lcs37 said:
Hi guys and gals,
Due to some personal problems have been hitting and missing alot of information on the forum.
I ran a search for R 4, found R3,4,5,6 mentions, but no history of why they were designed or by whom. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
DAG
munk said:
I think the R probably stands for Ram, but I could be wrong. They are 'trial' peices, probably thought up by the new shop manager Ram. Norm would probably know for sure. Most of them appear and disapear. Some of them have been very very good.
There was a 'Jungle Killer' that will never see the light of day again....
munk
Munk has about got it right, but made the same mistake I did at least once. They were named (I believe) after the new shop manager Raj who designed them, not the new kami Ram who's hiring was announced on 2/6/06 by Yangdu.
I asked a while back if Raj was the same as kami Yuvraj (torch symbol who has made all the Sgian Dubhs so far) but didn't hear on that and am assuming they are two different folks.
Raj has an eye for design, and put all these together, but Kumar did the first batch to Raj's specifications. Yangdu posted them for the first time AFAIK on 3/27/06, models R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396594
On the same day, Nasty also posted pics of the R1, or stick knife, which had been sent to him by Yangdu. It is much larger, and I am not sure if it really is officially designated as the "R1" or if that was Nasty's response to Jamesraykenney who asked about the "missing" R1 and R2 models. Still, it was Raj's first new design so even if it was tongue in cheek it should be called the R1 IMO! Nasty's stick knife was pretty unique, and the just 1 or 2 after his had subtle changes to the handle. I was lucky enough to get to play with Ben's (Sweet's) version of the R1 at the sword forums meet at Morro Bay.
There have been several R3's, and in fact Dave just posted pics of his etched the other day. The R4's have not been as popular, although some folks like them, and Andy got the first one. There has been just one R5, in chandan and yours truly snagged it, and it is just about the best made little HI knife I own. Just perfectly done. (I misspoke in an earlier thread and attributed Raj as the kami, but it was Kumar.)
There have been several R6's, the first in sisau wood, then I think a couple more woods, then 4 antler scrimmed ones. I snagged the first antler one (fishy scrimmed), but then the next 3 went wanting even though the price kept dropping to try and move them, down $40 clear to $55. I am still amazed at that, as they were works of art and very well done. I should have snagged another just for a Christmas present. I personally think the R6's are the best of the lot overall (other than my R5
) Part of the problem I think with the later R6's is that the sheaths are not that well done and may put some people off, however even without a sheath they are worth every cent. The first R6 sheath from 3/27 was a very nice little wraparound model that has not been repeated to my knowledge. Later R6 sheaths are like today.
Also, all the later R6's are now made by Dil, who seems to have taken over the R3's and R6's while Kumar has made some R4's and all the R7's to date I think. He did a couple more nice ones as recently as 7/27.
Todays R6 is one of the very few chandans. I would have snagged it in a heartbeat, $ or not, had I seen it. This is just indecently low today and an incredible deal. FYI, JKM dangler sheaths fit the R6's perfectly and are a great improvement. I plan on sending my R6 and R7 out for new sheaths when I get a bit more liquidity (and I don't mean beer.
)
The R7's have all been different combos of brass, antler and wood, with the wood sometimes at the end or sometimes first on the handle. Nice little versions of the old Schrade Sharpfinger, as several folks mentioned.
So, more than you ever wanted to know about the R series! Sorry, but you asked.
Norm
