I recently purchased an Extrema Ratio. It is a subdued (I believe the manufacturer calls it "Tenebra") T2000. I have been using blades for 15+ years in some truly extreme/harsh conditions. Knives that are not well made, or made out of inferior materials will not hold up under these conditions for very long. I will not own one. Very rarely does a new knife manufacturer come along that impresses me. Extrema Ratio has done just that. I originally purchased the T2000 because of the blade design. It is a modified tanto design with a tang-through construction. Anyone who has had a blade part company with the handle during use will attest to the importance of the tang-through feature. Additionally, the blade steel is 1/4 inch thick. While we're on the subject of the steel, has anybody caught the fact that they advertise the blade steel used in these knives as COBALT stainless steel? I did. Had no earthly clue what the significance of the cobalt was. I knew it was a metal. I also new it was a right pretty shade of blue. So I think to myself, Is the blade bright blue, or something? I had never heard of anyone adding cobalt to stainless steel. I decided to research. I went to the "Jefferson Lab Science Education" website (
http://education.jlab.org/itselemental.html) which has an interactive Periodic Table. Looked up "Cobalt" (it's number 27 on the Periodic Table. Figured I'd tell you, I had to look for it...). I found out in the description some intersting things about cobalt when added to steel. It is resistant to corrosion. It causes the steel to have high resistance to impact, temperature, and wear. It is one of the elements used in the steel alloy "Stellite", an extremely wear,temperature,abuse resistant metal used in industrial Drills and cutting tools in fabrication. Apparently, these two gentlemen who founded this company were aware of something that everyone else missed--
The blade comes from the manufacturer sharp enough to shave with. Out of the box. The handle is comfortable enough, and, as the manufacturer states, allows one to quickly switch from reverse to sabre grip. The rubber (?) material of which they are constructed is hydrophilic, that is, does not become impossibly slippery when it becomes wet. Additionally, they have this odd insert in each side that is reminiscent of the "hook" side of Velcro. Aids in keeping one's grip. The tenifer (tenebra) finish on the blade WILL NOT SCRATCH/WEAR OFF. I've tried. The tenebra will not cooperate. It stubbornly remains where placed.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Should the blade ever break/develop a flaw, contact the one distributor in the United States. Mr. Miller (frank@extremaratiousa.com) has assured me that should the above ever occur, he will replace the blade. He is also the one to contact, should you have any questions about the blades in general. Extrema Ratio USA has a website as well, where all available models (Including some new folders)can be seen. Their website is (
www.extremaratiousa.com).
I believe these may be the best-kept secret in the tactical knives realm. Definitely worth having one, especially if your idea of "tools of the trade" involve a badge, and that which one inserts a magazine into...
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