Ralph Carbon Fiber EDC--1st Impression

Will York

Will York

Joined
Jan 21, 2000
Messages
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I just received a Darrel Ralph EDC from KnifeArt and thought I’d share a very favorable first impression.

Here's a link to a photo @ KnifeArt:

http://store4.yimg.com/I/knifeart_1657_24167577

CPM420V blade is 3.5” long with an OAL of 8”, and the knife tips the scales at just under 3.5 ounces, thanks to its carbon fiber exoskeleton, titanium liners and spacerless back. This is a whole lot of knife for the weight.

The knife obviously has good looks, and also a very pleasing, natural feel in the hand. Blade deployment is flawless and lockup is dead solid—-both vertical and side-to-side-—which is a rare delight to discover in a liner lock. The liners are thicker than one might expect on such a lightweight folder, and create a very rigid framework for this knife. No strength was sacrificed for weight reduction—-an honest approach.

The blade’s hollow grind takes a shallow taper to a nice thin edge, and is finished off with a medium grit edge bevel. The edge is grabby enough to slice aggressively, while still popping hair off my arm—-without contacting the skin. In other words, this is a finely tuned edge, the likes of which one rarely sees out of the box these days, except from one of the country’s top makers.

The blade’s recurve combines with its full belly to yield a nice “sweet spot” at the natural cutting-contact point. The way the blade spine drops toward the point, with just a hint of upsweep at the tip, gives the blade a very interesting, flowing line. Darrel’s unique “polished beadblast” finish on the titanium liners carries over to the same finish on the blade’s spine and flats, and contrasts with a velvety satin finish on the hollow ground portion of the blade. Over time, he has experimented with different positions for his plunge grind on these blades, and I really like the way he hid the plunge line behind the shoulder of the handle on this model—-very sleek.

In fact, the ultra-clean lines of this knife hold the eye with a sleekness overall, as if based on an imaginary relative of some exotic, hard-shelled sea creature—-or a perhaps some dangerous desert reptile, I haven’t quite figured out which.

Darrel Ralph obviously continues to evolve both in his edge craft and in his artistic expression, and this piece is a subtle, sophisticated example of both.

-w
 
Will

I was the winner of the BFC contest last Spring of the Darrel Ralph Custom EDC.

I received my knife from Darrel 2 days ago. It was the 3.5" EDC in Ti, rainbow-anondized handles. It is essentially the same knife as your's--slightly different materials. Mine is of frame-lock design.

This is about the finest folding knife I have ever handled/owned. I am still in a state of awe.

Best of luck with your EDC. :) :)
 
Dick--

That frame-lock EDC is a solid piece of hardware and easy on the eyes as well. I've owned Apogee's in the past, and am a fan of Darrel's frame lock design. I was delighted to discover that this liner lock is every bit as solid and precise as his frame locks. This knife probably does not have the same degree of lock strength as his frame locks, simply because frame locks provide thicker locking pieces, but this carbon fiber EDC is a truly great combination of good, solid lock-up and frame strength with incredibly light weight. For an every-day-carry piece this large, I find that weight is the single biggest drawback for me. With it's deep-pocket clip design, this weightless creature goes unnoticed until you need it--and then provides a handful of very efficient cutting power.

I also should mention that Larry Connelly at KnifeArt is very helpful and agreeable--a real pleasure to deal with. While I had him on the phone, he went and got the knife and described first-hand to me every specific I asked for. (His chocolate chip cookes aren't bad, either!)

-w
 
Great description of a great knife, Will. The liners might be .075" stainless, though, unless something has changed recently. I know Darrel made one with .090 ti.

The CF EDC is my favorite folder. The more you use it, the more you'll love it. It's the most comfortable knife (in the hand), as well as the most efficient cutting tool for its size that I own or have owned. And, yeah, I think it's one of the best-looking knives out there, too.
I've been very happy with the lock-up. Very positive, and the liner still isn't 100% engaged after over six months of heavy use, and alot of flicking:o
The ceramic peen finish holds up really well, too, btw.
Perfect all-around folder, IMO. I like it enough that my next folder is...another EDC:)
Hard to get excited about other knives.
 
Good lookin' knife there, Will.

I agree with your assessment of DDR.

I've told him repeatedly that the handle on my ArcLite neck knife (S90V) is the most comfortable of my neck knives, and I have quite a few.

The symmetry of design and function of my damascus Apogee are also a thing of beauty.
 
Love that blade! BTW, does it have some sort of magnet in it? -- it sure seems to put a strong pull on me.

Steve Bodenheimer
 
Blues, Anthony & Steve—Thanks for the warm words and corroboration.

