My new one-of-a-kind RAY LACONICO backpacking knife

comoha

comoha

Joined
Jan 12, 2006
Messages
6,237
Hey kids. Just wanted to share some pics of my new Ray Laconico blade. First, I have to say that like others here, I love backpacking and hiking. I soon came to realize that a small fixed blade is so needed while doing those activities. For a long time I envisioned a certain small fixed blade that would suit me perfectly, but never quite found it. I've tried alot of different blades, most have been neckers, but I would soon find something I disliked about them. Skeletonized handles just don't have the ergo-feel I want, and others were just too small, or too thick, too heavy. I've never needed a chopper or even something Ka-Bar sized when out on the trail, so I wanted to stay within a certain size "window".

Having watched Rays handiwork come up on the forums time and again, I really came to love the guys craftmanship. Solid design and construction, yet simple lines and features that display a dignified understatement. No-nonsense while still graceful. Having contacted him about 4 weeks ago, we discussed my needs and wants, and off he went.

To those who have dealt with Ray, they would agree that he is a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with. Courteous, open to suggestions, he even sent progress pictures. He never made me feel like I was hassling him, even though I probably did in all my anticipation. And his pricing. I hate to say this but one gets a whole lot more than one pays for. VERY reasonable.

The knife is 7" overall, with a 3" bowie blade. The steel is O1, and is .125" thick. Thin enough for slicing and food prep, thick enough to stand up to some real tasks if needed. And of course, it came razor sharp. The whole thing including kydex sheath is much lighter wieght than I expected. He sent me a progress picture of the blade before he put the handles on, it even has wieght reducing holes drilled in it. The handles are black linen micarta. Ray's contouring and fit to the blade are impeccable.

Anyway, I will get a chance to test drive this beauty during a camping/ backbacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in a few weeks. I would love to get a picture filleting a big lake trout, but I'm sure that won't happen. :D
 
Wow..that is a very cool little knife..I like that one a bunch. the handle looks comfortable.
 
very sweet little knife.

i like the really fine point on this one. normally Ray does more bull-nosed tips it seems.
 
Exactly. I really like that shape.
 
Thanks guys for the kind words.

Comoha, Great working with you and thanks for the nice review. I noticed from the pictures that you turned the sheath into a lefty.. I wish I knew you were left handed, I would have put those rivets on so that the nice side faces the left side.
 
Just got back from Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan's upper peninsula. What a beautiful park. We hit the fall colors right at peak. Unfortunately, it rained 85% of the time. Most of our backcountry activities never panned out because of such incessant soaking. At least we weren't at work.

So as I promised I wanted to give this awesome knife a workout and review it here. It worked superbly. My buddy really loved it and wanted to swap me for his cheapo Buck (as if). My wife used it to peel carrots, potatoes, chop hot peppers, smash garlic with the flat side and many other cooking duties. I used it for cutting open wood bundles, stringing up a tarp and making fuzz sticks (needed alot of those because of the rain) for starting fires and as a uber-steak knife. It kept its seriously sharp edge the entire time and was even developing a nice blue-purple patina on it.

Why no pictures, you may ask? Tragically, before I was able to get any real snapshots of it in action, a certain unnamed yet dear friend forgot to close and lock the cargo carrier that was strapped to the top of our car. So when we drove several miles to get breakfast one morning, you can imagine my terror when I looked up to see the carrier wide open...and my pack (a new Osprey Stratos 40 bought for me as an anniversary gift from my wife), along with my sweet Laconico one-of-a-kind knife, gone. :eek:Flew out the top, never to be seen again. We did search extensively along boths sides of the road and into the ditches but no dice. I'm just sick. :grumpy:
Oh well, it was good while it lasted.
 
That is a heart breaker! Loosing good gear stinks, especially when you loose a bunch of good gear all at once.
 
raylaconico said:
Thanks guys for the kind words.

Comoha, Great working with you and thanks for the nice review. I noticed from the pictures that you turned the sheath into a lefty.. I wish I knew you were left handed, I would have put those rivets on so that the nice side faces the left side.
Click to expand...
Ray, thanks for this comment. We lefties often have to deal with what is offered. We look at the blades for sale and often see the shaeth that was made for the knife and decide whether the blade is worth the hassle of a right handed sheath.
I hope to one day own one of your blades. It's nice to know it will be lefty friendly!:thumbup:
 
comoha said:
Why no pictures, you may ask? Tragically, before I was able to get any real snapshots of it in action, a certain unnamed yet dear friend forgot to close and lock the cargo carrier that was strapped to the top of our car. So when we drove several miles to get breakfast one morning, you can imagine my terror when I looked up to see the carrier wide open...and my pack (a new Osprey Stratos 40 bought for me as an anniversary gift from my wife), along with my sweet Laconico one-of-a-kind knife, gone. :eek:Flew out the top, never to be seen again. We did search extensively along boths sides of the road and into the ditches but no dice. I'm just sick. :grumpy:
Oh well, it was good while it lasted.
Click to expand...

Oh man that is enough to make a lot of grown men cry. I'm really sorry to hear this.:(:(:(
 
That is a sweet design, looks perfect for just about any hiking/backpacking cutting.
 
comoha said:
Why no pictures, you may ask? Tragically, before I was able to get any real snapshots of it in action, a certain unnamed yet dear friend forgot to close and lock the cargo carrier that was strapped to the top of our car.
Click to expand...

I assume this unnamed person is now deceased? :eek:

That really sucks dude.
 
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