Introducing the Custom designed Urban LKU01LP LA PRIMA Edzone Limitata (limited Edition- only 300 made!) from THE FACTORY

The Factory

About Us

"The factory is a Labour community where ideas, thoughts and visions meet in order to create new business models and new opportunities. The Factory acts both as an incubator and an accelerator, supporting the development of projects, from design to marketing"

Briefly, what does this mean in terms of you the reader?

Well, I guess there is an opportunity for one to submit their designs and see if indeed it has merit to take it to at least a prototype stage. It's no good having a "good idea" if it only stays on paper or in your head.

The following product is a creation of Danilo Rossi Lajolo Di Cosano and brought to life via The Factory.

You can read all about Danilo here:

 On his Face Book page

and here:

The knife is a true collectors item. Let's break it down right from the beginning;

 Presentation is in the form of a cardboard sleeve over a hard cardboard box constructed with the same care as Extrema Ratio's other products boxes. 

Pull upon the small black ribbon to reveal the actual knife presentation box, embossed with Danilo's signature and icon.

Lift the front flap (held by a magnetic catch) and the top section contains the international warranty card-(looks like the format of a credit card and is made of hard plastic)

The purchase date has been left blank because I am merely reviewing this issue (#72) and I will hand it back so other "Ambassador's" can also give their impressions of this knife.

I'm going to let my pictures speak for themselves, for you to peruse them and then some details about the knife at the end of this blog.

One scale bears the LASER engraved signature of Danilo.

A gentleman's knife should be slim and be of such a design that does not rip into ones pocket and destroy the fabric and yet also be unobtrusive and comfortable to carry, as such there are no protruding parts, such a flipper bars etc.

The drawings on the scales/grip (LASER engraved) were taken from the tables and boards of 3 famous Italian anthropologists/criminologists : Dr Cesare Lombroso, Di Biasi and Dr Emanuele Mirabella and represent the traditional tattoos of Italian bandits!

The pocket clip bears the mark of Lajolo's shield/crest of the World Calix Academy

The edition number is also of course LASER engraved upon the blade.

This academy is world famous for teaching the art of knife fighting. (hint: other potential purpose of this "Gentleman's knife"). The knife shows strength, yet is minimalistic in functional design, a liner lock and a tip down reversible pocket clip. IMHO the tip down clip is the safest way for a folder to be carried. It means when reaching for the knife in a hurry, the business end is facing away from the fingers.

The LKU01LP LA PRIMA is easy to hold in any position

Unobtrusive elegant, design, equally at home with an espresso and fresh fruit in the office!

As in keeping with the "gentleman's knife" ethos, the blade is not ginormous nor is it  too tactical.

With a small blade one doesn't need to look aggressive or like a thug with this folder.

Materials

Made with Böhler's N690 martensitic stainless steel for the blade, and aluminium scales in a matt surface finish. The LKU01LP LA PRIMA is a limited edition liner lock knife  (300 pieces in total). There are no acute edges on this slim line design. 

I encourage you, if one has a cool design to submit it to the Factory and see if an idea/design can come to life, such as this beautiful object. 

BCT

What does it mean to wear a watch these days?

What does it mean to wear a watch these days?

Is there any reason to wear a watch nowadays?

In todays age of technology (jeez, we were always in the age of technology- don't you love that saying!), you'd think that watch makers would just be making watches to display accurate time keeping. After all, isn't wearing a watch supposed to be for knowing the correct time no matter where you are around the world? Wearing a watch, because you can do this 24/7, I don't think anyone (well maybe some do) takes their mobile phone to bed with them-at least not in the actual bed!

However, we all know the reality is that many wear a watch not for actually telling the time but as a show piece just like any other jewellery that may be worn by the individual. Hence the individuals who have a collection of watches and maybe wear a different watch each day of the week. Watches can be a statement about "this that and the other" if the viewer wants them to be.   Notice I said "statement", not "status". The latter can only be put into play where an item is of extreme cost, ie way, way above the average cost of even of the best equivalent product.

So that answers the question as to why all modern watches in manufacture today are not simply solar. Solar in reality would be the best for the environment, and not just from a technological standpoint of keeping accurate time.

There is a current trend of modification of production time pieces in order to own a customised watch. this may or may not come at the detriment of voiding warranties, disrupting "waterproofness" if the "modder" (as apposed to watchmaker) can not guarantee waterproofness after reassembling the watch.

