Re-handled Rambo IV

HighDesertWalker

HighDesertWalker

Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
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Some time ago I purchased a Rambo IV because I was very fond of the blade profile. I asked Ilbruche to re-handle it for me in wood (original was leather wrapped) and the job was completed a week or so ago.

Here's a profile of the blade and handle:

Pic1-13-1.jpg


Next I laid the knife on its spine and took a shot looking down on the bottom of the blade and handle:

Pic2-11-1.jpg


Had to use the bathroom mirror to get an in-hand shot:

Pic3-12-1.jpg


Altogether I'm pleased with the re-handling job, although poor communication was a problem. The wood in the handle appears to be walnut but I can't really be sure. From the looks and heft of the modified RIV it will probably make a powerful short chopper.

For whatever reason, as soon as I saw the modified RIV I decided it should be called "The Mad Housewife". Mentioned it to my wife and she suggested "The June Cleaver". Clever girl. But, tell the truth, don't you imagine that the Beav's mother had one of these tucked away in a kitchen drawer. You know, all that ironing wearing heels, a starched dress and pearls ..... bet she's suppressing a little anger. :D
 
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Looks great. Now admit it, you took that big knife into the washroom to admire it while otherwise occupied didn't you? The whole mirror thing was just a rationale :D :D
 
kgd said:
Looks great. Now admit it, you took that big knife into the washroom to admire it while otherwise occupied didn't you? The whole mirror thing was just a rationale :D :D
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I was going to say something along those lines.

That aside, it looks awesome. Let us know how it performs :thumbup:
 
This is the one from United Cutlery? I like the design actually.

Also, from the pics it looks like the tubes are not flared too much.
 
PatriotDan said:
This is the one from United Cutlery? I like the design actually.

Also, from the pics it looks like the tubes are not flared too much.
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Yes, United Cutlery, so it was not expensive. The looks have been improved beyond adding the wood handle. The blade on the original was coated with some sort of black goo, and that was removed. The steel beneath was fairly irregular and, by agreement, was not modified in the blade. The tang area was polished flat to permit mounting of the handle scales. Also, the original had a spike just in front of the handle; the spike was rounded off such that a small choil was left just behind the base of the blade. The project greatly improved the profile over what it was when it arrived from United.

Tubes not flared? Not sure what you mean.
 
Bill,

That looks great! I like the shape of that blade as well, it kinda looks like a cleaver. It is great that Ilbruche is doing knife work again, he is a wood and leather maestro.. I'd be very interested in hearing/seeing how that blade performs for you..
 
HighDesertWalker said:
Tubes not flared? Not sure what you mean.
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From the top picture it looks like the slabs are attached with hollow tubes and hollow tubes are flared to lock the slabs tight with the tang but in your picture the flaring looks very small. Obviously insufficient flaring could lead to the handle slabs coming of after enough chopping. maybe it's just the pic or my eyes.
 
PatriotDan said:
From the top picture it looks like the slabs are attached with hollow tubes and hollow tubes are flared to lock the slabs tight with the tang but in your picture the flaring looks very small. Obviously insufficient flaring could lead to the handle slabs coming of after enough chopping. maybe it's just the pic or my eyes.
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Well, they're certainly not flared to the extent you see on a Busse, but they resemble what I see on some other knives such as the SBT and some BRKTs. But I agree, more is better. I also would have preferred to see 3 tubes instead of 2. But, if you know the story of this transaction, I'm surprized to ever get to see the RIV again at all. The project took 13 months and there was no communication for the last 6.
 
wow.. that thing looks so much better with the wood scales...:eek: i'm glad it all worked out in the long run HDW...:thumbup:
 
The “June Cleaver” looks great. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:

Sorry to hear about the delay in getting it done.

:confused: How about some specs on that bad boy (girl)? :confused:




Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream
 
WOW:eek:

You took a United RamboIV and came up with that!!!

Thats very impressive, congrats on having the foresight to see potential in that blade:thumbup:

Chuck
 
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