Vanguard Survival knives

**LorenzoL** · 01-23-2011, 09:49 AM

I like Ron's Ravens a lot.

**LorenzoL** · 01-23-2011, 10:12 AM

Ron, I was just checking RJ's site here: http://rjmartinknives.com/vanguard.shtml

What is that Vanguard Survival, is it between the Raven and the Blackbird?

**Mr.LaBella** · 01-23-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by LorenzoL

Ron, I was just checking RJ's site here: http://rjmartinknives.com/vanguard.shtml

What is that Vanguard Survival, is it between the Raven and the Blackbird?

Vanguard is a Les Robertson collaboration. http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/vanguard.shtml

Les own that name and has various makers create knives of his design.

The Raven as well as The Blackbird were Vanguard collaborations.

Size being the only real difference.

**LorenzoL** · 01-23-2011, 10:30 AM

No, I know that. But on that page RJ lists the Blackbird, the Raven and the Vanguard Survival as if it was a specific model. I got confused.
And I gave you the opportunity to show off

.

**Mr.LaBella** · 01-23-2011, 02:24 PM

**Les Robertson** · 01-23-2011, 02:36 PM

What was really cool about these knives....

The butt caps, the compasses and the cord to wrap the handle came from the Lile Shop.

Marylin Lile told me she sent me the very last roll of that black cord that was in the shop!

The knives were really a tribute knife to Jimmy Lile's Rambo knives. Raven was Rambo's team name.

The knife in the movie First Blood...was the reason I started buying custom knives.

The serrations on the knife were copied from the Robert Parrish hollow handle survival knife. In my opinion the very best ever designed.

RJ pulled it all together and arguably has made the finest hollow handle fighter ever made. Both in design and function.

**Stabber** · 01-23-2011, 02:59 PM

Those sure are awesome survival knives

**Buffalohump** · 01-24-2011, 12:20 AM

You and half the knife nuts on the planet!

Originally Posted by Les Robertson

The knife in the movie First Blood...was the reason I started buying custom knives.

**LorenzoL** · 01-24-2011, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Buffalohump

You and half the knife nuts on the planet!

Damn right! That movie was the reason why I started eating BBQd rats in a cave to toughen up.

**MiG Angel** · 01-24-2011, 10:28 AM

Isn't that a staple in Florida?

**LorenzoL** · 01-24-2011, 10:35 AM

It is, but stone crabs are more popular with the general public.

**Parker** · 01-24-2011, 10:39 AM

Hey Les, or Ron,

Is that saw set to cut on the push stroke or pull stroke?

It seems that pushing on a saw can lead to unpredictable cutting, even across a saw horse and piece of plywood if the wood is wet.

In the woods, cold and wet, seems that the pull-cut would be a better safer option, BUT then your knife hacks up the sheath easily.

I always liked the Parrish sawbacks the best, out of the many patterns I have seen, even not being a fan particularly. These are pretty knives to be sure.

And Rambo made me want an M60 as well as a big knife. I figured out how to hide a muthering huge knife from that film

**Les Robertson** · 01-24-2011, 08:15 PM

HI Parker,

The cut is on the pull stroke.

When I saw the movie I was going through Infantry Officer Basic Course.

So I got to play with the M60 soon after the movie.

The "Pig" is great as long as you don't have to "hump" it!

**Parker** · 01-25-2011, 02:08 AM

Les, thanks for the info on the sawback. I bet it would be fun to use a while, even if it's not what I'd normally pick.

Would we properly interpret from your statement that a pickup-bed pedestal-mounted M60 would make a decent deer gun then?

**Les Robertson** · 01-25-2011, 01:27 PM

HI Parker,

I carried one of these for the first 1 1/2 years I was in the 101st.

My Battalion was selected to go to Somalia (after the we are the world thing...seems Ethiopia was going into Somalia to take there food).

Anyway while going through processing I was stopped by some JAG (Lawyer) Captain who asked to see my knife. Looking at it he said I couldn't take it because this type of knife was against the Geneva Convention.

When I asked why? He explained "Because the serrations on this knife will cause a wound that is not easily sewn up." My response was..."if I make sure he is dead (and therefore will not medical treatment). Obviously the man had no sense of humor. I was about to continue my cross examination of him and I felt a hand grab my collar and pull me out of line.

Apparently my Company Commander appreciated my position and question. However, his response was STFU and get back to your platoon.

It was then suggested to me that I find another knife...my next knife was a Walter Brend Model 2!

However, the Parrish was an exceptional knife. Performed great and the serrations actually worked. That knife took a hell of a beating! Cost $185.

At the time the most expensive knife I had ever bought. My wife lost her mind! Couldn't believe a knife cost that much. Now when I tell her that I bought a set of Mammoth Ivory scales for $300...her response is...not bad for a good set of scales!