If by the term “Rambo knife” you mean a licensed replica from the films, then there is actually a use case for the design as a collectible. 

However, if by “Rambo knife” you mean any bowie with a sawback design and a hollow handle, the question morphs somewhat. 

In the latter case, let’s take a closer look and see if there’s actually a good argument for the use of a knife following this design.

The Edge and Point

Most Rambo knife designs sport a long, straight, bowie-style blade that’s 8” or more long. Just on its own, this is a lot of knife. As a fighting knife it’s practical but you might also consider that slightly overbuilt for most camp tasks.

Nonetheless, the generous length of edge is ideal for long, sweeping cutting tasks, and the clip point is good for detail work. Be aware that the tip will be a bit more fragile than other knife profiles, though.

The Sawback Serrations

One other common feature of a Rambo knife is that it will have a serrated spine, which is often referred to as a sawback.

The serrations on the spine of a bowie like a Rambo knife are not, however, cosmetic. They serve a good purpose, which is to dispatch materials that are unforgiving of a straight edge. 

A straight edge is not particularly effective at cutting through hard and stubborn materials like cordage, plastic, wood, or bone. The sawback design of a Rambo knife (or any similar bowie knife) should prove much more effective for that. 

The Hollow Handle

Many Rambo knife designs also feature a hollow handle with a pommel cap that is threaded and which can be easily removed. 

This leaves a small space inside of the handle where survival essentials, such as matches or fishing line, can be stored.

It also potentially boosts the utility of the knife as a survival knife pattern. 

Limitations of a the Design

Now, we’ve seen what a Rambo knife can be good for in the field. Let’s take a closer look at the shortcomings. 

The massive one is the hollow handle. In spite of the fact that it can be used to store sundry survival essentials, the hollow handle is actually a big liability in that it necessarily means the knife does not (and cannot) have a full tang design.

As a result, the knife will not be anywhere near as strong as one that does. Therefore the knife cannot be used for hard jobs like batoning. The sawback serrations eliminate that function for the most part anyway.

The other big thing is the size. There is a lot of knife here, which means it is not ideal for jobs requiring precision and fine touch, such as pan dressing small fish, cleaning small game, and other like jobs.

So the two main things to consider here are the size and the fact that the knife has a hollow handle.

Where to Get a Rambo Knife?

As stated at the outset of this article, if you’re considering buying a Rambo knife for its collectible value, you’re good. If you’re buying it to use in the field, if you’re comfortable with the size and the hollow handle, it can be worth it anyway.

If you’re in the market for a Rambo knife replica (or just anything else similar) visit BUDK. They carry a wide variety of knives and weapons, and plenty of them are replicas from popular movie series like Rambo or The Lord of the Rings. Check out what they offer and get in touch with them if you have any questions.

For more information about Crossbows and Assisted Opening Knife Please visit: BudK Worldwide Inc.