The "chisel" part of a Graham Razel.

[The Tourist]

As you know there's been a lot of talk and scuttlebutt about both the Graham product and CRKT version. The premise is that a Razel was designed to be both a razor and a chisel.

But is that a realistic claim? Would a knife costing +300 dollars really be good for "down and dirty"? Would you even want to use a custom knife for jobs that require a sharp stick or a real Craftsman chisel?

Well, I found out.

As most of you know, I had my bike customized this winter. And I did a stupid thing, a real stupid thing.

At my dealership, they use a series of colored stick-on "dots" to signify how much or what type of service is needed. That way a 28,000 dollar CVO doesn't get released down the Interstate without oil...

When my new headlight was installed, I told my wrench Ryan to use the "hot" custom high intensity bulb I had on Betty, because I'm afraid of the dark and I bruise easily. When the bike was completed, they stuck a green dot right on the middle of the light--and I saw it plain as day.

Right before it rained yesterday, I took Betty out for a romp, and then returned home. As usual, I wiped her down and saw the dot. Obviously it had been "baked on" over 1,000 Interstate miles.

I went to pull it off, no dice. I tried to get my thumbnail unde the edge, no luck.

I sat there and said to myself, "Myself, what I need is sharp chisel--a well made chisel that will be made so well and sharp I can scrape off all of the baked on ink and paper and not scuff or score the glass on the light..."

I then remembered I had a Graham Stubby as my EDC.

I reluctantly took it out. Two fears, I was going to scratch or break the lamp, or mar or deface the expensive knife.

Heck, that's what I bought it for! I carefully did my job...

Within a minute the last vestiges of my foolishness were removed, no scratches to the glass nor marks on the knife.

Now, this might sound silly. However, I know a lot of clients who won't cut wet rope with a custom or even risk wearing down their serrations.

They actually own "drawer queens," except they carry them. Some guys carry two knives--and one is always kept nice and pretty. I've done that for years.

I did two things stupid. I've been a biker long enough to know what heat can be generated from a hot bulb. But more to the point, I hesitated in using Josh's beautiful knife to solve a problem. Josh built that knife to help me. And I was foolish there, too.

Use your knives.

 

[Thernlund]

I want a Razel real bad. I can't afford the Grahams version, so I'm probably going to have to go with the CRKT version.


-T.

 

[JShirley]

I want one of the Razels, too. I'd actually like to get one, try it out as a potential service member's knife vs. the Waved Endura/Speed Dialer combo I wrote about in SWAT almost a year ago, and if it passes, give it to my service buddy before he leaves for Iraq.

 

[bikerdoc]

a fast bike, a good gun, a sharp knife, a hot meal, and a warm bed, makes you thankful that after 60 years every A M you wake up and life is still good!

 

[DeTerminator]

Yet another Razel post...

Certainly the trend is to sharp, blunt, useable pieces of steel!

Man, I thought the subject was on the way out. But it keeps coming back, and for good reason.

I have a CRKT Stubby myself. I've used both the Razor edge and the Chizel edge.

I LOVE this blade! I had some problems at first with establishing the proper razor edge, which The Tourist rectified.

Seriously, you will not be dissatisfied with this knife for EDC. If you have any problems with the sharpness, consider sending it to a pro (preferably The Tourist, just my personal choice).

So, yeah, get one if you can. Some like a leather sheath for it as opposed to Kydex. Josh Graham can set you up, otherwise check out some of the old threads.

Mine's doing fine, and continues to haul a..,

Later,

Kerry

 

[Valkman]

I'd of used Goo Gone, myself.

Actually, I wish more of my knives got used - all knifemakers do. It's amazing to me that almost since I started selling knives people have been putting them away, never to be used. It still happens and I'm sure as I get better and prices go up it'll happen more. Who last used a Loveless or Moran? At some point they quit being knives and start being museum pieces.

 

[The Tourist]

Man, I thought the subject was on the way out.

At some point they quit being knives and start being museum pieces.

After all of these months I keep finding new ways to appreciate the simple design that Josh built. A knife with no tip is popular and useful! Who'd da thunk it?

Yes, there are collectible knives. Yes, I guess I was babying the Razel.

But I make my edges to solve problems. If a client dulls it, we'll just sharpen it again. I think Josh feels the same way. If he reads this forum he'll know that real knife users are taking his work and enjoying their lives.

