwing and unscrewing the 2ndary safety. At the end of the day, I think those in line for a "super folder" will take the 4MAX, regardless of outcome -- I would.

Take the test, Cold Steel, you have nothing to lose... You would still have the strongest conventional lock in the world.

EDIT: This wouldn't be the case though, If they tested the RAO without the 2ndary safety. If RAO wins with only its primary lock, my previous line goes out the window.
 
Stays Sharp said:
If their knife were to lose....Would CS actually publish it though?
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Kind of a rhetorical question, I mean... these are propaganda videos. Yes the ones posted may be accurate in depicting victories but I seriously doubt that they would put a competitor's winning product over theirs on their Youtube page. Would go against with their "best in the world" mantra.

Cool test would be someone (like one of us) impartial do it and post the results here. Too bad the entry fee would be too high though for it to happen.
 
Stays Sharp said:
If their knife were to lose....Would CS actually publish it though?
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Yes they would, because it passes Cold Steel's standards for safety. The 4 MAX would only hypothetically fall to the RAO in an EXTREME weight hanging competition. Once you get into the "deathzone" in weight, it doesn't matter. It would only be a test of strength, lock vs lock.

EDIT: Just realized u quoted yourself, LOL.
 
Stays Sharp said:
If their knife were to lose....Would CS actually publish it though?
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Only CS knows the answer to that, StaysSharp. But to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think CS will lose. I think the blades will break before the locks fail.
 
Jonslaught said:
Yes they would, because it passes Cold Steel's standards for safety. The 4 MAX would only hypothetically fall to the RAO in an EXTREME weight hanging competition. Once you get into the "deathzone" in weight, it doesn't matter. It would only be a test of strength, lock vs lock.

EDIT: Just realized u quoted yourself, LOL.
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Well that's true, but I'll believe it when I see it. Like I said on my post quoting myself (LOL do I get a cookie), CS's youtube is all about their products being the best and I have yet to see them post a competitor winning out. Maybe it's because they never lose or maybe only the winners are posted.
 
bld522 said:
Only CS knows the answer to that, StaysSharp. But to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think CS will lose. I think the blades will break before the locks fail.
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I even wonder if CS would post it if their best in world's history blade snapped first.
 
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