Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: None
Kukri Lite
Rajah II is all that a fixed blade Kukri is, and less. This is not a one hand opening knife. It can be done, but I wouldn’t count on it in a high stress situation. Problem is the thumb bar on the spine. If they had gone with a thumb stud a half inch down the blade you would have the leverage to open this one handed. But, your thumb is already extended by the time you reach the bottom of the thumb bar, so that you don’t have sufficient leverage to open it confidently one handed. If your fingers get in the path of the blade in a failed opening attempt, this blade would easily take off the tips of your fingers under the strong back spring tension. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Arrived razor sharp. Rajah II has about a 22 degree edge on the long flat ground blade. Rajah is well balanced, with fulcrum at index finger groove in handle. Handle is comfortable and grippy. Although, this is relegated to a, “Plan D” SD knife r/t its two hand opening, it would make a fine folding camp/bushcraft knife. Not a bad survival folder, either. It’s not a survival “one-knife,” but hey, how many survival minded people you know that would be caught dead with just one knife? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Where Rajah II shines is as a canoe/camp/backpacking/bushcraft folder. I would much rather tote this in my canoe pack over the portage trails than my Condor Heavy Duty Kukri. I believe Cold Steel touts that their Triad Locks will support 550 lbs., or some such. But, that is weight suspended from the spine. If you hung weight from the side of the blade it could withstand much less. Point being, a folder is only as strong as its weakest point, and that point is the pivot pin. Rajah II should stand up to moderate chopping/wood splitting, but heavy chopping and batoning is sure to have a detrimental effect after awhile. Very capable knife, if you respect its limitations. Rajah II would be Super Bad, if they made it an auto. Just, saying.
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