EXTREMA RATIO MK 2.1 First Impressions

EXTREMA RATIO MK2.1 Review Preview

Extrema Ratio MK2.1 (Desert Warfare version) along with barbed wire and Australian gum tree leaves (Eucalyptus sp.)

The Extrema Ratio MK2.1 is a modern and beefed up version of the famous  Ka Bar USMC military knife.
I'll be discussing primarily about the Geocamo (Review preview) version of this blade, ie the Desert warfare version.
The interesting Desert Warfare pattern is achieved simply by LASER engraving and the reaction of the laser beam with the N690 steel produces this gold colouration.

Desert warfare pattern produced by LASER engraving process reaction with N690 alloy to produce a gold colouration.

Hefty stainless steel guard

Extrema Ratio are of course using N69ZERO  (Bohler N690) martensitic cobalt stainless tool steel (replaces the carbon steel), glass reinforced nylon forms the enhanced grip (replaces the leather washer grip) and high corrosion resistance stainless alloys of 300 series (non-magnetic) form the guard and pommel of the Extrema Ratio MK2.1, replaces the non stainless thin guard. 
You can also see this model and the all black Mil Spec coated version here:


Of course the MK2.1 is made in Italy and the workmanship is excellent like all of their other knives I have reviewed.

Made in Italy. Serial numbered blades are guaranteed for life against defects in manufacturing.

It's a very cool knife and the reason is simple, because it is exactly that, a modernised version of the original K Bar USMC knife (which still IS a very cool knife), but the MK2.1 is very much enhanced. 

HOW??
An all weather fibre reinforced nylon grip. Despite lacking all of the "class" of the original leather grip, the synthetic grip truly allows this knife to be an all weather performer both wet and dry. 

All-weather glass reinforced Nylon grip, super strong, super grippy even with wet hands. The guard also has two tie in points. Due to the design of the handle and the guard being almost flush with the grip, one could if needed, tie a pole to this blade and it would be aided in securing by the depression in the grip.

The one piece grip/handle is very smartly designed. The edges are all nicely rounded but Fibre reinforced nylon would be slippery when wet if the entire grip was simply rounded. Now they have regular spaced grooved running perpendicularly to the axis of the blade. To further enhance traction, the handle has rounded depressions which enable one to either place fingers in them or to simply prevent what Extrema Ratio call the "Screw driver effect", that is to prevent the knife rotating in one's hands during any twisting motion. The MK 2.1 is deceptively weighty- but not too heavy at 393 grams (Knife only)- my model weighed 389 grams ie 13.9Oz. It feels solidly built.

The flat butt end is totally sensible- I know this is a moderne version of the KBar but, having a butt end flat makes a lot of sense. One can place the palm of their hand onto it and not get injured applying pressure (I know there is a joke in what I've just written- just realised it then LOL) Ok seriously now,

A proper pommel- which is flat and useful, can cause no injury to user, only rounded corners. The pommel also serves as the point to unscrew in order to strip down the Extrema Ratio MK2.1. Note the two holes for a lanyard. This part not only serves as a lanyard tie in point but also as a "washer" to prevent wear upon the glass reinforced Nylon  (FRN) handle. This handle is a one piece moulded item. FRN is the right choice here as Forprene or Kraton would be too soft with this type of butt cap which could be used for light hammering.

The MK2.1 came out some years back but why have I left it so long to review this blade. Well one thing I found was that the current reviews simply are either inaccurate or do not do this design justice at all and this annoyed me.

After all The Extrema Ratio MK2.1 is modelled upon one of the worlds most famous and enduring knife designs, it might be a bit hard to improve upon it. Not so. Ergonomically the MK2.1 is just as ergonomic as the original MK 2.


Being able to disassemble the MK2.1 without tool also lends itself to (all things being equal) a longer longevity due to preventative maintenance (eg thorough cleaning after submersion in salt, fresh or simply "dirty water". The handle can not rot or grow mould on it either. Reinforced nylon is extremely strong; anyone remember skateboard trucks were and still are made from this stuff along with roller blade parts, not to mention aerospace products too!

