Two weeks with the Kershaw R.A.M. A field report. (Pic heavy!)

A

Alberto Salas

Joined
Jan 30, 2003
Messages
268
Hi guys!
More than a year since the last time I tried a report. But here we go again!
Let's see how it goes this time :)

Prologue:

Since long ago, I wanted to try one of the Grant and Gavin Hawk designs. But the CRTK D.O.G. was too "blocky" and the Kershaw E.T. was too... much?
Since long ago, I wanted to try a knife with flipper, but none of them appeal me enough. Or the ones that appeal me were too expensive!
And since long ago (again!) I wanted to try a Kershaw, and see what is all about! But I couldn't decide which model to get...

So, when Kershaw release the R.A.M., It was a dream come true ;)
I get one as soon as I could, and I was carry it since. More than two weeks now. And that's what I found:

The G & G Hawk R.A.M. is a medium size folder, very nice for EDC, with slightly over 3" blade. You can find the specs here:
http://www.1sks.com/store/kershaw-1910-ram.html

The first thing you notice, is that is not your grandpa's knife. If you like traditional designs, brass and wood in the handle, a good old lockback and a trusty clip point blade, move ahead, nothing here to see.
The R.A.M. is a modern - tactical - space age looking knife :) But very classy in his own way.

IMG_3129.JPG

IMG_3134.JPG
IMG_3141.JPG

IMG_3133.JPG


Without knowing, I buy one of the first production run :)
Any one know what exactly means "1 of 500"? Is this a safe queen?

The fit and finish of the R.A.M. is simply first rate. It even have bronze washers! Really nice for a knife of these price.

More to come...


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
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The Knife:

The handle is anodized aluminium with G10 inserts, with the back of the knife open, very easy to clean. It has a thin lanyard hole and three way clip.
Yes, three way clip: Tip up right and left and tip down only left, because the tip down right configuration would cover the release button of the lock.
The original prototype had an interesting deep-carry clip with a small wheel, but the production model ended with a more traditional clip. Nothing wrong with it but I really wanted to try the original design.
The handle is really comfortable in saber and hammer grip, using the finger choli or not. But not very easy to hold on reverse grip.

agarres.jpg



The blade is a hair over 3", beadblasted, hollow grind, and extremely sharp! It may look odd, but it worked perfectly, nothing bad to say.

It came in Sandvik 13C26 steel, as far as I understand, a simple but serviceable steel. I used the knife every day, cutting from plastic ties to fruits to boxes to raw chicken. In every cut the R.A.M. gives a solid grip and a sharp and useful blade.
After two weeks it still shaves. To be honest I expected less from it but I'm very pleased! The 13C26 seems to work perfect for a light user EDC.

The overall package is light but very solid, compact and thin, with a generous but discrete blade. My kind of knife :)

Take a look at it with the Paramilitary and the Presidio

Tamanos.jpg


As you can see, the R.A.M. has a very good blade vs. handle ratio.


Lock and action:

For opening the blade, instead of tumbstud or hole, the RAM had three small pins, they work fine, but the real star here is the flipper!
The flipper is the most addictive way to open a knife I ever used!
The action is super smooth and right out of the box the flipper worked perfectly. Loosing a little bit the pivot, it worked even better: fast, secure and extremely fun!

I have my doubts about the location of the button, but I'm please to assure you that the R.A.M. is totally ambidextrous, and very easy to manipulate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mduE9V78hXM

Please note the incredibliy cool sound the lock makes!
I LOVE to hear it!


The Hawk Lock is a very interesting design, is relatively simple, and seems very secure. The blade locks solid, with no play at all, when the blade is closed, the lock holds it in position and when is released, the blade moves free.
Too much words... for your pleasure, I give you the Hawk Lock!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJQggZu7ni8



Conclusions

As my first Kershaw, I can't be happier!
I must admit that I bought the R.A.M. as a novelty. But after two weeks and counting of carry, it proved to be a really good EDC: light, descrete, capable, sharp, fast, confortable, secure and cool looking (and sounding!)

Congratulations to the Hawk boys for an awesome desing and to Kershaw for making it for the masses :)

P.D.
Don't miss the upcomming Composite Blade R.A.M.'s!!!


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
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Thank you so much more that last video. I've always wondered how the lock works.
 
Don't keep it in a safe. All the Ram first runs are stamped 1 of 500. Good review. I was also hoping the deep carry clip with the wheel would make it into production. Still, its a great knife.
 
Great review! :thumbup:
How thick is the RAM's blade? Also is the tip strong?
I'm about to buy my first Kershaw knife - and it'll probably be a RAM :thumbup::D
 
Awesome review Alberto! :thumbup:
I've had mine a little over a month now and
it hasn't left my pocket. Great knife!!
 
Tree Herder, quoting Joshua, a fellow forumite from the Kershaw subforum:
Joshua J. said:
Using a digital caliper, the blade on the R.A.M. measures 0.1205" thick. The tip (at the back of the edge bevel) is 0.013" thick.
Click to expand...

Here are the pics I promised:
IMG_3176.JPG
IMG_3174.JPG


The knives are the Paramilitary (left), the R.A.M. (center), and the Presidio (right). As you can see, the Para starts very thick, but goes thin quickly. The R.AM. and the Presidio use very similar stock.
The tip of the R.A.M. is thin, not a chisel by any means, but nothing to worry about in normal use. At last for me ;)

Thanks all for the nice words :)


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
Alberto, Thanks for the great review.
The videos were awesome! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Thanks again for the review - nice extra pics showing the distal profile as well. :D.
And.. nice taste in watches too, what model is that? It kind of looks like a St. Moritz Pathfinder (though I'm pretty sure it's not). Looks clean and understated.
 
Thanks all guys :)

senoBDEC, yep! is the Pathfinder!
Very nice watch, clean and undersated as you said, and pretty unexpensive too :D


BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
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