Extrema Ratio knives

Nice review and nice pics, chambelona59!
Never heard of that problem about ER folders, maybe it's just your specific knife that is flawed? I've seen some ER knives and I remember they had a good blade retention (not perfect, but bood).
What do you think about pricing? I think they're way too expensive for what they are and it's not even a matter of taxes/importation to me, since I live in Italy. Too expensive, I'd rather buy a Zero Tolerance or a good Spyderco.
 
Olive Tree said:
Nice review and nice pics, chambelona59!
Never heard of that problem about ER folders, maybe it's just your specific knife that is flawed? I've seen some ER knives and I remember they had a good blade retention (not perfect, but bood).
What do you think about pricing? I think they're way too expensive for what they are and it's not even a matter of taxes/importation to me, since I live in Italy. Too expensive, I'd rather buy a Zero Tolerance or a good Spyderco.
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I searched the internet until I found the best price/s (including shipping) for both my MFO and my Fulcrum C.
MFO I paid in dollars: $212.00 incl. shipping bought from Knifesupply.com which was a very unpleasant experience, never again anything from them.
Fulcrum C. I paid $197.00 from XtremeKnifes.com... just slightly more than Knifesupply.com, but totally worth the peace of mind dealing with the owner 'Nancy',
who is very professional and spent 20-25 minutes chatting on the phone with me which was a real positive factor in buying from her.

As to are they "too expensive"?
I can only relate to the two models I bought, I would not purchase another E.R. again because while I like the blades and materiel they are made of...
I sadly wound up being disappointed with both knifes..... and if I'm going to spend over $200.00 on a knife, I don't want to feel very disappointed.

The two E.R.'s I purchased:
MFO for me = Superb "beefy" short strong/sharp blade - Great secure ergonomic grip - Excellent non reflective color -
unfortunately a "non textured" Aluminum handle and worse... a blade that won't "lock" in the closed position and can easily "open" inside my back pack or even in my pocket,
a disaster waiting to happen.
Fulcrum C. for me = Superb "beefy" short strong/sharp combo blade - Great tactile materiel used on the handle - The Tek-Lok is SUPERB as is the sheath,
Unfortunately.... I'm limited to only being able to hold the handle "comfortably" and "securely" in ONE position... with my hand wrapped completely around the handle...
if I place my thumb on the so called thumb 'Jimping', which are really more of large "notches" not true jimping.... my Pinky finger is off the end of the handle along with the edge of the palm of my hand, a totally scary UN-secure feeling.

I don't think the price's I paid are worth the two issues.
Can't speak for the other knifes made by Extrema Ratio.
I wrote to Extrema to tell them about the blade easy open issure with the MFO, I've never heard back from them.
I can say I won't buy another E.R.
 
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I took a few photos of my two Extrema's to show what I had to do to the MFO in order for me to be able to "confidently" carry my MFO in my back pack, or my waist pouch and even in my pocket with out
being afraid of the issue of the blade easily coming out from within the handle if the "flipper" is even slightly bumped against something (in my pack/pouch/pocket).
I took a very small size inner tube from a racing bike tire and cut a very narrow band which I fit just under the clip, then around the handle, which works perfectly to keep the RAZOR SHARP blade
inside the handle when the knife is supposed to be 'closed'.
I can slide it back in a second to deploy the blade and the piece of rubber tubing stays on because it's under the clip.

The photos I took of my Extrema Ratio Fulcrum C. show me holding the handle with a full 'Sabre' grip around it.... no problem.
Keep in mind I have small hands.
The second photo shows what for me is an issue with this "C." (compact) handle.... I am limited to the full 'Sabre' grip and a 'reverse' grip... as when I try to grip it with my thumb on the 'Jimping'....
my pinky is basically off the knife as well as the back of my palm.... which makes for an extremely (no pun intended) UN-secure, scary grip.

So to pay over $200.00 per knife... and put up with those issues, not good.

MFO
(with small rubber band made from an inner tube on it for my "safety")

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Fulcrum C.

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Great secure grip!

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Terrible UN-secure grip!
 