The pommel can be used as a small hammer and glass breaker.

The near full width tang  is more than chunky enough to cop a beating. Let no one tell you otherwise regarding this, as they are talking without experience full stop!


I've listened to some garbage about that the tang would not be sufficient for batoning this knife? What? The tang could be a bit of wire, it's the blade which has to go through the wood, not the tang LOL. Better revise their physics lessons from school days!

The Extrema Ratio MK2.1 can handle the pace of a big camp knife and also effectual at cutting and piercing due to the narrow blade profile. Make no mistake this is still very much a military knife but is it suitable for civilian duties in the wilds?

There is absolutely no reason to suspect otherwise. Just like the original MK2 many of us own one and use it for camping.


The Multi-Purpose knife


A general multi-purpose knife  means exactly that. Which is, a knife that is easy to handle and maintain in the field, a knife  that can be used to accomplish many daily tasks that might require the use of a larger knife. "Multi-use" can of course mean many things to many people.

Multi-purpose also means it should be good for not just the land but the sky. The scabbard has been designed to be "Jump safe" in that there are few things that protrude (except the buckle which is rounded) from the scabbard to get caught on things when the large padded flap is closed over this knife. 

The knife is secured by both a "safety insert" made from tough polymer which holds the blade in place and the double press stud closure.

Safety Insert found on many Extrema Ratio models, especially the models intended for military use.

As expected the scabbard is fully Molle compatible. It also comes with fully adjustable leg straps for the soldier on the move.

The outer flap prevent accidental injury or materials getting caught on the knife itself. "Jump safe" **

This scabbard is a recapitulation of several of Extrema Ratio designs, with para trooping in mind. This is after all a military knife. Well stitched with heavy thread.

The stitching is of course very well sewn

A survival knife????

Some might say, hey this Extrema Ratio MK2.1 could be a good survival knife! Well that really depends upon what you are trying to survive against, if it is the ravages of nature, then yes for sure I can state this as I've been there done that, deserted island thing for real, no TV crews etc, no boats to sleep aboard during the night or if you get sick of being on the island tough luck. This knife would work just fine. Not to big to carry all the time and sturdily constructed.

Extrema Ratio Tough AS! MK2.1

It wouldn't be a good survival knife to protect yourself with against a charging bull elephant, a cool head and possibly your high powered rifle- for sure.........maybe, but a knife, even a machete, forget it except for the movies!

The blade thickness of the Extrema Ratio MK2.1 is very thick (6mm)  but with a good angled sabre grind, cutting performance is not limited. Of course the MK2.1 came razor sharp out of the box.


Now I want to address this business of "Survival knives" again. Whilst a big beefy knife can be looked upon as a "survival knife" the whole point is in any survival situation that might require the use of a blade, any blade, ie from Swiss army knife to machete in size; no one in their right mind would treat this edged tool (whatever it is) like it's some kind of hammer or pry bar. Unless you want to destroy possibly your most precious tool you have with you (with exception of your brain). People that have truly been in survival situations where a edged tool has been required will tell you this. They were NOT bashing away at the spine with rocks like what is commonly seen in stupid YouTube knife reviews- there, I said it and I'm not taking it back. This kind of "testing"BTW is total BS and not only that, serves to possibly "work harden" the material and or induce metal fatigue from this kind of ridiculous pounding. People who have never (and that's good- you're lucky) been anywhere near a survival situation will tell you otherwise and unfortunately there is now a whole "culture" if you like spouting absolute BS about what constitutes a "survival knife" and how one goes about testing it. Just good click bait really. And to sum this up with a slight quotation from a recent TED talk, "No one has to click on these click bait type videos to encourage others and also set Google's crazy algorithms  working overtime to "suggest" what the next video we might like to watch. No male wants to hear otherwise, as it goes against our ego's but that's fact sorry.

ANYWAY I digress........


Let's take this cool version of the MK2, the Extrema Ratio MK2.1 out into the field as my only fixed blade and see how I find it as a "Multi-purpose" knife. Several hours in the hand, I'm not regretting it. Stick around!