OwenM—

Great info. I love putting my take on blades out on the forums, because I learn so much more about my knives that way. You are exactly right about the liners and clip being stainless steel.

I asked Darrel about the decision to use stainless instead of ti on this model, and he said that for thinner, light weight liners he is getting much better performance out of skeletonized stainless than thin titanium--as much as 4-to-1 better wear life on contact surfaces in his auto's, for example. In fact, this is the same construction he’s currently using in his Madd Maxx auto’s. I doubt there’s a better laboratory for assessing wear resistance than the bearing surfaces in auto knives.

He puts the stainless steel liner material through a special heat treat to prepare it for this specific application. With the added time to treat properly, this actually ends up being more expensive than titanium. When tempered correctly, Darrel also says he's discovered better spring tension life from his stainless clips than titanium ones.

I'm actually glad I didn't realize the liner/clip were stainless steel at first, because I may have been pre-disposed to think the knife could be made even lighter than it is. But as I said above, my delight with the light weight and balance of this piece was one of my strongest first impressions.

Thanks to all, and especially to Darrel for his time, his dedication, and one fine knife--Will
 
I also love the EDC, its a great design, and when made by Darrel, something magical takes shape. I have had a couple EDCs, the CF is a great knife for EDC and Darrel really knows that he is doing. I have a knife similar to yours, but it is in Damascus. I have also had a few others... :) Just a word of warning, DDRs are addicting, they really are, BTW this is from experience, the EDC with Illusion release is really cool, and he also has several ways of dressing them up, nugget work, file work, inserts, and other options are really cool. Did I say that they are great knives?

Just writing this I think that I am going to miss my EDC as EDC, cause hopefully, I won't be carrying one when DDR finished my Mini Madd Maxx, (Another nice design from Darrel Ralph). I just hope that the Titanium handles (as opposed to steel) can handle the constant flicking and use. :confused:

DDRs ROCK!!!
mmtmatrix
 
Originally posted by mmtmatrix
I won't be carrying one when DDR finished my Mini Madd Maxx, (Another nice design from Darrel Ralph).
Click to expand...

I almost ordered a min Mad Max a couple weeks ago. Great looking knife. I only wish it came in a 3.5" blade version.

Not quite sure what I'd use it for -- do you think it would make a good EDC? Sure looks cool anyway.

Mike
 
I carried this knife last week on a hiking trip into the Pecos Wilderness, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, and it was a delight. Seemingly weightless, very comfortable whether riding in the pocket or in the hand, wickedly aggressive edge, silky smooth deployment--everything I thought it would be. Couldn't resist an urge to share my revelry.

Official "user" kudos to Darrel, and thanks again to Larry @ KnifeArt!

-w
 
Will, that link shows up empty now, can you provide a scan of your knife? close up on the blade would be nice to see that new finish Darrel is putting on them..;)

G2
 
Gary, I have to apologize. I was mooching off of KnifeArt's site for the scan, and I guess Larry moved it. My digital camera is on the fritz, and I don't have a way to get a scan up. Maybe someone else has a scan of a carbon fiber EDC?
 
Originally posted by WILL YORK
Gary, I have to apologize. I was mooching...Maybe someone else has a scan of a carbon fiber EDC?
Click to expand...

Might be able to help out this weekend! We will see what the post man bringith!
G2;)
 
Gary--Okay, that link is back up, but not very high resolution. I'm afraid you'll have to wait to examine your own EDC to see the quality of the finish--you won't be disappointed. :)

-Will
 
Here is a scan of an EDC by Darrel, it has CPM420V blade that has the Ceramic Peening effect on the main bevel, the top has more of a sanded finish. The knife's edge has a slim cutting profile, slices well! The carbon fiber scales make for a very light carry knife but solid lock up on this knife.

The clip, well it could be better, the metal appears stamped out and the part that rubs against your pocket had sharp edges that after a very short time would cut up the pocket edges, just take the clip off, file the edges round and hand sand it a little and problem solved, or as I'll do soon is to create a sheath and drop the clip altogether, the handle is very comfortable to grip.

Good job Darrel! And Will, you were right sir...Thanks to an upstate NY friend on this deal as well...

G2
 
Gary,
That's what that next folder is without a clip...an EDC-but something brand new and different;)

The clip isn't in the way when it's on the right end, though!
 
Gary--very nice blade profile, and I'm glad you're happy with that edge. If anyone knows how an edge should perform, you da' man. Should be a very slick rig in a G2 sheath.

Owen--If you get a chance, can you give us a little more on your history with these blades. You appear to have a lot of experience with Darrel's EDC's--maybe some feedback on what you use them for and how they've performed? Do you have any other Ralph blades besides CPM420V?

Thanks again,
Will
 
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