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RNR Review: A Chad Los Banos Design
By Sifu Dr. Jan L. Miller
RNR
Boker
Designer- Chad Los Banos
Fixed Blade Kiridashi
Steel-440C Stainless
Blade Length- 2 ½
Overall Length- 6
Weight-2.5oz.
Sheath- Kydex
The RNR, designed by Chad Los Banos is Bokers latest release sent to me for testing and review. The RNR is a very unique knife with a design twist on the traditional Japanese Kiridashi. This Kiridashi has a belly which curves right up to the tip. If you ask me it looks like a Kiridashi that has spent one to many days at the local tavern. You see this Kiridashi has a beer belly. I like the looks of this new Chad Los Banos creation. It is a very original and innovative design. The blade is 2 ½, however the cutting surface due to the large belly measures closer to 3. There are very decorative cutouts in the handle to reduce weight, and these cutouts also allows one plenty of options for wrapping the handle with cord. There exist a smooth type of jimping running for about 1 ½ along the top of the RNRs spine and a deep index finger choil aids in retention. The RNR is very comfortable in the hand. I decided to wrap the handle in rubberized tennis handle wrap to create a slight built up palm swell for an even better grip on the knife. Bokers RNR comes in 440C steel and held a decent edge through my testing, though not my favorite steel, it should perform well if you dont mind sharpening it often. The Kydex sheath holds the knife very secure and well made to accommodate this large belly Kiridashi. The shape is a pancake style sheath with plenty of lashing holes to attach Para cord for belt carry and will also fit a Tek-Loc nicely if you prefer. Boker gives you a ball chain with the knife if you are inclined to wear the RNR as a neck knife. If you wear it around your neck you will see the pancake style holster sits flat on your chest and does not bounce around under your shirt like so many other designs. One thing I love about the RNR is once around the neck because of the sheath and knifes flatness it will not print under clothing. The RNR is a great all around utility knife. You will find loads of chores that this knife design will handle without any problems. In the kitchen its a great little paring and chopping knife as the belly can be rolled gently over the food for some quick dicing. This knife will be a terrific asset around the camp grounds as well for all kinds of chores. I will even go so far as to say you could use the RNR as an effective knife for Self-Defense. When people first observe the knife in hand their eyes bug out of their heads, leading me to believe that this odd shaped Kiridashi design has some intimidating value for such a small knife. In my knife fighting drills I found this knife to be very lively in the hands, Id say on the order of Fast and Furious! I couldnt wait to put this knife through some of my meat testing. Using a round roast measuring 8 in length and 5 ½ round, wrapped in 4 layers of saran wrap (to simulate the resistance of human skin), and placed inside of a denim jean pant leg, I put the RNR to the test. First let me say that all of the Kiridashi style knives I have ever meat tested cut for a depth into the meat equal to that of the front angle edge measurement and no further. The RNR proved to be a different breed of Kiridashi. Its front angle edge measures about 1 ½ in length before the curved belly part takes over for the rest of the blades cutting surface. On all slashes and cuts made on the meat, the RNR cut consistently to depths of 2 ½to 2 ¾. The belly would make first contact and the Kiridashi edge would follow. Very little resistance was felt when slashing through the meat, probably due to the nice high flat ground on the RNR. A little twist on the knife after a thrust into the meat proved to make an awesome Comma Cut Wound like channel much bigger than most folders or even some larger fixed blade knives could make. After the Comma Cut it left behind a hole that one could place two fingers inside with room to spare. All and all Id say this is a great little knife from designer Chad Los Bano, who never ceases to amaze us with his ingenious designs. Bottom line .run right out and purchase this knife .your gonna love it. This author gives it three thumbs up!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
(Sifu Dr. Jan Miller is a Master Instructor of Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan and Filipino Stick and Dagger Fighting at the Dragon Tiger Kung Fu Center in Smithtown, New York. Dr. Miller has an extensive background in many different forms of Martial Arts, including Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Judo, Karate, Several Styles of Chinese Kung Fu, Filipino Stick and Dagger Fighting, and the Western and Asian Forms of Knife Fighting. His colleagues across the United States know him best for his expertise with many different forms of bladed weapons. )
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce this review without the permission of the author.
