Knife Review: Extrema Ratio Numen

In this detailed review of the Extrema Ratio Numen, Tactical Reviews presents a detailed look at Extrema Ratio’s latest super-versatile survival knife. Join me in this Extrema Ratio Numen Review for all the details.

Extrema Ration named this survival knife after the ancient Roman concept of numen, an invisible force that guides and protects in crucial times. It is not an anthropomorphic god with a definite personality, but a discrete power that exerts its influence in every situation.

The version featured in this review is Numen Satin – made of Böhler N690 (58 HRC) steel for reliability and corrosion resistance. Also available in an S600 steel version (64 HRC) that has greater wear resistance and toughness.

Designed in collaboration with Daniele Dal Canto, AIGS Guide (Italian Survival Guide Association), Numen is a sturdy, versatile and highly functional knife, designed to be a silent but powerful companion, made to deal with the toughest challenges with a full tang construction, making Numen ideal for cutting down, pruning, batoning, chopping and woodworking.

The design of the blade makes it perfect for heavy-duty work, but the versatile handle also allows for more precise cuts.

Could Numen be your ideal companion and loyal ally for all your adventures? Join me in this Extrema Ratio Numen Review to find out.

What’s in the box?:

Or, “What’s in the BIG box?” as this is a substantial knife (and I may be repeating that comment a few times). Simply put it is the sheathed knife in a plastic bag along with the quality control card. Then, for scale, I’ve put my XL glove-size hand on top, which doesn’t quite do justice to the size.


A good look round the Numen’s Sheath – Things to look out for here are:

Extrema Ratio always give you a super-functional, tough and reliable sheath to carry the knife, and the Numen has exactly that. Lots of thought has gone into this ambidextrous sheath to make sure it stands up to heavy use alongside the Numen. This gallery has had to be quite large to show all of the features.
The main body of the sheath has webbing on both sides for securing the hanger and providing additional load carrying options. The tip of the sheath has a good size drainage hole next to the leg tie loop. Retention straps are always at risk of being cut when sheathing and unsheathing the knife, so to counter this Extrema Ratio have used a flexible solid plastic strip for the strap. The visible side of the strap has fabric sewn onto it to make it look completely in keeping with the rest of the sheath, but that plastic will resist cutting for a very long time, much more than a fabric strap.
Typical for Extrema Ratio; as well as the standard retention strap, there is a handle retention strap that ensures the knife stays completely stable when not actively in use by preventing the handle flapping about, and reducing the chance of anything getting caught over the handle. This has two press studs, the inside surface of which have a plastic caps, to avoid any metal contacting the G10 handle.
Now onto the removable, reconfigurable hanger. At the very top of this is a cord channel and flipping to the back there are two separate belt loops. Both the belt loops has a full Velcro lining so that once fitted to whatever belt/web you choose, the loop locks down to hold it tightly reducing slipping and flapping.
The hanger itself fits to the webbing on the sheath body using a flap with two press studs; this allows you to remove it or reposition it to suit, and to go between right and left handed configurations. Hand in hand with this, the retention strap is fitted with a press stud on both ends, so when changing handedness of the sheath, the retention strap is popped off and swapped round.
This level of function is exceptional and characteristic of Extrema Ratio’s designs.


A good look round the Numen – Things to look out for here are:

Possibly the most notable feature (apart from overall size) is the length of the Numen’s handle – almost half the entire length of the knife. Handles are of course ‘hand’ sized, so for smaller knives, this is expected, but a large, long-bladed knife, the size of handle is usually much shorter than the blade. We’ll come back to the benefits of this later.
Numen’s blade is made to take seriously heavy use. Thick blade stock and a tapering flat grind sweeping towards a strong tip. The plunge line is well radiused to reduce stress concentrators, and a sharpening choil allows for full length edge sharpening with the choil being large enough to also not focus stresses.
G10 handles with complex shaping that includes the distinctive Extrema Ratio first and second finger grip groove, are precisely finished and fit perfectly to the blade tang. Texturing all along the handle edges enhances grip wherever you position your hand. For the fully choked up grip there is also a section of thumb jimping on the spine for stability.


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.


The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

The Numen’s edge actually proved more challenging than most to get close-up images of. The factory edge was very sharp and had plenty of bite.


What is it like to use?

It is not the biggest or heaviest knife I’ve carried, so I don’t want to overplay that aspect of the Numen, but the more you carry larger blades, the more you understand when it is worth the extra size and weight, and when it starts to become a burden. So, yes, it is a commitment to decide to carry the Numen, as you will be aware of it at times. However, that awareness of its presence is rewarded with complete confidence in this versatile, robust tool which is capable of jobs you would otherwise have to carry a hatchet to be able to do. As well as heavy tasks, this workhorse of a tool is also capable of fine control and precision cutting thanks to its handle accommodating so many different grip positions.

The gallery shows overall scale with my XL glove-size hand, then working through the finer grip positions to the heaviest chopping grip all the way at the butt. Thanks to the excellent handle grip design, this extreme hand placement felt absolutely secure during all the heaviest chopping.


At the time of writing I didn’t have any suitable green wood for testing the chopping. Instead a trusty pallet chop test, which, as it happens, was an Italian pallet, and one made of an unknown hardwood which is well seasoned. So a suitably tough chopping test, not green wood, not softwood, but seasoned hardwood.

