RealSteel Knives; experiences, thoughts, opinions?

Hackenslash

Hackenslash

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RealSteel knives have been on my radar for a while but it was hard to really discuss them because they were typically only available at the evilauctionsite.

Now that they're being carried by KnifeCenter http://www2.knifecenter.com/brand/640/RealSteel-Knives?utm_source=website&utm_medium=slider&utm_campaign=Shop%20Real%20Steel, its a little easier to talk about them.

It's my opinion that they are offering some seriously well made, inexpensive folders. I have experience with several.

The E77 and E963 are straight up versions of existing SRM models. It's generally considered that RealSteel is either affiliated or grew out of SRM. Both these models are fairly unremarkable and exactly what you'd expect of a $20 SRM. The E77 does lock however, while the SRM version is a slip joint.

The H6 is the one that really caught my attention. I believe this was the first original design by RealSteel. For those of you who are RAT Model 1 fans, you should really check one out. It's a little bigger than the Ontario, but also feels incredibly better made. Real, decent quality G10 and better washers. Better lock up, too.

The H6-S1 is the lightweight, framelock version of the H6. It falls somewhere in size between a RAT1 and a RAT2. Imagine a RAT 1 and an Avispa had baby knives and the pick of the litter became the H6-S1. A perfect, inexpensive EDC knife. I know many may consider this heresy, but I think the H6-S1 may be the best $35 knife you can buy. Hands down. Period. Give it a try.

I also have the Stinger in the less common gold color. It's a little blingy for me, but I can't deny that the knife delivers on fit, finish and materials at the price point. RealSteel also offers some other more expensive styles but I think those were licensed to sell from Stedemon or Carson. I don't think they were RealSteel produced knives. You can still find them on their webpage, but I've never seen them actually for sale.

Some others I have my eye on are the Thor, the Sea Eagle and the Gerfalcon.

Now...we all know where these knives are made. Can we please not get sidetracked there? I took a hard look at the knives on the KnifeCenter page and there don't appear to be any that are copies, knock-offs or otherwise violate patented elements. Sure, the designs aren't overly inspired, but they're darn solid knives for the price.

I'm looking forward to sharing your thoughts...
 
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I handled a few in a knife shop in Poland. I was not overly impressed with the fit and finish and overall feel. However, I may have been looking at their lower-cost options. I'm still sort of intrigued by the H5 Gerfalcon.
 
I think their first generation of knives were ports from their SRM background. They had a bunch of wonky multi-tool knives and emergency knives which were exactly what you expect for $20. If that's what you were looking at, I can imagine you wouldn't be impressed...particularly when the RealSteel version sold for more than the SRM version. :)

The E77 and E963 are all that I see left from the first offerings from RealSteel.
 
I like big folders and I like the looks of the Takin. Their use of 14c28n and D2 makes them a really interesting contender. We mostly see very low end and, more recently, higher end knives out of China. It seems like Real Steel is eyeing an affordable middle-of-the-road niche that's been missing. Seems like a solid strategy and some very interesting offerings.

Their Bushcraft Knife is also on my radar.
 
I actually picked up their Necker 127II model on a whim last week at a local knife shop. I was in there to buy a small Tek-Lok for a recent small fixed blade purchase when I saw a customer handling the Necker. I proceeded to talk to the gentlemen with it in hand as he was a "knife guy" as well. Came sharp, D2 steel, Kydex sheath, felt really good in hand and very lightweight. At under $40 ?? I was interested. We exchanged thoughts on it, our knife carry at the moment ( He was rocking a ZT 0808 with a very elaborate lanyard. I was keeping it simple with a GEC #71 Bullnose) and general opinions about knives being produced over seas. Mostly good ones. :thumbup:

All in all a great experience just chatting to another knife enthusiast and I walked away with the RealSteel Necker (so did he :p ) and my initial Tek-Lok purchase.
I tried it as a belt carry for a day but then begun neck carrying with it and really dig the slim profile, being lightweight and good practical user. Honestly I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. Ha :D



 
I bought the sea eagle with carbon fiber scales last week, its a pretty nice knife for the money. super smooth opening,closes under its own weight,very sharp out of the box, well centered blade,good lockup.the 14c28 steel is a nice surprise to see as well.If the other models are anything like this, you cant go wrong buying one of these...
 
That necker looks pretty tempting... this week I made the mistake of ordering an Enzo 70, which spent about 15 minutes out of the packaging before being packed right back up to be sent back. This might fit the bill for a little something to tuck away, smaller than my other neckers but still with decent blade steel.
 
Hackenslash said:
RealSteel knives have been on my radar for a while but it was hard to really discuss them because they were typically only available at the evilauctionsite.

Now that they're being carried by KnifeCenter http://www2.knifecenter.com/brand/640/RealSteel-Knives?utm_source=website&utm_medium=slider&utm_campaign=Shop%20Real%20Steel, its a little easier to talk about them.
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There is a shop selling Real Steel knives in my country and generally I don't really think much of it for the following reasons:

- They have models based off SRM and yet are more pricey. I'd rather just continue adding on to my SRM collection then get a RS knife.
- All of the knives have a blade length of at least 3.2 inches. For someone like me who only considers knives in the region of 2.5 - 3.0 inches, this is a no go.

