Newb help, please. Colt Jungle Commander / UC Rambo

B

BritanniaWD

Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
11
Hi everyone,

Just to say, I'm not really new to using knives, but I am new to the knife scene, if you get my meaning. Sorry if the following post sounds n00bie.

Recently, I gave up using my pretty old 15" Ancient Warrior black survival knife, and before that used a Victorinox Rucksack and some Leatherman, I forget the exact name of.

You see, I've always loved the bush-craft knife style off knife, and after watching Rambo again this month, I decided I would buy myself a new bush knife.

First off, the two knives I have my eye on don't seem to have much in the way of reviews here, so could I please ask you intelligent people for some help, please?

The first knife is a Colt Jungle Commander. It seems to suit my idea of the perfect knife, really. Small machete, while still being a reasonable size for working wood outside. However, I know that you guys will probably think I'm an idiot for wanting something that in your eyes is not nearly as good as some other brand.

Still, I would like to ask if this is a good knife, and/or if I should forget it and get another knife instead.

The second knife, is more for myself than actually work. It's the United Cutlery Rambo II. It's a beautiful knife, and I think it's exactly what I want; a large blade, saw and survival kit in handle, and it almost exactly like my old AW 15 inch'er. However, I would like to ask, even though I know United Cutlery stuff is good, is this knife a reasonably good cutter or is it purely a display piece?

Either way, I would very much like it if you could tell me if these knives are good or f they are over-rated.

Thank you for reading,

Kind regards,

G. King

Just so you know what my AW looks like, here's a picture for you:

DSCN7104.jpg
 
could you post pics or links to the knives you are interested it? that would help.


as far as i know, colt does not make their own knives. they are produced elsewhere, china i think, then colt market's them under their name.

i would venture to say that any knife with the name of a movie is not of the greatest quality.

if price is an issue, i would recommend an ontario, the rat series is nice and inexpensive, relatively speaking.

im not a big fan of cold steel, but they also offer very affordable knives that may fit the bill for you.
 
If you want a good knife, I would sugges Ranger Knives, or like has been mentioned something from the Ontario Rat Series.

 
Of the two you have listed, the Colt Jungle Commander is the better. Though it lists its steel as "400 series", it is doubtless 440A steel. 440A is a reasonable choice for a stainless chopping blade.

Knives by United Cutlery are for hanging on the wall. They look cool but are useless in the field due to poor steel, poor fit and finish and just flat out poor quality.

BTW Welcome to Bladeforums.

You might be interested in reading up on the survival skills forum.
Click on blue link at the top of this page, "Training". Then select the survival skills forum.
 
I would get a Kabar in 1095 or D2 steel.

United Cutlery actually is known for poor quality control, poor materials, and poor designs.

While there is nothing wrong, per se, with hollow-handled survival knives (Ray Laconico, a custom maker here, experiments with them), they are not as strong as most other fixed-blade knives, because the blade is necessarily riveted to the handle (Though personally, I wonder if someone has ever tried to make a hollow-handled INTEGRAL knife... that would be SWEET)... and if you're choosing a fixed blade, especially a camp knife, then you want it to be as strong as possible.
 
Thanks for welcoming me, knarfeng, by the way.

Anyway, so it's going to be the Colt, then.
But what if I said I could get the Rambo for $20?
 
The Colt Commander is a cheapened version of the UC/George Lainhart machete, which was an excellent knife. You should be able to find the Lainhart for $50-75.

Most folks will tell you that United is a crap brand, but this isn't necessarly true, they had a mix of junk and nice stuff. The Lainhart was contracted to Camillus, and is as high quality as any knife they made.


:).
 
...

Just as I thought that was cleared.

Hey-ho. I'll just keep searching for the other knives you've posted about.
Hm... I very much like the Kraton's, MM.
 
BritanniaWD said:
Thanks for welcoming me, knarfeng, by the way.

Anyway, so it's going to be the Colt, then.
But what if I said I could get the Rambo for $20?
Click to expand...

The problem with the UC/Rambo knives is how they're attached at the handle, under heavy use they tend to break where the handle meets the blade.

For a decent hollow handle look at a Aitor on the mid priced end or a Chris Reeve at the high end.
 
An RTAK II may be just what you're looking for. Large blade, very sturdy, and cheaper than the Rambo knife. It comes with or without serrations, has an excellent reputation, a good steel, and isn't too costly.

They off this knife if you want something a little more Rambo like.

Ka-Bar may be your best bang for the buck though.
 
madcap_magician said:
I would get a Kabar in 1095 or D2 steel.

United Cutlery actually is known for poor quality control, poor materials, and poor designs.

While there is nothing wrong, per se, with hollow-handled survival knives (Ray Laconico, a custom maker here, experiments with them), they are not as strong as most other fixed-blade knives, because the blade is necessarily riveted to the handle

(Though personally, I wonder if someone has ever tried to make a hollow-handled INTEGRAL knife... that would be SWEET)... and if you're choosing a fixed blade, especially a camp knife, then you want it to be as strong as possible.
Click to expand...

agreed, with the notable exception of the crk one piece line. they are indeed an integral hollow handled knife.
 
Agreed, but maybe I'd probably just use the Rambo more as a showpiece, compared to the Colt or RTAK which I'd use all the time outside.
 
A flimsy knife, especially a large one, is dangerous. The Rambo is a wall-hanger, that's all.

I like the Lainhart design, but it makes no sense spending money on a lesser knife when you can get a much better one for very little more money.

You referred to bush-craft, but what we call a bush-craft knife is very different from those large "survival" blades. For real woods-rambling, the SAK and multi-tool you carried were probably more useful.

Bush-craft generally refers to fixed blade knives more like the Scandinavian style, 3" to 5" straight knives or drop- or spear-point.

You can get an idea of what's available along these lines (for very little money) by looking through the section on Mora knives at Ragweed Forge: http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

Some of the larger knives are toward the bottom of the page.
 
Well the Colt knife can be had for $30's new. I have one and have beat the crap out of it and it is still going strong. The original used ATS34 whil this one uses 440A or somthing. May not hold an edge as long but is probably tougher. In anycase it is a really good deal on a decent knife.
 
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