Intrigued then Disappointed

[jerryd6818]

As most of you know, I have a bias against knives originating in the Pacific Rim countries BUT once in a great while one will intrigue to the degree that I end up buying it. Such was the case with these two knives. They sat on my watch list for more than a month and I couldn't take my eye off them. Finally I decided I'd wasted $20 (for both) on a lot less and caved.

Knowing full well that I'd never carry either one, I could picture in my mind's eye having a need for the built in tools and having it right there in my pocket. My brain sure takes some odd twists during the justification process.

This one was $8.72 shipped. Not a huge deal but the worm thumb adjuster for the Kentucky Socket Set (adjustable wrench) tool has about 1/8" of slop, back and forth, in it. The second and most serious fault is the screwdriver blade lock. It doesn't. The liner lock is just a smidge (that's an RCH for some of you folks) too long and won't snap into place behind the blade tang. At 5-3/8" closed, I don't see anyone carrying one in their jean's pocket so it's just a little (lot) big for EDC. The pull on both blades is 8+. On the very border of nail buster country. Main blade is sharp though. Paper slicing sharp so that's a plus but in my opinion the only one.

s-l400.jpg (19.13 KiB) Viewed 4691 times

The second one was $11.15 shipped. Out of the box, the springs on this one are about 20% stronger than needed. The main blade isn't bad at about a 6-7 but a picture of the secondary blade is in the dictionary under "nail buster". Not only is it a nail breaker of the first degree, it's a very odd combination. They've taken a pen secondary blade and re-profiled the tip as a screwdriver but leaving a 1" cutting edge on a 1-5/16" blade. The little bugger is just flat out dangerous. The pull on the pliers is strong but not outrageous. However, the joint on the pliers is as loose as a goose. I think I can fix it with a hammer so it's not an electrical problem. The pin at the joint just needs to be peened a little bit. The odd thing about the pliers is the spring. There are two of them side by side like a whittler where the main rides on two springs but at the other end the secondary blades ride on the individual springs only on this knife there are no secondary blades at the other end, just the pliers using two springs. Weird. Like the other one, the main came paper slicing sharp. F&F on both knives is as good as any new knife but I can't get Harbor Freight out of my mind.

I still find both knives intriguing but I don't see myself ever carrying or using either one of them.

[deltaboy]

Sad you got ones with issues. I had good luck with RR.

[Dinadan]

I have been tempted by that RR with the wrench: I guess I will pass on it. Thanks for the review, Jerry. It is funny that they go to effort for good fit and finish, then slack off on the really important stuff. I have a couple of China knives like that.

[jerryd6818]

DB, It is. Actually a first for me. I bought some early on that were fine.

Mel, if someone really wanted one, I'm sure I could be talked into passing it on at no cost to the receiver. (hint, hint)

[Colonel26]

"Kentucky socket set"? I've never heard that term, but I'll tell ya it sho looks a lot nicer than some of my socket sets. Lol

We say smidge too, and scosh. Although I'm not sure which one is smaller.

I appreciate some of the patters RR puts out. I've just never been satisfied with the metal in them, and I can't get over the country of origin either.

Pretty knives though.

[SteelMyHeart85420]

I like that acorn shield...and RCH, lol. I need to get out more, ain't heard that in a coon's age

[jerryd6818]

Mike, I too like that acorn shield.

[SteelMyHeart85420]

Don't feel too bad, Jerry, at least you weren't intrigued enough to separate yourself from cash for one of these...this is probably the knife purchase I'm most disgusted with myself for. Too heavy for carry, unless I make a belt sheath- and don't see myself carrying this one, anyway. Trade?

[jerryd6818]

Oh, thanks anyway Mike. I think I'm okay.

[RalphAlsip]

Tangent alert.

Finally I decided I'd wasted $20 (for both) on a lot less and caved.

I believe the worst $20 that I ever spent was for my wife and me to tour the wax museum in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/24194

[gsmith7158]

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/51505

Jerry H that looks like a rousing tour certainly. I also noticed in the link above another must see spot and it's in Cherry Log, Ga. not to far from my house. I'll have to put that one on my agenda as well.

[jerryd6818]

Greg, grab a towel. You have a little sarcasm dripping off your chin there.

[gsmith7158]

Ha! Just can't help myself sometimes Jerryd.
Maybe I' just traveled Route 66 to many times.

[deltaboy]

Glad my RR have been Great.

[Captain O]

Don't feel too bad, Jerry, at least you weren't intrigued enough to separate yourself from cash for one of these...this is probably the knife purchase I'm most disgusted with myself for. Too heavy for carry, unless I make a belt sheath- and don't see myself carrying this one, anyway. Trade?

Is that doing the backstroke?

[fergusontd]

I'll just stick with my S.A.K.s. from the Alantic rim. ftd