I think if Josh had been standing next to me that day he'd of whispered, "Hey, dummy, use the knife I worked so hard on..."

(Hey, Valkman, your knives, my edges, swimming pools, movie stars...)

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Tourist, do you have any experience with Wilson COP tool?

http://www.botachtactical.com/wim22copto.html

Yeah, I know that's a Botach link, but it's the first one that showed up. Boker is also going to be makng one, but for only $30 less than the Wilson.

I like both the Wilson and the Razel designs, as well as the EOD Breacher Bar, which is the only one I can afford right now. As much as I love my Mora and KaBar, I think that the Razel (not the COP tool, because of the belt cutter) might be that if you could only have one knife for survival knife. With a big one, it looks like you could chop, pry, and cut, all with the same knife. Too bad NC doesn't allow FB carry, or I would get a stubby Razel in a heartbeat.

 

[Tom Krein]

If you are thinking about getting a Razel I would recommend the Ringed SS3. I LOVE MINE!

Tom

 

[hso]

Ok, I carry a CRKT Ringed Razel around the house. Today I used the chisel tip to pry the 'tines' on T-posts out a bit so I could get some line to snag to run between posts so the beans could climb. I also cut muddy nylon kernmantle to sting on the metal posts. I cut open a couple of feed sacks. Later I had to hammer the spine to trim some slats to use as spacers behind wall cabinets we were hanging. No damage to the critter's edge.

BTW, I sure wouldn't consider the thing to be a chisel since you can't actually hammer the butt to chisel with, but it does pry well.

 

[The Tourist]

but it does pry well.

LOL, which is why I offered a humorous story about my own problems. I'm carrying all three of the designs more and more.

I also agree with Tom Krein. Josh made me my first Razel, also an SS3. Great leather sheath for inside my pocket. And I've been putzing with the newer CRKT version.

However, when I'm wandering around the city or just out for a ride, I sure do love the little Stubby. I can do the same work with the same style knife in the same alloy, and I hardly know I'm carrying the thing.

The purpose of this story was to demonstrate that I'm finding new uses for the product daily. And I'm finding that these things succssfully work at anything I throw at them.

Scrape a label, field dress a deer, slice a steak, the list goes on.

 

[TimboKhan]

BTW, I sure wouldn't consider the thing to be a chisel since you can't actually hammer the butt to chisel with, but it does pry well.

Au contraire, mon frere. Not all chisels are meant to be whacked. Some, like the cold chisel, are meant to be pounded on, but chisels used for fitting and things like that are not supposed to be struck with anything more than a lignum vitae mallet, and a good woodworker will punch you in the nose if you even think of doing so. God help you if you try to pry something open with them.

Properly maintained and cared for chisels are extremely sharp and generally require no more than bumps with the palm of the hand for them to do the job properly. A really good chisel is as much a joy to use as a hand plane, and can make almost as smooth a cut. Here is a paragraph I found on how to properly use a chisel. I include it to see if y'all think the Razel could be used in such a way. I think it can be, though I don't think I would want to rely on it in place of a real set of chisels.

Using a Chisel: The term for cutting with a chisel is "paring". To pare with a chisel horizontally, you should place the flat side of the chisel against the stock. Hold the handle of the chisel firmly with one hand with your index finger steadying the blade. Use your off hand to steady the chisel by holding the blade between your thumb and index finger.

Stand in front of the work piece with your weight evenly distributed and the chisel parallel to the floor. Use your body weight to ease the chisel through the stock. If extra force is needed, use the heel of your main hand to strike the butt of the chisel.
When paring vertically, hold the handle of the chisel with your thumb on the butt, steadying the blade with your off hand. As before, use your body weight to ease the chisel through the stock, this time in a downward manner.

Should extra force be needed, you can always use a wooden mallet to tap the butt of the chisel. However, avoid using a steel-head hammer, as it can damage the chisel.

 

[The Tourist]

Not all chisels are meant to be whacked.

And I would agree.

I believe that a Razel is designed more for the work that hso and I did. You use the right tools for the right jobs. If you do need a cold chisel and big hammer, then I think the best course is to go to the tool box and retrieve those items.

But I'm also a Graham owner. Now that I've played with these superb implements, in an emergency situation, I would use the Graham.

If I damaged it, I would send the dented Razel back to Josh with a note on how I did it.

He'd fix the knife, but if you go to his website, he also has an area for testimonials.