Hi there. I recently took out with me on a fishing and hunting trip (2 days back to back) a newish model from Extrema Ratio. Well, it's new for 2020. The Giant Mamba.
Usually when I'm reviewing, it's always done on some camping, fishing and or hunting trip. It was highly unlikely we would get anything hunting (it's not a hunting knife of course) but could it be good for fishing and camping?
It's a "modified tanto" according to the company website details and certainly looks as such. Very simple but at the same time sleek. If you're familiar already with ER's funky looking Forprene grip, then this one is very similar but missing the centre bolt arrangement to secure the handle. Instead, it uses a screw in pommel to secure it to the 1/4" tang. It's a beefy knife despite the 6.24" length and very comfy to hold and use.
The steel is N690 from Böhler an Austrian company but everything else is made in Italy.
Here's a few pics. I've written extensively about it too on a blog here as well
https://hardcorecampingtools.blogspot.com/2020/05/extrema-ratio-giant-mamba.html
1/4" spine almost to the tip, reminds me of the old Strider BN models, clearly one bash the daylights out of it (that chunk of wood is 2 year old Plum!)
Easily enough weight, even for a small 6.24" knife to cut through a 2.5 inch green maple branch.
Peeled tubers no problems
Even feathered quite well. (I think the wood was dead Ash or Hazel), I just picked it off the ground in the forest.
Catch of the day LOL!
Tanto tip easy to push cut and gut with (trout). To push a cut, it's got to be sharp and it was def that. How was it after one week in the bush? Well the edge wasn't razor shaving sharp anymore because I was using it but 5min tops on some 1600 wet and dry Swiss made paper over a bit of foam, then it was back to deadly razor sharp. My almost ten yeas plus experience with N690 as a stainless steel, I'm convinced it's here to stay and is a good stainless tool steel for cutlery and outdoor knives.
Thanks.
FCCBCT
Usually when I'm reviewing, it's always done on some camping, fishing and or hunting trip. It was highly unlikely we would get anything hunting (it's not a hunting knife of course) but could it be good for fishing and camping?
It's a "modified tanto" according to the company website details and certainly looks as such. Very simple but at the same time sleek. If you're familiar already with ER's funky looking Forprene grip, then this one is very similar but missing the centre bolt arrangement to secure the handle. Instead, it uses a screw in pommel to secure it to the 1/4" tang. It's a beefy knife despite the 6.24" length and very comfy to hold and use.
The steel is N690 from Böhler an Austrian company but everything else is made in Italy.
Here's a few pics. I've written extensively about it too on a blog here as well
https://hardcorecampingtools.blogspot.com/2020/05/extrema-ratio-giant-mamba.html
1/4" spine almost to the tip, reminds me of the old Strider BN models, clearly one bash the daylights out of it (that chunk of wood is 2 year old Plum!)
Easily enough weight, even for a small 6.24" knife to cut through a 2.5 inch green maple branch.
Peeled tubers no problems
Even feathered quite well. (I think the wood was dead Ash or Hazel), I just picked it off the ground in the forest.
Catch of the day LOL!
Tanto tip easy to push cut and gut with (trout). To push a cut, it's got to be sharp and it was def that. How was it after one week in the bush? Well the edge wasn't razor shaving sharp anymore because I was using it but 5min tops on some 1600 wet and dry Swiss made paper over a bit of foam, then it was back to deadly razor sharp. My almost ten yeas plus experience with N690 as a stainless steel, I'm convinced it's here to stay and is a good stainless tool steel for cutlery and outdoor knives.
Thanks.
FCCBCT
