CRKT copy of the Graham Razel

[The Tourist]

My new CRKT Ringed Razel (version 2012) just arrived. Before I tape it up and toss it into the freezer for a polish, I thought I'd give you my first impressions.

If the knife was shipped just as a blank with no handle, I'd have trouble telling which is which. The metal is well polished. The CRKT grips are a bit more blocky, and not as nicely finished. They use cheaper fasteners, obviously.

Other than that, a very nice knife! The grind lines are straight, it has a beautiful matte finish, it even as the Graham signature jimping on the spine. Both bevels are very straight--and get this! For a commerical knife, it's actually sharp!

It is such a close copy that it easily slides into the custom leather case Josh handmade for me. I'd get one now, who knows if quality like this is going to last.

 

[SCGirl]

MAN!!! whacha butchering with that baby!!!! Its a cool looking knife for sure, but how do you "carry" something like that?

 

[The Tourist]

It might look larger in the picture.

The blade is three inches long, and even with the sheath, it easily clips to your right front jeans pocket like a folder.

I've carried mine and had to check my pocket to see if it was still there.

As for discussions here, it is one of the knives I would fear to face. It can be polished to a razor's edge while the front bevel is a chisel. The rear ring slides over your pinkie, and it is difficult to pry from your hand. On the back stroke, it's like brass knuckles.

I don't think there's a sporting animal in the lower 48--and maybe even coastal bears--where this wouldn't be a great hunting and field knife.

BTW, the Razel has now been taped and placed into the freezer. I cannot wait to get out the waterstones and put a mirror finish on this bad boy.

 

[SCGirl]

ya, it definitely looks bigger in the picture...

what does placing it in a freezer do?

 

[Otony]

"what does placing it in a freezer do?"

plus 1

 

[sm]

edit.

Best to let others explain.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I got to meet the Graham brothers during SHOT this year at a very small knife show where only a handful of makers were setup.

Couple of great guys.

Tourist:
I am curious on the freezer bit . From those that I talked to , you aren't gonna change anything unless you go to -110 or lower during the HT cycle. I ain't saying anyone is right or wrong , just curious how you came about doing it and have you ever tested 2 of the same knives with and without a freeze ?

 

[DeTerminator]

I talked to Josh at Graham knives...

Hi Tourist!

I talked to Josh tonight about sharpening my CRKT Stubby Razel. I screwed it up trying some ceramic rods that I had. He had previously recommended the Spyderco Sharpmaker as a no brains sharpening tool. So, I "borrowed" the old set that I had given to my brother in 1987. It did not have the two different angles the the new models have.

Well, it worked really good. I was very impressed. A couple questions that I had about sharpening were answered very impartially. I really appreciate the openess and sincerity of the people behind the great knives we wish to sharpen!

Also, I want to extend my appreciation for those, such as yourself, who have elevated sharpeneing blades to an art form.

So, have a great night, Chico! (Oops, the "Tourist").

Kerry

P.S. Hope to eventually get into waterstones and chromium oxide...I used to use Arkansas stones as an improvement over my dad's old stones...

 

[The Tourist]

LOL, guys.

Yup, my cover is blown. I am now stuck with the towering fame of being a tinker...yikes...

Yes, freezing will help in the polishing of a blade. The secret (?) here is that the benefit does not derive from freezing the entire blank. After all, I'll just buffing the very edge of a knife that already has somewhat of a thinned profile.

And in this case, wow.

A friend of mine came over to the house and I sharpened his Emersons for a few hours. We checked the CRKT Razel, and the metal had a uniform glaze to it, and that "solid" feel. The bevel was very uniform for a production knife, and squaring the edge took very little time at all.

Then I began to buff with ever decreasing grits. I finally finished with a fine grain commercial pumice on a 7000 grit 3M polishing tape affixed to a thick piece of glaziers glass. I was very surprised upon "tickling the dragon." I suspect the alloy used had lots of chromium, because the bevel was very bright and free of a mottled appearance.

Take a look, she's toasty sharp.

 

[hso]

Its a cool looking knife for sure, but how do you "carry" something like that?

I've been carrying one on my belt on the right using it for remodeling and "farm" choirs for two weeks without any problem. It or the Stubby model offered by CRKT.

I've cut drywall, feed bags, rope, tubing, envelopes and I've pried and hammered on it.

 

[The Tourist]

I've cut drywall, feed bags, rope, tubing, envelopes and I've pried

You've had yours for two weeks, I've had mine for seven hours. I'm already getting PMs and e-mail for polishing jobs.

I think CRKT and the Graham Brothers have struck gold with this series. I know I plan to get a few spares and begin taping and freezing.

 

[Tom Krein]

I am also a BIG fan of CRKT and the Graham Brothers!

I have a Custom Razel SS3 and one of their Mid-tech Stars and Strips Razels. Both are great knives. The work GREAT for utility or self defense!

