EXTREMA RATIO SCOUT 2 FULL In Depth REVIEW

My Scout 2 was "Stone Washed" IMHO which is not tactical due to shiny blade surface.

NEW from Extrema Ratio, the Scout 2 is a pure backup knife.

5mm profile, slim forprene grip; the Scout 2 measures in at 4 5/8 inches for the N690 Blade and a overall length of 9 1/8 inches.
Weight of knife only is:
5.1 Oz or 146 grams! (why is this? because it isn't a full width tang construction- see below).
5mm sheet construction
Blade: Symmetric Spear point. Flat grind to hand sharpened convex edge.

Notice indent in the Forprene handle. There are two of them and they facilitate a tactile removal of the blade from the scabbard.

Available in a non-reflecting tactical black mil spec coating and a civilian model which is simply stone washed. I say civilian model as flashing around a shiny blade can hardly be considered "tactical".

The Extrema Ratio Scout 2 is the larger of the Scout models and is held into the Cordura sheath by a ER standard 2 press stud strap. Once the 2 press studs are released there is absolutely no friction when removing the Scout 2 and if you're not holding on to this knife then it is going to disappear out of your hands at the speed of gravity. A fast and silent deployment. The blade geometry features a long swedge (un-sharpened upper edge),

Big spine swedge and narrow profile grip along with a spear point, characterize the Extrema Ratio Scout 2.The narrow profile of the grip gives a maximum resistance to blade twisting within the confines of having a usable handle under extreme forces.

Spear point blade profile of the Extrema Ratio Scout 2

 which runs right up until the generous finger/thumb gimping. This design fits in well with penetration of the knife if thrust into objects. Unlike previous Extrema Ratio knives where the Forprene grips are all the same thickness (some on the backup series are shorter- but all are the same thickness), the Scout 2 features a much reduced overall grip profile, with essentially the Forprene just covering the tang itself. 

Generous finger/thumb gimping on the spine of the Scout 2

This is a knife which will not twist in your hand due to the "flattened" grip profile. Also the handle has part of the butt exposed and forms a "persuader" combing this with two indentations on the grip for thumb or finger placement.

Extrema Ratio Scout 2 knife CONSTRUCTION

The construction deviates from Extrema Ratio's regular tang design. This time we see a symmetrical tang accompanied by a very rigid Forprene polymer handle. The fixing bolt (Stainless steel) does not rely on any friction from 

Extrema Ratio Scout 2 tang construction, fixing bolt and Forprene handle grip.

Close up of fixing bolt, showing the female part of the bolt. There is a lubrication notch on the right hand side of the tang. 

the Forprene handle in order to prevent it accidentally coming undone from vibration. 

The anchoring bolt can be removed with a 4mm Allen driver or a flat bladed object such as a screw driver or flat piece of metal.

Essentially with the grip removed the Scout 2 becomes a throwing knife. Once the fixing bolt has been removed the Forprene grip needs some force to remove it from the tang as there is lots of binding friction here. This is perfectly OK as you wouldn't want the grip simply to fall off the tang once that fixing bolt has been removed.
If the fixing bolt was lost, no big deal simply tie a bit of cord into the lanyard hole and handle can not be removed (as in all of their other knives sporting lanyard holes).
The Scout 2 is a no nonsense, minimalist  knife with a longer handle than Extrema Ratio's other "backup" knives, and as such might suit those with big hands. Also this is the first knife from ER that does not say via LASER engraving that the steel is N690 Cobalt steel (Although it is according to ER). Simply stating, the name, serial number and made in Italy along with the Brand Extrema Ratio. 

Name and Serial Number

Made in Italy

There really isn't much space to burn anything else with a LASER given it's current design. The Fulcrum point is still at the guard with handle in place. If handle is removed then the fulcrum shifts towards the blade.

There is only a partial exposure of the pommel. and it is asymmetric in design when the handle is in place. This region can easily act as a "persuader" for non lethal combat. The grip coverage also prevents the butt end sticking into your palm too. Nice design here, simple but it works!

The grade of the Forprene also appears to be of higher SHORE rating and is not quite as "tacky" as in tactile, as in previous models. 
The Extrema Ratio's Scout 2's Sheath construction is very well made as can be expected from this company. Stitching is neat and strong looking along with quality looking webbing and press studs.

I don't like that there is quite a bit of knife rattle within the sheath, definitely not a good thing for a stealthy approach. I'm sure this could easily be rectified with a slight change to the internal scabbard design. However, when worn on a belt the tension stops all signs of rattle. It's a different story if attached vertically.

The Extrema Ratio Scout 2 is fast to remove but slow to go back into the scabbard as it really requires some dexterity to engage both press studs quickly (you can't as the strap is under tension from an elasticised band). Although this knife is a backup and you want it out fast but not necessarily in again immediately (my experience with backup blades under real field usage).

Knife Usage

Clearly the Extrema Ratio Scout 2 is NOT intended to be a "bushcraft" type knife. This is a backup knife which is nimble in the hand. Cutting and penetration are obvious attributes of the Extrema ratio Scout 2. (BTW the name of this knife has nothing to do with knives suitable for Scouting associated with civilian activities). More to the point, the name Scout as it is associated with military scouting.

The long swedge precludes hammering the spine with a baton of any kind, so as not to damage the baton. The butt end is exactly in the central axis of this blade design for balance, ie it is aligned with the knife tip. The anchoring bolt is also centrally located.

Fulcrum point of the Extrema Ratio Scout 2

The belt loop of the sheath of the Extrema Ratio Scout 2 fits a standard width tactical belt. This part also forms a Molle attachment loop as well.

Double press stud retention strap is very easy to release with pressure from the thumb and the Scout 2 instantly removed.

Backside of sheath showing Molle loops as to be expected on a tactical design (remember the Scout 2 also comes in a true tactical version ie Black Mil Spec anti-reflective coating). The scabbard is of course ambidextrous, as the knife can be inserted any way as the scabbard is symmetrical. 

Molle loops feature on front and back of the scabbard making it a multi carry device.

The knife is pointy, so as far as civilian usage is concerned, it has good penetration (fish gutting). It is Extremely sharp (like all their knives come), so cutting is no problem. Thumb gimping adds extra friction in order to push this knife forward as an aid for having a thin profiled grip. No need to wear gloves with this knife. It is a comfortable grip. The Extrema Ratio Scout 2 could easily be used as a camping and fishing knife and used to prepare food items around a simple small camp (one or two people) but not for a big camp kitchen. 

For those who like a "tactical" looking knife blade in a spear point design, then the Extrema ratio Scout 2 which is bigger than the Extrema Ratio Scout (4.05 inches or 103mm blade length ) might appeal to you.

Preparing "hard vegetables" it is possible to peel tubers and slice them without making a mess of things.

Of course the Scout 2 easily handles cutting up meat and natural rope.

Deployment of the Extrema Ratio Scout 2 can be with either hand by reversing the retention strap, as it is held in place with velcro. The retention strap is kept snuggly against the handle by means of a large elasticised band, sewn into the nylon webbing.

Finger pointing to elasticised material that keeps a secure tension against the Scout 2's grip.

Warranty
The Extrema Ratio Scout 2 features an unlimited warranty against manufacturing defects. Individual serial numbers and assigned batch numbers are used to identify any warranty issues should they arise. Anyway stay tuned for a further field review of Extrema Ratio's Scout 2 at BushCampingTools