Review Not Much of Anything Really...

d762nato said:
I'm with you I'm not much on serrations either maybe just a few circumstances. I have been eyeballing a kestrel for some time myself. I see where Rmj has a lighter weight version also. I kind of like the original kestrel I think but haven't handled either one myself. That's a nice looking set you have in the picture I do like them. Your daughters lucky to get to roam the woods with dad pretty cool. Thanks for your time and the cool pics.:thumbsup:
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The Feather is lighter, it's 1/8 in thinner, but the same dimensions otherwise. It's a bit lighter and quicker in the hand and lighter to travel with, but the trade off is less inertia development and less mass behind the impact. So quicker in a fight I suppose and less good for breaching.
 
Mistwalker Mistwalker Great writeup!

Any thoughts on the Utsidihi vs. the Spartan Phrike, of which I believe you were also a fan and which seems to be in a similar niche?
 
madcap_magician said:
Mistwalker Mistwalker Great writeup!

Any thoughts on the Utsidihi vs. the Spartan Phrike, of which I believe you were also a fan and which seems to be in a similar niche?
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I like the Phrike it's a good knife, but for EDC and especially discretion I like the Utsidihi more. I also like the pointer below-center tip of the Utsidihi. With it being more than an inch longer, mostly in the blade, and being thicker also the Phrike crosses the size and mass line of what I am willing to carry around my neck, but doesn't really offer me more capability or utility in use.
 
Just ordered one based on your write-up. you should collect a commission ;)
I also bought a phrike after reading your review years ago. It is a very handy blade and easy to carry, but I pocket carry and often found myself wishing it was a bit shorter. I have several shorter blades that are easy to fit and carry in a pocket, but they usually compromise either on handle length or useful blade length. The Utsidihi looks like a nice middle ground, with a good length handle and enough blade.
 
mistwalker said:
I like the Phrike it's a good knife, but for EDC and especially discretion I like the Utsidihi more. I also like the pointer below-center tip of the Utsidihi. With it being more than an inch longer, mostly in the blade, and being thicker also the Phrike crosses the size and mass line of what I am willing to carry around my neck, but doesn't really offer me more capability or utility in use.
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The Utsidihi blade shape reminds me strongly of the Fiddleback Kephart, which I am a fan of. I'm not super into neck carry, but for a slim IWB knife carried primarily as a defensive tool, I go back and forth trying to decide between these three knives (Fiddleback Kephart, RMJ Utsidihi, and Spartan Phrike).
 
dogrunner said:
Just ordered one based on your write-up. you should collect a commission ;)
I also bought a phrike after reading your review years ago. It is a very handy blade and easy to carry, but I pocket carry and often found myself wishing it was a bit shorter. I have several shorter blades that are easy to fit and carry in a pocket, but they usually compromise either on handle length or useful blade length. The Utsidihi looks like a nice middle ground, with a good length handle and enough blade.
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I'm glad you like the look of it. Some of my input over the years was used on some of the design features, but the size was all Ryan'd interpretation of meeting specific requests, and the goal of it being the best compromise they could do in balancing small enough to not be obtrusive yet still be functional enough to handle many things in adept and well trained hands.
 
madcap_magician said:
The Utsidihi blade shape reminds me strongly of the Fiddleback Kephart, which I am a fan of. I'm not super into neck carry, but for a slim IWB knife carried primarily as a defensive tool, I go back and forth trying to decide between these three knives (Fiddleback Kephart, RMJ Utsidihi, and Spartan Phrike).
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Yeah, I've never been bashful about how much I like Andy's Kephart model. It's my favorite iteration of a knife with that name so far. I like pointy so I have never really been all that hot for the traditional style. I used one of the midtech models in a piece I did on fieldcraft for one of ASG's Prepper Field Manuals last year. I like pointy for a number of reasons. Yes the Utsidihi is similar in blade shape, a below-center spear point, but about an inch shorter over all, half of that blade and the other half handle. I front-pocket carry the Utsidihi as an EDC daily and love it.
 
