Extrema Ratio T4000C - test

[martineden]

Disclaimer: as a writer for the knives magazine “Lame d’autore” and my own blog AD Blog, I receive - sometimes buy - several knives to test and review. All my reviews, opinions, and other general babblings expressed here are my own and based on my experience with a product. I’m not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned on my test nor do I endorse them and they do not endorse me. I am not paid for my test and reviews; I do not get a pay check for any of the work and writings you see here. I have a full time job and reviewing knives/blogging is not it. Anything discussed below is expressed as my own opinion.


Hello fellows,
today I would like to show you the Extrema Ratio T400C and share my feelings and thoughts

FIRST IMPRESSIONS – Score: 7,5/10
The T4000C has a simple, elegant shape. Anyway, I do not get crazy for all-black/military knives with rubber handle, so my initial feeling was “uhmmm, not bad but I would like more a satin blade and micarta handles”. That's just me, obviously. The tanto point was something new for me; I mean usually I own different kind of knives, so I was curious to try it (I will discuss the tanto point further). Fit and finish are fine, for a field knife like that. The balance is good, just where the index finger groove is placed. I like usually ER handles, this one is the typical handle they use since years and that’s comfortable and safe. Blood groove, skull-crasher (or glass-breaker as you like) and the MIL-C-13924 blade finishing, speaks clearly about the military origin of the T4000C and, being not a soldier, this is not the best for me. That said, I have found some Extrema Ratio military knives as very good tools for survival/bushcraft activities, so I have used the T4000C for what I know and I like, I tested the knife during my outdoors activities and some home works for a period of two months.

T4000C specs (from Extrema Ratio internet site):
Weight g.: 196,0
Weight oz.: 6,9
Blade Length (mm): 104
Blade Length (in): 4,1
Total Length (mm): 208
Total Length (in): 8,2
Blade Thickness (mm): 4,0
Blade Thickness (in): 0,16
Blade Material: BöHLER N690 STEEL (58HRC)
Blade Finishing: MIL-C-13924 BURNISHING
Main Grid: FLAT
Handle Material: FORPRENE

http://www.extremaratio.com/prodotti/coltelli-lama-fissa/back-up/t4000-c.html


CARRYING THE KNIFE – Score 9/10
The T4000C has a very well-realized, MOLLE compatible Cordura sheath. I have found it extremely well-made, light, safe, smart, comfortable, versatile: in few words, it’s one of the best sheath I have found on the market. On the external side it’s possible to place some item like a sharpener. I just may say: great job ER.

ON THE FIELD – Score 8/10
I have used the T4000C for a variety of tasks, including of course a lot of woodcarving…

…arranging material to start fire

…batoning and making feathers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ijli_YA6I&feature=youtu.be
…and finally some food prep

Well, I have to say overall I am very satisfied about the T4000C. Cutting efficiency is good; handling the knife is fine and safe. The tanto point is something you (or, at least, me) need some time to become familiar; anyway, when you are used to, it’s an efficient part of the blade, really useful for precise cutting. The lack of the guards is a plus for bushcraft activities, not encumbrance at all. Do not like – in a bushcraft/survival perspective – the blade finishing, in fact this make impossible to use the ferrocium rod on the blade spine; you need to use the sharpen side of the blade for. Do not like also the pommel, which is more a skull crasher/glass breaker, while I would like more a large, flat one. That said, the T4000C is a good all-around knife, I have used it with satisfaction for a variety of field activities.

VARIOUS – Score 8,0/10
After various tasks, I need to say the T4000C is still in great shape. Some washing and the blade finishing appears almost new, or so. The same for the edge, the steel seems to be properly hardened and shaped for long-term use. Fairly easy to resharp, too.

CONCLUSIONS
The average score for the Extrema Ratio T4000C knife is 8,1/10.

