The Spine
4.8mm thick spine (their measurements), my knife I measured 4.83-4.86mm, ok that's 5mm! For me 5mm is the sweet spot for very "useable" blades for all things outdoors.
Sure, I like 6mm thick blades and they are good and very robust but at the same time come at a price with weight always going against their carry. Ok we could argue about this aspect until the cows come home and maybe I shouldn't say that!
At this point in time in regards to "hard use" I'd say no problems as the spine is 4.8mm in thickness. More than enough to take a real world pounding but at the same time not so thick as to make this knife unwieldily as a cutting tool, since that is what outdoor knives are supposed to be good at, ie cutting. So let's qualify what I mean by "outdoor knife", ie capable of prepping: foodstuffs such as: game meat and fish; vegetable preparation, carving sticks both green and seasoned, skinning if possible, light to moderate batoning if necessary. Must hold a good edge for long time use. And of course possess a good tip, necessary for gutting fish and game.
On the subject of taking such a knife hiking, the F.O.K. is not too heavy to carry and not going to frighten off other campers. I've seen all too often the reaction of others when some joker pulls out something for the jungle around other campers using nothing but folding knives. This F. O. K. is guaranteed not to frighten off such campers (unless a bunch of total wooses!) and why wouldn't it? Because of the shape and size of this knife, that's why.
How about handling? Well the Extrema Ratio F.O.K. has a small but satisfactory guard and this I very much like in an "outdoor knife". Not only does a guard prevent any accidents if a hand slips but it also helps to prevent some fingers getting mashed (ok somewhat depends upon how big ones fingers are of course- and for my hands and fingers, this knife works well).
The handle is minimal and no nonsense with a design reminiscent of the Scout 2 (still in production- and BTW nothing to do with the Scouts at all-anyone saying that has no idea what they are talking about), also from Extrema Ratio.
There is currently only one version of the Extrema Ratio
F. O.K. and that is in a kind of Ranger green forprene grip and a satin washed blade finish. This way this outdoor knife can satisfy all those who are worried about 'food safe coatings" as this isn't any coating on this knife.
Since it's a bit cammo (and black only scabbard) , they have included a small piece of fluorescent orange paracord to help you find the knife should you put it down and not remember where you placed it. Trust me, this can help a lot! But the inclusion of such a thing is hardly a big deal. I put bright paracord on all the knives I'm regularly taking with me outdoors anyway.
Let's talk about the carry system. Extrema Ratio are known for producing robust very well made carry systems and I say "carry systems" as apposed to scabbards as they are indeed carry systems. The kydex scabbard is light weight and bare bones, either neck carry or traditional vertical belt carry. For the neck carry there is supplied a generous length of black paracord and a cord lock toggle. 
The retention strap can be reversed (velcro is used) for left handed carry. personally, I would not remove the retention strap as whilst the "lock up" within the scabbard is good, it is NOT good enough for a vertical carry without that strap affixed to the scabbard. If you want such a knife without a retention strap then I would look towards their specific neck knife range, eg The SATRE or the VERSA models.
@BushCampingTools
No comments:
Post a Comment