Ronin

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 21, 2000
Messages
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I'm really tempted to go ahead and order myself a Ronin sometime next week...This knife just looks too cool.

For those of you who own one, how does it carry in neck knife mode, IWB or via the static cord/pocket method? It looks like it might be a bit heavy for neck carry, but I'm not sure.

How do you all like the Ronin overall? I have heard that it's a great cutter and has a needle sharp point.

Help me come up with some good reasons to rationalize buying a new knife!!
 
Hi EZ,
In nike parlance "just do it." I cannot carry it easily as a neck knife (Illegal in CA), but I have carried it cross-draw and static cord (stealth mode.) But perhaps the most important reason: it is the most sharp knife I own hands down. The wicked edge and full flat grind are scary. I have used it for food, utility, and some test "social engagement" stuff, it excels in all areas.

The sheath is a bit large for me (the reason is so it won't twist as a necker), but I have been toying with the idea of getting a smaller custom from Mike Sastre in the future.

ronin3.jpg
 
With a Tek-Lok it rides well on the belt. I find it too large and heavy for use as a neck knife, but that's just me. The shape of the sheath does lend itself well to static cord carry.

ponderingwithcoffee.jpg
 
Phil,

Is that how you usually carry your Ronin? Do people really notice it? Seems like it would blend in nicely.

I've never tried that type of crossdraw in the photo...might be worth me trying out.
 
Sometimes I wear it positioned over my wallet, over my back right pocket, as well. People don't really notice it, no, though of course it's right there for all the world to see and it's only a matter of time. I was wearing it this morning when I went up to payroll upstairs to pick up paychecks for the week, and the receptionist didn't even blink.

Of course, people are kind of used to me around here, too.

bandanna.jpg
 
Ok, you guys convinced me...I'm going to go ahead and order one.

I'll post a review after I have had some time to play with it.
 
The Ronin must be really popular...I had a hard time finding a place that can obtain one. Everyone seems to be out of stock.
 
On top of the flat grind, needle sharp point, and cozy lookin' grip, it doesn't look like it would be half bad as an EDC utility type blade. That perfectly straight edge would be a breeze to maintain on a day to day basis.

I've got a Pesh Kabz that I like alot, but may very will wind up trying to trade "down" for one of these, due partly to the edge maintenance issue.
 
I've been looking for a quality production wharncliff fixed blade for a while. The only other thing even available are the CRKT models. (NOT even in the close to a Spydero)

I think the Ronin is one ugly knife-- but it also looks like a very practical EDC utility knife. I'm getting one soon.

Scott
 
I agree with the utility aspect of the Ronin, and have long preferred Wharncliffe-style blades for general utility. Its benign appearance does not seem to alarm people very much. I wore my Ronin openly on the belt, upside down, on the right hip, for a day, and nobody seemed to notice. This was just an experiment, as I normally conceal a handgun on my right hip. That day I carried a revolver in a deep front pocket. Don't laugh at the idea of upside-down carry: if something blocked an upward draw with the handgun, the knife was available for a downward draw. I have not yet decided whether to adopt this as a regular mode of carry. I will experiment further, with different draw angles and positions on the belt. BTW, the Ronin is not ugly at all, IMHO. I think "functional" is the operative term.
 
A few years ago I made a knife and a kydex sheath for it. I designed the sheath so that I could wear it in an upside-down position.

And then, one day, the knife was gone. Lost! What had happened was that the handle of the knife became wedged down in the crack formed between the seat and the backrest of a friends pick up truck seat. When I got out of the truck, the knife didn't. It took a very stressful while to figure it out and to find the knife. (It had slipped down onto the floor.)

I figured it was a freak thing until it happened again. Then I gave up on upside-down carry. To be fair, the knife was a bit longer than the Ronin and the sheath was designed to hang lower. It is still something to consider, though.

Scott
 
I have carried mine loose in my right front pocket. The wide sheath keeps it from flopping around, and to draw just reach in, grab, and push off with your thumb. :)
Also works okay loose in a back pocket, but I liked it more in my front pocket.
Neck carry is okay, the weight doesn't bother me(I carry my Ti-Police in a neck sheath every day), but the width of the sheath was a problem. But you need the sheath like that to keep it from twisting around. I think it would carry well underarm on a longer piece of 550 cord, but I haven't tried it.



Blades
 
Well, my Ronin should be here in about a week so, I'll try the different carry methods mentioned and see what works.
 
too bulky and heavy for neck carry. right front pocket was better but the tubular portion of the sheath where the cord attaches is bulky and makes the sheath much bigger than necessary. yup, you guessed it. i cut off the tubular portion of the sheath as far down as possible, taking off the maximum amount of material without messing with the rivets. huuuge improvement. if you are never gonna carry around the neck. its the way to go.
 
Yes the sheath is bulky but it's great to kill wasp and mosquitoes or even play racketball...

I carry mine in the front pocket or in the back pocket. It depends.

The Ronin is such an incredible cuter...

cheers

JM
 
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