Ram

[OregonEdge]

Here's my review after a month or more of my Kershaw RAM. The first few days I really liked it. I often asked myself, "hey maybe i should just keep this and sell my custom version" But as time moved on and it broke in a bit, it lost it's charm. While it has the potential of very fast one handed opening and closing, the flat slide button (as opposed to the stepped original version) was a mistake (assuming it was a cost cut). The blade also fills too much of the handle and will often tick the heel of your hand if you try to get anywhere near as relaxed with it as say an axis system. It's overall a nice knife, and I'll admit early fascination, but it has been at the bottom of my drawer the last 2 -3 weeks.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Thanks for the honest review. I was thinking about getting one but this weighs on my mind. I think my new 0500, once it arrives, will make up for the lack of RAM!

 

[gull wing]

The RAM is nice, I agree, but it's the same for me in that the "button" slide is too small(too narrow and too low profile). I sort of "fixed" that with a new button slide, that is wider and a higher profile. The POWERS should have done it a little better.

 

[nygiantsfan3342]

I don't have much trouble closing the RAM with one hand. I use my index finger to close it instead of just flipping it closed like a benchmade. I think the RAM is a great knife and I look forward to more combinations.

 

[dmonay]

I don't have much trouble closing the RAM with one hand. I use my index finger to close it instead of just flipping it closed like a benchmade. I think the RAM is a great knife and I look forward to more combinations.

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I do the same and I agree, the RAM is a great knife. I've edc'd it almost every day since I got it about a month ago. It just works.

 

[DaveReb]

I'm finding my RAM hasn't been getting the pocket time it used too. The Ram, while it has fantastic in the hand ergo's, I find the lock a little cumbersome. Being right handed, holding the knife, the heel of my thumb inadvertently sits on the button. I have to consciously adjust my thumb position, or pressure, so I don't hold the lock button down and screw up the flipper action. I don't have any issues closing the knife. I actually find the flipper easier to open and close using my left hand...unfortunately I'm not a southpaw. The button isn't an issue for me opening the knife manually...my preferred method around the sheeple, but wish the RAM had larger thumbstuds. I'm going to try and tap the three studs out so their flush on my non opening side, so there is more for my thumb to catch. My only other pet peeve is that I dislike anodized knives, just because it takes no time to get finish wear. I'd much rather have a natural finish so scraps and scratches are less noticeable.
Anyways, while I do have some issues with the RAM(I think I can find issues with any knife) I don't see it leaving anytime soon. For it's price point, I still find it an exceptional value. It's ergo's are superb, the G10 makes it grippy and find it to be an excellent user.

Davereb

 

[Joshua J.]

There are a few things I think could be improved.
First, when I hold the knife it feels like my middle finger has nothing to grip, especially in a white knuckle grip.
Second, the button should have been bigger, and being slanted a bit would have helped too. As is my thumb rubs on the handle scales while operating the lock.

Other than that I think it's a fantastic design. I'd almost put the R.A.M. in the same category as one of Spyderco's Little Big Knives, the handle on this thing makes it feel like a much larger knife.
I can't wait for a composite blade version (even if it is only theoretical right now).

 

[SladeGT40]

After EDCing the MUDD and the RAM together for nearly a week i think they share some commonalities but also each could benefit from each other. ill hold off on the MUDD benefits since ill be reviewing it thoroughly in the passaround review forum. but i think that the smoothness of the mudd's sealed pivot makes wrist flick closing and opening a bit easier, it keeps the resistance the same throughout the swing and it doesn't suffer as much from the blade bounce when i try and close the ram hard using a flick of the wrist. also i like the bigger button on the mudd for locking and unlocking. however, i do like the size of the RAM and the choil makes it possible to get a solid grip while maintaining a nice EDC size. it holds an edge well and the blade shape is a cinch to sharpen. the three thumb studs are nice for a slower sheeple friendly opening and the flipper is really that easy and fast.

it should really benefit from higher quality steels in either composite or sprint runs. im not sure a slant lock button would be feasible given the inside mechanism behind the RAM. but all in all it was well worth the wait, and yeah the novelty wore off after a week, but that just means it gets the same attention as all my other knives do now.

 

[mchlwise]

... it has been at the bottom of my drawer the last 2 -3 weeks.

I'd be happy to take it off your hands.

I haven't had any complaints with it. The button isn't as grippy as it could be, but trade-offs must be made, and a button that was much bigger or stuck out much more would be uncomfortable in a pocket, and possibly snag coming out of it.

 

[OregonEdge]

I'd be happy to take it off your hands.

I haven't had any complaints with it. The button isn't as grippy as it could be, but trade-offs must be made, and a button that was much bigger or stuck out much more would be uncomfortable in a pocket, and possibly snag coming out of it.

I have a hard time believing the button would be more uncomfortable in the pocket... I have the custom, and the functionality of the larger button is superb. Frankly the knife just isn't what it was when they won the award at Blade. I think that's pretty much Kershaw's MO... over produce and promise, win the award, and start chipping away at quality from there. You can find the original Blade prototype submission pictured here and in the magazine. The clip was true to the custom, the button was true to the custom.... both of which were major cuts late. And I think they probably knew it really wasn't produceable under that price point (12 some odd parts for the clip). They just wanted to win. I'm more impressed with the winners that are more flushed out and closer to delivery. Same thing happened on the MUDD. After they won, that's when they really stepped back and said "ok, now what's reality?" then took nearly another year in development. I'm sure this will rub many the wrong way, but it's my opinion and I believe all I've stated above is accurate.

 

[Thomas W]

Frankly the knife just isn't what it was when they won the award at Blade.

OE, that happens all the time with this show (not that you would have any clue concerning that). You scramble to get stuff together outside of the busy schedule, and when you go to production, tweaks are made.

