RBT (RastaBuddaTao) Splinter v2
By Alyson AKA KGWoodcraft
Materials and Durability
The wood is a strong and dense African Blackwood, with an 18mm glass lined joint inside. The wood is strong, however the glass inside is prone to cracking, should the device be accidentally dropped as it is a more inexpensive Chinese made glass (as opposed to the thicker walled German glass used in the US made versions).
Design and Aesthetics
Its a 510 vape, so there isn’t much you can do with it design-wise. Its simple, pretty, and plain.
Portability
I would not consider this a portable device. It uses a glass liner inside the body, and therefore is more fragile, and should probably stay at home as a desktop device. I would classify this more as an “at home portable” allowing you to use it anywhere in the house, but it probably shouldn’t leave the house.
Performance and Quality
Heating method is easy. Set to between 32-35w power/wattage mode and its ready to go.
Heat up time is around 5-8 seconds, and is what I would consider, a truly ‘on demand’ vape. You press and hold the button, wait a moment, take your hit, and let it go.
Temp control is not required at all with this vape, though I have heard good things from those who use it in this manner.
Vapor quality is some of the best out there in regards to the on demand genre. You get dense, fluffy, flavorful vapor in a matter of seconds. This is an on demand experience though, which means you’re in control. You can combust with this if you aren’t careful. I will speak more to this under User Experience.
Airflow is open and smooth. No complaints there at all.
This vape is incredibly efficient on battery life due to the instant on demand vapor production. Its not using power when you’re not hitting it. This also keeps the vape far cooler than other devices in the same category.
User Experience & Maintenance
The Splinter is easy to use, and requires very little technique. The stem has a basket screen that you can scoop and load or Hoover it in. Then you drop the stem into the joint, press the button, and in seconds, you have tasty vapor that is 100% user controlled. That does mean that the user will need to press the button to get the vapor, and let off the button when the vapor starts getting too warm. As mentioned earlier, you can combust in this device. In wattage mode, this acts as a simple circuit mechanical mod, which is a 100% manual device. You press the button to get vapor, and let off the button when you’ve had enough. If you hold the button down too long, you can combust, so it needs to be feathered according to your needs. The user is in control of the vapor that they get.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Easy peazy. Everything takes place in the stem, so no need to ever really clean the vape itself. Just soak the stem in ISO for a while, rinse, dry, and its good to go.
Discretion
This style vape is not discrete in my opinion. None of the 510 style vapes that go on mods are stealthy, so if that is a requirement, I would probably not recommend this vape.
Pros
- Instant on and off vapor. Within seconds, you’ve got some of the best pure convection vapor you can get from a vape.
- This vape can go on just about any mod and function well. It does not require any specialized mod with custom firmware, and is actually not recommended as a cruise control session vape. This is purely for on demand vaping.\
- No real cleaning required.
- Flavor is amazing
- No glowing coils and metal off gassing. There is a lot of internal science that went into this coil, and while so many others use coils that glow brightly, and use that heat to vaporize their herb, this one does not do that. The mesh coil heats up evenly and smoothly, to temperature without causing the mesh to glow or off gas.
- Because this uses an 18mm glass joint, there are lots of aftermarket stems that can be purchased to better the vaping experience
Cons
- Having a glass joint inside, this device is more fragile than some others on the market, and would be recommended as an at home portable device. You can use it anywhere in the house, but it may not be the best for outdoor use due to its fragility.
- This vape is not discrete. Im listing this as a con, but some folks dont care about discretion and wouldn’t consider that a con.
Value for the money
This is a good buy for the $80 or so dollars that it costs. If you can get one, its worth it. For the price of a Dynavap, if youve already got a mod on hand, getting a Splinter is a no brainer.
Comparison
Many have tried to compete with this design, however this vape is by far the best in class in the 510 category. The only other once that is of this quality is the Lamart TetraX, which holds the same standard of quality, but operates differently as more of a session style vape which requires cruise control and session mode. This means that the Splinter stands apart as the best truly ‘on demand’ 510 vape on the market.
Final Verdict
Im a big fan. I dont even like 510 vapes, but I recognize the thought that went into this. After almost a decade of being on the market, many have tried to dethrone it, and many have failed. This is simply the best you can get in the 510 category. The only other one that performs better would be the Splinter’s big brother, the Splinter Z.
Reviewed By Alyson / KG
-Maker of Legends
For nearly a decade, Alyson has actively been a part of the dry herb vaporizer industry, leaving her mark by creating one of a kind accessories in her own unique style. She has acted as a professional consultant for many of the name brands in the industry, and participates in helping raise up the next generation of makers, by encouraging creative self expression through innovation