Post by Lobster on Apr 17, 2016 16:27:11 GMT 3
I don’t know what it is with the Extrema Ratio knives but there is so much exaggeration going on that I cannot resist their designs. So, when I, early in 2015, saw a fake Fulcrum 2 tanto on AE for just under 20$ I pulled the trigger and got one.
The boxy, black anodized aluminium handles are well made and provide a surprisingly comfortable grip despite the looks. At a length of 12cm, it is a large handle that fits even the biggest hands. The fit & finish is good with no sharp or rough edges and everything lining up nicely although there is a very small gap along both sides of the back lock. The right & left side tip up only clip is massive and strong and lets about 20mm of the handle protrude from the seam. The pommel is a glass breaker tip with a very generous lanyard hole.
The clipped combo tanto blade is made of 440 steel, flat ground and just under 10cm long. Unlike the original that uses 6mm stock, the fake does away with a 4mm thick blade. Out of the box the plain edge was shaving sharp, the 4cm serration is also very sharp making rope cutting a breeze. The plain edge retention is quite good, the serrations never needed honing so far and they are still very sharp. The dual thumb studs are positioned perfectly on the blade and with the depression in the handle they are easily reached even when wearing gloves. The short thumb ramp has jimping adding to the grip. Due to the high tension of the lock back spring, it take some force to open and close the knife. The blade moves smoothly, the very strong back lock engages with a reassuring click. There is no play in any direction and when closed, the blade rests perfectly centered. There is an additional locking mechanism on the back lock but they just copied the original design without giving it any actual function.
While at 22cm length and 164 grams this is a large knife, it is a manageable EDC folder and the blade geometry combined with the 4mm blade stock make it a decent slicer. But like many ER knives, this is a mean looking folder that has “murder weapon” written all over so it has some shock value when you pull it out of your pocket. I use it at work where it makes a useful tool for cutting rope and other fibrous materials. The tanto tip also make it a very good scraper for removing gaskets and cutting Sikaflex out of corners. I find the tip very useful for work that requires detailed, fine cutting and piercing.
However, the overall quality of the knife isn't great. Particularly the torx screws are of very cheap, soft material ant they strip easily. Do not attempt to change the pocket clip, I stripped both the screws and the threads in the aluminium scales when I attempted to put mine back on.
Compared to many other 20$ Chinese knives this one is of a much lower quality and I would not buy it again.
The boxy, black anodized aluminium handles are well made and provide a surprisingly comfortable grip despite the looks. At a length of 12cm, it is a large handle that fits even the biggest hands. The fit & finish is good with no sharp or rough edges and everything lining up nicely although there is a very small gap along both sides of the back lock. The right & left side tip up only clip is massive and strong and lets about 20mm of the handle protrude from the seam. The pommel is a glass breaker tip with a very generous lanyard hole.
The clipped combo tanto blade is made of 440 steel, flat ground and just under 10cm long. Unlike the original that uses 6mm stock, the fake does away with a 4mm thick blade. Out of the box the plain edge was shaving sharp, the 4cm serration is also very sharp making rope cutting a breeze. The plain edge retention is quite good, the serrations never needed honing so far and they are still very sharp. The dual thumb studs are positioned perfectly on the blade and with the depression in the handle they are easily reached even when wearing gloves. The short thumb ramp has jimping adding to the grip. Due to the high tension of the lock back spring, it take some force to open and close the knife. The blade moves smoothly, the very strong back lock engages with a reassuring click. There is no play in any direction and when closed, the blade rests perfectly centered. There is an additional locking mechanism on the back lock but they just copied the original design without giving it any actual function.
While at 22cm length and 164 grams this is a large knife, it is a manageable EDC folder and the blade geometry combined with the 4mm blade stock make it a decent slicer. But like many ER knives, this is a mean looking folder that has “murder weapon” written all over so it has some shock value when you pull it out of your pocket. I use it at work where it makes a useful tool for cutting rope and other fibrous materials. The tanto tip also make it a very good scraper for removing gaskets and cutting Sikaflex out of corners. I find the tip very useful for work that requires detailed, fine cutting and piercing.
However, the overall quality of the knife isn't great. Particularly the torx screws are of very cheap, soft material ant they strip easily. Do not attempt to change the pocket clip, I stripped both the screws and the threads in the aluminium scales when I attempted to put mine back on.
Compared to many other 20$ Chinese knives this one is of a much lower quality and I would not buy it again.