mistwalker said:
Yeah, I've never been bashful about how much I like Andy's Kephart model. It's my favorite iteration of a knife with that name so far. I like pointy so I have never really been all that hot for the traditional style. I used one of the midtech models in a piece I did on fieldcraft for one of ASG's Prepper Field Manuals last year. I like pointy for a number of reasons. Yes the Utsidihi is similar in blade shape, a below-center spear point, but about an inch shorter over all, half of that blade and the other half handle. I front-pocket carry the Utsidihi as an EDC daily and love it.
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Also RMJ's leather sheath for it looks extremely well thought-out, which is unfortunately extremely rare in production fixed-blade knives. Sometimes the sheaths are just a crappy afterthought, usually they're where a company saves money, and sometimes even when they're well made from good materials, they're just not terribly well thought out.

Are you using one of the standard sheaths for front-pocket carry, or did you have a slip sheath made?
 
craytab said:
Fantastic review as usual!
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Thanks man, I'm glad you enjoyed the post!


madcap_magician said:
Also RMJ's leather sheath for it looks extremely well thought-out, which is unfortunately extremely rare in production fixed-blade knives. Sometimes the sheaths are just a crappy afterthought, usually they're where a company saves money, and sometimes even when they're well made from good materials, they're just not terribly well thought out.

Are you using one of the standard sheaths for front-pocket carry, or did you have a slip sheath made?
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I agree, I prefer leather sheaths or hybrid leather and kydex when I can get them, and I have some of each from RMJ and love them. I have been carrying mine in the pocket leather sheath for the last couple of months.
 
caine said:
awesome review. Love this and the bowie. SOON as i become employed again I plan to get one or both
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I saw where a couple of the Jungle Combat Bowies went up on the site earlier tonight


trevitrace said:
Do you know if there are any plans to make scales available for these? Never been a fan of wrapped handles and always liked something a little more hand filling.

Fantastic write-up, appreciate you taking the time to do it. :thumbsup:
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I'm not sure what all options may come from this, or what may come from RMJ later, but the guy who makes the scales for some of my knife designs and several others will have one in hand soon to design the scales from.

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Thanks for the write-up, Mist.

Do you know how hard they're running this steel in the samples you've tested? Any comments on edge keenness and angles vs. say S35VN or CPM154 you've used?

I'm working my way through my first small order of AEB-L, and this seems to be the only extensive review of a hardened Nitro-V blade out there. I might go with the this stuff for my next materials order.
 
daizee said:
Thanks for the write-up, Mist.

Do you know how hard they're running this steel in the samples you've tested? Any comments on edge keenness and angles vs. say S35VN or CPM154 you've used?

I'm working my way through my first small order of AEB-L, and this seems to be the only extensive review of a hardened Nitro-V blade out there. I might go with the this stuff for my next materials order.
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They're running it at 58-60 for their applications, a little harder could be better for say a dedicated skinning knife. It is so far being a lot like CPM S35VN in its edge toughness and corrosion resistance. I am also thinking it's a lot like CPM S35VN in that in order to get full benefit cryo-quenching is required, but I haven't had a chance to check that out yet. As far as I know, I am one of the first to really put this steel through serious batteries of tests, and I've only been testing it for about 5 months now. I've been hard on both of these knives, and so far I am really impressed with it and liking it a lot.
 
Photo bucket isn't working out very well. I need to sort a new photo hosting situation
 
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Wow - impressive reviews as always!

Do you find the "lines" on the ground part of the blade affect cutting at all? Is it purely for looks?
 
Photo bucket isn't working out very well. I need to sort a new photo hosting situation
 
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Nice review, apparently there's a few on their way to Germany so hoping to get one from there if I can get the funds together.
Probably the serrated one, pay more for an uglier blade but I think it will work better for me for an EDC fixed blade. ;)
That Jungle Combat looks great as well!
 
jorismo said:
Nice review, apparently there's a few on their way to Germany so hoping to get one from there if I can get the funds together.
Probably the serrated one, pay more for an uglier blade but I think it will work better for me for an EDC fixed blade. ;)
That Jungle Combat looks great as well!
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Thank you. It looks like some just arrived in Germany. I much prefer the serrated version of this knife for what it is.
 
I came back to check out your cool pics of your Utsidihi and Kestrel side by side and POOF! there gone What happened?
 
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