Extrema Ratio RAO

edgeobserver

edgeobserver

Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
156
Hi All,

Just finished up another video overview and write up about the Extrema Ratio RAO. I've seen a couple of reviews about this knife and know it isn't exactly the freshest offering but I thought I'd try and consolidate some of the points with a little background. Thanks for watching!

[video=youtube;yJjsR0AAKig]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJjsR0AAKig&feature=related[/video]

As per usual, there is a more in-depth written review and more photos on my blog. http://www.edgeobserver.com
 
Thanks for this one. I keep gazing at Extrema Ratio folders and wondering if I should pull the trigger. The Rao doesn't do it for me but the Dark Talon is a seductive tactical blade.
 
I love my RAO. Originally purchased for pulling arrow points from trees and wooden backstops, a chore a now reprofilled hunteing knife lost its tip to. The Rao tip, though it looks blunt is shaving sharp. After getting comfortable with its durability, I now use this knife for any rough duty. I dig into shale and rocky soil, for rooting, use it for prying crystala off rock, and have batoned with it in a pinch (a tad short). The knife is a pittbull. Pricey, but no other knife I have withstands its abuse. Worth every euro.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104450...hkey=Gv1sRgCNvIheH14b2aJQ#5633176409844813170
https://picasaweb.google.com/104450...hkey=Gv1sRgCNvIheH14b2aJQ#5633176651994804594
 
Deviltooth said:
Thanks for this one. I keep gazing at Extrema Ratio folders and wondering if I should pull the trigger. The Rao doesn't do it for me but the Dark Talon is a seductive tactical blade.
Click to expand...

I picked up a dark talon recently. If you have any questions I'd be happy to fill you in. I'll be doing an overview of that knife too.
 
Nice to see you beating this knife up! I've started using mine for various chores (I think it scares the neighbors a bit) So far so good.
 
Great news. I eagerly await the Dark Talon review and hope it's as detailed as your previous works. I'm curious as to how it feels in the hand, ease of opening and overall fit and finish.
 
@Deviltooth It will be equally detailed.... It's probably going to be a bit before the review comes out. If you have other questions feel free to PM me or email the site at edgeobserver@gmail.com
 
My RAO is a beast and my dark talon is a beauty ! You can't go wrong with these knives.
Next ER could be the MF3... the first one you can wave.
 
The RAO always struck me as a smarter, BMW-style response to Cold Steel's over-built mega-size folders that are essentially pocket-sized swords. The RAO is overbuilt in the same redundant trandition, but far more practical in many ways. If I wanted a larger 'folding fixed blade' for say, outdoor work, camping, or extreme work use, I'd just as soon have one of these as one of Cold Steel's knives, which (keep a secret) is what I have now. Sure, it can't be waved open, but it makes up for this with its ability to be carried sheathed in the open position, if accessability is ever that much of an issue. That aside, it has a good weight and a hardy blade, appropriate to a last-ditch survival tool which is what it's designed as.
It's also large but not impractically so; it can chop and baton but it won't crowd your pack like a Rajah II will.
 
Tough knife for sure;)

NEC_0645.jpg


NEC_0644.jpg
 
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I am definetly getting 1 of these :)..any1 know what they can sell for today (lowest, med, max)? thanks :)
 
Nicely and concisely done. I was impressed by how much you got into two minutes.

Knives Illustrated has a writeup on this month by Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis. They were quite impressed.
Only negatives were some lock failures during some admittedly severe beating (NOT with the screw pin in place).
Also that the spring loaded slide bar locking mechanism became quite loose during the evaluation. The blade also became loose over time and needed tightening with a wrench. A bit troubling.
They also suggested a second screw pin should be included with storage somewhere in the sheath, which seems a good idea considering how important that small part is.
 
Alann45 said:
Nicely and concisely done. I was impressed by how much you got into two minutes.

