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

Instead of testing the triad against every other lock under the sun would like them to test edge retension of their xhp compared to other steels.Also the strength of the blades themselves.
 
It's a very good, strong Lock. The Tri-ad lock is known already to be a more than capable locking mechanism for a folder. That's not why there doing this testing and I can understand their motivation for these tests even if I don't see it.

Whichever knife holds out the longest between these two (if they're tested)doesn't take away from them both being strong folders - lock up wise anyway.

What would result from the 4-MAX winning a CS in-house test?
 
skwurll said:
It's a very good, strong Lock. The Tri-ad lock is known already to be a more than capable locking mechanism for a folder. That's not why there doing this testing and I can understand their motivation for these tests even if I don't see it.

Whichever knife holds out the longest between these two (if they're tested)doesn't take away from them both being strong folders - lock up wise anyway.

What would result from the 4-MAX winning a CS in-house test?
Click to expand...

Not too much, but if the RAO won we'd get some very interesting information on the capabilities of the 4-Max.
 
skwurll said:
What would result from the 4-MAX winning a CS in-house test?
Click to expand...

The ability to retain the title of making the strongest 4" folding knife in the world. And while that title may not mean that much to anyone but CS, it sure seems to mean the world to them.
 
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Thar claim would have to be narrowed down to strongest lock - not, strongest folder as a whole. correct? All knives not compared/tested could not be assumed to fail either.
 
We have to assume the Triad is infinitely strong, considering the blade will always fail before it does. The claim here is that the 4MAX is the strongest knife in the world, if and when the blade snaps before RAO, this claim is kaput. Even when the lock succeeds its charge and outlives the blade.
 
You're absolutely right, Jon. The bet Cold Steel says they're willing to make is that the 4-MAX is the strongest 4" folding knife in the world, not that it has the strongest lock in the world. The entire knife, not just the lock, would have to outlast the RAO to make that claim stick. With a supporting steel pin and a 1/4" thick blade made of a very strong alloy (N690) at a fairly low hardness (58HRC), I suspect the RAO will give the 4-MAX everything it can handle from a strength perspective and then some. So while Cold Steel is willing to bet that the 4-MAX is the strongest 4" folding knife in the world, I'd be willing to bet that the RAO is the strongest 4" folding knife in the world with its supporting steel pin fully inserted and screwed into the frame. And I challenge Cold Steel to prove me wrong. I'm even willing to let Cold Steel use their own testing facilities and conduct the test unmonitored to prove it. Short of actually sending them a RAO to test, I can't think of a bigger concession than that.

And because I know you guys will challenge me on this sooner or later, how's this as far as the bet is concerned? If the 4-MAX doesn't defeat the RAO, Cold Steel has to remove their ad copy claiming it to be the strongest 4" folding knife in the world. And if it does beat the RAO, I'll buy a 4-MAX even though it's not a knife I'd ever use or carry. Fair enough?

Should be quite a test . . . assuming Cold Steel stand behind their bet and performs it, that is.
 
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DemkoKnives said:
I'm not sure the triad anything can beat a knife that is a "real fixed blade" as is the RAO. That would be a fun test win or loose, it would be interesting. I think it is on the list so time will tell.
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Yeah, I had one here once, with that pin in place it would take a lot for it to fail, I think the there would have to be a failure in the handle, some kind of shearing failure with that pin in place.

Now a fair test between the two knives taking everything into count would be to test the RAO without the pin in place to keep things fair and above board.

Some may disagree with me and that's fine, that's just my take on it.
 
I have no problem if CS tests the RAO as you described, Jim. But the pin isn't an accessory. It's a part of the knife. And the fact that it's removable is irrelevant. The pin is just as much a part of the RAO as the removable flipper is a part of the LionSteel T.R.E. Call it a modular design if you will. :)

If the RAO is going to be tested fully, it needs to be tested with all of its component parts installed. And if the 4-MAX can't defeat the RAO with all of its component parts installed, the 4-MAX's claim as the strongest 4" folding knife in the world fails. And I win my bet. :D
 
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