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Those handle fit better on full-size fixed blade knives; the "shrunk" knives are comfortable only with the standard sabre grip. Anyway I think they're still too beefy in the hand and I don't have small hands.
There are two ER folders I really like, the RES and the Police. Good aluminium handle with a round texture which works both ways, drop point plain-edge FFG blade, an automatic safety blade and a saw (the last one on the RES only). I like them, but I have a long list of knives I like more! A friend of mine has a Police and I remember it was hard to shake the blade open, maybe you might be interested.
 
ER knives look interesting if your objective is to buy a piece of machinists art or an interesting post modern design statement. Otherwise, most of them look like something that would require you wearing your "super SEAL tactical golf gloves" in order to keep the knife from tearing up your hands.
 
jdm61 said:
ER knives look interesting if your objective is to buy a piece of machinists art or an interesting post modern design statement. Otherwise, most of them look like something that would require you wearing your "super SEAL tactical golf gloves" in order to keep the knife from tearing up your hands.
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That one cracked me up! Well put.
 
I think the way Italian designers are "noted for their clothes", so too are they with their knifes, LoL.
I'm thinking I may keep my MFO for a little bit longer, unfortunately I have to keep that little rubber band on it that I made, if tossed into my back pack to stop it from opening
accidentally.
In my opinion, it's not an EDC, but it's fun to snap it open using the thumb "flipper" and it does feel great in the hand.

Honestly... my Spyderco 'Native' (all black combo blade) is more of an EDC/utilitarian knife for me and it only cost me $62.00

When I buy a pair of "super SEAL tactical golf gloves"... then I'll pick up one of these:

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I've had a Kershaw Groove that would open in my pocket. Any knife with a flipper is more prone to open prematurely. I've owned several Extrema Ratio knives and all were of outstanding quality. Esav is correct about the company not having a strong presence
in the U.S.A.. They have aggressive styling and some people may be put off by that .
 
I collect a range of knives for use in different applications ranging from gentleman's folder to survivalist fixed blade. I recently gave my American Lawman (amazingly good value, well built and with superb ergos) to a friend who wanted a sturdy folder for farm use and now am looking to replace it with a heavy duty folder (as folders go). I'd like to try something new and am happy to spend a bit more, but as this is category of knife I will not be using daily I'm reluctant to go for a Strider or Emerson and am considering the Extrema Ration BF1 or BF2. I don't have the opportunity to examine one before buying people's experiences with these knives seem to differ greatly. Can you say what your verdict is after a year and a half of ownership flash900? Does the BF share the detent problems others are mentioning?
 
Olive Tree said:
Those handle fit better on full-size fixed blade knives; the "shrunk" knives are comfortable only with the standard sabre grip. Anyway I think they're still too beefy in the hand and I don't have small hands.
There are two ER folders I really like, the RES and the Police. Good aluminium handle with a round texture which works both ways, drop point plain-edge FFG blade, an automatic safety blade and a saw (the last one on the RES only). I like them, but I have a long list of knives I like more! A friend of mine has a Police and I remember it was hard to shake the blade open, maybe you might be interested.
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I wound up selling my E.R. Fulcrum C. a few weeks ago on Ebay.... the "shrunk" handle was disappointingly limiting to me only able to use two grips: a sabre grip or a reverse grip. For the price paid way too limiting.
(the sheath it shipped with was nice though)
I replaced it by buying an amazing SALUS made by FOX, also an Italian company... and worth every penny of the $200.00!
I can use five different grips.... yes 5!
In my opinion, the SALUS completly outshines the Extrema Ratio Fulcrum C. and I'd even go so far as to imagine the larger Fulcrum as well.
The SALUS I bought:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/943804-What-were-your-knife-purchases-in-the-last-30-days?p=11051245#post11051245
 
