RMJ Tactical prices (wtf?)

I could understand the cost if the steel was a superior, proprietary formula that only they could forge. But it's just Cerakoted tool steel, right? Do they have access to an exclusive steel alloy that no one else can have? Same with the handles. They're not rhino horn or elephant tusk. Just G10 scales. As for how it's manufactured, I can't say for certain, but I'm willing to bet that it's not made on demand by the world's greatest bladesmith working by himself in a small shop using only heirloom hand tools. But since its arguably the best you can buy, the price won't come down as long as people are willing to pay for it.
 
Sure; I mean steel is basically free on the ground for the taking. Those guys are robbing us!

And of course machining a 3/8" billet to tomahawk shape then differentially heat treating it, sharpening it, and building a best-in-class sheath for it only takes a couple minutes and can be done by any old idiot being paid peanuts.
 
And of course machining a 3/8" billet to tomahawk shape then differentially heat treating it, sharpening it, and building a best-in-class sheath for it only takes a couple minutes and can be done by any old idiot being paid peanuts.
With one hand tied behind your back. It's just that easy.
 
Not to take anything away from 1-armed CNC machine operators.
I just bash the keyboard with my forehead.

The whole logic of "that stuff's only .40 a pound so that whole thing is a ripoff if it costs more than $2" is so faulty it makes as much sense as a unicycle tractor.
 
I'm kinda messing with you, but also not. Taking a step back, this is just a discussion about expensive high-end tomahawks, of all things. Fun hobby, but meaningless in the grander scheme. Please don't bash your head.

My inexpert summary opinion, having several years experience with benchtop machine tools and recent limited experience making my own knives, is that these are great tomahawks, but not $500 great. It's one of those things like basic plumbing and electrical work that once you learn it (and you can, because it's not rocket science), you shake your head in disbelief that you ever spent as much as you did on the pro's services.
 
I got one and I feel it wasn't overpriced. I'd take it with me anywhere. Now that I have one after I saved a small amount each month towards it, I don't need to look for another one ever again. My only complaint is that the sharpening rod in my Shrike did break off of the end cap and I'll have to order a new one someday.
 
I'm kinda messing with you, but also not. Taking a step back, this is just a discussion about expensive high-end tomahawks, of all things. Fun hobby, but meaningless in the grander scheme. Please don't bash your head.

My inexpert summary opinion, having several years experience with benchtop machine tools and recent limited experience making my own knives, is that these are great tomahawks, but not $500 great. It's one of those things like basic plumbing and electrical work that once you learn it (and you can, because it's not rocket science), you shake your head in disbelief that you ever spent as much as you did on the pro's services.
Well you got inexpert right.
 
I'm kinda messing with you, but also not. Taking a step back, this is just a discussion about expensive high-end tomahawks, of all things. Fun hobby, but meaningless in the grander scheme. Please don't bash your head.

My inexpert summary opinion, having several years experience with benchtop machine tools and recent limited experience making my own knives, is that these are great tomahawks, but not $500 great. It's one of those things like basic plumbing and electrical work that once you learn it (and you can, because it's not rocket science), you shake your head in disbelief that you ever spent as much as you did on the pro's services.
The comparison is not equal at all. Apples to oranges.

Show us your work and we can judge if you have any merit calling out a top maker based on what you can do. Then we can multiply that by a thousand because that is the output RMJ does. I'm not sure you truly understand what goes into such an operation or if you are here to just talk junk.

Anyway, post up those pics.
 
27867444_1864675160240618_2440108313561850498_n.jpg


Pricey, but I like their style!
 
Sorry to upset you. I'm new, and still getting a sense of the culture here. Every forum has its own.
Doesn't upset me at all. This is a section for serious discussion. What you have admitted to doing is counter of that. There are other sections to mess with people.

Maybe read more and get a feel for the place. Also, if you haven't done so I would suggest reading the rules.
 
Craytab, I was having a bit of back and forth with Danke42. I said "kinda... but not" which was a poor choice of words. My joke about 1-armed CNC machine operators was directed at Danke42, since he implied it takes two hands to make these, and I brought up the possibility it could be done with one hand and an automated machine. I think I'm the only one who thought that was clever.

Anyway, I appreciate civility in a forum, but I also believe non-political/religious/sexual content debate, especially about value on a forum I imagine is inhabited by a lot of young guys just starting out, is valuable in itself. Let's keep the discussion going, and I'll take a break from it.

So, Craytab, shall we BURY THE HATCHET? ;)
 
I have a couple RMJs--a newer Kestrel and an Eagle Talon from a couple years back. Sure, they were a good chunk of change, but I knew that before I bought them. As far as too expensive, I didn't think so. I had wanted an RMJ for a while, they cost what they cost, so I accepted that and bought them. Expensive is relative, meaning different things to different people, so one man's expensive could be another's bargain.
If we look at similar products, they all seem to be in the general range of 400 to 500 give or take. RMJ, Winkler, Bawidamann's RMJ-made "Ragnerok", Red Rock, Hardcore Hardware of Australia--they all make the modern "tactical" tomahawks and they're all in the same general price range.
Way I look at it is that's just what the market decided is reasonable for that particular type of product.

Edit: It was brought to my attention that RMJ in fact makes the Bawidamann hawks. Thanks for letting me know!
 
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