rambo 4 knife

S

scrappy

Joined
Jul 7, 2007
Messages
852
the rambo 4 knife is being sold on the internet and I see custom knife makers making something similar as a chopper. I know the rambo knife is a replica but it is made from 1060 which should be pretty strong. is this knife a user or really not meant to be used?
 
this is more like a machete. 18inches long and a quarter inch thick. I think united cutlery makes them.
 
It would prabably be a fairly decent knife but I think the idea is to replicate the movie knife in looks and not so much in making a quality chopping knife. I have never scene the United version in person but I have heard it is a little bit smaller than the original by Hibben. In my opinion, if you can get it cheap and it has a decent heat treat, then it would probably be a decent user since you aren't likely going to make it look any uglier. The custom knives that emulate it are numerous and amazing. I myself am making a cleaver shaped design.
 
Last edited:
scrappy said:
the rambo 4 knife is being sold on the internet and I see custom knife makers making something similar as a chopper. I know the rambo knife is a replica but it is made from 1060 which should be pretty strong. is this knife a user or really not meant to be used?
Click to expand...

I thought it was 1095? Looks to be a good user. It would be cool if a knife maker were willing to make one for a good price out of 1095.
 
The Rambo 4 knife is a variation of the SE Asian field knife. Used for cutting cane and general machete work.

The machine made ones shouldn't cost more than $10 to $20. Custom forged ones by famous smiths will cost more of course, but think about it -would you pay $200 for a Tramontina machete?
 
CWL said:
but think about it -would you pay $200 for a Tramontina machete?
Click to expand...


I was thinking about getting one until reading this :p

I like the fact they come with COA's, & I am a big Rambo fan, but no, I wouldn't spend $200 on a Tramotina :(
 
my understanding was that it is much thicker than a tramontina and 1060 is a super tough steel. I do you know anyone making machetes from 1060? as for price I am looking at no more than 100. local store in the mall usually carries the rambo blades at a decent price. thanks for the input guys.
 
"the Rambo IV (the sharpened spring bar)"
They certainly don't come any plainer in finish and uglier in design than this.
Created to blend in with the overall mood of "the actual situation" on ground; which is supposedly brutal and harsh.
I dunno, the first and second sawbacks were something to remember, but I doubt if the forth knife would be well remembered with equal fondness as the earlier movie knives.
I certainly wouldn't consider a factory made replica anything near functional least of all collectable in the long run...
Seriously, I do think that with reasonable amount of time, this wouldn't be too hard to replicate hands-on; except in getting the tempering right for full cutting function.
 
driveby
you are correct. it is 1090. 1090 is cutlery steel. if it isn't functional why use such a nice steel? it is will have to think about it before I buy it. powernoodle, thanks for the link.
 
scrappy said:
driveby
you are correct. it is 1090. 1090 is cutlery steel. if it isn't functional why use such a nice steel? it is will have to think about it before I buy it. powernoodle, thanks for the link.
Click to expand...

Well it's definitely got my vote. I have been wanting one since they came out. It's not overpriced Tramontina. It's 18in over all with a 12 inch blade that is much thicker then a machetes. It's an original design by Gil Hibben; at least it's as original as you can get with knives as knives are an old tool. Sure there are knives similar in looks being used in Jungles wherever; but I haven't seen any for sale that look even similar. The Uglier then RATS; which I like and use the same steel. They are even uglier then Striders and honestly some Strider models could have a similar look if you uglied them up a bit. Now the 1095 steel may be the same in both the United Cutlery made R4 knife and a RAT knife but I'm not comparing the quality. But it wouldn't be big deal to send the knife to a knife maker where he would make sure it has a proper heat treat and put a convex edge on it while leaving the looks intact (or maybe add a personal touch). Even make a proper sheath for it that looks like Rambo stitched it together. How much does your mall carry the knife for Scrappy? I wouldn't think it would to expensive to have a knife maker do the improvements mentioned above for you. Maybe $100 for the heat treat/convex edge and $40 for the sheath I don't know just guessing could be more or less. But to have a functional and cool looking knife like that how much is that worth? Sure it was used in Rambo but even if Rambo was never made it would still be a cool looking knife. I like the crude look:D
 
The United model (GH5007) is made of 1090. 5/16" thick stock.
They were initially going to use 1060 but changed to 1090. The first batch deilivered to dealers had a problem with the handle wrap. During shipment to the states the adhesive used on the wrap became very sticky. I read on Hibben's forum that the next batch will use a leather wrap on the handle to avoid this problem.

I went ahead and bought one of the first batch. I replaced the factory wrap with 550 cord and grip tape.
I paid about $60 for the one I have. If the heat treatment is decent I'm thinking it will be a good beater for the price.

It is a heavy knife, 2 pounds. Sort of a middle ground between a kukri and a bowie. After the edge has been tuned up, I plan to see how it works as a chopper. As someone else mentioned, the choice of steel makes me think that it should be capable of being a user. If they wanted to make a wall hanger, any steel would have done.

Movie connection or not, I just simply like the design. Simple and crude, no frills.
The sheath is nothing special but I've seen much worse. I thought about replacing it but in the spirit of the design I'll probably use duct tape to repair or reinforce it if needed. I also like the fact that there are no logos on the sheath front. Hibben IV is stamped on the back of the sheath.

I'd bet that if it had been released sans Rambo tie-in that alot more people here would be giving it a try. I happen to like the movies but this one doesn't scream "Rambo" in appearance. I realise that there is a certain stigma about such knives. If you didn't know about the tie-in, there is nothing on it indicating that it is a "movie" knife.

It surely will not replace my Busse choppers but at $60 I don't expect it to.
I hope Noss gives this one a test session. Could be very interesting.



Ten
 
Last edited:
ten
thank you for the info.

I see master cutlery has them also. are thes two separate companies? anyone know? looking on ebay it is hard to say if they are united cutlery or master cutlery.
 
Those knives are the same exact profile as the knives I used to buy at the hardware for trimming brush they caalled them corn knives in those days. I think the 1/4 inch thickness is way too thick for efficient cutting if your going to buy a user get a different blade.
 
scrappy said:
ten
thank you for the info.

I see master cutlery has them also. are thes two separate companies? anyone know? looking on ebay it is hard to say if they are united cutlery or master cutlery.
Click to expand...

The Master Cutlery ones are different than the United ones. If I cand find the comparison site I'll link it here. Here are some others that are making similar type blades:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586668

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586558

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=557165

and my design in the works:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566799
 
garret
thank you for all the info. I definetly want something thicker than a machete. I like your designs. they look good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top