Not all production watches of course can be easily modified but there are a certain set which I believe manufacturer's purposely churn out, maybe even with poor time keeping abilities simply as a marketing ploy to keep manufacturing these models. 

For example: some classic SEIKO SKX automatic diving watches.

There will always be some mod from someone/company to satisfy the niche market.

Allowing easy modifications, and yes the smart manufacturers do ALLOW this, serve only one purpose for the manufacturer and that is to keep up the demand for such time pieces by creating the "individual look" from something which wasn't.

Individuality doesn't have to be a super pricey Rolex, it can be obtained in numerous ways and one way is via a modification of the watch, if not just a band.

Built in inaccuracy fo mechanical designs

Hacking is supposed to be a feature but this is hardly a feature if the watch itself can not keep good time.

Modifying or affectionately known as "modding" or in the old language-"custom builds"!

How much can one "fiddle" with a watch?

Casio are masters of this marketing psychology

eg (G Shock range)- G stands for "Ginormous" by the way! Just kidding!

If you want a watch which you can press buttons on 24/7 then look no further than a Casio G Shock, not just digital models but analogue models as well.

What about "fiddle-less" watches

Straight out and out time pieces?

The Citizen Eco Drive watch known amongst the aficionados as the "Eco Zilla" ie the:

BJ8050-08E and similar variants-

Changing bands, adapters etc. for this model; re luming the dials with different color phosphors. I seriously doubt but will stand corrected if the modders in this case can guarantee that once sealed back up your Eco Zilla is watertight to 300m! I know you are saying no one but the most hardcore pro is going to dive to 300m. To understand what 300m waterproofness actually means is important here. I'm going to take a leaf out of Casio's book here. If for example a watch is labelled 100m water resist, what is really means is that it can withstand a static force of water equivalent to 100m pressure. This sort of pressure can easily be obtained from your average garden hose set to squirt, jumping off a 10m waterfall, blasting your watch under the shower nozzle (if you have a good shower nozzle).

But if the actual watch says it's good for diving then it means it can stay submerged for an indefinite length of time or a particular time a stated by the manufacturer.

 Or maybe  a 100m watch could be taken down to 100m but one could not be pressing in buttons (if there were buttons to press) at that depth.

The need to fiddle, has been accommodated by: "Hacking" (well heck, just being able to line up the second hand for a time piece which may not in actual fact keep great time); rotating bezels (many wear diver's type watches with bezels and never go diving-yes a dive watch is still important in my view as a SCUBA diver- not to rely upon a computer fully-that's another story).

To be able to push buttons and receive some information (Casio has this totally sewn up)

The knowing that your watch can communicate, albeit on the most low level with satellite signals, to give the wearer the feeling of high technology upon their wrists. (Forget the technology inside of a mobile phone) eg "Satellite wave-whatever Citizen Watch Company) 

Watches of function other than simply telling the time

Certified Dive watches (not look a-likes)

Durability

Elapsed time

Readability at depth

Durability as in shock proof, not abrasion proof (full metal jackets excepted)

Casio G Shock series and or the `tough Solar series of watches

Not necessarily as durable as a full metal bodied dive watch.

Casio do make exceptions and these are the full metal case models. These watch prices are on par with good quality full metal case watches from other manufacturers.

A Professional wears a watch

It's no good not wearing a watch if you job dictates you must have some reliable way to tell the time. Carrying a mobile phone may not be a great option if your work entails entering sensitive areas where all mobile phones are banned (for obvious reasons) or inside a mine (electrical/explosion hazards)

If you work around water all the time or a professional diver ,a solid rugged water proof watch is a must. If you are a scientist trying to record data/ time experiments etc, then a wrist watch is a must. Mobile phones can and do interfere with electrical equipment. Ask any pilot if it is true if mobile phones can interfere with aircraft electronics. They will answer yes. There is no secret plots involved when carriers tell you to turn off your mobile phone and/or put it into safe mode, fact. 

The Old Survival knife thing!

I remember as a kid at high school, we missed a day of sport because of the rain. A temporary teacher came, she was about in her late 50's early sixties.  She told everyone that there would be no sport but instead she would read us a story! Read a story??? What? we were all about 16-17 years old (that would be unheard of today). So that she did. She read Three Skeleton Key by George G. Toudouze 1937. A story of survival. She read it with such passion no one said a word, no one heckled her, no one was looking out windows or having to take a smoke in the toilets or throwing paper aeroplanes as we did in those days.

