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Opinions on Extrema Ratio?
- Thread starter Schtik
- Start date
Does anyone know how long Rob Simonich has been putting striped finishes on his knives?
Between Strider, Simonich, and Mad Dog, it seems like several high-end knifemakers have been doing zebra-striped finishes for a while.
In any case, zebra-striping seems to me like much too small of a similarity for me to think that anyone has a legitimate cause to get mad about copying, when the underlying knife design looks completely different. Yeah, knife designers sometimes incorporate elements originated by others. It's a matter of degree, and the line can be hard to draw precisely. I think it's completely silly to claim that Strider has some sort of legitimate claim to all blade striping. That would be like Blossfeldt fans getting bent out of shape because I also take photos which are close-up studies of plant details.
These ER knives don't look like Strider copies, to me. Strider's stuff looks like the natural integration of style and function toward creating a tool with a specific use; ER stuff looks to me like (goofy) style at the expense of function.
However, let me be clear that I have never used either brand, and am basing my comments entirely on looks.
Between Strider, Simonich, and Mad Dog, it seems like several high-end knifemakers have been doing zebra-striped finishes for a while.
In any case, zebra-striping seems to me like much too small of a similarity for me to think that anyone has a legitimate cause to get mad about copying, when the underlying knife design looks completely different. Yeah, knife designers sometimes incorporate elements originated by others. It's a matter of degree, and the line can be hard to draw precisely. I think it's completely silly to claim that Strider has some sort of legitimate claim to all blade striping. That would be like Blossfeldt fans getting bent out of shape because I also take photos which are close-up studies of plant details.
These ER knives don't look like Strider copies, to me. Strider's stuff looks like the natural integration of style and function toward creating a tool with a specific use; ER stuff looks to me like (goofy) style at the expense of function.
However, let me be clear that I have never used either brand, and am basing my comments entirely on looks.
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Rob Simonich
Big Bear
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- Oct 3, 1998
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I started using "Strider inspired" stripes last May after I asked Mick Strider if he minded if I used the stripes. So I havent done them very long, a little over a year.
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- May 7, 2001
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Does anyone know who "invented" them (after the tigers of course)
Strider definatly has made them famous.
Strider definatly has made them famous.
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- Apr 17, 2002
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- 21
ll
Rob Simonich:
Thank you for the information. Your work is splendid; intend to get a Raven someday.
Frank from Target Masters:
Thank you for your input. I mostly agree. However, I do think that your statements seem to downplay the fact that specific design elements do truly have definitive advantages/disadvanatges toward a given use. (i.e., neutral balance will be faster and more controlled in hand, extreme forward balance will enable harder chopping; acuter edge angles will cut more efficiently, obtuser angles will be more impact resistant; etc.)
Thank you for the information. Your work is splendid; intend to get a Raven someday.
Frank from Target Masters:
Thank you for your input. I mostly agree. However, I do think that your statements seem to downplay the fact that specific design elements do truly have definitive advantages/disadvanatges toward a given use. (i.e., neutral balance will be faster and more controlled in hand, extreme forward balance will enable harder chopping; acuter edge angles will cut more efficiently, obtuser angles will be more impact resistant; etc.)
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mm
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I respectfully disagree...IMHO, this would only be true IF Mercedes was the ONLY one making silver coupes...but they are not...so, people don't automatically associate a silver coupe with Mercedes...but Strider has "kleenexed" tiger striping (sorry, I did a thesis on prototypical brands
)...people clearly associate tiger striping with Strider...I mean let's pretend that Strider was the first to use a pink sheath and as soon one saw a pink sheath, they knew it was a Strider...now suppose that "another" company starts using pink sheaths...isn't it obvious that people will think it's a "rip-off" (BTW, I want royalties if you end up using pink sheaths as a result of my post).I am not trying to do harm to your business...I wish ER the best of luck but as a Strider fan, I am disappointed to see ER using a tiger striped finish (although I do think your knives are sufficiently different in other respects)...I feel so strongly about this that I won't even consider one of your knives...
RL
PS Of course, I am not speaking for Strider in any way...these are MY opinions!
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- Sep 8, 2002
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- 266
I probably would never buy an Extrema Ratio Blade or whatever. I do own Striders, and will tell you if your going to plunk down hard earned cash in the 250.00 300.00 200.00 range why not just get something better?
ER seems to be copying them in the tiger stripe but also look at the blade guards, they are VERy similar in shape EXACT to a Strider.
I think they are over priced, for what your getting.
Strider Knives has been around since 1994, previous to the civilian explosion they made knives only for the military. They had an incredible following by word of mouth in the Spec Ops Community.
Check out a Strider.
ER seems to be copying them in the tiger stripe but also look at the blade guards, they are VERy similar in shape EXACT to a Strider.
I think they are over priced, for what your getting.
Strider Knives has been around since 1994, previous to the civilian explosion they made knives only for the military. They had an incredible following by word of mouth in the Spec Ops Community.
Check out a Strider.
Hmmmm,it looks like i am called to trow in my 0.2 .I bought a first run harpoon from ER and i did some testing on it. Blade fit and finish are good, with simmetrical grindlines,shoulders, guards and a good tang/scale match (you could expect this, since my own version was the one with soft kraton handle). The sheat is one of the best i have seen : the Inpax rubber looks like a sort of heavy neoprene and the sheat has lots of options to be carried on the belt or low slung on the thighs. elastic straps are provided to secure the sheat on your leg.
After some chopping on pinewood i did not found the balance akward or unconfortable and the rubber handle made a good job in absorbing the impact.at the end of about 45' of happy chopping (done privileging control over power,let's say 90% of my hardest blow)my hand showed no redness or sore spots (notice: i am an electronic technician so i don't have particularly strong or rough hands).Edge retention is good and the knife was still very sharp after the chopping.
