Rajah I v. II

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,826
In light of Cold Steel's decision to stop production of the high-class Rajah I, I have bought a number of them while they are still available. Looking at both the I and II side by side, I've wondered what caused Cold Steel to bail out of the nicer model.

Is it that no one uses a top-tier knife with a machined aluminum frame for hacking at weeds and creeping johnnies? Or is it that the polymer frame is more durable and approprate for field use?

The Rajah I is certainly not a gentleman's knife, and I never would have paid $339 for one, but I am glad I was able to pick up a few while they were still available.

For hacking and slashing, I have no intention of using anything but a II?

Did anyone buy the I at the original price? And does anyone use a I for field work?

I might use my I for self defense, but I can't see it happening for anything short of a blackout in a metropolitan area, and then it would only be secondary.

As much as I like the I, I can't see why they would have originally marketed it. I also think CS is greatly overvaluing its San Mai steel on some models, and I think it'll come back and bite 'em.

What do you think?
 
I wish I could have bought the I, but at about half the MSRP. It just looks nicer than the II to me, and I'd probably end up using it as much as anything else. I like my knives to be weathered to a degree.
 
I bought the I at discount price and use the hell out of it.

I cook quite a bit, and I use it more than my butcher's knife!
 
I own both versions of the large-sized Rajah: here are my thoughts.

The Rajah is a profoundly silly knife. It is a knife you buy simply because you love knives. It is a knife you pull out to entertain friends and terrify acquaintances.

It is most certainly not a knife I would buy to chop wood, or perform any other kind of heavy outdoor task. Even at the lowest price point of the cheapest model, the Rajah is three to four times as expensive as the Cold Steel Trail Hawk, an inexpensive and practical tomahawk perfectly suited for outdoor tasks.

The Rajah is fun to own, but I don't know of anyone who carries it with them during hikes or on trips to the mountains. A solid, cheap fixed blade like a machete or a hatchet will do the work of the Rajah at a quarter of the cost.
 
I own both a Rajah I and a Rajah II.

I'm thinking the Rajah II may be the tougher of the two, since the aluminum may crack before the steel liners deform to failure. Haven't done that though.

I have used my Rajah knives for chopping up small stuff and they worked fine. I carried the Rajahs instead of my usual Trailmaster or small kukri and I didn't feel at a particular disadvantage.

I do think Cold Steel may be having some pricing issues with some of these knives.

It seemed most people I have showed my Rajah I and Black Rhino to seem of the opinion that $100 or so was what they sold for at most, with the Rajah II in the $80 range. I think people haven't come to terms with the weak dollar yet, as well as the artificialy low cost of "Made in China".

But then again, these models may simply have been too "good" to sell at a saleable price. Such things have happened before.
 
MoreToasties said:
I cook quite a bit, and I use it more than my butcher's knife!
Click to expand...
Did you take the clear plastic tabs off the aluminum sides?

TheBleedingEdge said:
The Rajah is a profoundly silly knife. It is a knife you buy simply because you love knives. It is a knife you pull out to entertain friends and terrify acquaintances.
Click to expand...
Are these bad reasons? The knife can be fitted into very small packs and can be easily carried for hikes and outdoors uses.

It is most certainly not a knife I would buy to chop wood, or...any other kind of heavy outdoor task. ...
The Rajah is fun to own, but I don't know of anyone who carries it with them during hikes or on trips to the mountains. A solid, cheap fixed blade like a machete or a hatchet will do the work of the Rajah at a quarter of the cost.
Click to expand...
Well, I suspect there are those who do carry them for hikes. I certainly plan to carry mine because people tend to stare at machetes where I hike. The Rajah also seems more robust than the machetes (which could never be used for batoning). And the Rajah can be used for prying, as well. A solid, heavy duty knife and a machete would undoubtedly be a better choice if you can carry them, but a Rajah is a portable form of both.
 
There WERE an absolute steal a few days ago...for 150 bucks for 2 of them.

They are, however, out of stock.


Too bad for those who missed out. The Rajah I has me a bit impressed with Cold Steel. Im not going to go out and buy any more of their stuff unless it is on super clearance, but it is a nice knife.
 
I love my Rajah 1 at closeout price. A beautifully made tacticalol knife. I carried it most of the day Sunday in a pair of canvas shorts with a Hawaiian shirt to cover the butt showing.

Waved it at my Dad's house while asking him if he needed help opening a gift. Needless to say his jaw dropped. He said "what do you use a knife like that for?" I told him "pretty much anything I'd want to use it for."

He liked it a lot and had to fool with it (90 years old!). He thinks I'm a little off anyway, but so is he in his own way, we're fast friends though. :D
 
Confederate said:
Did you take the clear plastic tabs off the aluminum sides?


