Question on the Darrel Ralph Apogee...

OwenM

OwenM

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
6,104
I like the handle, the blade, the lock, and the materials. But how durable is the anodized finish?
I'm not a collector, but a user. If I spend $500 on a knife, it will be carried and used regularly. I've never bought a custom, but have decided that it's the only way to get a knife with all the features that I want.
As long as it can be configured for tip-up carry, I think the Apogee is that knife.
Am I making a mistake in considering an anodized handle? The only anodized knife I own is a blue BM 940, and it has a few chips in the finish (and it's only carried occasionally). I normally prefer G-10 in a carry knife.
I'd hate to buy this "thing" (excuse the vulgarism in connection with this beautiful work of art), and then be disappointed because the finish looks like crap after a few months. So, how durable is it? Is this even a legitimate concern? This is not something that will be sold or traded. I'd like to think that it would be with me for a very long time.
Any Apogee owners out there? Would appreciate your input. I've read a lot of great initial reviews and comments, but no long term reviews. Thanks.
 
Owen
Anodize is an oxidation on the surface of titanium. It will wear in time.
I build the knife to be refinished.
After you use it for a while if you want it refinished I will refurbish the kinfe for 25.00 plus update it with the latest upgrades.
I Make the ti handle with a satin finish or bead finish also.

You may want to consider the carbon fiber handle scales if you are concerned about the finish. Or I can build you one with G10 ect.

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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
NEW WEB SITE TAKE A LOOK!!!!!!!!!
New projects and pics to look at !!!!



[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 11-25-2000).]
 
I believe anodizing will wear off rather quickly especially around the edges. I don't own that particular knife but know from other experiences. I purchased a small Sebenza a while back and the thumb stud was anodized blue. The end of it was worn off shiney after the first day of carrying in pocket. I don't mind at all, it's hardly noticable but would be if the entire knife were anodized. I think the Appogee is a very fine knife but if you plan to carry and use then I personally would order with a plain finish. If the annodizing were in recesses only then it would last much longer.

I personally like when pocket items show wear. I've carried a "Solitaire" flashlight for about 10 years now (I think). It was black and is now completely silver. Even the ridges are worn smooth. I also have carried a 1990 silver dollar since 1990 and it too is very smooth and worn.

Keep in mind this is only my opinion. You might try to e-mail Mr. Ralph. I'm sure he could tell you. Dave

Sorry, I got in alittle late I guess. I just saw that no one had replied and thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

[This message has been edited by Dave Costin (edited 11-25-2000).]
 
I also like the pocket-worn feeling of a knife. Many of my friends will buy a knife right out of my pocket. And as great as a new, replacement knife is, it always feels foreign and 'not mine' when I first clip it to my jeans. I've had my carrying LCC for about 3 weeks now, and the first signs of comfort are starting to show. While abuse is never a good thing, I think of good honest 'use' as patina.--OKG
 
Originally posted by Darrel Ralph:
Owen
You may want to consider the carbon fiber handle scales if you are concerned about the finish. Or I can build you one with G10 ect.
Click to expand...

Would that version be a liner lock, instead of the integral lock, though? I would want the integral lock. Also, to clarify, can these be configured for tip-up carry?

Thanks for the replies, guys. I don't mind wear. Wear gives a knife (gun, wallet, etc.) it's character. I just want it to wear, uh, gracefully. What I'm concerned about is chipping.

OKG, have you seen this? http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum36/HTML/000094.html

[This message has been edited by OwenM (edited 11-25-2000).]
 
Owen - I've been a long time Apogee user and so far the ano finishes on my three have held up very well. If you get a scratch or a severe scuff mark on the handle that would take off the finish but under regular use and care the ano finish will show wear very slowly. The bead blasted anodized finish Darrel speaks of, to me it seems that it would show scratches a lot faster than the regular satin finished anodizing that he does. I have a Sebenza that has a bead blasted finish and it is all scuffed and scratched up from daily carry and use. As Dave pointed out, the anodizing finishes will wear around the edges but that's about it provided you don't carry anything else in the same pocket as the knife.

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Proud member of AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

In memory of James K. Mattis
 
Darrel,
Here is the Apogee I was referring to in my email.
Ralph_Apogee_Small_Plain.jpg


biggrin.gif

I really love this color.


[This message has been edited by OwenM (edited 11-27-2000).]
 
A worn annodized coating will look better than g-10 any day! I have an AFCK and a Sentinel to prove it!

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"Come What May..."
 
I have the same knife pictured and have used it as my daily carry for several months now. I also carry a Sebenza and in comparing the wear on the handles of both, the Sebenza is far and away more "worn" than the Apogee. On the other hand, the blade of the Apogee shows more scratches than the Sebenza which still looks virgin.
 
I have been carrying a large Apogee almost everday for the last year or so. An unnoticeable amount of anodizing has worn off around the edges, but since the anodizing is blue(ish), it doesn't show very much. I figure I've got four or five more years of wear before I send it back to Darrel for a quick refurbish. I shows wear much less than a bead blasted Ti handle would.
 
Thanks to each of you for your input.
After a couple of emails, I called Darrel today, and am ordering a medium Apogee (3.9" blade), identical (or close) to the one in the picture, but with the clip positioned for tip-up carry.
This will be my first custom, and I am really looking forward to it. Darrel's knives really appeal to me, and the Apogee seems to have everything I want in a knife + it looks awesome.
I can already feel the income tax refund coming, and suspect another custom will closely follow it's arrival
smile.gif
 
Owen .... my XL Apogee has many small scratchs on the anodizing mostly around the edges of the handle, but this adds character to the knife. Once you get past that first small scratch, you will feel better about using the knife! What does give comfort to me though regarding those scratches is knowing DDR can make it look brand new again! I'm happy with mine with or without those scratchs!
smile.gif


TitaniumKnutt
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I'll chime in a well I've had my apogee for a long while and it's a daily carry and the ano has just worn a little mostly on the edges as everyone has said and this kind of puts a silver trim around the knife. You will enjoy this knife. I do


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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum
 
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