** Use common sense, I'm not a para trooper.

Pairing knives What to take out and where?

Take a complimentary pair of knives along. It's no good taking similar knives.

My newly acquired LINDER Super Edge 5 ATS 34 Bushcraft knife, a perfect to pair with the FKMD Parus. The SuperEdge 5 has an excellent shape and at 5mm thick chunk of ATS 34 can really handle the pace. It will be going into the mountains in the northern hemisphere this year with me.

The FKMD Parus is a kind of lightweight hatchet if you like but added bonus of being a knife too. I use it to split logs and or bust off small bits of timber to help build a fire, especially if I decide not to carry a saw.

I used my RaidOps LG6GPMT to make a OJIBWA bird pole

Take a knife which it is easy to make a OJIBWA bird pole with. Despite it's small size, I easily carved this dead hazel branch which BTW the tip had been hardened in the fire; I  then drilled a small hole in it with the end of the LJ6GPMT (That's a mouthful!) 

Generally I'm camping in places where  only a small knife is necessary as there is always tinder material and it's hot and dry and lighting a fire is too easy. OR I go to places where lighting a fire is forbidden, so it's a fuel stove and a small knife. OR I go to places where the rangers cut up fallen trees somewhat and then it's up to the campers to be able to process any of the cut logs/branches (Big knife and or saw). OR I go away away from everywhere and what I take is what I'm about to discuss below.

I always take a knife I can prepare my daily meals with. This same knife must be capable of use for hunting as well. When I speak of hunting, what do I mean? I mean that knife must be able to be used to gut and clean animals (includes fish- which are animals of course but seem to get relegated to the subject of "Fishing".

If I'm going somewhere where there are no fish to be found then the knife choice might be different, such as a super pointy tip may not be my choice.

If I'm going to go hunting specifically, then I will be taking suitable knives along, that is knives whose geometry are suitable for dressing out game. See some examples below:

I'm always carrying a folder (in the wilds) and it's never a frame lock, rarely a liner lock and more than likely a simple and fool proof lock back knife these days. 

Nieto Combate lock back folder

In my past It was either a Swiss Army knife-Victorinox or Wegner (today for fishing I take a multitool as well) and a lock back knife. My reasons are several. Frame locks are cool but I only own one so far (it's damn good too) but the blade is too short. A lot of frame locks are poorly constructed and exhibit blade movement under heavy loads in the direction of cutting, which can be a serious problem and possibly result in an injury. Liner locks are great but also contain many parts to get mucked up with sand, dirt and mud and grass etc. Plus liner locks lateral stability relies totally upon the quality of the washers used and the construction (like frame locks too). So even if build quality appears good, if the washers are crap then the blade will exhibit lateral movement or the pivoting mechanism (ie the washers) will wear quickly.

I'm not saying liner locks are no good, hell I own many of them but for simplicity on trips well away from help, I want dependability over what seems to be the norm today and that means a simple lock back knife, and no, you do not need 2 hands to open one. There is an obsession today about flicking open folders are so many people are would be if I could be knife fighters LOL!

For a traditional lock back folder, it's near impossible for the blade to come out of the main frame due to the tension of the back spring steel. This is not the case for many liner locks and frame locks where these types of knives it is necessary to carry them by the use of the pocket clip in a deep pocket in order to restrict the accidental opening of the blade. Also Flipper-type folders, whether frame locking or liner locking also fall under this category and the flipper can not only put a hole in one's pocket but also actuate the release of the blade accidentally if clothing or other objects het caught on it. I learnt that from an almost serious accident in the wilds with a flipper type folder. It (that flipper) is a great knife and well designed but they are IMHO NOT for hiking with as they can and should only be carried in a pocket via using the pocket clip for the reasons stated above.

 Also traditional style lock back knives, the base of the blade, or tang if you like is fully supported by the steel frame of the knife. This is not the case for all other folders using washers, as only the surface area of the washer is in contact with the tang. There is less likely-hood of dirt ingression for such folders too, where material can enter the spaces between the washers and the inner liners. This is next to impossible (except fine dust) for a traditional style folder.