By Sifu Dr. Jan L. Miller
RNR
Boker
Designer- Chad Los Banos
Fixed Blade Kiridashi
Steel-440C Stainless
Blade Length- 2 ½
Overall Length- 6
Weight-2.5oz.
Sheath- Kydex
The RNR, designed by Chad Los Banos is Bokers latest release sent to me for testing and review. The RNR is a very unique knife with a design twist on the traditional Japanese Kiridashi. This Kiridashi has a belly which curves right up to the tip. If you ask me it looks like a Kiridashi that has spent one to many days at the local tavern. You see this Kiridashi has a beer belly. I like the looks of this new Chad Los Banos creation. It is a very original and innovative design. The blade is 2 ½, however the cutting surface due to the large belly measures closer to 3. There are very decorative cutouts in the handle to reduce weight, and these cutouts also allows one plenty of options for wrapping the handle with cord. There exist a smooth type of jimping running for about 1 ½ along the top of the RNRs spine and a deep index finger choil aids in retention. The RNR is very comfortable in the hand. I decided to wrap the handle in rubberized tennis handle wrap to create a slight built up palm swell for an even better grip on the knife. Bokers RNR comes in 440C steel and held a decent edge through my testing, though not my favorite steel, it should perform well if you dont mind sharpening it often. The Kydex sheath holds the knife very secure and well made to accommodate this large belly Kiridashi. The shape is a pancake style sheath with plenty of lashing holes to attach Para cord for belt carry and will also fit a Tek-Loc nicely if you prefer. Boker gives you a ball chain with the knife if you are inclined to wear the RNR as a neck knife. If you wear it around your neck you will see the pancake style holster sits flat on your chest and does not bounce around under your shirt like so many other designs. One thing I love about the RNR is once around the neck because of the sheath and knifes flatness it will not print under clothing. The RNR is a great all around utility knife. You will find loads of chores that this knife design will handle without any problems. In the kitchen its a great little paring and chopping knife as the belly can be rolled gently over the food for some quick dicing. This knife will be a terrific asset around the camp grounds as well for all kinds of chores. I will even go so far as to say you could use the RNR as an effective knife for Self-Defense. When people first observe the knife in hand their eyes bug out of their heads, leading me to believe that this odd shaped Kiridashi design has some intimidating value for such a small knife. In my knife fighting drills I found this knife to be very lively in the hands, Id say on the order of Fast and Furious! I couldnt wait to put this knife through some of my meat testing. Using a round roast measuring 8 in length and 5 ½ round, wrapped in 4 layers of saran wrap (to simulate the resistance of human skin), and placed inside of a denim jean pant leg, I put the RNR to the test. First let me say that all of the Kiridashi style knives I have ever meat tested cut for a depth into the meat equal to that of the front angle edge measurement and no further. The RNR proved to be a different breed of Kiridashi. Its front angle edge measures about 1 ½ in length before the curved belly part takes over for the rest of the blades cutting surface. On all slashes and cuts made on the meat, the RNR cut consistently to depths of 2 ½to 2 ¾. The belly would make first contact and the Kiridashi edge would follow. Very little resistance was felt when slashing through the meat, probably due to the nice high flat ground on the RNR. A little twist on the knife after a thrust into the meat proved to make an awesome Comma Cut Wound like channel much bigger than most folders or even some larger fixed blade knives could make. After the Comma Cut it left behind a hole that one could place two fingers inside with room to spare. All and all Id say this is a great little knife from designer Chad Los Bano, who never ceases to amaze us with his ingenious designs. Bottom line .run right out and purchase this knife .your gonna love it. This author gives it three thumbs up!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
(Sifu Dr. Jan Miller is a Master Instructor of Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan and Filipino Stick and Dagger Fighting at the Dragon Tiger Kung Fu Center in Smithtown, New York. Dr. Miller has an extensive background in many different forms of Martial Arts, including Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Judo, Karate, Several Styles of Chinese Kung Fu, Filipino Stick and Dagger Fighting, and the Western and Asian Forms of Knife Fighting. His colleagues across the United States know him best for his expertise with many different forms of bladed weapons. )
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce this review without the permission of the author.
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