The tip is not so strong, mainly because the design of the knife has not so much metal on it; if you think you'll do better with a stronger tip (a la Cold Steel tanto)it's better to look for a Golem or a Fulcrum that have way beefier tips.I have nothing to say about tiger stripes, mainly because i thing that it's better to judge a knife based on how it cuts and not on how it looks.All in all i am satisfied with it's performance and i think it's a good knife for the money, at least here in Italy, leaving nothing to desire in comparison to a Strider of comparable lenght (that here costs about 600 euros if not more.).Test one and i think you will like it.
After some chopping on pinewood i did not found the balance akward or unconfortable and the rubber handle made a good job in absorbing the impact.at the end of about 45' of happy chopping (done privileging control over power,let's say 90% of my hardest blow)my hand showed no redness or sore spots (notice: i am an electronic technician so i don't have particularly strong or rough hands).Edge retention is good and the knife was still very sharp after the chopping.
The tip is not so strong, mainly because the design of the knife has not so much metal on it; if you think you'll do better with a stronger tip (a la Cold Steel tanto)it's better to look for a Golem or a Fulcrum that have way beefier tips.I have nothing to say about tiger stripes, mainly because i thing that it's better to judge a knife based on how it cuts and not on how it looks.All in all i am satisfied with it's performance and i think it's a good knife for the money, at least here in Italy, leaving nothing to desire in comparison to a Strider of comparable lenght (that here costs about 600 euros if not more.).Test one and i think you will like it.
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- Nov 7, 1999
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Hey Guys...
I think it is safe to assume that On/Scene Tactical will NOT be making any pink sheaths..So Please stop calling about pink sheaths..
Now that we are on the topic of sheaths...
Someone, Please explain what "Black INPAX" is...
Hopefully Target Masters will have some insight on this...
Looks like kydex or a variant of it....
ttyle
Eric...
I think it is safe to assume that On/Scene Tactical will NOT be making any pink sheaths..So Please stop calling about pink sheaths..
Now that we are on the topic of sheaths...
Someone, Please explain what "Black INPAX" is...
Hopefully Target Masters will have some insight on this...
Looks like kydex or a variant of it....
ttyle
Eric...
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- May 7, 2001
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- 1,138
Normark i have no idea what the stuff is, I do like it, it is the best factory sheath i have ever seen. Frank is going to Italy next week, maybe he can report back on what this stuff is (it is good though)
maxegb-thank you for the review, it's nice to see someone that actually owns one have some comments, you are right about the Tips the Fulcrum and Golem, they are certainly high impact knives.
maxegb-thank you for the review, it's nice to see someone that actually owns one have some comments, you are right about the Tips the Fulcrum and Golem, they are certainly high impact knives.
Richard
BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
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Ajax, I dont beleive Strider is the first to stripe their knives....Maddog knives did it sometime back. Granted, if you like stripes the Striders probably look the best and have definately made the idea popular, but I dont think original.
Your right, the Extreme Ratio guards look like Striders...and some EK Commando, Ka-Bars, some Cold Steel, Ontarios Blackwind Swords, some older Gerbers....oh, you get the idea.
The 'Tactical' Americanised tanto style has been around for a long time, and used by many companies and custom makers. As I have said before, some of the Strider models (non-tantos)somewhat resemble some Ek Commando knives of the late 80s, early 90s. Yeah, Strider has a style that is easy to spot as theirs and I dont think they were inspired by Ek, but hey, they are not revolutionary as far as looks go. Even cord-wrapped handles have been around a while.
No doubt people buy Striders because they enjoy them, and the quality if probably top-notch. Do you think Striders are good enough to stand on their own, or do you just feel the need to tear down one persons knife to make you feel comfortable with yours?
Your right, the Extreme Ratio guards look like Striders...and some EK Commando, Ka-Bars, some Cold Steel, Ontarios Blackwind Swords, some older Gerbers....oh, you get the idea.
The 'Tactical' Americanised tanto style has been around for a long time, and used by many companies and custom makers. As I have said before, some of the Strider models (non-tantos)somewhat resemble some Ek Commando knives of the late 80s, early 90s. Yeah, Strider has a style that is easy to spot as theirs and I dont think they were inspired by Ek, but hey, they are not revolutionary as far as looks go. Even cord-wrapped handles have been around a while.
No doubt people buy Striders because they enjoy them, and the quality if probably top-notch. Do you think Striders are good enough to stand on their own, or do you just feel the need to tear down one persons knife to make you feel comfortable with yours?
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- Apr 17, 2002
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- 21
The INPAX Sheath is a High Quality Material that is similiar to Kydex. It is thick enough to be stable but still maintain a slim profile. The GOLEM/FULCRUM models are ABS sheaths (again similar to Kydex)with 2 leg straps and six anchor points. The other models (T2000, Harpoon, DobermannII) have one leg strap.
The other material, BALLISTIC GUM, is the damndest stuff I have ever seen. The best way I can describe it is leather and rubber combined into one material. You really have to see and feel it to appreciate it. This has been the most popular sheath requested by military guys because it does not make any noise...at all!
I hope this helps
The other material, BALLISTIC GUM, is the damndest stuff I have ever seen. The best way I can describe it is leather and rubber combined into one material. You really have to see and feel it to appreciate it. This has been the most popular sheath requested by military guys because it does not make any noise...at all!
I hope this helps
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To give credit where it is due, Frank Miller recently donated six ER's (Fulcrums & Harpoons) to a Special Forces A-Team that will soon be. or already is in Afghanistan to train the new Afghan Army for the next year. E-mail from the Team Sergeant confirmed the knives arrived and are much appreciated.