Extrema Ratio RAO

Tactical

Tactical

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
331
I just got an Extrema Ratio RAO. The knife was designed for the Italian recon/spotter/fire direction group Regiment Acquisition Objects. This knife defines the term "folding fixed blade". Totally unique in every way. The blade opens and locks with a sliding steel pin. But what is really cool is that there is a second steel pin on an elastic lanyard. Wind the lanyard and it screws the pin into the hole. Then you have 2 steel pins front and back locking a monster of a blade in place. The sheath is really special too. You can keep the blade folded in it with the top of the sheath folded over. Or you can slide the open blade into the back of the sheath with reinforced sides and carry it handle out (secured with a snap strap) as a fixed blade! Totally cool. To top it off there is in the front pocket a sharpener on a lanyard that has diamonds arrange in a tire-tread pattern. Great toy and serious heavy duty tool at the same time...:D

I can't take pictures right now, but here is a link or two:

http://xtremeknives.com/130rao.html

http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/rao.htm

Totally great service from xtremeknives too! It shipped from Italy immediately and I received it from FedEX in two working days!
 
I like the looks of it. Of course I don't usually buy anything till I see how it cuts & feels in my hand.
 
IMHO...Feels hefty and powerful without being overly heavy. Shaves newspaper with all edges...
 
Looks like a really cool knife to me. And like it would be more secure in the hand and a better cutter than their other folder designs. I'd like to see a removable pocket clip on it though. The screw pin idea seems very smart. (I'd like to see more knives with something like that) -I'd like to handle one of these pretty bad. Nice looking knife.
 
Geez! Another "almost-like-a-fixed-blade tough" folder from them! In-hand pics please if you can!
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Seems kind of homely and overpriced. . . and gimmicky, but I am sure it is well made.
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Homely?...maybe..but in a functional way like a Lamborghini LMA (google it)

Overpriced?....you get a monster folder...looks like a tremendous amount of machining...

Gimmicky? Not if it works. I'm fortunate enough to own several tough folders, but I haven't seen any with a lock like this...I don't think I could find something to spine whack...this blade would destroy it...and when it's locked and open in the sheath it draws and deploys exactly like a fixed blade.

Yup...I'm jazzed...this thing is just great...glad I took a chance.

;)
 
the Lamborghini LMA is pretty nice looking, so not really a good comparison.

The machining and grind look good, I just think the tip looks like an aborted Tanto-dagger bastard child :D if it had a different profile, my opinion would be different as well. . .
Also, for that price, you should get a premium handle material like Titanium- Aluminum is among my least favorite handle materials.

I am not trying to take away from your excitement, I am glad you like the knife.
 
Although I don't like the blade shape, I think I will buy it anyway, for the novelty lock.
 
PatriotDan said:
Tactical, how much was it? And how would you compare the Rao to Fulcrum?
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Happy 4th!

I don't have a Fulcrum, but my this is my best guess. The RAO is sharpened where the top swedge meets the point. But the point is not as acute as the Fulcrum so penetration wouldn't be as good but maybe utility better (drilling scraping etc...). The RAO has lower finger grooves in addition to the top index slot of the Fulcrum. I would guess the weight of the RAO is more forward and also that the blade is wider (or at least seems wider due to handle ratio). The Rao also has some pronounced spine (jimping?) for control. I think the RAO's mission in life is less defense and more survival/utility with chopping a real strength. But I wouldn't want to be hit with one...:eek:

Price was $354 with free shipping.
 
Congrats it looks like a serious tool. Does it close securely without the second pin on the lanyard, is that double safe or do you need the pin?
If you lose the pin is the knife useless?
 
lorise said:
Congrats it looks like a serious tool. Does it close securely without the second pin on the lanyard, is that double safe or do you need the pin?
If you lose the pin is the knife useless?
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Thanks! :D I would torture test the knife for everyone, but I am too fond of it...

The knife locks just fine without the screw pin. You get 2 independent locking systems.

The closest comparison would be to a Benchmade Axis lock or a Spyderco plunge lock with pin instead of a ball bearing. The spring may be a weak point, but it is more robust than the Benchmade Omega springs and they are pretty long lasting. I wondered if the spring failed or jammed...but then you could use the screw pin and still get solid lock up.
 
Man, stop being a tease! Even just "light" tests? (like opening up an SUV or something?)
 
"The blade opening and closing are acting with both the hands together to minimize the risk of self injuries."
"The extra safe device is a steel pin to be hand screwed through two holes placed by the guard zone of the massive anticorodal aluminum alloy handle. This device is necessary because of the violence of the chopping performances expressed this uncommon folder."
If that is the trend then we soon will need five hands to open a blade and unlock the other five 'safe device'. :p
 
888500.jpg

Handled RAO myself at the gun show.
this one is huge. I mean it.
handle is comfortable (Hossom Retribution's one is bulkier and made for bigger mitts)
some pics next to Strider SMF
http://talks.guns.ru/forummessage/5/254829-0.html
 
Great pics, Lenny. Thanks for the link. No doubt the RAO is a military field tool. The odd point is different and makes the knife unique enough to look at again. Hard to imagine an SMF looking dainty next to another knife. Strider could be accused of too much gracefulness in their lines.

The concept is a lot like Gerbers old bolt action in a duplex sheath. Wonder what price and availability will be stateside? ER would be remiss not to bring it in - military collector's, real tactical users, and the huge wannabe crowd would sell it out for months. A gun show money maker if they were in hand.
 
Looks great! Does the extra locking pin go through the handle only, or does it go through a hole in the blade as well? And how do you like the handle? I read the review of the RAO in the latest Tactical Knives. The author liked it, but thought the handle bit his hand during extended chopping.
 
Military knives are often designed to be used with gloves for year round field use - chopping wood for camo, hides, and occasional fires isn't limited to a summer pastime. Soldiers who don't wear gloves pioneering or in other tasks soon learn why they are issued them - to reduce repetitive use damage which helps when operating weapons and equipment, which is their primary task. It also reduces lectures from first line leaders concerned with ferreting out simple mistakes or discovering shirkers.

I think some don't really understand the end user concept when they make this complaint. I don't hestitate to suggest that if your hard use knife has impaired ergonomics when you wear gloves - it's a bad design. Try them with work gloves on, in the store if necessary. It separates the tools from the toys.

Looking forward to handling one of these some day.
 
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