PROS: it’s compact, robust, it’s well made, the blade it’s sharp and cut very well, the handle it’s comfortable and safe, the sheath system is smart, safe, the knife do not rattle when carried, the sheath MOLLE compatible is really comfortable.
CONS: in a bushcraft/survival perspective a non-finished blade should be better; a larger and flat pommel should be more useful.

Cheers,
AD

 

[ohmyheckinslc]

Another great review with great pics and detail. Keep up the good work!

 

[Herlock]

Hi! Nice review and great pics :thumbup:. I just handled the knife, not used it, so I can’t say so much. The knife is having the classic ER family feeling, love it or hate it . Workmanship and fit & finish are good, I agree, not superb. But… it’s sharp! I have to say lately ER got much better in this respect. Handle is the classic ER one, nothing new, I also find that decently comfortable for my taste.

I think that this knife can have a meaning in a urban working scenario (when legal of course), like a construction site, a scrap yard, a warehouse, a packaging material storage, etc. I experienced the tanto blade profile is very good for cutting cardboard materials, cabling, carpet, insulation materials, plastic materials, sheeting, for scraping, even digging, and so on. It is basically a great profile for cutting various materials when laid out flat. A tanto blade cut straight lines very well and you have a knife that behaves like a very robust box-cutter. In general, I also find the acute point is good for the initial piercing of thicker materials. :thumbup:

So it’s far from being a useless blade shape, however, I would personally rather not carry a knife with such a blade profile in the woods. For bushcraft activities I think it’s definitely not suitable. Carving and whittling becomes not very easy and “natural” (which is, for me, when I work with a drop point blade), skinning, filletting and food prep in general becomes a chore, etc. So I think here you are showing that it’s possible to do these things also - to some extent - but I am puzzled, as a week-end hiker, when you say, as professional knife reviewer and knives designer, that a knife like this scores 8/10 (for whatever the scoring can mean with no reference standards) in bushcraft tasks .

Anyway, I agree the look it’s nice . For its intended use, I still prefer the tanto profile on a folder. I have the BF2 CT since years and love it. I carry it around regularly within my EDC rotation. Here it is, in a rather tactical combo .

Ciao!

 

[FCCBCT]

Hi Alfredo, nice review, I'm about to do a review too shortly. Did you pick those great mushrooms in the opening shots? I bet as they are very tasty!

 

[FCCBCT]

Hi! Nice review and great pics :thumbup:. I just handled the knife, not used it, so I can’t say so much. The knife is having the classic ER family feeling, love it or hate it . Workmanship and fit & finish are good, I agree, not superb. But… it’s sharp! I have to say lately ER got much better in this respect. Handle is the classic ER one, nothing new, I also find that decently comfortable for my taste.

I think that this knife can have a meaning in a urban working scenario (when legal of course), like a construction site, a scrap yard, a warehouse, a packaging material storage, etc. I experienced the tanto blade profile is very good for cutting cardboard materials, cabling, carpet, insulation materials, plastic materials, sheeting, for scraping, even digging, and so on. It is basically a great profile for cutting various materials when laid out flat. A tanto blade cut straight lines very well and you have a knife that behaves like a very robust box-cutter. In general, I also find the acute point is good for the initial piercing of thicker materials. :thumbup:

So it’s far from being a useless blade shape, however, I would personally rather not carry a knife with such a blade profile in the woods. For bushcraft activities I think it’s definitely not suitable. Carving and whittling becomes not very easy and “natural” (which is, for me, when I work with a drop point blade), skinning, filletting and food prep in general becomes a chore, etc. So I think here you are showing that it’s possible to do these things also - to some extent - but I am puzzled, as a week-end hiker, when you say, as professional knife reviewer and knives designer, that a knife like this scores 8/10 (for whatever the scoring can mean with no reference standards) in bushcraft tasks .

Anyway, I agree the look it’s nice . For its intended use, I still prefer the tanto profile on a folder. I have the BF2 CT since years and love it. I carry it around regularly within my EDC rotation. Here it is, in a rather tactical combo .

Ciao!

I will welcome your criticisms of my future review of this blade too!