mossyhorn said:
I've had a Kershaw Groove that would open in my pocket. Any knife with a flipper is more prone to open prematurely. I've owned several Extrema Ratio knives and all were of outstanding quality. Esav is correct about the company not having a strong presence
in the U.S.A.. They have aggressive styling and some people may be put off by that .
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I agree with you re: "with a flipper is more prone to open prematurely".... the E.R. MFO was my very first knife ever purchased with a "flipper" and sorry to say it, but the detente is very poor... I have to keep a small rubber band I made from a bike tire inner tube around the end of the MFO or it OPENS VERY EASILY if in my pack, pocket, waist pouch.
The "flipper on the E.R. MFO is BIG and protrudes way too much in my opinion.
If anything bumps up against, or pushes slightly against the "flipper", the blade comes out!
As I pointed out in my original post in this thread re: the MFO... a potential bloody disaster waiting to happen.
I may wind up selling it, as a few weeks ago I bought a small "flipper" folder made by Jason Brous.... perfect, superb detente, blade stays in when closed, no fear of throwing it into my back pack and reaching in to get it without slicing my fingers off!
"S.S. Flipper" I bought:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/943804-What-were-your-knife-purchases-in-the-last-30-days?p=11051245#post11051245
 
I just received my new BF3 Dark Talon. Excellent fit and finish, very sharp. I carried a CS 6" Ti-Lite (and Rajah 2) for a couple of years while in San Diego. You can't get a CWP in Cali, but jumbo folders are ok in most of the state. The Dark Talon is noticeably lighter than the T-L, but still has a good reach. Plus the Dark Talon looks great (maybe not w/skateboard tape stuck on :) ,but I like a grippy handle).

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I have the FKMD Stealth drop point, the FKMD Gunhammer (folding knife) and the E.R Fulcrum C. I would trade my two FKMD knives just for my Fulcrum C. It is totally outstanding. Very high quality, very high durability, very high finition, very high shape study for a very high built quality knife. If the only issue you have with the fulcrum C is the handle length then I would suggest you to buy the regular Fulcrum, or the Fulcrum K9 or the Fulcrum S, and I already know that you won't be disapointed this time.
 
Orion811 said:
Nope. I have the MF3, it's overpriced. I'd much rather have the Zero Tolerance 0300 models, or the Strider models, for that kind of money. They do have a neat design, but as far as durability...they ARE over priced. I think it's because they are imported. There may be a tax involved in the price or extra shipping figured in or something. Much like Ferrari's and BMW's here. They are significantly cheaper in Europe. But even taking price out of the formula...for SHTF or EDC I'd still rather have ZT or Strider, and yes I own those also.
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I know this is a very old thread but I've just started on a blog review of several of EXTREMA RATIO's knives at this link http://hardcorecampingtools.blogspot.co.uk/

You simply can not compare them to Striders of which I have several. Strider's whilst tough as nails are also like having a handful of nails when using them. Try using Striders all day without gloves and see what your hands look like especially in the wet. Just put a ER in you hands and start swinging it and see how it feels. Plus lifetime warranty, to me that means a big thing when it comes to military knives, it means I can really depend on it. JMHO.
 
FullMetalGear said:
I have the FKMD Stealth drop point, the FKMD Gunhammer (folding knife) and the E.R Fulcrum C. I would trade my two FKMD knives just for my Fulcrum C. It is totally outstanding. Very high quality, very high durability, very high finition, very high shape study for a very high built quality knife. If the only issue you have with the fulcrum C is the handle length then I would suggest you to buy the regular Fulcrum, or the Fulcrum K9 or the Fulcrum S, and I already know that you won't be disapointed this time.
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TOO right! The FKMD forprene handles are totally wrong in ergonomics, wrong shore hardness, totally wrong shape for human hands and too small in the grip as well unless you're a kid! EXTREMA RATIO is the only company I'm aware of that actually liaises with Universities to get the designs right as far a practicalities go. Whilst my FKMD Spartan has seen lots of use/abuse, it's totally retired for the ER knives.
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
Hello friend,

I participate in another knife forum from Spain and I heard from them that ER knives are very overpriced products no different in make/quality than other cheaper products like american made knives.

Cheers.
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Hi this is not true, they are definitely made differently and with a totally different philosophy behind their design and manufacture. This is a company that collaborates with Universities to achieve proper scientific and mechanical testing in the R and D of their knives. As to whether they are overpriced, you get what you pay for.
 
Yeah I'll be reviewing several models from Extrema Ratio in the coming months of some serious field testing in the jungles! I'll keep everyone posted
 
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