Clearly visible are the large steps in the cut from the power of the Numen’s strikes, easily finishing off the board and into the next one. Kindling and feather sticks easily processed. Despite the size of blade, I still prefer to baton kindling due to the improved control when more than one hit is required to split the wood.

Following the heavy chopping tests, I happened to have some 1″ manilla rope out for some other cutting tests. The wide wedge of the Numen’s blade would not be well suited to this type of cut, but I gave it a go anyway. The bite from the now used factory edge was excellent, only stopping in the cut due to the hardness of the new rope. Positioning the rope on the cutting block edge to give relief during the cut, and the Numen gave a really clean cut through this tough fibrous material. (Now wishing I’d had a hanging rope cut test set up, but didn’t.)

Of course, with a blade stock of 6.1mm, the Numen cannot be the best slicer, but understanding this and using technique to provide relief when cutting harder materials, it does really well. The length of handle giving you great purchase to apply force with control, and be able adjust your grip position to best effect.

A good sheath is as important as a good knife, and Extrema Ratio reliably give you a great sheath to carry the knife. Even a detail as small as the cut-resistant retaining strap elevates the reliability of the Numen’s sheath. With a modular assembly and adjustments (like the movable position of the secondary retention strap) you didn’t know you needed until you realise you have them, it is possible to fine tune how you carry the Numen. Most importantly, thanks to the quality of the sheath, you know Numen will still be there when you need it.


Extrema Ratio Numen Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

Blade thickness impedes slicing ability.
Velcro in belt loop slows down fitting and removal from your belt.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Extended handle provides a range of grip positions.
Powerful chopping action.
Flexible mounting due to modular sheath.
Ambidextrous sheath.
Anti-cut retention strap.
Super-tough full tang blade.
Balanced even for finer work.
Very secure grip.
Choice of N690 or S600 steels.

Extrema Ratio Numen Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:


Onto a full video review covering many more details:


 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Extrema Ratio AMF (A.M.F.)

Extrema Ratio AMF (Advanced Multi Function) a Detailed Review. My heart skipped a beat when I first saw Extrema Ratio‘s A.M.F. in an exhibition cabinet. Yes, it is a big knife, but it is because its design is inspired by a legendary classic of survival cutlery from the 1980s; and that classic happens to be one of my all time favourite knives! Join me in this Extrema Ratio AMF A.M.F. Review to see how Extrema Ratio have managed to surpass the classic in every way.

What’s in the box?:
The AMF arrives in a large, robust box, with a QC card. You certainly can’t miss this one!


A good look round the A.M.F.’s Sheath – Things to look out for here are:
Picking up on some of the details from the knife that inspired it, yet also being unmistakably Extrema Ratio. Front and back are well provisioned with webbing, giving you a wide variety of mounting options for both the AMF being mounted, and extras being mounted on the AMF. The leg tie is a nod back to the original sheath design.
On the back of the sheath the AMF comes with three 2M MOLLE systems straps, two of which also act as a belt loop.
Another distinctive feature is the Extrema Ratio removable/reversible/adjustable press-stud retention strap. The main body of the sheath has a tough liner to ensure the long blade stays where it should.


A good look round the A.M.F. – Things to look out for here are:
Just look at the purpose in that design; it is going to get the job done. It may be clearly inspired by the BMF, but Extrema Ratio have taken every aspect of this knife and made it their own. The aluminium guard has lashing points / lanyard holes, and a slight sweep forwards so the thumb can sit on the top guard much more comfortably than a straight guard. With the AMF being easy to strip down completely, this guard is removable as part of the strip down.
The cone shaped butt cap pommel leaves you in no doubt of the direct inspiration of the AMF. Extrema Ratio again making the design their own with the curved butt cap guard that is more usable and more protective than the original.
Completely new is the ability to strip down the knife for a deep clean, and this is achieved via a single hex bolt in the cone shaped butt cap.
For the handle, which on its own, you could recognise as Extrema Ratio thanks to the molded double finger grip, it is again inspired by an innovation of the original in its day (by using the cushioning material DuPont Hypalon for the handle), the AMF has a generous handful of shock absorbing Forprene.
Onto that 206mm long blade with simple clean lines and monster swedge defining its strong look.


The history of the legendary BMF:

This article is an Extrema Ratio AMF review, but I have to include some personal insights as the 1980s classic that is the inspiration for the AMF has been massively influential for me.

From the day I walked to the newsagents to pick up the latest issue of a magazine, it has been waiting 34 years for just this moment!! – A review of the BMF published in January 1991, along with the matching version of the BMF from my collection and Extrema Ratio’s AMF – improved in every aspect.

Some original text from Gerber:

Basic Multi-Function Survival Knife System™
Gerber’s BMF is the latest generation of survival knives. From its conception, the BMF was carefully researched and engineered to be the best survival knife available today.