On a recent trip into the mountains (no car big journey via public transport and then walking of course several kilometres to the first campsite with my young son, pack weight was a huge concern. I did not want to carry: hatchets, saws, big chopper knives, hunting knives, folders etc etc. So what to take?  He had his Opinel for kids-it weighs nothing. I took a FKMD Parus- a real beater and weighty (in the right place) enough to comfortably cut down through several inches of dead wood. Although most of the dead wood was hardwood, I used it to split parts off in order to help build the fires. I had a large folder (my Nieto Fighter) for food preparation around camp. The next trip I only took my Kizlyar Supreme Sturm (also an excellent knife) 

Kizlyar Supreme Sturm - it doesn't look like this any more due to my stupidity as I broke the tip doing something very silly! But I have since reground it!

and an FKMD Predator folder-yes I broke my rule and took a liner lock, that's because we were with a car and it wasn't far from our campsite. I could have brought a chopper but no need as others had saws, chainsaws, axes, hatchets, Kukri knives- all bases were covered! Just one less thing for me to bring.

Where there are people

Where there are huts, and other people I don't know, I always only carry small knives. You just look like a fool bringing out a large knife 

in a community hut, even if it is in the middle of nowhere, trust me, been there done that many years ago and learnt my lessons.

If I have fishing rods, then I definitely carry a Swiss Tool or similar multitool.


More later.............

Linder Super Edge 5 and Kizlyar Supreme's Echo

Linder ATS 34 Super Edge 5

Kizlyar Supreme ECHO in Bohler K340 ISODUR

Ok in my humble Opinion, the new Linder Super Edge 5 in Hitachi ATS 34 for a great value hiking and camping knife, well capable of being used for fishing and hunting purposes. To be honest, the weight is just right. If I compare it to my new (but now trusty too) Kizlyar Supreme Echo in Bohler's K340 (an excellent knife). This latter blade features a full width tang. Now having this is an assurance of a strong knife but only really if you intend to use it as a lever and the last time I did this i busted a tip, and quite rightly too, as it was an act of sheer stupidity and not looking after one's most precious tool on a camping and hiking trip! At 5mm thick the Linder Super Edge 5 can easily be used to belt with a lump of wood to split other lumps of wood. Same for the slightly thinner Echo.

Now coming back to my new Linder, with it's stainless blade of ATS 34, it is a sure bet that either this knife or the Echo will be travelling with me this Summer into the wilderness (along with some bigger knives- more like choppers).

For everything forest and mountain hiking both of these knives will be great. Coastal camping in Australia, I'd take a bigger knife as in longer. Why? Because of reach when it comes to collecting bait animals or food under and between cracks in the rocks. Just my personal preference there. Jungle i'd take a different knife too. But for general camping and hunting these two knives rock.

Sharpest knife and Bowie knives

My sharpest knife at present (I actually stropped it a bit after all of my tests just for the heck of it as it was already dangerously sharp LOL!) is my newly acquired Bowie from Linder knives in Solingen Germany. The Rehwappen Patterl Bowie 2. 

Feathering even seasoned Hazel was no problem with this blade

"Deer Brand" that thick solid brass guard is press fit onto the tang.

If you are new to this company (I certainly was not that long ago), I've reviewed a few of their knives and they are great.

Anyway, the Rehwappen  (Pronounced: Re Vap en ) Platterl Bowie 2  really rocks as a classic designed knife. (Of course for the real aficionados of the "original" Bowie knife design, it's not the same of course as seen here in this (great) movie:

From "The Most Dangerous Game" a movie which any self respecting survivalist must see at least once!

From "The Most Dangerous Game" a movie which any self respecting survivalist must see at least once! (Publicity still)

With the bird beak handle as seen in the above 2 images. That design of knife was like the "Butcher's knife" of Jim Bowie's time.


