New Extrema Ratio RAO II inbound... - Page 1

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New Extrema Ratio RAO II inbound...

Red_Label

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Posted: 11/22/2023 12:35:40 AM EDT

There was a thread here about this blade that caught my attention and I've been forcing myself not to get one ever since (only because of their spendy price... but I've got Microtech and Benchmade OTFs, so no more expensive than they are). I finally couldn't stand it anymore and got one on the way. Will post pics and first impressions when it shows in a few weeks. Will be counting the days. I'm expecting it to be pretty beefy, maybe more so than my Cold Steel 4Max, and more beefy than the Zero Tolerance 0300 that I used to have.

A few pics of the Extrema from the ebay auction that I bought it from...

Attached File

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

WriterClarke Joined Feb 2015 Posts 843 EE 100% (21) AZ, USA	Posted: 11/23/2023 2:14:26 AM EDT [#1] Certainly an interesting knife. I like their designs, but hate the pricing and wish they had other steel options available

Red_Label

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Posts 44444
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Posted: 11/23/2023 2:55:27 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Originally Posted By WriterClarke:
Certainly an interesting knife.
I like their designs, but hate the pricing and wish they had other steel options available

View Quote

Agreed. Would much rather have it in S30V, Elmax, or something longer wearing like D2. But I wanted the Extrema mainly for the looks and to have in my collection. I've got a handful of bushcraft fixed blades (or my CS 4Max Scout folder) that I would choose for abuse. I just got smitten with the looks of this beast in whatever thread I saw it posted in. I'm curious to see how it compares size-wise to the 4Max. The 4Max is AUS 10A steel, which may be a little tougher than the Bohler N690. But I'm not sure on that.

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

ROCK6

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Joined Feb 2001
Posts 11573
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Posted: 11/23/2023 10:59:21 AM EDT

[Last Edit: ROCK6] [#3]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Red_Label:

Agreed. Would much rather have it in S30V, Elmax, or something longer wearing like D2. But I wanted the Extrema mainly for the looks and to have in my collection. I've got a handful of bushcraft fixed blades (or my CS 4Max Scout folder) that I would choose for abuse. I just got smitten with the looks of this beast in whatever thread I saw it posted in. I'm curious to see how it compares size-wise to the 4Max. The 4Max is AUS 10A steel, which may be a little tougher than the Bohler N690. But I'm not sure on that.

View Quote

It's still pretty decent steel, and a big folder

I have the original RAO as well. There was an interesting Youtube test on lock strength between the RAO and the Cold Steel 4Max; the 4Max won out, but they both supported an absurd amount of weight before failure.

The cross-pin is pretty cool. I have another folder (massive titanium scales and S35VN blade) that has the same concept.

ROCK6

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson

Red_Label

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Joined Jan 2003
Posts 44448
EE 100% (2)

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Posted: 11/24/2023 3:04:30 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Originally Posted By ROCK6:

It's still pretty decent steel, and a big folder

View Quote

Ah ha!!! So you're the damn dirty ape who just cost me $360!!!

Good to see the Extrema and 4Max next to each other. Pretty much the same size... at least in photos. But I would imagine that the Extrema feels chunkier in both girth and weight... no?

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

Red_Label Member Joined Jan 2003 Posts 44450 EE 100% (2) MT, USA	Posted: 11/24/2023 12:30:58 PM EDT [Last Edit: Red_Label] [#5] @ROCK6 In that top photo, what's that tanto the third from the right? It's so goofy looking that I'm digging it. Is the grind on both sides? Or is it only ground on one side, with no need to sharpen on the other side?
	"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

ROCK6

Member

Joined Feb 2001
Posts 11580
EE 100% (5)

GA, USA

Posted: 11/24/2023 12:46:04 PM EDT

[Last Edit: ROCK6] [#6]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Red_Label:
@ROCK6

In that top photo, what's that tanto the third from the right? It's so goofy looking that I'm digging it. Is the grind on both sides? Or is it only ground on one side, with no need to sharpen on the other side?

View Quote

@Red_Label, are you talking about this one?

That's the (no longer made) Xio Alpha Mk 1 (goofy name to match!