I think that's pretty much Kershaw's MO... over produce and promise, win the award, and start chipping away at quality from there.

You're pushing things here OE, and I don't much appreciate your insinuation.

And I think they probably knew it really wasn't produceable under that price point (12 some odd parts for the clip).

There is a lot of assuming here OE, you should probably be a lot more careful with posts similar to these in the future.

They just wanted to win.

Is that what we wanted OE? You know this how?

Same thing happened on the MUDD. After they won, that's when they really stepped back and said "ok, now what's reality?" then took nearly another year in development.

How was the M.U.D.D. different from when we showed it at Blade? Sorry it took longer than we had hoped prior to hitting the market. New innovations have a way of doing that. I'm confused here.

I'm sure this will rub many the wrong way, but it's my opinion and I believe all I've stated above is accurate.

You more than rubbed me the wrong way here OE. Your "assuming" editorial opinions on this or any future Kershaw threads are certainly not welcome.:thumbdn:

 

[2brothers]

How can anyone even compare a custom to a mass-production model?
That's farther away than apples and oranges.

You didn't even review the knife, so why call this a review?
You just bitched at what you didn't like compared to the proto/show peice.

mike

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Well I know I will be getting one now cuz as soon as I have a job ( I just finished a Resume! ) a lot more money will enter into my pathetic high-school budget. It may not be the fanciest or best flipper on the market but if it promises anything close to Axis lock-like action, I need one.

Thomas and others, would you say it is one smooth piece of work? And as Mike mentioned, how can a custom piece compare to a production piece?

the mindset seems quite snobbish OE.....reading a bit more into your post I think it is admirable that Kershaw cut down on the complexity of the clip. Keshaw seems to be (correct me Thomas if I am wrong) moving in the direction of functional simplicity. This mostly refers to their flippers which are superb knives a low price point. When kershaw can make a flippers lock comparable to the Axis-lock I find that alone to be excellent. And that is why I will get one!

:thumbup: Thomas and Kershaw

 

[jonnymac44]

Thomas and others, would you say it is one smooth piece of work?

I've said it before mmmotorcycle, and I'll say it again The RAM's pivot is indeed one of the smoothest I've seen. Mine swings open and closed effortlessly. Absolutely love it:thumbup:

And BTW, for anyone concerned, the button on the production version of the Hawk Lock works just fine, if you trust MY opinion, that is

Cheers,
Jonny

 

[mchlwise]

Thomas and others, would you say it is one smooth piece of work? And as Mike mentioned, how can a custom piece compare to a production piece?

I would say it's a "smooth piece of work". It's my favorite knife at this point, and I EDC it every day, for about 15 hours straight. I doubt you'll be disappointed, but of course some people will be.

As far as the clip, I'm actually glad that they changed it. I handled the prototype at Outdoor Retailer's Expo in Salt Lake about a year ago, and while quite nifty, the clip was really over-engineered and not terribly practical. I had some hesitations about the clip, and am QUITE pleased with the production clip.

It would be nice for Kershaw to mass produce custom hand-made unique innovative award-winning knives and deliver them personally to each of us for under twenty bucks... but I don't think that's gonna happen.

No knife, no matter how good it is, is going to please all of the people all of the time. The R.A.M. has it's compromises and negatives, as every knife does. Overall though, it's as good as I've been able to find at an amazing price point.

:thumbup:

 

[OregonEdge]

Like I said, it's just my "opinion" or maybe "impression" is a better word. I've bought a couple hundred Kershaws, and have dealt out my share of praise and support. If I'm a snob for comparing the end result knife to the model custom, or even the original contest submission, then that's A-ok. In fact, how bout this....

For all the other great knives:

Great Job Kershaw and Thomas!!!! :thumbup:

I know that works better here, and I've said it 98% of the time.

 

[spiralarchitect]

OE reach on back and grab a big ole handful of those panties, they are bunched up way too tight... It'll be OK i promise:thumbup:

I think by now we should all realize that, as much as Kershaw would love to give us everything we want at a price everyone can afford, reality brings that crashing to the ground. As for the Prototype, I seriously doubt that anyone had any intentions of running away with an award based on something they never intended to produce. IIRC the Tyrade and ET both won awards and the production models are extremely close to the Prototypes. Just be cool, take a breath and hang in there. I am sure there are things to come that will knock all our socks off.

 

[jonnymac44]

Great Job Kershaw and Thomas!!!!
I know that works better here, and I've said it 98% of the time.

Sorry OE, but how can you say you're positive 98% of the time and still say something like this?

I think that's pretty much Kershaw's MO... over produce and promise, win the award, and start chipping away at quality from there.

This statement is the one that really bugs me. It doesn't matter how many Kershaws you've purchased, this makes it sound like you spend your days fretting that Kershaw is out to screw you. If you're going to say that is their "MO" (modus operandi/method of operation), you're talking about it being like that all the time, not just in one isolated incident(which I also disagree with, but whatever), and if you feel that way about the company in general, and think that's how they operate on a daily basis, then why invest any more of your time?????

Sorry, but that post got me a bit miffed:grumpy:

Cheers,
Jon

 

[SladeGT40]

I for one am grateful that kershaw is willing to listen to us in any capacity. so if they don't produce something that is up to your specifications, then why not post some suggestions for improvements in the next batch of production rams. i am much more appreciative of a companies willingness to explore self improvement than i am in their ability to pull out the "be all end all" right out of the gate. that shows me that they will have staying power and not just be around to ride the coattails of one or two great knives.

 

[OregonEdge]

sorry guys... wish I could tell you that's not how I feel, or that I'm having a bad day. I'm more than comfortable with your opinions as well. Try not to let my opinions ruin your day. out.