Extrema Ratio HF1T A Heavy Duty Folder Review

 Extrema Ratio HF1T A Heavy Duty Folder Review and maintenance hacks and tips.

This is my Extrema Ratio Desert Warfare HF1T. The "T" obviously stands for TANTO, the Desert Warfare model sports Extrema Ratio's signature desert colouration anodizing of the T6082 scales. Extrema Ratio call the aluminium scales "anticorodal" as in anti corrosion and in fact are manufactured in the 6000 series structural aluminium alloy 6082. More correctly, T6082 has excellent corrosion resistance and is the highest strength of the 6000 series of heat treatable Aluminium structural alloys. As a side note T6082 alloys can be found in many rock climbing parts which may have to endure severe stress. 

"HF" stands for Heavy Folder" and this series of folders encompasses Extrema Ratio's safety pin feature, the function of which I will discuss below.

The folded size of the Extrema Ratio HF1T is approximately 6", so not too big to fit into a regular trouser pocket. Any bigger (as in longer) like the HF2 series, then one needs a BIG deep pocket.

The pocket clip is very strong and it helps if one's pants feature a reinforced pocket section, such as seen here in my Helikon Tex tactical trousers (reviewed already on BushCampingTools), plus I'm only wearing these types of trousers (because I think they are great) as can be seen in the numerous videos on BCT. 

The Extrema Ratio HF1T isn't really meant for the civilian's trouser pockets or suit pockets LOL! As with all flipper folders, they should be carried either using the pocket clip inside a trouser pocket or inside of a small pouch or at worst confined within a trouser pocket but never "floating" around a rucksack or bag and certainly never ever clipped to a belt via the pocket clip of the knife. The reason for carrying them in such tight quarters is to prevent the accidental release of the blade, which could either happen from undue pressure placed upon the flipper or undue forces placed upon the knife (see below).

Sometimes the allen bolts on the pocket clips can be hard to remove. I can suggest to use a quality Torx head driver T8X60 362. I use a German made Wiha brand, this will fit perfectly into both allen bolts used in the rear of the knife and also into the actual Torx socket heads in the frame. 

Other brands, I'm sure can be used but u must try them first to make sure the fit is perfect. I have found that even very stubborn bolts can be removed especially slightly damaged heads of allen socket heads. 

BUT be Careful! The responsibility is upon you. as I'm not in favour of continually stripping down any folding knife. better not to drop it in the mud or sand and better to use say a mountain biking lubricant which will not serve to attract dirt into the pivot area.

I would caution removing any of these bolts however unless absolutely necessary to replace some internal washer/bush. Also another quick hack is to use nail polish instead of Loctite to secure the socket heads against vibration. This works perfectly well and costs a fraction, just buy some el cheapo nail polish or steal your wife's or girl friend's nail polish LOL or your sister's LOL!

(See below)

The blade length is listed as 91mm or 3.58", and closely resembles a miniature version of the FULCRUM fixed blade. The extrema ratio HF1T blade is certainly a hefty design. 

Carving hard seasoned Birch wood, no problems despite a full metal grip. I found to carve it was better used in the "safety grip" ie knife held close to the body, rather than to strike away at the wood with the knife. Used in the safety grip, the wood was being cut down close to the body of the knife.

Gimping is present upon the scales and spine of the blade and the thumb or forefinger can comfortably rest here, or not as seen below.

What makes this liner lock flipper stand apart from other brands?

What distinguishes the HF series of folders is the capacity for these folders to be used "outside" of the range of "normal tasks" generally encountered by a folding knife. This is realized by the fact that there are several safety factors incorporated into the design of the HF1T:

Figure A White arrow indicates the ridge on the tang which acts as a secondary stop  to prevent closure of the blade in the event the stop pin fails (redundancy, typical of military equipment). A rotational force upon the blade when locked open but failure of the stop in, the liner would want to move vertically upwards and out of the frame (as viewed in the above photo), this movement could only happen if the liner was to deform. I have never seen this feature (ie the milled ridge) on any of the liner lock folders I own from other manufacturers. Clearly it is but one more machining step in the production of this knife blade.

A large thick stop pin is actually "enclosed" once the blade is open.

Safety pin engaged and locked as seen by the word "Locked" appearing next to the red lever when in this position. (the safety pin Dark object under the pivot bolt) can be seen slightly protruding through the main body of the folder).

Safety pin has been inserted. This enables the knife to be thus used as one might use a fix blade in that the blade can not close unless the knife was destroyed, as it is held in the open position via the safety pin, the main pivot and the ridge at the back of the tang as seen in image 

The grip is excellent and the flipper bar also forms a good guard to prevent accidental hand slippage under tremendous force, wet or muddy hands etc.

During cold weather

As a side note here, these folders, because of their all metal construction can get quite cold to hold in bare hands (and really not practical for long time use unless wearing gloves in the cold) if working in sub zero temperatures. Just because it's called 'Desert Warfare" does not mean or imply this folder is only for use in desert conditions LOL!