This tough, heavy duty survival system is designed to withstand heavy use under the most extreme conditions. The 8-inch blade is ground from tough 1/4 inch thick high carbon surgical stainless steel, with Rockwell hardness of c54-55. We have purposely lowered the hardness several points to increase toughness. The chisel tooth saw is the result of countless experiments until we knew it was “just right”. It is designed for aggressive cutting of wood and other materials. The blade and stainless steel guards and but cap are treated with a non-reflective finish. The butt cap is specifically designed to endure heavy pounding, and is firmly attached to the full length blade tang. The most unique feature of the BMF is its revolutionary handle of highly compressed DuPont Hypalon. Hypalon’s semi-soft composition cushions the hand during heavy use, and provides a comfortable positive grip. Each BMF is hand-adjusted so that the point of balance is approximately at the front guard, which makes it comfortable to use, even during extended periods of heavy usage.

As much engineering and designed time went into the BMF sheath as the knife itself. Blackie Collins really “did himself proud” on this one. This sheath is made from black, heavy-duty DuPont Cordura and reinforced to provide protection for both the blade and user. Loaded with features, the sheath is specifically designed as a superior alternative to the hollow handle for carrying life sustaining and support accessories. It is compact and without protrusions to snag on brush or other objects in the field. Engineered to be silent, there are no hard surfaces other than rivets. A pocket at the top the sheath holds a quality, liquid-filled, jeweled compass. Permanently attached to the back of the sheath is a fine grain diamond sharpening hone, which is protected by a nylon cover when not in use. A unique accessory strap on the front of the sheath allows a folding knife sheath, survival, or other equipment to be attached. ALICE clips allow the BMF to be attached to standard issue military battle dress and harnesses. The ALICE clips are removable so that the BMF can be worn on a conventional belt. The BMF can be tied down to the leg or lashed to other equipment with nylon cord supplied with each sheath. (Dated June 1986)

The BMF was first released in January 1986 and discontinued in 1998. During this time it underwent a few changes and had 6 variations manufactured. I have managed to get hold of four of the six types with three pictured alongside the AMF in this gallery. The original 8″ plain, the 8″ saw back, and the 9″ plain version are shown here. The 8″ saw back was the hero-knife in the 1988 film Deadly Pursuit (aka Shoot to Kill).


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.


The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

These are showing a used edge, so the dirt on the edge is NOT from the factory, but from me using it. Also included is a close up of the engraving, just out of interest.


What is it like to use?

The AMF is exactly the handful it is meant to be; Unashamedly big, bold and striking!

For a little perspective, this gallery starts with the AMF blade next to Extrema Ratio’s BF1 CD folder, the overall open length of which is less than just the AMF’s blade. Even with my XL Glove sized hands, the AMF’s handle fills my hand while being super comfortable, and cushioning in hard use.


At 206mm the AMF’s blade is not a full-on chopper, but it is a big knife that is very capable of chopping. The large comfortable, cushioning and secure handle make it so easy to really lay into the chopping task. It found myself easily powering through this pallet chop. Actually you can see how much striking power there is, as the last half of the board was broken before it could be cut.
A dry oak branch happened to be to hand; again thanks to the firm grip, this hard wood shaved easily and smoothly, submitting to the AMF’s blade with minimal effort.


Though it is a large knife with a large sheath, Extrema Ratio have improved every aspect of the knife that inspired the AMF, making it really worth carrying. The action of sheathing and unsheathing is easier and better, and the sheath is simpler and lighter (the original had a metal belt hanger and diamond sharpener on the back, plus permanent pouch). You have webbing so you can carry more on the sheath if you want, but you are not forced to.
AMF’s hand filling handle is so comfortable, and when chopping there is no shock transferred to your hand, making it feel effortless. And still Extrema Ratio managed to give it their distinctive style.
As Extrema Ratio’s main choice of steel, N690 massively upgrades the original 440-A, in hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance. The BMF is notorious for rusting badly, mainly from its blasted surface (re-finished blades appear much less prone to rusting). The N690 used in the AMF is in a different league. Obviously I can’t replicate 40 years of storage for the AMF, but I am highly confident this will never be an issue for the AMF.
Extrema Ratio’s reinterpretation of the guards, make them so much more functional. The rear guard, by curving round the fingers, makes it much more protective, and also keeps it out of the way when using the knife; a small change and a massive improvement. The front guard, being slightly shorter and pushed forward allows the thumb to be able to push on it. The lower part of the front guard protrudes slightly further to enhance the protection it provides.
None of the long spine or swedge is sharpened for fire steel scraping, but I’m fine with that. As it is, it has a more genuine feel of the classic that inspired it, and you are better off having a small scraper with any firesteel you choose to carry.
Maybe it is that wide comfortable handle, but somehow Extrema Ratio have managed to make this large knife not feel that large in the hand. It handles much better than it should and feels easier to use than knives this size tend to feel.


Though I didn’t get it dirty enough to justify a strip down, I wanted to see how Extrema Ratio had approached this. The original does not take down, so this is a new feature. A single hex bolt in the cone shaped butt cap releases everything. First the cone coming off, then the rear guard, that fits closely enough it doesn’t just fall off. When slipping off the handle this then reveals the use of a specially shaped captive nut in the end of the tang which gives several benefits. Firstly it spreads the load of the butt cap bolt, it also allows a different metal to be used for the threads than is used for the blade tang, and lastly it brings in some ‘compliance’ when tightening the butt cap bolt so all the parts can find the best contact points and settle firmly, making it more secure and less likely to loosen. A nice detail you won’t see unless you strip the knife down, so I’ve done it for you.