Later I watched on TV at some point, The Most Dangerous Game another classic story of survival by Richard Connell, 1924 and later turned into said movie in 1932. In this movie we got a glimpse of the Bowie knife or what was probably the closest rendition of an original Bowie according to historians, with a "bird beak handle" 

Years past and this romanticised thing of human survival was met with countless Sci Fi movies and the pursuit of innocents in the wilds by maniacs unknown! The thing about survival is part of our history, part of our genetics like it or not. For some it lies close to the surface, for many, it is something they would never want to encounter away from the comforts of civilisation.

What's interesting for me is that the "FAD" of the survival knife has never dulled (no pun intended!). Yes it was around before Sylvester Stallone brilliantly portrayed John Rambo in First Blood. Remember the Early Gerber, BUCK and of course the AITOR  Jungle King? Even a glimpse from Wiltshire with their (Wilkinson Sword) version of a "Survival knife", and later Dartmoor versions were popular back in the eighties.

Who didn't want one? Who wasn't allowed one? Who blew their pocket money buying one? Who regretted not buying one?

Since those times there has been a plethora of "survival knives" and one must ask why? Well, it's simple because it's the genetics speaking LOL. Bazillions of Chinese knockoffs of the Rambo knife and even Chinese knock off of the knockoffs LOL! The word genuine holds no value. Countless BUCK knock offs of the "Buckmaster". 

Boy, was I an idiot for not buying a genuine one when I had the chance! Too busy picking the same knife up and down asking for the knife cabinet to be opened every time I went into this particular shop, annoying the owner (just as well I knew him!).

SO, this brings me to the point of this article. I was looking at this Aitor for 3 years at least sitting untouched in the same place and now no longer, I took the plunge and am not dissatisfied. The Aitor Cuchillo 14" Survival knife with Aitor's proprietary stainless steel. They always listed it as CRO (for chrome) Mo Molybdenum and VA as vanadium of course. The word INOX simply means inoxidable and simply means "stainless". This knife was issued to the Spanish Special Forces back in 1980!

There are literally a plethora of manufacturer's claiming to be making the ultimate survival knife. Some designs I have to say border on "Mall Ninja" notoriety! Combine this with the SM (Social media crew) saying crap about saw backs when in fact these are NOT saw backs (on the particular knives they are talking about) but actually wire cutter notches! Remember RAMBO? Yep the back of the knife was a wire cutter and we do indeed see him demonstrate this in the movie. The Buckmaster also features wire cutter notches. Some modern variants exist here: as seen on this Cudeman "survival knife" (shown below) which does in fact cut barbed wire very well . This was a favourite of mine when I bought it but now I hate the handle. I need to grind it down to taper towards the back end, then it will be good.  

Although, better if it wasn't a hollow grind (but probably heavier). Anyway, one can see 3 wire cutter notches, two on the spine and one at the ricasso. Being a hollow grind makes it terrible at chopping as the blade behind the edge is just too thin and can not separate the wood enough. Cutting and levering is the forte of this knife (a strange combination- but originally designed for military usage in Argentina I believe). Plus it's very big and heavy at 6mm thick of 440C. I don't like to cart it around much these days, as it represents a lot more food I can carry by taking a lighter but just as useful, if not more, knife. This recurved shape is nothing new, it can be seen in knives and swords dating easily as far back as the Ottoman Empire days. You can see it on a recent model from Spartan knives too (a very good looking knife too, BTW).

 The following knife from Aitor is much more useful in design and practical aspects of field usage.

Here's why:

A more manageable size length-wise

Blade not too long for hunting (let's face it, if u are trying to survive in the wilds, u maybe required to go hunting)

No wire cutter notches (would be good but no big deal they are absent)

Spine serrations of sorts, good for "hack jobs" to help preserve the blade should one not be able to sharpen their knife in the field.

A small set of serrations on the blade-these are very good to start cuts on difficult materials, then to be finished off by the main blade.

A sharpened swedge-obvious reason this is a good thing.

Comfortable no nonsense wooden grip, can be "customised" to users hands.

Scales permanently riveted on, no chance of them accidentally coming off.

I reground the edge to convex (it was almost convex anyway when I bought it!)

Mandatory lanyard hole or at least some way to secure the blade.

Basic leather scabbard with a keeper loop as well, albeit made from weak leather thonging, one can easily exchange this for nylon cord.

 So there you have it a few thoughts on the ever present Survival knife subject!

BCT

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!