Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II Review

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Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II Review - Part 1

Introduction

I received a Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II as part of a pass around here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=714679

Extrema Ratio is the hard-use/military division of Italy’s Fox Cutlery. 
The Italian phrase “Extrema Ratio” translates into “Last Resort” in English, and the description seems to fit the line well. If TSHTS, the Fulcrum II might be a great choice. As described here: http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/fulcrum_duetd.htm the knife was built to the specifications of an Italian anti-terrorist unit. Calling the knife overbuilt is an understatement.

Here is how it compares to some popular folders:

Top to bottom are the Kershaw Volt, Spyderco Civilian, Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II, Buck Strider 880, Lone Wolf Harsey D2, and Kershaw Tyrade:

Fit & Finish

The Fulcrum II is manufactured in Italy. It is well-made with innovative design features and attention to detail, but the fit and finish isn't quite what I would hope for in a $350 knife. The knife opens smoothly and locks up tight, but there is a little up-and-down bladeplay. The black anodized aluminum is worn in spots -- particularly where the thumb studs touch the frame when closing. The black coating on the blade in entirely worn away in places. The back lock is a closed design, but there are gaps that seem to result from poor tolerances, not design. The blade is slightly off center and rubs against one side of the handle.

Blade

The Fulcrum II is available in tanto or clip point blades. The pass around knife has a tanto point. At .236” thick, the Fulcrum II blade is the thickest I’ve ever seen in a folder and is thicker than many of the hardiest fixed blades available today. The Becker Tac Tool (.230&#8221, Busse Tank Buster (.250"), and ESEE RC-4 (.188&#8221, for example, all have thinner blades than the Fulcrum II. The V ground edge on the Fulcrum is pretty thick, too. The knife arrived dull and the edge geometry is so obtuse, I wonder if a keen edge can really be put on it. It's basically an axe edge. Richard J. gets the Fulcrum last in the pass around and we'll see what he can do with his paper wheels.

The blade is ground from N690 cobalt stainless steel, which has quite a fan base. Some folks here like it more than VG-10 or 154CM. I've never had an N690 blade long enough to test its edge retention, but it is reputed to be quite good. The blade on the pass around knife came to me with rusty serrations. I don't know what it was put through, but it makes me question its corrosion resistance. The Fulcrum II's edge is about 50% serrated and 50% plain edged. Unlike many serrations, the teeth are ground on both sides of the blade, with one side ground a little deeper.

Handle

The Fulcrum II's handle is thick, stout, and easy to grip even though the surfaces are smooth. There is a guard/choil area built in with a depression on both sides of the handle that fits my hand very well. The way it is designed gives you a very good grip when the knife is closed. It makes for a very good glass breaker/impact weapon. Jimping on the lock back button and top of the blade provides a little extra gripping surface when the knife is open. The pocket clip is proportionately wider than usual and not overly grippy. It does cause the knife to ride a little high in the pocket, but the extended lanyard hole at the butt end doesn't leave any room to place the clip higher. I'm right-handed, but the Fulcrum seems totally lefty friendly.

One unique feature of the Fulcrum II is a push-button safety on the back lock, as shown here. The knife has an extremely robust-looking back spine, but the lock provides added safety against lock failure. The handle is assembled from two thick aluminum slabs and a thick steel back spacer held together by two robust-looking screws and the pivot screw. I didn't take it apart, but it looks like you can.

 

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Extrema Ratio Fulcrum II Review - Part 2

Ergonomics & Performance

For such a clunky-looking knife, the Fulcrum feels good in the hand. I found it relatively easy to open and close one-handed. You can't really "flick" it open using the thumb studs, but with a little wrist movement, it is pretty easy. In the pocket, though, it sits like a brick. You never forget it is there. Over the two weeks I had it, the Fulcrum proved to be a damn good crowbar, but not much of a slicer. It excelled at all the non-cutting stuff we sometimes do with a knife - prying open a paint can, chipping up grout, etc.

Conclusions

My thanks to JoeBobX for letting me borrow his knife and for www.bladeforums.com for giving us a place to come together for the pass around. My conclusion is that you don't get much cutting edge for the size and weight of the whole package. As you can see from the photo below, a Buck Mayo TNT gives you about the same cutting edge in a package that disappears in your pocket. The same could be said of a Spyderco Delica or Kershaw Leek. On the other hand, if you want to pry open a car door, there is no better choice than an Extrema Ratio.