EXTREMA RATIO RAOII

The Story continues!

My Extrema Ratio RAOII gets a lot of use (and sometimes abuse!). here seen once again on the coast. Lots of salt water,  and salt spray. A good test for the materials in this knife.

I had the pin in 10 minutes ago bashing the daylights out of some birch i sawed up that was driftwood. About 7cm in diameter (it was dry). When batoning this knife you have to absolutely use the supplied pin otherwise the shock can unlock the pin. Nothing is going to happen but you might get a bit of a surprise! So use that pin if hitting the spine.

What's with all this stupid paint??? Well I needed to take the RAOII in a high vis area and when it was painted up fully (simple acrylic -non-permanent- don't worry ER no vandalism to this baby!). I had made it look, well kinda of "kids toy-like" LOL. In fact no one batted an eyelid when carried in the open. That's my "urban camo"!

Anyway it's been wearing off ever since, back to the Mil Spec matt black. Ok, so how is this knife holding up and what are my thoughts, a bit down the track? 

It's as tough as! Stays sharp and is dead easy to keep sharp. Holds that edge. NO problems with the mechanism, although I don't use it in muddy conditions as that roller lock system will just clog up with crap. Ok once it's clogged, if the knife is open, lock it out with the pin and then leave it as a "fixed blade" and clean it when u get back to civilization or sooner.

I think the biggest bonus to this folder is that it is unobtrusive when folded in or out of the pouch and this is good in high vis areas. Something no fixed blade unless concealed carry is going to offer. Plus when locked out with the pin, you do get a sturdy hefty knife that despite what it's critics say (most have no idea as they probably don't own one), it can take a real beating like a fixed blade and suffer no damage. This is amazing for a folder.

The downsides are that it is heavy and big, and this can't be helped if you want such a tough folder. The Extrema Ratio RAOII has it's place. It IS NOT easily field serviceable due to the numerous tools needed to open it up. The weakest link is still the small spring. If this breaks then the knife must def be carried as a fixed blade (not so much of a problem as it's doesn't destroy it's functionality).

Best lubricants to use:

High quality Mountain bike lubes that don't attract dirt or mud. be careful not to get it everywhere if u intend on cutting up food with the blade. Put it on the mechanism NOT the blade!

See my previous posts for what Loctite series to use to secure the locking screw after setting the blade tension. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS THE WRONG LOCTITE WILL STOP YOU REMOVING THE SMALL SCREW IN THE FUTURE by possible burring of the screw slot or simply permanently anchoring the screw into the body. Know your Loctites!