Periodic Ode to the Pioneer II

[Samurai6]

Seems like a lot of folks have been expressing disappointment with the finish of REKAT products lately, but the Pioneer II is still one of my favorite carries. Why? Its strength and ergonomics make up for the production gaffs in most cases, at least for the knives I've recieved through e-commerce.

To me the Pioneer handle is just the most comfortable and secure of any folder I know of. It fits my hand and in a variety of grips. The lock is super strong, and the cutting edge works well.

Do you get a slicker package for the same price from Benchmade or Spyderco? Yes, but other than the Benchmade Stryker, you don't get the same handle, and the Stryker is a liner lock with a chisel profile blade.

Yes the action on my P II is a little gritty, but it opens reliably and stays locked.

I really like this little knife.

 

[Professor]

I'm with you on this one. I'd even go a step farther to say that the fit and finish on my Carnivour is as good if not better than that of several BM's I've got.

I think I heard somewhere that REKAT water-jet-cuts their liners instead of laser cutting like BM. I haven't a clue in England what the hell water cutting is (maybe like a precision plasma cutter with water jets that cool the blanks while cutting) but the liner/scale matchup on my Carnivour is exact. Good lockup too. The only thing I don't care for about it is the plastic unlocking switch. The fine lines used for gripping cut into the plastic are all mangled, like old miniblinds or something like they've been mashed. Could there be an alternative material to this seemingly weak link?

Don't blast me too hard! I love the overall construction of this piece and only want to chime in for potential improvement (IMHO of course)!

 

[Spark]

Waterjet cutting is exactly what it sounds like - water (with some grit) is shot out from a high pressure nozzle and the stream is so focused / powerful that it cuts through the material. This is similar to what happens on submarines when the hulls crack...

More grit, and less pressure get's you sandblasting....

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

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