Even if you don’t have that connection to the classic 80s knife like I do, the AMF stands on its own feet and is just a great knife.

Extrema Ratio AMF Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

The handle might be too large for some people.
The 2M MOLLE straps don’t feel in keeping with the AMF’s quality.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

A Classic Reborn!
Improved in every way over the original.
Unmistakably Extrema Ratio.
Strips down for cleaning.
Ultra-comfortable handle.
Shock absorbing grip (especially when chopping).
N690 steel.
Captive tang nut.
Great protection from forward and rear finger guards.
A BIG knife (always makes you smile).
Highly versatile sheath mounting.
Everything else about it!

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:


Onto a full video review covering many more details:


 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Extrema Ratio FRAME ROCK XXV Anniversarium

Extrema Ratio have been celebrating their 25th Anniversary in style with a number of limited runs of new and old models.

In this review we are looking at the XXV Anniversarium Limited Edition of the overbuilt folder, the FRAME ROCK. If you do miss out on the limited edition, most of the content here is perfectly valid for the standard FRAME ROCK, so limited or standard, you can get one of these ROCK solid folders.

This review of the Extrema Ratio FRAME ROCK includes an in depth video with overview and detailed measurements, plus image galleries and more.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:


Onto a full video review covering many more details:


What’s in the box?:
Included with the Anniversarium Limited Edition, is a special numbered presentation case and Anniversarium challenge coin. In this section, instead of unboxing we are looking at that special presentation case.


The Anniversary Coin:
Before we move on, here are both sides of the Anniversarium challenge coin.


A REALLY good look round the FRAME ROCK – Things to look out for here are:
Unprecedented in size, this gallery contains more photos of details than ever before, to take in as much of this special edition as possible.
Folded or not, the FRAME ROCK is unmistakably Extrema Ratio with its grip pattern. The FRAME ROCK has presence even though it is relatively compact. On the plain head of the pivot bolt there is an engraving of the anniversary logo with a further XXV Anniversarium engraving just above this. Immediately you can see the 6mm thick blade stock with heavy jimping. An integral lock, the FRAME ROCK has a steel insert on the end of the lock bar to increase lock life and it can be replaced if needed.
Extrema Ratio folders use a pivot bolt with locking screw that prevents loosening. Unusually, the deep carry clip wraps completely over the end of the handle, fixed onto the opposite side’s handle. As it wraps over it has a slot to allow the glass breaker to protrude through the clip (this can be fitted on the opposite side).
Waisted spacers hold the handles in place, and give the FRAME ROCK its open back layout.
As the glass breaker is fixed in the solid handle (not the lock bar side), to accommodate this, should you swap the clip side, there is an extra slot in the clip.
Looking right into the pivot, what is visible are the ball bearing cups for the pivot bearings that give the blade a smooth action.


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.


The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.


What is it like to use?

A compact, heavyweight, overbuilt knife, it almost seems a contradiction, but the compact size actually allows for a relatively light weight for such a robust knife.
Featuring a beautiful spearpoint blade with fuller, using the same blade shape as the Contact and Contact C fixed blade models. The blade shape adds to the unique look the FRAME ROCK brings.
The more you handle it, the more you understand the allure of the unusual robustness for a knife of this size. Typically, overbuilt folders are much larger, but the FRAME ROCK fits within the hand, while having an incredible solidity – hugely satisfying.
Somehow it also belies belief that such a wide spearpoint could fit into the handle, looking all the more impressive as you swing it open.


For larger hands, the compact handle does mean the clip tends to dig in if you are working the FRAME ROCK hard, and in the left hand, the glass breaker can dig into your hand when taking a tight grip. But trade this off against the overbuilt strength you are carrying, a blade that will take on heavy tasks and not break a sweat.


Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

Glass breaker digs into hand when used left-handed.
Thick blade reduces slicing ability.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Incredible robustness for its size.
Stunning spearpoint blade with fuller.
Deep-carry ambidextrous clip.
Replaceable steel lock bar insert.
Pivot-bolt locking-screw to prevent loosening.
Smooth ball-bearing blade pivot.
Thick Titanium frame.
Special numbered presentation case.
Anniversarium challenge coin.

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Extrema Ratio K-TALON

Extrema Ratio’s K-TALON is an elegant, super-slim karambit knife with a fixed, hooked hawksbill blade and grip-ring. K-TALON comes in two versions of blade finish, Dark Stone and Stone Washed, both shown in this review and the video.

This review of the Extrema Ratio K-TALON includes an in depth video with overview and detailed measurements, plus image galleries and more..

Detailed Video Examination

This video takes a detailed look at the K-TALON and also includes some tips on fitting an Ulti-Clip to the K-TALON’s Kydex sheath.


A few more details:

What’s in the box?:


A good look round the K-TALON sheath – Things to look out for here are:
Included in this review are the two optional clips; the Ulti-clip slim and the belt clip. The K-TALON’s sheath is slim, made from Kydex and has a drainage hole. The blade retention can be adjusted via the two fastenings at the mouth of the sheath. Out of the box, the sheath has a paracord neck lanyard. The Kydex is held together with hollow rivets and along with slots provides a variety of mounting/fixing options.


