Sharpened Folding Pry-Bar!

ROCK6

ROCK6

Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
4,172
Most definitely not a "bushcraft" knife, but the RAO is designed as a compact, stout knife that can take abuse...literally a sharpened prybar. Well, I recently acquired an Extreme Ratio RAO folder. The purpose was to attach to my IBA as it's hard to carry a fixed blade when you crammed in a Blackhawk when traveling. This is really an emergency blade that's compact but able to handle tough jobs...sure, I prefer a fixed blade, but I was looking for a tough blade that would have a smaller footprint on my IBA. It's a hella-stout folder to say the least and a large chunk of steel. It cuts well and I've sharpened it twice with good results from the steel they use. The primary lock is effective and easy to manipulate even with gloves. The secondary pin lock is okay...I wish it was a stiff detent pin, but it's threaded...meaning I have to remove gloves to remove or put it in place. Although that's my criticism, the sheath is designed to carry the knife folded or blade extended (pretty unique); that helps if you don't have the time to remove the secondary locking pin.

I'm not a big tanto bladed guy, but this isn't a hunting/skinning blade...it will probably do okay in a pinch, but this is literally a sharpened prybar. It actually chops well for its size...the blade-heavy design associated with most folders really helps and I was surprised that it did as good as it did. This is a very small niche type of knife; it is not designed for the pocket; not as inherently strong as a fixed blade and not necessarily the best design for most typical bushcraft cutting chores. It is a beast and perfect for the guy/gal that needs a compact but strong sharpened prybar.

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ROCK6
 
A few more pictures…

I've done some pretty hard battoning on some season oak...no issue with the dual locking mechanism.

RAO-1.jpg

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My IBA is currently stipped down for several observer/controller missions I'm conducting, but you can see the small amount of space the RAO takes up:

RAOIBA-2.jpg

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ROCK6
 
Somehow, I just knew you were going to show us an Extrema Ratio!

It's built like a truck. I've been hankering after trying a few of theirs, both folders and fixed, for a while now. Until you see them side by side with others, and in-hand, you can;t really appreciate the size of the things.

I was looking at an rao the other day.

Thanks for the pictures and info - now I really want one!!!
 
WOW..I am impressed! that thing is huge! that would fit in a small kit or "go bag" pretty nicely! thanks Rock.
PS, whats the maker on the sheath for the Bravo1? Looks nice...
 
normally I personally wouldn't consider it, but the points you made are very good ;)

thanks for sharing that and the good pics (and nice Rainwalker sheath, luv the logo :D )
 
gunknifenut said:
PS, whats the maker on the sheath for the Bravo1? Looks nice...
Click to expand...

Yeap, the attention to detail of our other members tagged it...it's made by Rainwalker and it's an excellent sheath!

I'll get a picture later today comparing it to a few other "large" folders. The blade is quite wide and the overall size is pretty large but with a flat profile. Like I said, it's a niche knife that wouldn't appeal to most here, but the role it does fill is pretty darn good for me.

ROCK6
 
Even if you don't get to stab the enemy, you could throw it him, closed, and it would probably terminate him! :eek:

I see the Bravo-1 horizontal/vertical sheath. Any chance of a picture of the other side?

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I see the Bravo-1 horizontal/vertical sheath. Any chance of a picture of the other side?

Doc
Click to expand...

Here you go Doc...I must say that I really like this design! It's an Ambi setup that allows you a lot of options on carrying.

JeffLawSheath-3.jpg


JeffLawSheath-1.jpg


ROCK6
 
I just got a RAO today and it is awesome!!! Chopped through the 2X4 like butter. Huge but can be used as a fixed blade or carried as a folder. VERY, VERY sharp. Still shaves paper after cutting the 2x4 and shaving up a beef roast. Found my new turkey knife this year. It is close to the end all knives.
 
Hey Rock - thats gotta be the ugliest knife, or at least as ugly as anything that combines the words nuclear + busse together :) Despite the lack of aesthetics, I'm sure it does the job. Tough seems an understatement for that thing.
 
Talfuchre said:
Rock has to have a MAJOR knife. I mean - it has to match the insignia! ;)
I didn't know you had a gold leaf Rock.... sir.
TF
Click to expand...

We all make mistakes :D Luckily there's no rank amongst knife-love’in brethren

ROCK6
 
Well I definitely want one of these now- It makes my ZT301 seem "normal-sized." Thanks for posting about it :)
 
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I've got to hand it to you guys who like the RAO. Tastes can really differ immensely. But I am glad there are folks who like those things, because I don't, and I don't want any knife to be all alone and unwanted. ;) Very nice pics, though, Rock6! :thumbup:

But honestly... (flame suits on, mates...) I've handled one of those, and I don't think I've ever seen a more awful "knife" in that price range. The tip is monstrously poor, the blade barely cuts anything at all, and it's heavier and wider than most fixed blades in that blade length range. It's not very compact at all. The only thing it does even a remotely good job in is prying, and even in that it loses to a strong fixed blade and loses even more badly to a small pocket prybar. Honestly, if I had to pry stuff constantly, I'd carry a small prybar - it would be smaller and lighter than the RAO, and I could still carry a knife that actually cuts. :D

But I can see why a soldier might want to carry one if they're not allowed to carry a fixed blade, or just don't have the room to carry one - although in the latter case I would simply toss something else rather than carry a poor knife.
 
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