Extrema Ratio RAO

I still don't get it. This knife looks like a terrible chopper. And I don't get the purpose of the strange tip. The knife certainly looks strong, and the second lock appears to make it close to a fixed blade in strength, but why not just a fixed blade this size? You have to carry this thing on your belt anyway. A double knife lock that depends on a loose pin hanging by a thread is not what I would want in combat.
 
Having had several ER folders in my hands (Fulcrum, MPC, Nemesis), I did not buy any. I would say: despite their great design, nothing for EDC - too heavy, not ergonomical. Simply, I don´t like these semi-fixed knives. Speaking about ER, I would prefer some of their fixed knives, e.g. Shrapnel ...
 
Wow, I just have to say... You are so damn lucky!!
I've been coveting that blade for a while but can't bring myself to put down that kind of cash. I can't wait to see your pics.
 
That's a weird looking knife, but I like it though. Looks very strong. I have the Nemesis model, and the dang thing is so thick, I can't get it a sharp as I want it to be. But the lock is STRONG. I think we can expect the same with this RAO.
 
"Looks like a terrible chopper." Well, it may be, but the end users are cited as requiring that as a task. Depends on what they are chopping and how. Not every one uses a full on grip chopping, some baton, and others swing by the butt with three fingers allowing the grip to pivot - like a miniature ax.

As for the tip, there isn't much to pry on in the field, and as artillery spotters, they get to climb terrain. That blunt tip is much less likely to pierce the sheath if they fell on it. It's apparently an official design for the unit, so the head shed may have had a say in it, just like sailors using sheepsfoot blades. Since it's a tool, not weapon, it doesn't "need" a penetrating tip, which also reduces injuries in infra-unit conflict resolution or unapproved recreational combatives, ahem.
 
tirod3 said:
it doesn't "need" a penetrating tip, which also reduces injuries in infra-unit conflict resolution or unapproved recreational combatives, ahem.
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Amen to that. The tip doesn't look to be poor at penetrating to me however. Whatever handicap the thickness might be should be made up for by it's weight and the sharpened swedge.
 
Are you really saying that it's good to give combat troops a poor combat knife because they might use the knife on themselves? Maybe we should give them rubber bullets, too.
 
It looks to me like it would out chop at least 95% of other folding knives. Not sure on the thought behind the design of the tip, but it looks like one of the strongest I've seen. The pin is a very nice "additional" feature to the main lock. The designers probably didn't consider hand to hand combat when they came up with this knife, but surely it could still be used. Personally, I would not feel uncomfortable carrying this knife into war. My guess is that it would be perfered to a seven inch fixed blade by alot of soldiers.
 
Twindog said:
Are you really saying that it's good to give combat troops a poor combat knife because they might use the knife on themselves? Maybe we should give them rubber bullets, too.
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There are no combat knives, just utility knives issued to combat soldiers, especially since the invention and perfection of reliable firearms. Many Naval services have required blunt tips for centuries because some sailors settle arguements physically - and the hazard of using a sharp point on a rolling vessel.

IIRC the last combat "knives" issued were the Ames short sword in the 1800's, or sabres to a Brit Cavalry unit in the 30's. Even the SEALS aren't issued combat knives, they're issued Dive knives for utility work, which is the primary purpose.

If the BM auto with a NSN for Coast Guard issue is a combat knife, I have serious reservations about the design. As a fun to use but never carry folder, I like mine just fine.

As for troops using a knife as a weapon, most likely in the barracks, almost never on the battlefield, which is the bubble bursting reality that colors a serviceman's impression of advertising.

I got rubber bullet training in GTMO, and it does have a place in non-lethal weapons escalation of force scenarios - riot control. The rubber claymores are even more fun, along with the rubber shotgun rounds.

I don't know why a Italian artillery spotter unit would need them anymore than some fantasy commando knife to cut brush for camoflage and firewood. I do understand the reality of humping 60 pounds of basic load up six flights of stairs - these guys look like they get to do that repeatedly all day long in the hills, so forget axes and hatchets.

The RAO just makes more sense the more I think about it, but I'm obviously not as well informed as others.
 
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