Post by Lobster on Feb 12, 2016 22:45:53 GMT 3
After having seen many videos and reviews about the Extrema Ratio RAO I couldn’t resist and ordered a fake on AE for just under 26$. Despite of having being prepared, my jaw dropped when I first held it in my hand!
It is obscenely large! And it weighs 293 grams!
The handle scales are made of anodized aluminium and they are surprisingly comfortable despite their angular appearance. Overall the fit & finish of the handle is good, everything lines up and is flush. The glass breaker at the butt end I would not want to depend on. The spine has 40mm of very coarse jimping with uncomfortable edges that hurt when pressing down on it.
The massive tanto blade is advertised as 440C steel, has a hollow grind on both the edge and the tip. It came shaving sharp out of the box. The knife is not designed for one hand opening but with a little practice it can be done. Operation is smooth, the blade has zero play in any direction but is slightly off center. The locking mechanism is a modified back lock, instead of pressing down behind the pivot point you lift the locking bar right behind the blade. The lock engages with a reassuring click. The blade can also be locked more securely by screwing a bolt underneath the blade pivot thus making it impossible for the blade to close even if the lock fails. When closed, the locking bar’s tension keeps the blade from opening. I find the blade easy to sharpen and it retains the edge well.
The knife comes with a nylon sheath that allows for the knife to be carried folded as well as open. The small sharpener that is in the pouch is utterly useless.
Now, what is one to do with this knife? I honestly don’t know. It is one of my sharpest knives but also heavy and bulky, it is uncomfortable to carry in the pocket and I don’t EDC a fixed blade nor in a pouch. And while I am certain that the original Extrema Ratio will take stupid abuse beyond reason, the fake certainly won’t, not even a bit, it is just not built well enough. So you can't hack a 3 inch tree into firewood and due to the 6mm blade stock the blade doesn't cut well through tough material like a rubber hose. But it makes me laugh every time i use it and it is certainly a conversation starter! I made it my fruit knife and it is great for cutting pineapples, mangoes and cantaloupes but talk about shooting sparrows with an anti aircraft gun! If you are aching badly for a huge, heavy folding knife that has no purpose look no further, I would not buy it again.
It is obscenely large! And it weighs 293 grams!
The handle scales are made of anodized aluminium and they are surprisingly comfortable despite their angular appearance. Overall the fit & finish of the handle is good, everything lines up and is flush. The glass breaker at the butt end I would not want to depend on. The spine has 40mm of very coarse jimping with uncomfortable edges that hurt when pressing down on it.
The massive tanto blade is advertised as 440C steel, has a hollow grind on both the edge and the tip. It came shaving sharp out of the box. The knife is not designed for one hand opening but with a little practice it can be done. Operation is smooth, the blade has zero play in any direction but is slightly off center. The locking mechanism is a modified back lock, instead of pressing down behind the pivot point you lift the locking bar right behind the blade. The lock engages with a reassuring click. The blade can also be locked more securely by screwing a bolt underneath the blade pivot thus making it impossible for the blade to close even if the lock fails. When closed, the locking bar’s tension keeps the blade from opening. I find the blade easy to sharpen and it retains the edge well.
The knife comes with a nylon sheath that allows for the knife to be carried folded as well as open. The small sharpener that is in the pouch is utterly useless.
Now, what is one to do with this knife? I honestly don’t know. It is one of my sharpest knives but also heavy and bulky, it is uncomfortable to carry in the pocket and I don’t EDC a fixed blade nor in a pouch. And while I am certain that the original Extrema Ratio will take stupid abuse beyond reason, the fake certainly won’t, not even a bit, it is just not built well enough. So you can't hack a 3 inch tree into firewood and due to the 6mm blade stock the blade doesn't cut well through tough material like a rubber hose. But it makes me laugh every time i use it and it is certainly a conversation starter! I made it my fruit knife and it is great for cutting pineapples, mangoes and cantaloupes but talk about shooting sparrows with an anti aircraft gun! If you are aching badly for a huge, heavy folding knife that has no purpose look no further, I would not buy it again.