My thanks to RJ Martin who gave me this Kershaw RJI (1985ST) at the Blade Show 2012.
I have long been fascinated by the Tanto style blade as popularized by the Cold Steel Tanto.
It wasn't until a few years later that I found this really was an Americanized or Westernized Tanto - that Japanese Tanto did not have the very popular characteristic "Tanto-point" at all.
But authenticity wasn't the point (sorry for the pun) -
it was cool looking - and made sense for a strong resilient point -
(amply illustrated by Cold Steel's car hood stabbing demos)
within a short time it became synonymous with tactical knives
and just about everyone made a Tanto blade knife.
My size comparison pic includes a knife, the RJI reminded me of
the Benchmade Elishewitz Stryker (910SBT, ~circa 1998?) -
that I was impressed enough to have Allen autograph.
Here's the RJI with another well known Tanto point knife -
Closed:
The RJI is a Speed-Safe knife -
this is the popular (spring) assisted opening mechanism first introduced by Ken Onion and Kershaw -
and the action on the RJI is really good -
I think it could be because the RJI is designed with the knowledge/experience with the mechanical advantage of flipper action - so that the action is really positive.
It is a liner lock:
one can see that the liner is very well executed and pretty substantial.
The handle is machined/textured G-10 - so it is really grippy -
one of the only criticisms I have is it makes the clip hard to use as the the grippy G-10 catches -
almost to the point where it becomes hard to unclip and clip the knife on jeans.
However it is relatively easy to mitigate - by simply lessening the tension on the clip - I have it so that it is just barely not touching the handle - so it is now much easier to clip and still retains security.
Having said that one of the really good features of the RJI is the clip!
It is a deep pocket carry type:
the second pic shows even better how good the liner lock is.
The steel is 8CR13MOV and it is made in China:
I think the build quality is really good,
and was surprised the low street price for this was less than $24 delivered
- that's astounding.
Kershaw web page on the RJI
--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.multiply.com/photos
I have long been fascinated by the Tanto style blade as popularized by the Cold Steel Tanto.
It wasn't until a few years later that I found this really was an Americanized or Westernized Tanto - that Japanese Tanto did not have the very popular characteristic "Tanto-point" at all.
But authenticity wasn't the point (sorry for the pun) -
it was cool looking - and made sense for a strong resilient point -
(amply illustrated by Cold Steel's car hood stabbing demos)
within a short time it became synonymous with tactical knives
and just about everyone made a Tanto blade knife.
My size comparison pic includes a knife, the RJI reminded me of
the Benchmade Elishewitz Stryker (910SBT, ~circa 1998?) -
that I was impressed enough to have Allen autograph.
Here's the RJI with another well known Tanto point knife -
Closed:
The RJI is a Speed-Safe knife -
this is the popular (spring) assisted opening mechanism first introduced by Ken Onion and Kershaw -
and the action on the RJI is really good -
I think it could be because the RJI is designed with the knowledge/experience with the mechanical advantage of flipper action - so that the action is really positive.
It is a liner lock:
one can see that the liner is very well executed and pretty substantial.
The handle is machined/textured G-10 - so it is really grippy -
one of the only criticisms I have is it makes the clip hard to use as the the grippy G-10 catches -
almost to the point where it becomes hard to unclip and clip the knife on jeans.
However it is relatively easy to mitigate - by simply lessening the tension on the clip - I have it so that it is just barely not touching the handle - so it is now much easier to clip and still retains security.
Having said that one of the really good features of the RJI is the clip!
It is a deep pocket carry type:
the second pic shows even better how good the liner lock is.
The steel is 8CR13MOV and it is made in China:
I think the build quality is really good,
and was surprised the low street price for this was less than $24 delivered
- that's astounding.
Kershaw web page on the RJI
--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.multiply.com/photos
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