A good look round the K-TALON – Things to look out for here are:
K-TALON has a very slim profile and the grip-ring is generous enough to allow for gloved hands. This gallery shows the dark stone blade finish close up. The elegant curved blade has a fuller and the finish is beautifully precise.
Despite the very slim handle, the distinctive Extrema Ratio grip pattern is clearly evident – no mistaking this is an Extrema Ratio.


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.


The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.


What is it like to use?
A hook-bladed karambit is typically associated with tactical uses and less so for general EDC. Actually in its more typical tactical usage scenario you would actually not use it for every day cutting; the condition of the edge needs to stay at its absolute sharpest for an instance when it is needed in an emergency.
I am not looking at it from this tactical point of view, but instead as an EDC blade. The hooked, hawksbill blade was initially developed as a utility knife and farming tool in Malaysia and the Philippines during the 11th century, so is very functional for certain types of cut.

As a utility / EDC knife, a hawksbill blade is very well suited to cutting cords, stripping wires, pruning plants, and cutting carpet or other sheet materials.

Though the profile is so slim, the K-TALON handles very well.


Although in this gallery I have only shown grips that use the grip ring, you can ignore the ring and just hold the handle without putting a finger though (see below). This gives even more positions to hold the K-TALON.

The karambit hawksbill curved blade works really well for some but not all tasks. Where it excels is in those cutting jobs where the curve of the blade can capture and control the cut. Cuts where a straight blade might slip off, or struggle to get purchase, the hawksbill blade grabs hold. In these instances the cut becomes much more controlled. In terms of EDC, as long as it is partnered with a straighter blade, the K-TALON makes for an exceptional addition in cutting power.

Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

It is too big to be a ‘neck knife’.
No belt clip supplied as standard.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Excellent handling.
Grip ring is large enough for use with gloves.
Choice of two blade finishes.
Easy to carry due to the very low profile.
Adjustable tension sheath retention.
Easy to fit and adjust belt/clip attachments.

 
Discussing the Review:
The ideal place to discuss this review is on the Tactical Reviews Facebook Page
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Extrema Ratio SATRE – Special Report

The Extrema Ratio Satre is a pocket-sized, light and extremely tough fixed blade knife, designed in collaboration with Daniele Dal Canto, a Master Advanced F.I.S.S.S. instructor. In this special report review of the Extrema Ratio Satre, I am able to carry out a special set of tests to quantify the edge apex stability (resistance to rolling) in a direct comparison of the two steels the Satre is available in, N690 and S600, as I have all three versions of the Satre available to test, the standard Black and Satin (N690) and the S600 version at an super hard 64 HRC. This special report also include two videos, an overview and detailed measurement, plus one showing the steps of the edge stability testing (SET – Structural Edge Testing).

Video Overview

This video is a detailed look at the three SATRE Models, from handling to technical measurements, hopefully something for everyone.


A few more details:

The videos show all three versions, but as the dimensions, shape and function are all identical, the galleries here show the standard Black Satre.

What’s in the box?:

As well as the knife in a bag with desiccant, there is a QC certificate, care instructions and warranty information.


A good look round the Sheath – Things to look out for here are:

The small and neat Kydex sheath arrives with a neck lanyard, nicely laced through the eye rivets that hold the Kydex halves together. These eye rivets allow for other mounts to be fitted such as the ULTICLIP. The sliding adjustment toggle also serves as a safety break-away. There is a drainage hole at the blade tip on one side.


A good look round the Knife – Things to look out for here are:

The Satre knife consists of a single piece of steel with no other material attached to it (ignoring the small cord lanyard). Despite that simple construction, Extrema Ratio have managed to pack it full of character and clearly identify it as one of their designs. The distinctive first finger grip is shaped into the tang along with the small cut out for weight reduction. Plenty of jimping is provided for various grips.


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.


Structural Edge Testing:

Added in 2019 are results from the Edge On Up Structural Edge Tester (SET) to measure the resistance of a knife’s edge to rolling.

The key factors for the SET results are:
Series 1 Degradation – how much damage the edge suffers from one edge rolling cycle. The damage is represented by an increase in the BESS ‘C’ score. (Averages also shown for A and B)
Series 2 Degradation – how much damage the edge suffers from one further edge rolling cycle. (Averages also shown for A and B)
Degradation after strop – has the edge been permanently damaged/chipped or can it be recovered with stropping? A negative number means it actually improved from the starting figure, suggesting there may have already been some rolling of the edge before testing. (Averages also shown for A and B)

First a video of the testing process, then the table of results.


The following results do show a clear increased resistance to edge rolling for the S600 steel. In fact after two ‘series’ the edge has rolled only a similar amount to the N690 blades have after one ‘series’. This is a clearly stronger and more stable edge apex.
Often this extra resistance to edge rolling can be coupled with a more brittle edge, yet the S600 recovered better than the N690 after stropping. (If it was brittle the edge can chip when stropping and give a high BESS measurement.)
In this table, are the individual results for all three, plus a combined N690 set of totals at the bottom.
The figures in bold in the first column are averages for the single measurements.