BUT more like the later versions of what a Bowie knife came to be looking like what we see below:

Made in Solingen Germany  by Linder under their Rehwappen Patterl Bowie 2 ie "Deer Brand"

The above Bowie 2 at 8 inches is a beast but a beast that is easily controlled due to its simple, yet functional design. I really like how Linder are trying to reduce the impact on rainforest timbers by offering up this version with Plum wood scales too. Plum wood for those who don't know is a very very hard wood. I've made fish spear heads from it (wild plum) and even after plunging them into a sandy river bed, they remained unbroken. Yes, the color is not that of those beautiful dark rainforest timbers (which BTW are not from plantations of course) but then I don't have to feel guilty (if one does) about chopping trees down for the sake of a knife handle.

De-boning and then butchering wasn't a problem as there are no hotspots on the simple but effective grip and the geometry enabled ease of cutting.

 I started the fire by striking a steel against the tip of the spine.

At home around camp Rehwappen Platterl Bowie 2 Made in Germany

The Rehwappen Patterl Bowie 2 is a full tang knife knife made from 440A stainless steel, vacuum furnace heat treated and a post-cryogenic tempering process to achieve a 56-57 HRC. Brass rivets fix the scales to the tang.
I found it razor sharp out of the box and was able to cut dry the hairs on my leg.
It easily created feathers even from a difficult wood such as seasoned hazel. Using a baton on the spine wasn't a problem and due to the 0.2" thick spine, easily split wood too.

The grip, at first, when I looked at it in the catalogue appeared to be somewhat "blocky" in nature but this wasn't the case in real life. The grip has been rounded so whilst the top and bottom scales are flush with the tang, the handle sits comfortably within ones hand. I don't use gloves, (they are for wuses!)- just joking- as I come from hot climate- but seriously it has a generous handle to enable it to accommodate a variety of hand sizes.

Size 8.5 hand, still room to move on larger hand sizes! Whoops too much smoke!

A "mans knife"- Please no stupid feminist comments, it's written in inverted commas because I, the author am calling it this, and that's my right LOL!

There is a 7" version and limited (if not sold out at the time of writing) a C60 high carbon steel version also available, all sporting the plum wood grips.

There's really not much more to say about it as it works, it's tough and it held an edge up against dirty wood and cutting up food on hardwood tree slabs. I did do some chopping with it. It's not exactly a chopper as the weight is of course not towards the end of the blade but it can be done if you have to, I guess like any knife for that matter (better with an axe or saw etc).

Made in Solingen Germany by a company with a rich tradition of knife making.

RaidOps E.D.C.K. Liner Lock Folder with 154CM blade!

RaidOps E.D.C.K. Liner Lock Folder with 154CM blade!

RaidOps E.D.C.K. liner lock with a CPM154 Blade

The RaidOps E.D.C.K. liner lock with a CPM154 Blade, is just 5.19" long, that's 131mm is part of the the RAIDOPS Urban tactical knives range from Korean manufacturer RaidOps in Incheon Korea. The RaidOps E.D.C.K. Super small but super useful with a 3mm or 0.12" thick blade of CPM 154 stainless steel at HRC of 60! CPM 154 is a high carbon, high Molybdenum content stainless steel. See CPM 154 data sheet here

This is a great value for money EDC liner lock in my opinion. First off you get a 3mm thick blade made with CPM 154 and thick black G10 scales. Not 2 but 3 frame bolts too holding this knife together along with the main pivot bolt.

CPM 154 stainless high Mo content stainless steel blade.

The high Mo content ensures good edge retention plus optimal corrosion resistance and high toughness.

G10 scales and a pocket clip bearing the company logo.

Despite a small pocket clip it is very sturdy and not flimsy at all.

The very EDC E.D.C.K. RaidOps Liner lock, in a size 8.5 hand for size comparison.

Phosphor bronze washers are utilized either side of the blade for a trouble free movement.

Frontside note washers

Backside showing G10 insert.

The fit and finish of the RaidOps E.D.C.K. is excellent on all details. Lock up was perfect every time. Folded length is under 3" and the blade length is only 2.26"!! or 57mm!!

A perfect companion for EDC, the RaidOps E.D.C.K.

Stay tuned for a video review of this compact folder on BushCampingTools