Extrema ratio...

M

mjolnir

Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
65
At first I thought these were ugly euro-trash knives, and after one look at their prices, ignored them. A picture on this forum of the new folder showed some interesting build quality. A tiny spark of interest glowed. N690 "stainless cobalt" steel. 'It has excellent skills of corrosion resistance guaranteed from the high content of chromium (17.00%)' says one web site. Wait a minute, isn't good old VG-10 a "stainless cobalt" steel? Well, assume the steel is ok, the blades look big and beefy. Then, I saw these pics:

http://target-masters.net/about_content.asp

What kind of crap tang is that? It's like a guy with 22" biceps and 18" thighs! Are these knives worth their asking prices?
 
I hope so, I'm planning on getting my hands on one of them soon. I got to handle some of these, a couple of months ago, and they are sweet-looking blades. Plus, they're damn thick so I doubt that back "spring tang" would be going anywhere.

If you get one before I do, let us know how it compares.
 
Moljnir,

The steel is N690, made by Bohler Steel of Sweden. It is basically VG-10, but it is known as N690 in Europe. I'm not sure about the history of this steel, but I think I read Bohler makes more N690 than Hitachi(?) does VG-10, so it is pretty common in Europe. I find VG-10 to be almost a perfect steel, easy to sharpen, good corrosion resistance, and holds an edge well.

Only the tang on that particular knife is like that, and I have no idea why. My guess it that 1) the tang is realy thick (looks like it in the picture) 2) it improves balance (that particular model could be a fighting knife?). The other knives have full width tang and have an extension of the tang at the but for striking.
 
PhoulPlae,
I don't think that the tang in question is thicker than the blade's spine.
And I don't think it's supposed more of a fighter than the other Extrema Ratio knives are, because most people want their fighters not to be forward-heavy.
 
Col%20Moschin%20Dismounted.jpg


The knife being discussed previously is the K1 Dobermann, It was one of the first productions by Extrema Ratio. It is not a tactical knife at all.
The picture above is of the "Col Moschin" knife and shows the entire tang beneath the handle. As you can see it is a full tang knife with a removeable handle. This represents ALL of the tactical series of knives being made by Extrema Ratio.
 
Interesting design.., I'll have to read up on these some.., but thanks for the information...
 
I have handled most of the models of Extrema Ratio, from their fixed blades to their new folders. They all share the same steel and quality of design and construction. They are not light weights but the ColMoschin is so well balanced its hardly noticable in your hand. I have an early model Golum and it is a serious knife good for general use or defensive purposes. I know that Frank Miller is working hard to get these knives distributed through out the country. If you want to make an informed decision, contact him for more info.
 
a few aussie makers (not myself) have used N690..... they all describe it as a 440B equivalent.
Bohler describe it as "BÖHLER high corrosion resisting steels
for the food processing industry" and rate it between N680 (440B) and N695 (440C)
i dont think it ever had the reputation of VG10 for performance.
 
We have been dealing with Extrema Ratio for awhile, and the are totally worth the money! Tough stuff! Paul
 
Wow! This forum punts gluteus. Thanks to E.R. for the clarification on tang construction...looks much more serious. The itch grows stronger...
 
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