Art, I posted in another forum that a buddy of mine wanted me to look into this for him, and upon looking around I managed to find a review of this knife over at USN. Well, I don't have it, and I think my buddy is going to get one of these- REALLY liked the one on Knifeart. So, without further ado, here's the pasted review from one of the local suspects:
Geoff in Philly @ USN
When I first saw images of this knife about 6 months ago, I could not resist ordering one. Well, after some delivery set backs, I received it right before the long weekend!
Quick specs...thumbstuds/flipper opening, coated 3.375" clip point S30V blade, coated ti. slabs with highly contoured (3-D) G10 insert on the non locking slab, frame lock, deep pocket tip down carry (reversible to protruding-from-pocket carry), heat treated 440c stop pin.
First Impressions: By way of background, I have been used to carrying my BM 520 and Griptilian, both are pretty hand filling...the 520 is also pretty heavy. So, when I was exploring the feel of the RRF, it seemed pretty small to me...even though it is close in length to the Grippy. The ti. handle itself is contoured and is slender and narrow compared to a seb, for instance. I am guessing that the RRf is roughly in the size class of MT framelock.
The lock up on this framelock is DEAD ON. No matter how quickly or slowly you open it up, the lock bar travels to the same spot on the radiused tang. I should say that the ti. slabs are quite beefy for a knife of this size. There is No play anywhere. The knife moves in your hand before any play can be induced. It opens very smoothly with the studs. This is my first flipper, so I am getting used to using it as an opening device.
When open, the flipper forms a guard that is really welcome on a handle this size. The guard is interesting...it has lateral traction grooves and is squarish in profile, but man is it comfortable against your index finger. In use, there is no irritatating rubbing. It really helps to lock your hand into the knife. In the event of an unscheduled closing, the guard would save a traumatic amputation. Another nice feature is taht the deep carry pocket clip has an extension to prevent the lock from over travel upon closing....kind of like the Hinderer, but without the second feature of the Hinderer.
The thumb notches are superbly cut and very "sticky"...my thumb falls onto the notches naturally. there are traction grooves midway down the spine for your index finger in controlled cutting or your thumb for wicked slicing.
Curiously, one washer is nylon? the other is phosphor bronze...
The knife came sharp, although the tip was ground thickly. Darrel explained that was for stregth reasons.
Over the weekend, I opened packages, cut tape, plastic thingies on toys, and carved up some "fuzz sticks". Being used to the Ritter Grip has spoiled me for slicing, but the RRf did what it was asked...and without the "grindin/groaning" you sometimes here on a framelock under use. I even carried it IWB when I performed a wedding over the weekend...I would not have carried the Grip or 520 like that!
All in all, a very nice package. It carries very well b/c of its size and profile. Nonetheless, it is a lot of knife for its size. It is a user for sure.
BTW...the only "action" at the wedding was ......non violent...!