). If I recall the story, it was knife enthusiast/maker in China who was allowed to make a small batch in a knife company's factory. Thick titanium scales, a 0.228" thick blade of S30VN and it has the same cross-pin option to really "lock the blade" in. It's a beast, and yes, it's a conventional V-ground blade. It also has one of the slickest pivots for a large blade and the flipper action is remarkably smooth. No doubt though, it's a goofy ass looking blade! The designer did some video tests punch the blade into car doors and 55-gallon drums

ROCK6

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson

Red_Label

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Joined Jan 2003
Posts 44480
EE 100% (2)

MT, USA

Posted: 11/25/2023 5:08:18 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

). If I recall the story, it was knife enthusiast/maker in China who was allowed to make a small batch in a knife company's factory. Thick titanium scales, a 0.228" thick blade of S30VN and it has the same cross-pin option to really "lock the blade" in. It's a beast, and yes, it's a conventional V-ground blade. It also has one of the slickest pivots for a large blade and the flipper action is remarkably smooth. No doubt though, it's a goofy ass looking blade! The designer did some video tests punch the blade into car doors and 55-gallon drums

ROCK6

View Quote

Yup, that's the one I was referring to. Looks like a total beast! Doubt I'll ever stumble on one for sale, but if I do I may pick one up.

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

wsix Joined Nov 2005 Posts 3311 EE 100% (8) AK, USA	Posted: 11/25/2023 5:19:19 PM EDT [#8] Quote History Originally Posted By ROCK6: ROCK6 View Quote You have an amazing collection of knives. Congrats.

p-joseph Joined Apr 2007 Posts 2878 EE 100% (10) AZ, USA	Posted: 11/26/2023 3:42:38 PM EDT [#9] The RAO2 is a great knife, just be careful on eBay as there are alot of counterfeit extrema knives fwiw

Red_Label

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Posts 44538
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Posted: 11/27/2023 6:52:47 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Originally Posted By p-joseph:
The RAO2 is a great knife, just be careful on eBay as there are alot of counterfeit extrema knives fwiw

View Quote

Yeah, I noticed some $50 Chinese copies out there. Mine's coming from Lithawania. Normally I wouldn't order some thing from a former USSR country. But this ebay user has great feedback and things look to be in proper order,

I may buy one of those cheap clones just to have around and abuse. They say they are 440C, so not a bad blade steel at all... assuming they're not lying and had them done in J420.

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

ROCK6 Member Joined Feb 2001 Posts 11598 EE 100% (5) GA, USA	Posted: 11/28/2023 8:58:24 AM EDT [#11] Quote History Originally Posted By Red_Label: Yup, that's the one I was referring to. Looks like a total beast! Doubt I'll ever stumble on one for sale, but if I do I may pick one up. View Quote @Red_Label, a little discount: Xio Alpha Mark 1 folder
	"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson

rob78 Professional Hobbyist Joined Mar 2005 Posts 33005 EE 100% (22) TN, USA	Posted: 11/28/2023 9:17:24 AM EDT [#12] The Rao II is one of those knives I've had in the cart multiple times. I don't have any Extrema knives, I love the cross pin lock, the look is unique, and the company pedigree is jnteresting. I'm looking forward to a report on it.
	"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives."-Abba Eban "I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo

BigFatDog Member Joined Oct 2005 Posts 7646 EE 100% (11) TX, USA	Posted: 11/28/2023 10:06:18 AM EDT [#13] I’ve thought about one of those. Here is my only Extrema Ratio. You can see it hasn’t gotten a lot of use. My long term daily is a Medford.
	It is always a silly thing to give advice, but to give good advice is absolutely fatal. - Oscar Wilde

Red_Label Member Joined Jan 2003 Posts 44654 EE 100% (2) MT, USA	Posted: 12/1/2023 8:00:46 PM EDT [#14] Quote History Originally Posted By ROCK6: @Red_Label, a little discount: Xio Alpha Mark 1 folder View Quote Damn... this place is teh debil.
	"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

Red_Label

Member

Joined Jan 2003
Posts 44655
EE 100% (2)

MT, USA

Posted: 12/1/2023 8:04:12 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Originally Posted By BigFatDog:
I’ve thought about one of those. Here is my only Extrema Ratio. You can see it hasn’t gotten a lot of use. My long term daily is a Medford.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/83325/IMG_7192-3042831.jpg

View Quote

Looks nice. I like the two-tone blade. Reminds me of Eddie Van Halen's guitars. I would prefer a shallower angle on the tanto point.

"From hell 's heart, I stab at thee."

New Extrema Ratio RAO II inbound...

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