Where do you see it working, and more importantly, where do you see it not working? If it is a niche application(I will agree that, it is a self defense knife, not much good for camping or spreading butter), what are you seeing as it's limits?
First, I hope you didnÂ’t take my comment as a downer on the knife. I am quite interested in it (hence my posting a link).
I see it working quite well as described, but yes I do see limitations.
I said "purpose built" in that it is designed to be used at a contact manipulation /grappling range – specifically against someone who has put you in a clinch, headlock or taken your to the ground to tie you up etc…
So, limitations. These are going to be based around my personal “likes” and the edged weapons training I have done to date, so I understand that much of this is subjective.
Simply put, I think the knife would very much drive technique i.e. less flexibility. (Limitations)
The knife seems to be designed around the Pikal grip, edge in.Â…. I have not trained RGEI. I would be more comfortable with a Karambit at this point, and train mostly long held or short held edge out - thus the knife presents limitations for me.
Reverse grip edge out lessens range but offers good defense options – I train it in case I happen to pick up a knife that way or I may chose that grip for concealment reasons. Reverse grip edge in would lessen range even further and seems like a poor choice, other than perhaps in a grappling situation as described in this knifes article.
I prefer long held. But I haven't worked RGEI, so I am certainly open to learning, but I have concerns with knives that appear limited (practically) to a specific grip or usage.
One of the knives I currently carry for SD is double edged, recurve blade, so multiple types of techniques applyÂ…
Additionally, I often place my thumb on the spine, as I train/carry mostly with knives that have a guard / forward thumb ramp. I like knives in that configuration.
Size; I have big hands, so I wonder how ergonomic the handle would be for me. There are also limitations with a cutting edge of 2.5 inches.
One of the big pro's I saw is the carry position allowing for a fast, unobstructed draw. I agree completely with shiv works explanation of centerline carry location/less joint articulation. Those are some of the reasons I carry my hand gun A IWB.
In the end, the knife is purpose built to a degree that it drives technique – specifically in a direction I have not trained and am not wedded to – thus it has limitations for me, personally. I would like to check out the accompanying DVD’s to see what RGEI is all about. It is a grip I have not worked in my Kenpo or Kali classes.
To me it looks like something to compliment, not replace, an EDC.
