Hello everyone, today we will see the Ruike Trekker LD43 sent for the occasion by Ruike, whom I thank for the opportunity and trust given to me.
CLICK HERE to go to the official product page on the Ruike's website.
Official features taken from Ruike:
- one-hand operatione and lockable blade
- sandvik 12C27 blade material
- G10 knife handle
- locking mechanism
- tungsten steel breaking cone
- pocket clip design
Where to buy
You can purchase the LD43 from FENIX OUTFITTERS
The packaging and accessories
The Trekker LD43 comes in a sturdy cardboard box, wrapped inside a lighter cardboard sheet which will show the mark and motto of the company.
On the back there are some information about Ruike, where we can see that it is an offshoot of the famous brand Fenix.
Sliding the paper, we can put a hand to the robust box
on which side is pasted a sticker that shows the model name.
then you can open the box by removing the cover upwards.
Once removed everything from the packaging, we should have:
- the Trekker LD43
- sheet for warranty
- the manual in English, Chinese and Spanish
Afterwards, the pages of the manual. You can view it by downloading it from the site Ruike.
The multi-purpose knife
The Trekker LD43 is one of the multipurpose knife from Ruike that aims to meet various needs in a rescue situation but, looking to the components that compose it, is good even to covering up various tasks in outdoor use.
The handle external yellowish/light green, is in G10 and offer an excellent grip.
The steel used is the Sandvik 12C27 (58 ~ 59 HRC). For the uninitiated, is the same which is used in the famous and appreciated Morakniv knives. Although, in this case, hardening heat treatment has generated a stronger steel than the famous Morakniv (who 57 ~ 58 HRC).
The blade of LD43 has a profile tip drop point and the opening is controlled by a thumb stud that allows the opening by using only one hand. The location of this one, and the fact that is placed only on the left side of the blade, make it comfortable to use only to the right-handed.
On the blade there are the Ruike name,
the model name and the type of steel used.
The touch between the various components is virtually absent and everything flows quite nimbly.
The main blade is the only tool to have the safety lock (liner lock) and it performs very well on his work.
Here is the multi-purpose knife, blade retrieved, in all of its glory.
Just next to the mail blade, there is the serrated blade that is great for cutting fabrics and/or cordage.
After the serrated blade is the saw, that really bite the wood very well.
Ending this side, we have the bottle opener that also work as a flat screwdriver, a wire strippers and fold cables
and a small carabiner to attach the LD43 to backpacks or pants. I turned the multi-purpose knife for convenience. Also notice the presence of the clip. Bottle opener and carabiner share the same magazine.
The tweezers is stuck in the grip
and once extracted, we can note that covers a length of about 2/3 than the multi-purpose closed.
In the tail, on the left from the same side of the clip, there is the tungsten tip that is great to break the panes when needed.
Here it is the tip on the profile.
On the opposite side are the Phillips screwdriver
and awl for wood/needle for leather.
Here are some test with main blade,
with the saw for wood
with the serrated blade/belt-cutters,
with the bottle opener,
with the fold cables,
with the wire strippers,
with the awl,
with the tweezers,
and with the screwdriver.
To be able to bring with us the knife, we can use small removable carabiner for hanging on the pants
or to the backpack.
Alternatively you can use the clip.
I made also a video where I show the key features of the knife (able the english subtitles by the gear). Good vision ;)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-cY3baGAT5U
Dimensions: dimensions and weight
The LD43 measure 11,50x3x2.30 closed and weighs 203 grams.
Regarding the size of the main tools, the smooth blade is 8 cm long, serrated blade is 7 cm long while the saw is 8.5 cm long.
Here's the picture of how the multi-purpose, when closed, is hosted in a medium sized hand.
Here is the LD43 compared with a big BIC lighter,
compared to a Victorinox Huntsman (91 mm)
and compared to a Leatherman Style PS
Personal considerations
What can I say? This Ruike Trekker LD43 proved to be a good product. Stainless steel 12C27 is very suitable for outdoor use, looking to the presence of a large hacksaw, a good knife and G10 handle that offers a good grip.
Always remaining in blade theme, I found great the one-hand opening. Even if you have to become skilled to make a smooth opening looking that don't help the size of multipurpose.
Very good the blade-lock and the absence of touch between the parties, the only "flaw" is that it isn't optimized for lefties.
The color of the bolsters may or may not like ... some might find it a bit too showy, but personally I like it.
What do you think? Would you buy it?