The Factory edge up close – NEW FOR 2022!:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

In these galleries are each of the three versions with a before and after SET testing image. The edge rolling is just visible, but not easy to see.

Black N690


Satin N690


S600


What is it like to use?

It’s just one of those superbly useful knives. An easy size to carry and use, or keep as a backup. The size of the knife is similar to a medium sized folder, but being a fixed blade makes it super tough and a real working blade.
Here I’m showing it in an un-gloved hand (a hand which takes XL size gloves). It is compact, and doesn’t fill my hand, but the finger groove provides a really secure grip with the jimping (especially the thumb jimping) giving confidence.


With it being a compact blade and one without handle scales, the knife is capable of much harder work than you can comfortably manage with the bare blade tang in your hand. This design keeps it very low profile and really does make carrying and storing as a backup so much easier than a knife with wider handle.

Either in the pocket, or hanging around your neck the Satre is slim and unobtrusive. I can make this comment, not just based on one example but on all three – the Kydex action is spot on. The sloped shoulders of the sheath are just right to push on to release the knife, and the blade clicks out without a fight. This action is almost identical across all three and holds the blade securely without struggling to sheath or unsheathe it.

As seen in the SET testing section and video, the S600 steel is noticeably tougher. As with any higher hardness and higher wear resistance steel, you will notice the S600 is much more difficult to sharpen, and will need a suitable sharpener. This always makes for a dilemma for field use for me. As much as I love a longer lasting edge, if I might need to rely on one knife and might need to sharpen it in the field I would want to be able to sharpen it more easily and if required with natural stones rather than specialist sharpening equipment. This is just a consideration, as for many the longevity of the edge it already has may be more important than being able to sharpen in the field.

With a blade this thick (compared to its length) it doesn’t slice as well as a finer pocket knife blade would, but this blade is one you know won’t let you down if you need to work it hard. If you put one aside as an emergency backup blade, you know it is going to serve you well.


Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

Pocket clip not supplied as standard.
Blade is relatively thick which affects slicing ability.
S600 steel much harder to sharpen (the cost of its higher hardness and wear resistance).

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Choice of blade steels.
S600 steel edge is measurably more stable.
Kydex sheath ‘action’ excellent.
Slim and low profile making carry easy.
Pocket or lanyard carry options.
Very secure grip.
Super strong design.

 
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Knife Review: Extrema Ratio Panthera

The Extrema Ratio Panthera is a further development of their T-Razor (that was based on the traditional straight razor) and maintains all the characteristics of the T-Razor, but with a new wharncliffe blade shape and curving claw-like appearance. In this Extrema Ratio Panthera review, I cover all the technical specifications, detailed galleries to show you all the details, a video overview and demonstration of the opening method.

Video Overview

This video is a detailed look at the Extrema Ratio Panthera, from handling to technical measurements. Hopefully something for everyone and you should have a better idea if you should also pick one up.


The packaging:


A good look round the Panthera – Enjoy all the details:


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.


The Factory edge up close – NEW FOR 2022!:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.


What is it like to use?

One of the distinctive features of the Panthera (and its sibling the T-Razor) is the extended tang used as the blade opening lever. This is the same style as with a friction folder (which being of Roman design actually predates the straight razor by around 1600 years), and allows both opening of the blade, and holding it in the open position. The Panthera also has a liner lock, so the tang is not used to keep the blade open, only to open it in the first place.

Of course the other striking design feature is the curved claw-like blade used in the Panthera, which makes it stand out.

It’s a big knife. I take XL size gloves and the Panthera is a real handful, just take a look at this set of photos.


The opening method is shown a few times in the video at the start of this review, but here are a set of photos to step through opening the Panthera using the T-Razor speed style of opening.


Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

No pocket clip.
No case or holster (in lieu of a clip).
Tang opening doesn’t suit everyone.
Lock release is a bit sharp to push on.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Striking and impressive knife.
Curved blade can increase cutting power for many tasks.
Very comfortable grip.
Blade opens quickly (once you are practiced).
Long handle allows for multiple grip positions.
Matte anodised handle finish feels great.

 
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Knife Review: Extrema Ratio T4000 C

Included in this review of the Extrema Ratio T4000 C, a compact classic Tanto with Extrema Ratio’s tactical sheath and handle, are a video with an overview and detailed measurements, galleries of the packaging, sheath, and knife, plus insights into how it is to use.

Let’s take a closer look.

The video tour of the T4000 C:
In case you haven’t seen the video overview and vital statistics of the T4000 C on Tactical Review’s youtube channel, here it is. This video covers a quick tour of the knife and sheath and a detailed technical measurements section.

A few more details:

What’s in the box?:
For the T4000 C, it ‘just fits’ into the box. The usual Extrema Ratio high quality two-part box is used.


A good look round the T4000 C’s Sheath – Things to look out for here are:
Even though ‘Compact’ the sheath manages to fit in a lot of features and details. Solidly constructed and made to fit the compact knife perfectly. On the back is a set of PALS/MOLLE webbing and strap, with the front also having webbing for mounting a small pouch or other item. A gap in the welt at the base of the sheath allows for free flowing drainage. To comfortably accommodate the thick blade stock the welt is similarly sized.
A strong double press-stud retaining strap wraps the handle and keeps the knife securely in place. you can adjust the position of the retaining strap as it is held in place with a Velcro adjusting system. There is an anti-catch smooth plastic insert backing the sheath to prevent wear and damage to the back of the sheath when sheathing the knife.
With there not being a specific belt loop, using the MOLLE strap, you can make your own belt loop to fit the size of the belt.


