RJ Martin knives as an EDC?

N

No_b00st

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Aug 10, 2008
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so I've been collecting production knives for a while and I'm thinking of adding a real hand-made knife to my collection. There are a lot of knifemakers out there but as far as my personal preference, I have to say I'm a HUGE fan of RJ Martin's work. His folders are reasonably priced (for a full custom), the fit and finish is immaculate, and they're beautiful. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with using an RJ Martin piece on a day-to-day basis. I mean, would it be a shame to use such a nice knife all the time? I can't really imagine spending a whole ton of money on a knife and not using it. Any advice on this topic would be GREATLY appreciated.

-James
 
buy one if you can afford it.
 
No_b00st said:
His folders are reasonably priced (for a full custom), the fit and finish is immaculate, and they're beautiful. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with using an RJ Martin piece on a day-to-day basis. I mean, would it be a shame to use such a nice knife all the time? I can't really imagine spending a whole ton of money on a knife and not using it. Any advice on this topic would be GREATLY appreciated.

-James
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Have a Havoc that I carry....it is a superb knife, it slices, it dices, cuts cardboard, paper, rope, twine, steak, bread, rubber, leather, human flesh equally with ease. I don't pry or dig with it.

It is smooth, and this size represents probably one of the 5 best EDC's I have ever owned, the others being medium Kit Carson Model 4, J.W. Smith Large Evolution, Benchmade 710 in ATS-34 and Large Sebenza.

The Havoc is the quickest to deploy, and probably the most fun...it also has the best ergos. It is worth the extra monies for the Dress Havoc.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
i mean sort of. The Groove is a pretty nice knife for like $60 but having handled a real RJ Martin after a Kershaw Groove... there is simply NO comparison.
 
They are great folders, fit and finish are superb. They are super smooth and super sharp and they have a great look.

They only have a defect in my opinion: they are too big as EDC since, except for the ZING, they are all about 4"
 
BlackDiamond said:
They are great folders, fit and finish are superb. They are super smooth and super sharp and they have a great look.

They only have a defect in my opinion: they are too big as EDC since, except for the ZING, they are all about 4"
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Blade on the Havoc is around 3 1/2", and length is only a problem if you live in one of those states that have dumbass carry constraints, like MA, or NY-F-C.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
No_b00st said:
I mean, would it be a shame to use such a nice knife all the time? I can't really imagine spending a whole ton of money on a knife and not using it.
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Whether it be his flipper folders, the big hollow handle survival knives, or any model in between, RJ's knives are made to work. Yes, the knives are beautiful looking, but they're still meant to walk the walk.

I wouldn't call it a shame to use a nice knife. If it were a collector piece bought as an investment where usage could only hurt the value, that's different. But if you're going to drop $400 to $500 on a tactical folder that you plan to keep then I think you should you should get your money's worth out of using it and enjoying its quality.
 
I would definately use it. I have little experience with them but at a show the ones I handled were nice and compact. The blades were incredibly sharp and seemed like great workers.
 
It would be a shame to own one of RJ's knives and not use it. If you like his works so much, then by all means buy one, and if you are afraid of using it, I guess you just have to be careful with what you cut. RJ makes some fine knives. Scary sharp !!
 
Kohai999 said:
Blade on the Havoc is around 3 1/2", and length is only a problem if you live in one of those states that have dumbass carry constraints, like MA, or NY-F-C.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Well, going around with knives is not allowed in Italy, unless you have a "good" reason for it. Law is not like math here.

Knives are allowed if you have a good reason to have one with you: if you need that knife as a tool because the task you are going to do require it that's a good reason.

But of course if they find you with a knife in the city center or at the stadium that would be different and you would have problems in finding a good reason.

That said, a small knife is harder to be seen, more comfortable to wear and usefull for many task. In my experience, except when you're going out for a trip, best blades to carry are 3" to 3.5" max.

I have had 2 folders by RJ Martin, a Devastator and a Q36. Both had perfect fit, finish and mechanics.
The Devastator anyway, while strong and scary sharp, was just too big.

The Q36 had even better fit, finish and mechanics. It was a bit smaller than the Devastator, but still big, with its 4" blade. What I really didn't like about it was the blade thickness, according to me definitely too small.

Knife tip would have broken easily if used against something like wood.

The Q36 with a 3.5" length and a thicker blade (like the one on the Devastator) would be the perfect folder. Unfortunately that version doesn't exist yet.

From a user point of view I think my Rick Hinderer XM18 is a better folder. D.B. Fraley makes great folders too, but they are almost impossible to find and prices have became proibitive.
 
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I only have his smaller Rampage at the moment, but I wish to own a Havoc in the near future.

The Rampage is an amazing blade, like something out of the 22nd Century...

Based on the knife I own, RJ is on my short short list...
:D
 
I'd like to see better havoc pics, I'd want expecially see blade thickness.

If any of you can upload some pics that would be appreciated ! Thanks :D
 
orig.jpg


The Havoc is the smaller knife.

Coop
 
James: I hope everyone who buys my knives uses them. That is where they are at their best-In Use!

HAVOC blades are .130 thick, as are the Q36 blades. The Q-36 is intended more as a cutter than a hard use knife, but I am going to do them with full 3/16" thick blades next year.

blackdiamond: I hear ya, man! Smaller Q-36 with a beefy blade. It's on my short list.

RJ Martin
 
one of the knives on my short list is the rampage. i like the styling of it. can someone tell me about the striations on some of the models? other than looking cool i can't figure out what they are for:confused:
 
.13 is a perfect stock thickness for a useful folding knife of that size in my opinion. And I expect that is why smart knife makers, like R.J. Martin, who are known for sharp blades, use it. This trend toward super thick stock on folding knives I think is dumb, and the hype is so ubiquitous, it's no wonder everyone thinks they need it. But I've had large folding knives with anywhere from .11-.16 and the thinner stock outperforms the thicker for everything but stabbing into car doors or prying a manhole cover up. Not that I've ever done those things with a pocket knife so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Sorry for the rant. Just had to get that out:).
 
RJ Martin said:
James: I hope everyone who buys my knives uses them. That is where they are at their best-In Use!

HAVOC blades are .130 thick, as are the Q36 blades. The Q-36 is intended more as a cutter than a hard use knife, but I am going to do them with full 3/16" thick blades next year.

blackdiamond: I hear ya, man! Smaller Q-36 with a beefy blade. It's on my short list.

RJ Martin
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RJ, thanks for reply !

The Q36 is an excellent folder, with an amazing mechanics (it opens better than any other folder I have tried) and a scary sharp blade !

A smaller Q-36 with a beefy blade is the EDC I'm waiting for :D
 
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