Simonich Mid-Tech Raven?

Burchtree

Burchtree

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I recently purchased a Mid-Tech Raven because I couldn't afford the real deal at the time. What do you have to say about these knives? How does the semi-production versions compare to the real deals?

Thanks.
 
Well I have said it before, and I'll say it again.. I think Robs Raven will be the premier combat blade in no time.. Excellent design, Excellent materials and HT.. The ones I have seen have been very well fit and finished as is the norm for Simonich.. He does the final by hand, so you shouldnt see much difference at all...
 
Not so fast, Trace....

I ordered an early Mid-Tech Raven from a well regarded internet dealer. Prior to doing so I corresponded with Rob Simonich, who told me the Mid-Tech was basically the same knife as his true customs, except better. I think his words were... lemme see.... wait, I have the email so I can look it up:
"They are actually every bit as good and in some cases better than my
customs! I just cant grind better than a $500,000 grinding machine."
Rob went on to say other good things about the Mid-Techs and, since they had his name on them, I went ahead and bought one.

The sheath was good.
The knife was sharp. Really sharp.
The knife looked great right down to the edge.
The edge had palpable chatter marks up and down both sides, and if you looked at it against the light it actually appeared to be finely serrated. Being the edge-perfectionist that I am, I got hold of the dealer and he took it back no questions asked (One Hell Of A Nice Guy, as a matter of fact.)

So why, you ask, do I mention this aberration... this statistical blip... this almost certainly one-of-a-kind goober that slipped out past the quality control guys? Well it's not to bash Rob Simonich - one of these days I'd like to pick up one of his customs just for the "pride of ownership" factor (but DAMN, they're as hard to find as a Rinaldi!.) It's certainly not to suggest that the next 4,999 Mid-Tech Ravens to leave the shop will exhibit the same problem. It's not even because Rob missed my "FYI" email describing the problem (I guess he missed it, I didn't get a bounce-notice and I never heard back from him.)

I guess I mention it because... well... the whole deal kind of chapped my ass. Maybe it's the overnight shipping I plopped down to get it NOW, followed by the money I laid out to return it. For the money, and for all the hooplah, I expected a factory edge at LEAST as clean as my own amateurish efforts. I dunno.... It would be interesting to hear what some more recent Mid-Tech owners have to say about the final product.

You never know. I might decide I need one after all. :cool:
 
Hiya Rainmaker: I dont know exactly how Rob grinds his edges, but on my heavier duty blades I like a very toothy micro serrated edge. That may be how Rob wants it, not having seen the knife I cant tell if there was anything wrong with it..
But the fact that you werent satisfied is enough, and you took it back for a refund.. No harm no foul.. Rob can be a difficult guy to contact sometimes, but as I am finding out all too well, there just isnt time in the day, and things get overlooked.. Sometimes E-mails get deleted in the BLUR of junk mail, or you dont have time to answer them all, sometimes edges arent done to suit a particular customer.. Sometimes a sheath doesnt fit just right.. It all happens..
I am sure if you can get hold of Rob he would make the edge as close to what you want as possible..
 
Originally posted by Trace Rinaldi
on my heavier duty blades I like a very toothy micro serrated edge.
Click to expand...

In my limited experience this type edge stays sharper longer than a highly polished one. It also suits my particular cutting chores better. I picked up a Raven at Blade and I am very pleased with it.
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
Rainmaker, I can find no email from you. I looked back over 2 months. It certainly could have gotten deleted, or if you sent it to knives@mt.net I most likely didnt get it as there is a glitch with that address.

I wish I could see that edge. I sharpen on a belt grinder with a slack belt and I have never seen a chattered edge. I could be thinking of a different kind of chatter than you though. Also I never heard anything from any of the dealers. Please try to email me again and let me know the dealer so can try to find this knife and look at it. Also, if you change your mind and want to try any of my Mid-Tech knives I will deduct the cost of your lost overnight shipping charges, as well as throw in the shipping. :)

Yeah, I do like toothy edges, but that one sounded like it was more toothy than it should have been.
 
That's a classy, generous offer, Rob, and it confirms my opinion that you're a straight-up guy. I'm really not looking for anything like that from you, nor did I expect the dealer to cough up the money I'd spent on overnight shipping. Not his problem (or yours) that I wanted the knife RIGHT NOW. ;)

You'll have to look back farther than a couple of months for the email: I got the Mid-Tech on June 27 of this year, had the refund around July 11. Tonight, tomorrow (sometime soon) I'll pop you off another FYI with the pertinent information. Unless I hear differently from you I'll use Rob@Simonichknives.com, which is the email address I used back in June/July.

Sound good?
 
Gotta chime in here on my favorite knife.I feel that the Raven is perhaps the best survival knife out there for the time.I have used mine to do everything.The edge has a high grindwhich allows deeper cuts,the blade length allows it to chop effectively,the blade is a straight edge drop point which allows it to be a good fileter,and a fairly good skinin knife.It has an integral gaurd which I like and the handle is very comfortable.It basically is a souped up ka-bar.I also have been likin this new steel,it holds an excellent edge and has sharpened easier than expected.The thickness is also perfect,not to thick not to thin.The sheath is top notch and comfortable as well.When Rob intro's the new Urban Raven with the shorter blade it will by my permanent EDC.
 
Thanks for the replies. I got mine and it's a great knife, I had absolutely no defects on mine - no chattering, mars or even the slightest burr.

After I round up some cash, I believe one of your knives is next on my list Mr. Rinaldi.
 
Glad to hear your knife is a gem, Burchtree.

Based on my recent (offline) correspondence with Rob Simonich I'm inclined to think my problem was a fluke. This would tend to bear that out.

So go cut something, and let us know what you think. :cool:
 
Mine is coming today:D and it is going out hunting with me this weekend. I will definitely do a write up.
 
I've owned a MT Raven since last Blade Show. This is one of the finest tools made today. The fit and finish is impeccable. The design is defintely superb. The price is fantastic as well. You absolutely cannot go wrong with one of these pieces. Also, from my conversations with Rob, this has become Rob's full time deal. From what I gather, all his "Custom" pieces in the future will be prototypes for the Mid Tech line or special pieces. The customs just went up in value, boys and girls! Get a mid tech before Rob raises an already low price.
 
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