The T4000 C knife itself:
From the first view of the satin blade emerging you get drawn into admiring the knife. The beautifully executed fuller on each side of the blade enhances the lines. Extrema Ratio’s distinctive grip design provides an index finger groove to give a strong grip. A single bolt holds the rubber grip in place on the full tang, that extends through to a striker and lanyard hole. Sharpening choils – what is your take? – well the T4000 C does not have one, so the sharp edge stops just short of the plunge line. Also note a front lanyard hole, allowing you to fit a cord to both the front or rear of the handle.
Being the compact model, the handle length sits just within the hand (I take XL size gloves).


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

There is a lot to take in here. These measurements are shown in the video.


What is it like to use?

It’s a tanto – nice – I always like a tanto. There is a practicality of having an almost chisel-like tip and what I refer to as the secondary point (where the tip and main edge meet) for various cuts instead of using the actual tip of the knife.
The elegant lines are simply a pleasure to look at as well as to use, and being the compact knife class from Extrema Ratio this is a really useful day to day blade. Something you are more likely to pick up and use, as it is very practical.

I knew after measuring the factor edge I would want to re-profile the edge bevel, 25DPS is too wide/heavy for a small knife, even 20DPS would be more than I want. But before doing this, with the sharpness measuring a respectable 281 BESS average I wanted to see how it fared. It would not shave arm hair with this edge, however…

Factory edge put to some minor fire prep tasks. The wood here is fully seasoned so much harder than any green wood. Kindling and feather sticks, perfectly good with these little pieces of wood, using the edge out of the box.

After a bit of use, it was time to change the edge bevel to 17DPS and bring that cutting edge a bit closer to the plunge line. As always, putting your own edge on a knife makes all the difference, and now it sings along shaving and slicing ferociously.

Extrema Ratio are good at Tantos, and this is one of their best. The thinned down blade thickness with full flat grind give it great slicing power, yet the blade still starts at 4.1mm at the spine, so is plenty strong for heavy use. Go back and look at the blade in the video as the light plays off it and you really appreciate the qualities of the T4000 C.


Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

I’m trying something slightly different and starting with what doesn’t work so well, so I can finish on a more positive note

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

No sharpening choil – personal preference.
Retaining strap is a bit bulky for a compact knife.
Factory edge usable but a bit ‘heavy’.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Build quality and finish.
Practical well designed sheath.
‘Handy’ size being a ‘C’ Compact model.
Very comfortable grip.
Front and rear lanyard points.
Elegant blade profile with fullers.
Reliable steel choice.

 
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Knife Review: Extrema Ratio Sethlans

Back when it was launched, I took a ‘first look’ at the Extrema Ratio Sethlans knife. Now, after being able to use the Sethlans for several months I can bring you this much more detailed look at the knife and its comprehensive equipped sheath.
The Sethlans is designed to be used for bushcraft, survival, and as a backup blade, so is also ideally suited for prepping, but I can tell you know, you are definitely going to want to use this knife.

The ‘First Look’ Video:
Taking you back to the initial impressions and overview of the Sethlans.


What’s in the box?:
Extrema Ratio knives always come in a nice robust presentation box.


A good look round the Sethlans Sheath – Things to look out for here are:

A good sheath can make or break a knife, as access to, and ease of carry, affect your experience of using the knife. The Sethlans has one of the most comprehensively equipped and well thought out sheaths of any knife I have used, and there are so many details to show, it is a major part of this review. The following gallery takes you through the construction, assembly methods and components of the sheath, including the sharpening stone pouch and fire-steel that come with the Sethlans.
This sheath can be fully disassembled and reassembled either as a left-handed setup (It comes as a right-handed setup), or stripped down to the very basics. You can run this sheath as just the Kydex sheath with no hanger, or the Kydex sheath with belt hanger/Molle mount. Super flexible design.


The Knife:
This gallery seems rather small after the sheath rundown. The Sethlans is a simple and elegant design that manages to incorporate the distinctive Extrema Ratio finger grip styling and take this feature yet further into the shaping of the actual tang within the grips where the metal is thinned down in the finger grip section of tang to mirror the grip shaping. Very nice touch.


The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.


What is it like to use?
Being an Extrema Ratio knife, the Sethlans seems to be both typically characteristic of the brand, yet at the same time completely different and surprising. It also has me in a dilemma about how to set it up thanks to the super flexible sheath design.
If I were packing in a ‘prepping’ style, I would leave the full Sethlans sheath setup with the sharpening stone and fire-steel, as like this you have all the bases covered. However as I am enjoying using this knife, and with the sheath pared down to the minimum, for me it is a much nicer every day carry. In this setup, I remove the pouch with sharpening stone, the fire-steel, and the handle retaining strap. This leaves the knife securely in the Kydex holder on a belt loop hanger.
The knife immediately feels at ease in the hand, comfortable, well balanced and agile. The grip is relatively slim for an Extrema Ratio knife, and this adds to the mobility and control for fine work.
Thanks to the thick full tang, the weight feels like it is in your hand, and the knife will just sit balanced on your first two fingers without trying to fall forwards.


