The knife didn’t come from the factory with an acceptable level of sharpness. I’ve never been able to get a knife shaving sharp but just shy of it. 10 minutes on the SpyderCo SharpMaker and the knife was ready to go.

While this knife isn’t considered by most Dogs a chopper it will serve that purpose. The Regulator chopped through a 2x8 in a reasonable amount of time and chops (picture # 418-423). It was also used to split 12” and 15” pieces of 2x8 with one chop to the edge (picture # 405-412).

I use a lot of Deet when outside. Deet tends to breakdown a handle material known as Kraton. I sprayed the handle with Deet and let it set for four hours. The handle wasn’t affected in any way (picture # 380-381).

Finger guard test: A lot of Dogs have voiced concern about the strength of the finger guard since it is just Res-c. Not wanting to injure my hand should the guard fail this had to be tested. I took a 1” dowel rod and pushed down with all my weight. The guard never broke. The guard did have some give to it but with a hand wrapped around the grip it would never give enough for your hand to slip onto the blade. This was done after the Deet test. My hand never slipped past the guard in any of the testing (picture # 402-403)

The regulator was used to stab into heavy cardboard. It would stab through 9 – 12 pieces depending on arm strength and technique (picture # 382-385).

Point test: The point was driven into a 2x8 several times and pushed sideways. The wood always broke out the tip did not bend or break (picture # 387-389).

I drove two nails into the 2x8 with the Regulator. One with the spine and one with the side. The knife easily drove both nails (picture # 393-396).

Next I broke a concrete block with the spine of the knife (picture # 427-429). The knife was then used to break the top half of the concrete block using just the first in or two of the tip (picture # 430-433).

I also wanted to see if the Regulator could be stabbed through a car hood. Not having a car hood available I purchased a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal. I was only able to make an “ice pick” type hole in the metal with the Regulator (picture # 401). I was later told that a car hood isn’t that thick so I’m not sure how accurate this test is

Rambo test:

In the first Rambo movie, Rambo used his knife for a number of different things. I reproduced four of those for this test.

First – sharpness. The police were amazed at how sharp Rambo’s knife was slicing paper. I can’t get a knife that sharp. I had to enlist the help of a friend. The knife came back shaving sharp (picture # 439). The Regulator can be gotten shaving sharp so I’d say it passed this test.

Second – canvas cutting. Rambo used the knife to cut a heavy piece of canvas into a poncho. Actually his knife didn’t do real well at this. It tore it more than cut it. The Regulator went through the canvas like butter. The Regulator more than passed this test (picture # 397-398).

Third – hog hunting. Rambo tied his knife to a stick and jumped down on a wild pig using the makeshift spear to kill the hog. Tying the Regulator to a stick extended the reach and slashing power of the knife so it easily passed this test (picture # 426). Since the knife was tied to a stick we tried throwing it like a spear…..doesn’t work. The balance is all wrong and it turns sideways upon leaving the hand.

Fourth – used as a torch. Rambo tied pieces of canvas to the blade of the knife and set it on fire to use as a torch walking through the mine shaft. I had doubts about how Res-c would hold up. The Regulator was stuck into the 2x8, the blade wrapped with an old t-shirt and set on fire. While the knife did work as a torch, it didn’t take long for the Res-c to start to melt. The torch was extinguished as soon as the Res-c started to show signs of melting. I’d say the Regulator didn’t pass this test (picture # 413-416). With that said I really see no need to use the knife itself as a torch.

After all this the knife was still sharp enough to easily cut the heavy canvas (picture # 424). The only damage done to the knife was to the blade finish but I believe this would be normal and a very small melted spot on the Res –c handle (picture # 434-438).

Recommendations: The only change I’d recommend for this knife is a semi-sharpened false edge on the top (swedge if you like that better). This would give the knife far more stabbing ability. On a personal note, I would really like to have a 10” blade version of this knife.


[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4313473331_34882eae10_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4313473269_0e25969ded_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4314208750_3911965fc9_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4313473175_e282ccb1fc_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4313473139_aaac1758b8_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4314208636_7432e88f4c_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4313473051_12052a304e_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4313473003_351d565aeb_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4313472925_838c5cd012_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4314208436_47194c8a38_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4313472787_057f2975ff_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4313472641_06195371bd_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4313472579_88536f1121_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4314208122_8d48e712a1_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4314208040_e3d04ea74e_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4314207978_5e42b7ca76_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4314207872_22aa17fb0c_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4313472241_7ede91e9aa_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4314207792_5e820caa3c_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4313472057_5662911148_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4314207512_2cc05430ca_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4313471873_ab1978018c_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4313471831_bb58ff2c20_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4313471757_49296fdb83_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4314207294_4fa832d3a7_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4314207166_4ddee33b0a_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4313471493_c3fe1b8e5e_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4313471429_cb9d521699_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4313471351_200a245cdc_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4314206868_a429b7678f_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4314206828_e45101d8dd_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4313471163_b07e724012_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4314207562_23afc5d961_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4313471943_53090408d2_o.jpg[/img]

Nice work! I love the Rambo tests. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you jackell -- great post!

-Stan

I would be careful about taking the temper out of the blade with the fire. I always wondered about that in first blood.

That is something to consider. I didn't leave the fire on it long enough or let it get hot enough for that to be a problem.

I am not sure either It was just something to consider. Ever read the actual book the movie is based on? Man talk about artistic license with the screenplay. The book is deeply depressing.

I haven't read that one, but I have noticed that a number of movies that are based on a book only resemble the book in name.

jackell - that is some great testing and pics as well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for taking the time to do both! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

+1, thanks for posting...just another kick butt blade from the Yard! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Great review/testing!

Nice review, thanks!

Hopefully I'll be able to have one soon!

Thanks for the review <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />