Olight Rubato 4 Knife Review
The Olight Rubato 4 knife offers “Pei” handles and an Axis-like locking mechanism (my favorite!). The S35VN steel blade offers a generous cutting edge. Read on!
Official Specs
Here’s a referral link to the Olight Rubato 4 knife.
Versions
The product page shows only one version of the Olight Rubato 4 knife.
Price
The Olight Rubato 4 knife sells for $89.99 and is available now.
Package and Manual
What’s Included
- Olight Rubato 4 knife
- Challenge coin
- Carry case with Velcro front
- Manual
Look
This butterscotch finish is very striking on the Olight Rubato 4 knife and is probably the first thing you’ll notice. And you’ll probably either love it or hate it.
I love it. In fact, I asked Olight to send this specifically because it’s the “Ultem” look. (I am not sure if Ultem and Pei are the same thing, though.)
The transparent Pei shows off the metal liners.
Again, it probably comes down to personal preference, but I love the look of this Rubato 4.
Open / Close / Lock
The lock here is what I’d call an Axis lock. That used to be a Benchmade-only product, but I think it’s come off patent now, or something. Anyway, that’s why we see it in knives like this, and some other brands, too.
The reason I love this lock is that while using it your fingers never have to get in the path of the blade. Sure, with other mechanisms you can avoid cutting your body off, but I just don’t even like the idea that my finger is in the pathway of the blade. Frame locks, liner locks – those all have this feature. Slipjoints do not; maybe this makes me an old man.
As with other knives using this mechanism, if articulated properly the blade can be flicked open. That works on the Olight Rubato 4 knife, too.
Build and Feel
The Rubato 4 is a beefy knife. It’s not thick or huge, but it’s filled out. Husky, you might say.
That’s one of the things I like about it, too – it doesn’t feel like anything’s missing when the knife is in your hand.
Here’s the pivot end:
And here’s the blade centering on the other end. Very good.
Size
Handle Length 4.05 in (102.9 mm)
Weight 2.82 oz (80 g)
Blade Thickness 0.11 in (2.8 mm)
Blade Length 3.04 in (77.3 mm)
Overall Length 7.09 in (180.2 mm)
Here you can see the Olight Rubato 4 knife on my standard two-dollar bill.
Here’s the knife in hand:
Below you can see the Olight Rubato 4 knife with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the knife beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Below is the Olight Rubato 4 knife with the Civivi Elementum. I still use that knife so much!
Steel / Cut / Oats
Olight went with CPM-S35VN steel on the Olight Rubato 4 knife.
I don’t know enough about steel to know if this is great. Also, I have enough knives that the steel doesn’t matter much. And finally, I never sharpen my knives because I don’t trust myself to not ruin a blade.
That said, other experts like everdaycommentary say this is “a last generation steel.” In this case, at $89, last generation steel is probably forgiveable.
Retention
A deep carry pocket clip rounds out the package. The clip is fairly simple but offers access to a couple of peekaboo TORX screws. This is a great clip!
The pocket clip is reversible to the other side, but not to the other end.
There’s no cutout on the body to hold the clip. Adding that would be a nice touch for the clip! And probably give a good place for some more Olight-branded items (like a clip blank.)
Also included is a carry pouch that holds the knife safely, as well as holding the challenge coin we haven’t seen much of til here.
Bonus
The bonus that Olight includes with the knife is this Rubato 4 challenge coin. It’s nice and thick and I’d say it’s brass.
Summary and Conclusion
I like the Pei handles just as much as I thought I would, and it fits in nicely with some of my other Ultem items. The knife itself is also great. I love the “modified drop point” blade shape. It’s beefy, and “normal” – no weird curves. The price is more than I’d spend on just any item, but if you’re in the market for a knife, the price is certainly justifiable.
Notes
- This knife was provided by Olight for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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