I don't think you are improving the steel with freezing your blades, good thing is you for sure aren't hurting anything. From what I have read and from my discussions with metallurgists and heat treating gurus (Paul Bos) you have to get a good bit colder than a freezer will get to make any changes. Liquid nitrogen is the best way to get a cryo treatment. Cryo treatments can improve cutting performance and toughness!

Your sharpening job looks TOP NOTCH! I bet it is WICKED sharp!

Tom

 

[JShirley]

Well, Chico, if you speak highly of something long enough here, somebody might take notice.

 

[The Tourist]

Josh's work speaks for itself. I knew that when I opened that first box.

There are very few things in this world that match to the hype, and the Graham Razels live up to that and much more.

Like most guys here, I have many of my "toys" within arm's reach. A well written hobbyist magazine, a dab of Patron, a custom pistol--and now quite a few of Graham's knives and this design. I wish you could see the flawless expanse of the gleam of this edge.

I mean, if you but lay the slightest, lightest touch on this edge, it feels like ten thousand piranha teeth gripping your fingerprints.

This is another "curse of the tinker." Being a sharpener and a reseller, the "children" all must leave home. This knife and the Konjo will be missed.

 

[Skofnung]

I've often wondered about those.

I like the blade shape, but I'm a little confused by the purpose of the ring. Is it used like a kerambit on the forefinger?

 

[Okiecruffler]

That is one sweet looking and very well rounded knife. Is that a false edge along the top, or is it sharpened to some degree?

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

I think its sharpened like a chisel.

 

[The Tourist]

Is it used like a kerambit on the forefinger?

I am not a spokesman for the company, but I get the feeling in dealing with Josh that he designed the ring simply to keep the knife in your hand. In a snowy environment, you could let the knife "dangle" so it wouldn't be lost. You'd be amazed at how many of my clients have a new Buck 110 because they found it next to a gut pile.

Having said that, I know several MA guys who could gig you with a swizzle stick. If they had such a knife, their training would obviously utilize the defensive aspects. The knife is simply that good. (Get one, you won't be sorry.)

Is that a false edge along the top, or is it sharpened to some degree?

Yes, it's a false edge. The spine is so thick that it would be a major job in reprofiling the back side.

I think its sharpened like a chisel.

Only the front bevel. Remember, it's designed to be a razor and a chisel. The mid portion is slightly hollow ground and the bevels are dramatically different from each other.

The belly bevel is simply toasty sharp, it's dangerous to handle. The front bevel is more obtuse and very strong. Since the knife is one, solid blade plank, this is a knife that actually can be used as a pry bar.

I enjoy all of my "hard use" style knives. No question, Mick and Ernie are building the best folders a client can purchase.

However, the Graham Razel is simply a whole 'nuther piece. You know we often have threads opining things like "If you could only have one..."

Now, I'm a folder guy. However, the Razel tucks away so effortlessly, it carries like a clip folder.

Due to constant innovations, I never like to think a product is perfect. But what kind of a implement can pry a door off its hinges and then do surgery? Yikes, for me, this might me "the one."

 

[hso]

I've trained with kerambits, but I wouldn't say that the ring is meant to be used that way. Think for the ring hilt bird/trout knives that allow you to let the blade hang from the finger while you to some brief chore before regriping the knife.

 

[Brian Dale]

I wish you could see the flawless expanse of the gleam of this edge.

Even on my screen, your photograph suggests being able to see the whole universe in that edge.

Beautiful.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Just thinking out loud here, but if a fella was to make a knife like that with a hachet angled edge on it instead of that false edge that would be about as close to a, all purpose knife as you could get.

Regardless, I'm gonna have to get me one of those.

 

[The Tourist]

let the blade hang from the finger

After talking to Josh, that's my educated guess, as well.

The issue I see, like with any custom or well made knife (or gun, or sword, or can-opener) is that a properly trained guy can utilize an implement to its maximum design limits.

One of my clients is a fresh from the assembly line Marine. He's back in my area for some additional training before deployment. I still wouldn't shoot against this guy for money. But you know how they're trained, adapt, adapt, adapt.

I believe a man like that could take my Razel, spray it with a garden variety can of Rustoleum to dull the sheen, and then head off to Iraq.

Edit: BTW, So far no one has commented on my "knife stand." It's actually a beverage coaster, but I get laughs.

 

[Skofnung]

So far no one has commented on my "knife stand." It's actually a beverage coaster, but I get laughs.

I meant to ask you about that. What is the material and where did you get it? I have a soft spot for knucks, even though I wouldn't carry them.

 

[hso]

Picture a continuum, with tactical on the one end and collector's grade on the other.

We were ignoring it. Some of us refuse to knuckle under.

 

[The Tourist]

What is the material

It looks like common, mundane plastic, to me. They are as light as a feather. The holes do make great "ventilation" slots and cold drinks really stay cold...

Some of us refuse to knuckle under.

It's a good thing you used the smilie.