I had the chance to toy with one of their original designs and it was rather decent. In fact, I liked it enough to purchase two on the spot as gifts for a friend and a family member. They both liked it as well. So they are definitely not lacking in the quality department. But they are definitely pricier than the Enlans and SRMs (easily 1.5x to 2x more), which may turn off budget buyers.

And by the way, just a heads up that Knifecenter does not carry the full range of RS knives. Both models that I bought, as well as quite a few more that I know of are not listed there.
 
While it's no direct copy that sea eagle sure has strong Shrio influences. I guess you can see that from many knife makers across the board. Not sure where you draw the line.

Mike
 
I've got one H5 and two H6-S1's, they're outstanding knives for the price, probably the best price/quality ratio out there. the new Sea Eagle and Thor seem great as well.
 
Mike45ACP said:
While it's no direct copy that sea eagle sure has strong Shrio influences. I guess you can see that from many knife makers across the board. Not sure where you draw the line.

Mike
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Yeah, Mike45ACP, the Sea Eagle was one of the ones I took the closest look at as a potential "copy". It looks a lot like a Shiro F95 but on closer look there are some style differences. Then I started noticing how many other knives look like a Shirogorov these days and the Sea Eagle seemed OK. It would be nice if Shiros could get into the States at a reasonable price, then every knifemaker would stop copying that look (and I could buy one) ;)
 
Etna said:
Then you clearly have not been searching at all...http://www.realsteelknives.com/ has been up and selling to customers for the better part of the year.
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I've known about the website since it came online, I'm not keen at buying at MSRP. Also, PayPal denied their accreditation; I'd be careful buying off the website.

EDIT...it looks like PayPal is now working at the RealSteel Knives website, but it's still a moot point. These knives CLEARLY have no point at the MSRP. That's why KnifeCenter makes them now a point of discussion.
 
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Im happy with this knife,very smooth flipper,nice finish overall.
2emopy9.jpg
 
Got an H5 Gerfalcon that is great; flips wonderfully, sharp, great F&F, centered...more than you'd ever expect from a $40 knife. It's undoubtedly HEAVILY influenced by Hinderer's XMs, as you can clearly see when you look at the back, but hell...I'm not going to pay $400+ for a limp flipper from the ranch when this one does it all for 1/10th the price.

Got an E771 sea eagle on the way too...will share impressions when I get it. As for the Shiro influence, that was actually a selling point for me; in much the same way, I like the design but not the price. If I can have 95% of the design for 1/15th the price, that's just a no-brainer.
 
I bought a sea eagle of theirs and I must say its a nice knife for undef $50 shipped from KC. Perfect centering, really nice flipping action (I believe its on bearings) and all of the edges are nice and rounded in which it beats out knives 5 times its price. Only sharp edges were the cutting edge a d the top of the lockbar cutout (2 minutes with a file and its smooth now). I really like its desing and how it feels in hand. It came decently sharp, nothing lime microtech or spyderco but usable and after 30 seconds on a double stuff its hair widdling sharp. I mainly bought it for the steel, im really liking lower carbide steels now and was looking for a knife in 14c28n and this was the one I like most. Supposed to be 58-60 hrc (just like kershaw, still a lil to soft, id prefer 61-62 range but I doubt we'll see that in a production knife unless microtech or fantoni use 14c28n) so it should have decent edge retention and nice ease of sharpening. It does take a very nice edge, like I said 30 seconds on a double stuff without really trying gave a very keen edge. Its ground rather thin for a production knife, about 0.020 or so. I prefer my knives (folders) to be under 0.010 but only a few knives come that lean so 0.020 is decent. Ill probably regrind it eventually, we'll see.

Overall I think that this is a heck of a knife for under $50. Its very comfortable in hand especially due to how everything is rounded of and has a nice stonewash, flips great, locks up solid,has a good almost ffg grind and thin bevel for cutting (it cuts pretty good, tears through cardboard) and has a really nice steel for the price. Its also pretty light for how big it is, its very skeletonized on the inside so it weiths under 5 oz easily. Id highly recommend this knife.
 
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I've been eyeing the Sea Eagle, but then this caught my eye:

RealSteel Knives H9 Takin

Blade Length: 4.5"
Handle Length: 5.25"
Overall Length: 9.6"
Blade Steel: 14C28N Stainless Steel
Blade Shape: Sheepsfoot
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Thickness: 0.14"
Handle Material: Black G10
Handle Thickness: 0.70"
Sheath Material: Nylon
Weight: 6.2 oz.

...For under $50! That's awesome! I thought it was a fixed blade at first, but it's actually a folder with a tip-up clip!

RST7796a.jpg

RST7796aa.jpg
 
I own several models from Real Steel. Fixed as wel as folding knives. Also the H9 Takin. I think this brand is very hard to beat what value they offer for the $.
 
I think the venom 2 is a very good looking design. Too bad they stopped making it. I thought the tritium vials were kind of cool, too, if only for the novelty factor.

Edit
Whoops, I guess it wasn't real steel that made the venom 2?
 
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bodog said:
I think the venom 2 is a very good looking design. Too bad they stopped making it. I thought the tritium vials were kind of cool, too, if only for the novelty factor.

Edit
Whoops, I guess it wasn't real steel that made the venom 2?
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Realsteel makes/made a few higher-end models, but the Venom was a different manufacturer AFAIK.
 
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