Here we can see in the above image, the safety pin has been inserted and locked in place via the "red" colored lever, there is also a visual check as the presence of the word "locked"is shown only when the locking lever is engaged.

The Extrema Ratio HF1T is a partially closed back design. IMHO this type of design (I have several folders from different manufactures that feature this sort of back design, is far  superior to the simple use of standoffs alone. The semi close design allows for maximum rigidity of the frame whilst not compromising the capacity to effectively clean the inner sections of the knife.

The Extrema Ratio HF1T also features a blunt region for striking. The safety pin is held in place via a small piece of shock cord attached to the lanyard hole. I usually replace this shock cord as for me it is the first thing which will fail under great stress and activity. I also replace the split ring, for whilst it is of adequate strength, I like to exchange it for a stainless steel split ring of 90Kg breaking strength (blogged about and made short video about on BCT) and also replace the shock cord with climbing cord. Call that overkill, that's just me. 

Pictured above is the 90Kg breaking strength stainless steel split ring from OWNER USA/JAPAN, I have used to replace the supplied split ring. The supplied ring is just too woosy for the job, for if this pin was to be lost then it could be a problem. Unlike the pin for the RAOII, it can be replaced by any 1/4" 20 bolt thread, eg a camera tripod bolt etc. The pin in the HF series knives is not easily replaced, don't lose it!

Pictured above, I have replaced the thin shock cord with 100Kg breaking strength USA made paracord (knot not shown here is an Overhand knot.

I don't believe for one minute Extrema Ratio expect anyone to keep the pin as it arrives attached to the knife. One other thing, the pin was covered with a small piece of silicone tubing, a simple nice addition (and functional) to prevent the hardened pin from scratching up the knife scales and or making any noises by "clanking' upon the scales in a delicate moment!

Good handle gimping to help provide a solid grip when hands are wet.

The included carry pouch made from high denier nylon is simple and well-stitched. I would have like to have seen some capacity for Molle carrying (a much longer set of Molle straps or even Malice straps but I guess this would increase the cost) however, it does provide safe carrying of the knife while folded and easy to add to a tactical belt or on Molle webbing.

This is a folder which is better off to carry in the pouch for safety, however unlike it's bigger brother the HF2 series, which IMHO must be carried inside of it's pouch as the blade due to it's size and weight can, under some circumstances exit the handle if subjected to extraneous forces, even though there is a bearing indent to help retain the blade in a closed position. 

The HF1T does not suffer from this and it's retention within the handle is good and one really has to subject it to great force (I do not mean using the flipper-I mean a force moving in the direction of the edge (when it is closed obviously) in order for the blade to slightly exit the handle. Of course this all depends upon the blade tension, which like most of their folders in these "upper ranges" can be fine tuned via carefully removing the locking screw to the main pivot and then adjusting the tension of the main pivot bolt, carefully applying the CORRECT LOCTITE* to the locking screw, and reassembling it.

A simple velcro flap closes over the inserted knife.

All in all the Extrema Ratio HF1T is a relatively "compact" super beefy folder which can handle the paces (when using the safety pin) but sits below (as in length) the big beast of the HF2 series (just too big for the pocket despite a pocket clip although can be used in a confined pouch of some sort other than the pouch it comes with)and of course below the super beast of the RAO series knives. 

For me, I like the Fulcrum -like blade design. I'd have to agree with Extrema Ratio, that for most tasks of cutting and general activities within the range for a folding knife, the liner lock mechanism works more than well enough for safety; engage the red lever without the safety pin and the knife is even more safe from accidental closure. Insert the safety pin and it is impossible for the blade to accidentally close whilst the pin is locked in place.

 Now as a final point, this does not mean the knife can be hammered away upon. Yes one could do this but there is always the chance of damaging a folding knife with such abuse. The safety pin feature would work well in situations where the blade is thrust deep into objects and maybe a rocking motion set up or twisting; plastic barrels, tyres, metal drums, etc. ie vigorous usage, usage which may cause a regular folder's locking mechanism to disengage under severe (out of the ordinary) loads.

BCT

As a side note: The Extrema Ratio RAOII can be hammered upon (I have done this many, many times with no ill effect upon the workings of the knife-although do not recommend it at all) due to a design feature that when locked open with the safety pin, there is ZERO mechanical slop between blade and body and hence the knife will sustain such forces as being struck with a small 5-6cm diameter baton. 

For those that are into collecting, the Extrema Ratio HF1T comes in a very well made "desert warfare" colored cardboard box, with warranty card, maintenance instructions (multilingual), left hand carry pocket clip and Allen wrench, and sticker indicating the model number (on end of outside of box) all packed with some silica gel; plus the inspection card and production year and batch number. This is a partially hand written card. Many fakes abound, so make sure you only buy from an authorised dealer or directly from Extrema Ratio in Italy. In fact 99% of ER products come like this (exceptions are limited edition models in special presentation boxes and documentation).

* a Loctite product which is not permanent and is suitable for securing stainless steel to Aluminium, for example Loctite 242

Addendum: Just a bit to "Tactical Elegance" LOL!