The way the edge sweeps up towards the tip, gives you something similar to a chisel that you can use for nice controlled cuts by pushing down into whatever you are cutting. This same shape also works well as a skinner.
Areas of deep, wide and grippy jimping make for a very stable hold, and there is also the Extrema Ratio distinctive finger groove I have always loved.

Between the thumb jimping and swedge is a section of the blade spine that has been given a nice crisp edge, just right for scraping sparks off the big fire-steel. It does this very nicely indeed…


Fire-steels always make a mess that looks much worse than it is. The Sethlans cleans up perfectly after a fire lighting session, and the photo below, after a clean, left a knife looking as good a new. Use it!

Despite the significantly thick blade tang, the blade itself has a thickness of 3.9mm combined with a depth of 37.5mm, and this makes for a 5 degree primary bevel angle. The figures might be a bit of a yawn, but what it means is a blade that slices really well thanks to the small bevel angle – yet at a maximum thickness at the spine of nearly 4mm, is still a good strong blade without feeling heavy.

Extrema Ratio have put a lot of effort into the complex shaping of the blade, tang and handle fittings, and it shows. These design details make the Sethlans one of those knives you pick up and virtually forget about while using it, as the tool becomes an extension of your hand. You focus on the job, not the tool.

Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

The Kydex sheath has a bit of side to side play due to the strap layout.
Reconfiguring for left-handed use requires full disassembly of straps and sheath bolts.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Excellent balance of the knife.
Comprehensively equipped sheath.
Sheath can be reconfigured for left-handed use.
Modular sheath allows user to choose favourite setup.
Very good handling and grip.
Strong but slicey blade profile.
Easily strikes showers of sparks from a fire-steel.
Compact package.
Secure blade retention, yet easy to remove using thumb pressure.

 
Discussing the Review:
The ideal place to discuss this review is on the Tactical Reviews Facebook Page
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Knife Showcase: Lajolo Knife Urban 01 LP “La Prima” Limited run of 300

This Knife Showcase takes a close look at the Lajolo Knife Urban 01 LP “La Prima”, a limited edition of only 300 pieces, produced and distributed by Extrema Ratio.

The knife was designed by the master of arms Danilo Rossi Lajolo of Cossano, who created the World Calix Academy in 2007.

You can find the knife at the “The Factory” along with lots more.

SHOWCASE VIDEO:

SHOWCASE GALLERY:


 
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First Look: Extrema Ratio Sethlans Knife

This is a first look at the just launched Extrema Ratio Sethlans knife. This knife is designed to be used for bushcraft, survival, and as a backup blade, so is also ideally suited for prepping. But you are going to want to use this, not just leave it sitting by ‘just in case’.

The ‘First Look’ Video:


What’s in the box?:


Explained by the Maker:
The reasons for certain design choices may not be clear when simply looking at an object, so this section is intended to give an insight into the thinking behind a design by speaking to the designer themselves.
Quoted directly from Extrema Ratio –
““EXTREMA RATIO SETHLANS” a fixed blade work knife born to face a wide range of situations, suitable for survival, bushcraft, prepping, but also as a backup blade.

SETHLANS was designed in collaboration with Daniele Dal Canto, Master Advanced F.I.S.S.S. instructor (Italian Federation of Sports and Experimental Survival).

SETHLANS is available in two different versions with two different kinds of steel.

The stone washed version is produced with böhler N690 heat treated at 58 HRC, chosen for the reliability it has demonstrated over the last 20 years due to its resistance to oxidation and durability of the edge.

The black version is produced in D2 steel, heat and cryogenically treated at 60 HRC, which presents an high resharpening capacity even with makeshift tools. In order to give greater qualities of hardness and resistance, the blade is coated with the new Teflon-based product “EXP DARK”, proposed by Extrema Ratio.

The knife comes with G10 grips that feature the ergonomic design characteristic of Extrema Ratio handles. They can be removed by releasing the skeletonized structure of the knife, that allows maximum lightness with minimum thickness. For lovers of extreme customization, the full-tang structure allows the handle to be covered with a paracord cord.

The sheath is composed of a part in very light and minimalist Kydex. It can be disassembled and can be adapted for both left and right handed users. The addition of an optional belt clip allows the knife to be positioned both vertically and horizontally and makes the sheath much more versatile than the textile version. It is also equipped with a mini pouch with M.O.L.L.E. system. containing a two-sided stone for sharpening and a Firesteel for lighting fires”.

Type: Fixed blade
Use: Survival
Blade Length: 107 mm (4.21”)
Overall Length: 224 mm (8.82”)
Blade Thickness: 6.3 mm (0,25”)
Main Grid: Flat
Weight: 207 g (7,30 oz)
Blade Material Sethlans Stone Washed: Böhler N690 (58HRC) steel
Blade Finishing Sethlans Stone Washed: Stone Washed
Blade Material Sethlans Black D2: D2 (60HRC) steel
Blade Finishing Sethlans Black D2: EXP DARK
Handle Material: G10

 
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