First Impressions
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of my experience with the RipSaw RDA, let’s clear up a few things. This review is based on a well-used, second-hand unit I acquired, and I’m not getting any kickbacks for this write-up. I’ve only been using it for about a day, so these are my initial thoughts.
First up, the box. It’s much smaller than I expected, which threw me off a bit. Most of my other RDAs and tanks come in packaging that looks like it could house a small electronics lab. The design on the box, however, is killer—skulls and all. I dig that. The cheeky “Made in Hell” on the back of the box? Nice touch. But when I slid it open, I was greeted by a massive 28mm shiny RDA and a bag of spare parts. Missing were the Allen key, user manual, and warranty card, but hey, this is a pre-loved piece, so who knows where those wandered off to.
The smell of Grape Bubblegum hit me right out of the box, making it clear this thing hadn’t seen a good cleaning in a while. I was planning to clean it anyway, but this confirmed it needed some TLC.
Tech Specs and Build Deck
Technical Specifications:
- Diameter: 28mm
- Height: Approximately 34mm (including drip tip)
- Deck: Dual post build deck
- Airflow: Top adjustable airflow
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Compatibility: Suitable for both single and dual coil configurations
Build Deck: The RipSaw’s build deck is a dream for those who love ample space to work with. It’s massive, making coil installation a breeze, especially if you’re into big builds. The dual post design is straightforward and accommodates larger coils without a hassle.
Airflow: The top airflow is adjustable, designed to minimize leaks while maximizing flavor and cloud production. It features a multi-hole design that can be fine-tuned to your preferred draw resistance.
Setup and First Hits
After a thorough cleaning and a bit of polishing to bring back its shine, I found some Alien coils I made a while back. I cut the coil legs at 4mm, which I quickly realized was a mistake. This build deck is so spacious it practically begs for larger coils. My 3 core 5 wrap coils felt a bit dwarfed, but with some finessing, I got them installed and looking decent. A slightly longer leg length would have made the installation smoother.
Wicking this behemoth is almost too easy. I used One Cloud cotton for the job. My coils read at 0.09 ohms, so I set my mod to 80 watts and loaded up some juice. With everything set, it was time to put the RipSaw to the test.
Performance
With the top airflow wide open, the RipSaw delivered a nice airy draw with impressive flavor and thick clouds. The flavor is solid but not quite the best I’ve had—my Hellbeast still has the upper hand in that department. I adjusted the airflow to only three holes, which restricted the draw a bit more and resulted in a warmer, more satisfying vape. I personally enjoy a slightly more restricted vape, so this hit the sweet spot for me.
However, my mod threw a tantrum and gave me an atomizer error, likely due to the low resistance. So, I switched to my trusty Dovpo MVV. After a bit of guesstimation on the power setting, I took a massive hit—and promptly got a mouthful of burnt cotton. I quickly rewicked and adjusted the power, and I was back in business.
This RDA is a beast. It’s perfect for cloud chasers who love big, airy draws. I’m seriously impressed and can see myself using it often, though it does make me wish I had a bigger mod for it to sit on. Even my MVV feels a tad undersized for this beast.
Final Thoughts
The RipSaw is a cloud-chucker’s dream. It’s got a solid build, spacious deck, and delivers great performance. Just be prepared for it to guzzle juice like a dehydrated camel. It’s not the most economical option, but if you’re after those thick, satisfying clouds, it’s a worthy investment.
Pros:
- Spacious build deck
- Great airflow control
- Solid construction
- Excellent for cloud production
Cons:
- Requires frequent refilling due to high juice consumption
- Might be too large for some mods
- Initial setup can be tricky with smaller coils
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you’re into big builds and massive clouds. Just be ready for it to go through juice quickly and make sure you have a mod that can handle its size. Now, time to vape on and see what other adventures the RipSaw can take me on.