OK here is some info...off of their website:
1997
After two years of private research on the production techniques and on the effective demands from the professional users of tactical knives, Maurizio Castrati and Mauro Chiostri founded Extrema Ratio .
1998
The Dobermann proposal: a medium-high level product characterized by great technical quality and an excellent design. This product sold well in Italy and wins the approbation of international specialists. The production is a collaboration of outside parties whereas the firm takes care of projecting, developing, quality controlling, assembling and promoting. After two years (2000) spent in gaining technical and commercial experience, the production-unit is built up inside the firm, where it will carry out 70 % of the processing (grinding, sharpening, bolting, brushing, glass-beading, assembling).
2001
The production unity develops the Integral Edition which signals a turning point in being the proof of the technical-productive improvement of the Extrema Ratio. The knives of the new edition have as common denominators: a clear design and the use of best materials; thanks to the continuous researches in the mechanical and metallurgical field, of the superficial thermo- treatments, and of the polymers. The final result of these operations is a tactical product with high performance and characterized by a decidedly competitive price.
The design team of Maurizio Castrati & Mauro Chiostri design a tactical series of knives from the ground up...a clean slate. They chose for the steel to be N690 COBALT Stainless Steel at it has the best all around properties for a Tactical Knife. While very expensive for a production knife, they felt it was the best!! They also designed the removeable handle to satisfy the need of military users to have a handle that is removeable for maintenance and is far superior to any cord wrapping that can be contaminated in the field and become slippery.
2002
Extrema Ratio partners with Extrema Ratio USA to be the Exclusive Importer/Distributor of Extrema Ratio knives in the United States
2003
Introduced a line of Tactical Folders to rival and surpass anything currently being offered. Based on the same sound design of the fixed blades (designed from the ground up as a true Tactical Knife) w/ N690 COBALT Stainless Steel and 1/4 inch steel and using a proven Back Lock. A new design of a "Cross Bolt Safety" system to allow the blade to be locked open as a fixed blade or locked closed in a Safe position