Are these bad reasons? The knife can be fitted into very small packs and can be easily carried for hikes and outdoors uses.


Well, I suspect there are those who do carry them for hikes. I certainly plan to carry mine because people tend to stare at machetes where I hike. The Rajah also seems more robust than the machetes (which could never be used for batoning). And the Rajah can be used for prying, as well. A solid, heavy duty knife and a machete would undoubtedly be a better choice if you can carry them, but a Rajah is a portable form of both.
Click to expand...

If a Rajah suits your needs, then use it. But I find it pointless to spend $80 on a chopping tool when a $30 chopping tool will do the work without the risk of unwanted closing. And I would never rely on a folding knife to act as a pry bar, no matter how sturdy the lock had proven to be. I'm not willing to risk my fingers, or my $150 investment.
 
I heard from the guys at my gunshop that CS was having an overload of complaints due to the relative fragile finish of the Rajah 1 frame, mainly the bolster.
So, drop the #1 and fast-forward with the #2 and #3. That seems like what they just did.

It made sense to me.

This dealer is a 12-year CS dealer with connections nationwide.
 
I heard from the guys at my gunshop that CS was having an overload of complaints due to the relative fragile finish of the Rajah 1 frame, mainly the bolster.
Click to expand...

does this frame look fragile? still solid as a rock after beating on (15 yr old) dryed out apple tree log. no bends, chips, cracks, play or dulling. guess i got lucky. :)

866852272_vXTnK-L.jpg
 
cziv said:
does this frame look fragile? still solid as a rock after beating on (15 yr old) dryed out apple tree log. no bends, chips, cracks, play or dulling. guess i got lucky. :)
Click to expand...

Read . . .

Fragile FINISH

It appears the satin/bead blasted finish shows every nick and rub.


:)
 
Read . . .

Fragile FINISH

It appears the satin/bead blasted finish shows every nick and rub
Click to expand...

horse hockey! mine is beautiful for a zombie killer - top notch fit and FINISH :thumbup:
 
cziv said:
horse hockey! mine is beautiful for a zombie killer - top notch fit and FINISH :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Well holy heck . . . stop the presses.

Neo, you are the ONE!

If it didn't happen to you, how could it possibly happen to anyone else.

:rolleyes:

Sorry for the slight off-topic all, I couldn't resist.

I supposed time will tell.
 
Sentinel said:
Read . . .

Fragile FINISH

It appears the satin/bead blasted finish shows every nick and rub.


:)
Click to expand...

Sebenzas are made from bead blasted titanium, which is soft...and shows every nick, scratch, and rub.

Do you suppose that those will be going on clearance from CRK soon too?
 
cziv said:
:foot:

I'd usually check Google and CS forums for confirmations regarding the Rajah 1's fragile finish before making such a dumb statement. :)
Click to expand...

Well, we agree on something!

Making statements like one is the center of the Rajah 1 knife universe - IS dumb

As to basic search skills, here's one from this month - on the CS forum itself . . .

http://coldsteelforums.com/tm.aspx?m=99342&high=rajah+aluminum

One member put a lighter in his pocket with his Rajah 1 and that can't be good, but in post #10 another member confirms what I heard at the CS dealer about the softer finish.


:foot:
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cziv


I'd usually check Google and CS forums for confirmations regarding the Rajah 1's fragile finish before making such a dumb statement.

Well, we agree on something!

Making statements like one is the center of the Rajah 1 knife universe - IS dumb

As to basic search skills, here's one from this month - on the CS forum itself . . .

http://coldsteelforums.com/tm.aspx?m...rajah+aluminum

One member put a lighter in his pocket with his Rajah 1 and that can't be good, but in post #10 another member confirms what I heard at the CS dealer about the softer finish.
Click to expand...

You've found a post by a guy with 6 posts on CS forum - 3 of them about a thumb print and someone about a bic lighter mark?

I gave you roughly 79,000 pages in 2 GG queries w/o a mention of bolster scuffing or scratching?

My Rajah 1 arrived with some light bubble marks under the plastic pull-offs on the front bolsters. All I did was pull out the Brasso and polish the aluminum for a bit and they came right out.

I think you're making much ado about nothing dude. Don't you have a paper route or chores to do? :rolleyes:
 
I always chuckle whenever I hear someone complaining about their hard-use knife showing signs of wear. Bead-blasting, sandpaper-finishes, stone washing etc. are meant to mask light wear and tear, not to stop the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

If you're using your knife heavily at work every day, or out in the wilderness, it's going to get beat up. If want to use a knife and still have it look good, then your only solution is to buy two: one for work and one for tea parties. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top