or the Dale Reif Sampler if you prefer.
First is the fixed blade, lets call it RFB.
At 9" OA, this knife sports a 4" spear point blade with an unsharpened 2" swedge and fileworked thumbramp.
At 1/8" thick, with a dull bead blasted finish and rounded triangular pommel, the handle bears green smooth G10 scales and two subtle finger grooves.
Next is the Reif folder, RTF
A smaller package, this 7 1/2" OA liner lock sports a 3 1/2" satin finish blade with r. hand only thumb stud and has the same green G10 scales as the RFB. Meant for tip down carry, the clip is mounted very high and is quite wide but is nearly the same length as the Spyderco Delica. The titanium liner meets the tang at nearly the edge, which I imagine will go towards the center with time.
The Kydex sheath is a right hand model though a mult. carry system is available and fits the RFB quite nicely. The set also comes with a soft pouch for the RTF.
My first experience with D2, cutting performance was a little rough and similar to the Spyderco Delica for both, the RFB being a bit smoother in the cut.
Positive pts
Make no mistake, this set excels in penetration. The RFB stabs easily in saber, hammer, or icepick edge forward grip.
The RTF is more of a poker though it has a robust grip for a folder yet doesn't take too much pocket space and is actually thicker in grip than the RFB. The pocket clip is nice, adding good grip and retention.
The kydex sheath is good, rather attractive simple black similar in appearance to Entrek knives and with a small kydex clip ala Busse.
Negatives
I would smooth out the pommels for both models and make the RFB with either a thicker blade or thicker scales. The pointed pommels are not for icepick stylists and interfered a bit with grip changes. Also, since the RFB uses a high ride sheath, the pointed pommel can dig into the body or if openly carried into the arm. It also has the potential of snagging into the staps of a bag or long gun sling. I also think a drop point would be better for utilitarian purposes.
The RTF is not glove friendly, the thumbstud is a bit easy to miss especially for someone with big hands. Closing the folder is mostly done with the edges of the fingers.
This set is for fans of the BM Spike and Nimravus and JSP Doshido as well as practitioners of James Keating's Drawpoint method. Hammerheadknives.com carries the Tac Set and the attractive Neck knife line.
Top of Texas Knives and Knife Art carry his folders. Mr. Reif's work can be seen at http://www.angelfire.com/ks/reif
[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 03-09-2000).]
First is the fixed blade, lets call it RFB.
At 9" OA, this knife sports a 4" spear point blade with an unsharpened 2" swedge and fileworked thumbramp.
At 1/8" thick, with a dull bead blasted finish and rounded triangular pommel, the handle bears green smooth G10 scales and two subtle finger grooves.
Next is the Reif folder, RTF
A smaller package, this 7 1/2" OA liner lock sports a 3 1/2" satin finish blade with r. hand only thumb stud and has the same green G10 scales as the RFB. Meant for tip down carry, the clip is mounted very high and is quite wide but is nearly the same length as the Spyderco Delica. The titanium liner meets the tang at nearly the edge, which I imagine will go towards the center with time.
The Kydex sheath is a right hand model though a mult. carry system is available and fits the RFB quite nicely. The set also comes with a soft pouch for the RTF.
My first experience with D2, cutting performance was a little rough and similar to the Spyderco Delica for both, the RFB being a bit smoother in the cut.
Positive pts
Make no mistake, this set excels in penetration. The RFB stabs easily in saber, hammer, or icepick edge forward grip.
The RTF is more of a poker though it has a robust grip for a folder yet doesn't take too much pocket space and is actually thicker in grip than the RFB. The pocket clip is nice, adding good grip and retention.
The kydex sheath is good, rather attractive simple black similar in appearance to Entrek knives and with a small kydex clip ala Busse.
Negatives
I would smooth out the pommels for both models and make the RFB with either a thicker blade or thicker scales. The pointed pommels are not for icepick stylists and interfered a bit with grip changes. Also, since the RFB uses a high ride sheath, the pointed pommel can dig into the body or if openly carried into the arm. It also has the potential of snagging into the staps of a bag or long gun sling. I also think a drop point would be better for utilitarian purposes.
The RTF is not glove friendly, the thumbstud is a bit easy to miss especially for someone with big hands. Closing the folder is mostly done with the edges of the fingers.
This set is for fans of the BM Spike and Nimravus and JSP Doshido as well as practitioners of James Keating's Drawpoint method. Hammerheadknives.com carries the Tac Set and the attractive Neck knife line.
Top of Texas Knives and Knife Art carry his folders. Mr. Reif's work can be seen at http://www.angelfire.com/ks/reif
[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 03-09-2000).]