Knives Illustrated has a writeup on this month by Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis. They were quite impressed.
Only negatives were some lock failures during some admittedly severe beating (NOT with the screw pin in place).
Also that the spring loaded slide bar locking mechanism became quite loose during the evaluation. The blade also became loose over time and needed tightening with a wrench. A bit troubling.
They also suggested a second screw pin should be included with storage somewhere in the sheath, which seems a good idea considering how important that small part is.
Click to expand...

Firstly, thanks for the compliment and the tip on the article. I'll have to check it out....

I've seen a couple of video's where people really beat on the R.A.O. It's hard to know what a reasonable expectation would be on the performance of the knife. I've had no troubles albeit the knife is still fairly new. I think that the RAO's use of people who actually depend on the knife for their lives should be considered. It will be interesting to see if the Italian military requests the lock be re-designed based on their use, it would seem unlikely though as the knife has been in service for 5 years now.....
 
sgt244 said:
I am definetly getting 1 of these :)..any1 know what they can sell for today (lowest, med, max)? thanks :)
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See a couple of prices from reliable vendors. One has it for ~$312, the other ~$366, both in black version.

edgeobserver said:
Firstly, thanks for the compliment and the tip on the article. I'll have to check it out....

I've seen a couple of video's where people really beat on the R.A.O. It's hard to know what a reasonable expectation would be on the performance of the knife. I've had no troubles albeit the knife is still fairly new. I think that the RAO's use of people who actually depend on the knife for their lives should be considered. It will be interesting to see if the Italian military requests the lock be re-designed based on their use, it would seem unlikely though as the knife has been in service for 5 years now.....
Click to expand...

The one's I've seen were beating it up with screw pin in place, which makes sense, and it seems to hold up extremely well.

Little more detail on the article.
He writes that, without using the screw pin, he "hammered" the back of the blade "mercilessly" against a 2x4 and it unlokced twice. He continued this hammering and it did not unlock again. Later, still with no screw pin, while "hacking" an apple tree limb it closed and cut him.
He didn't really make a big deal of these "failures" and the overall impression was that he was very impressed by the design and its strength.
My assumption is he had really beaten the heck out of the knife and abused it more than most users would be likely to, so the closing and looseness were not surprising.

I agree that after 5 years of real world successful use, a re-design seems unlikely and probably not needed.
 
Thought I would give a little update now that I've given the RAO some love.
I went up to the Slate Islands in lake Superior this week and took the RAO with me (as well as a Para 2). I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with its performance. I personally had no problems with the lock disengaging or loosening.
The islands had a shortage of small wood for firewood but lots of long pieces that were dry/solid enough.. I used the knife mainly for breaking down wood for fires and cut some stakes for our tarps. I found that the knife was an adequate stand in (but by no means a replacement) for a hatchet. I appreciated it small footprint for packing but would still take a fixed blade if I was going on a longer trip where I needed a knife for similar duties. Less parts to break right?
The edge retention was also good although the blades black finish wears quickly. The sheaths ability to hold the knife in the open position is a definite plus once the locking pin is in.

Here's a pic :

RAO.jpg
 
very nice review,

refressing.. and very good making movie skils ... you should do something with that ;)
 
edgeobserver said:
Thanks for the additional pics. I've been beating mine up since I've had it and the only wear has been on the blade coating... Fun knife.
Click to expand...

Its very tough folder, I did the coin test with not issue whatsoever. Even if I don't think that this tip it's one of the best out there for penetration, but low profile make this tip verry tough.This tip can take much more lateral stress than any other folder of the same budget without breaking.
Although the design does not say much, its very functional & practical to use. My believe is that the knife will break before the lock pin for sure...so I don't worry to losing my fingers.
The downside of the RAO....its perhaps expensive, but also so many knife out there......like the RAO, are expensive with less strength & capability of the RAO!
 
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Great knife overall. I bought one from a fellow forum member. I love big folders and this knife more than fits the mold of a "tank" type blade.
Right now it is on permanent loan to one of my kids (graduates) who is a Marine Infantry/Air Assault beast.
He says it is a great knife for his job, and I may never get it back! So if an active Marine loves it, must be something there!
Saving up for another one!
 
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