Rao - Extrema Ratio

[scallywag]

I do understand the knife passion. I do understand some of you love knives so much that you buy many for different purposes. But could anyone explain what is this knife for?

http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/rao_big.htm

I just don't get it.

 

[Forest fella]

have a look at www.knifetests.com and you will get the idea.

 

[durulz]

It's for posing with - obvious enough.

 

[jojo]

Collector's item? Pretending to be a roughy, toughy "military" boy, complete with bandana and sweaty muscles? Can't see what else you could do with it, personally speaking, of course!

Oh, and the obligatory misspelled Extrem, or Barracuda, or some other suitably tough word attached to it! Sorry, I am just a cynical ol'bloke, me...

 

[scallywag]

As I suspected, there are some people who share my doubts. Hope, noone feels ofended, though.

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

I guess someone will like it

 

[jojo]

I guess someone will like it

Well, I s'pose! If somebody can like him:

somebody will like this....this...it! (photo borrowed for illustration purpose only...)

 

[scallywag]

You cruel cruel people :-D

 

[Tengu]

Thats Popeye, no harm there.

 

[Graham_S]

Zombies.
It's for killing zombies.
Come the Zombiepocalypse you'll be sorry you don't have one

 

[scallywag]

Think I'm gonna buy one then. I've seen Dawn/Shaun of the Dead!

 

[sam_acw]

I saw a review of it. It was designed for Italian special forces and has a folding blade which can be locked solid (I presume with the pin on the lanyard).
I imagine the thumb ramps and aggressive handle are s it can be used with gloves. The point is thick as soldiers are alleged to have a tendency to do non-knife things with knives e.g. digging, prying. A sharp point gives it, I guess, some sort of "combat" value whilst the swedge (ground top edge) can be used to change balance and remove weight, not just to make it kill zombies.
All in all there are probably worse knives, but it doesn't seem to have much use in bushcraft. Would any of you service types have use for it?
Their own website has more info http://www.extremaratioknivesdivision.eu/inglese/military/rao.htm

 

[phaserrifle]

I have seen the term "sharpened prybar" used in attachment to this knife.
It's basicaly a comprimise peice between a very tough knife designed to also be used for the kind of jobs you would use a chisel for (eg levering open crates), and a compact knife that can be carried in limited space applications (eg on a pilots survival vest).

not much use for bushcraft, or for most civilian jobs, and millitary users are likely to want a fixed blade, because it's easier to use with gloves on, quicker to draw, and most don't have very limited space requirments. all in all a specialist tool only realy useful for a few users.
extrema ratio (the manurefacturers) have produced a number of "tactical" knives of high quality, but specialist application, and realy are probably mainly found as collectors peices, due to the high price.

 

[Bodge]

My dive knife (fixed blade) has a flat tip to allow you to dig around with it and pry things.

This knife looks like a good tough tool for prying the lid off camo paint as well as the obvious zombie control.

 

[Wayland]

Geeeuur. . . That's F'ugly. . . . .

 

[crazyclimber]

Hmm I dunno, I kinda like it... kinda reminds me of a F-117. Functionality has its own beauty!

 

[sargey]

it's for chairborne commandos who need something sturdy to pry the tops off of pringles tubes and then still be in good enough condition to wave it menacingly at the bad guys on the telly.


seriously though, it looks mean, and probably appeals to young italian forward observer squaddies. what was the old line about "most fishing lures are designed to catch fishermen, not fish"?

there's no accounting for taste, or lack of it! i just wish i could afford one.

cheers, and.

eta: it's a burly wee beastie alright. the blades just under 5" long, and a 1/4" thick. bigger than it looked in the piccy i thought.

MODEL: RAO

WEIGHT: g 340 (g 505 con fodero)
BLADE LENGHT: mm 120
BLADE THICKNESS (MAIN): mm 6
BLADE STEEL: N690 (58 HRC)
HANDLE MATERIAL: Anticorodal
SERRATION ON THE BLADE: NO
FINISHING AND COATING: Black anodized handle, blade and steel parts - Burnished

 

[BOD]

The RAO are probably considered to be an elite group and naming and designing a knife after the units "requirements" is good marketing and for the soldiers rather flattering

However, considering that it is Italian I am surprised at the lack of style.

While I'd be embarrased to wear one at a bush moot, I think it could be quite useful. Having put an essentially similar dive knife through a bushcraft 'test', I think it could probably perform quite well cutting decent feathersticks and a range of other duties.

The false edge on the spine seems silly though for a knife that is supposed to be used, according to the RAO site, for chopping and prying (why weaken the blade and remove weight). It would also damage the baton while you are using it to split wood - the same defect as the dive knife.

Not providing a sharp point to bored soldiers in an OP is a very good idea. These guys are not going to get into sentry stabbing mode anyway.“VIDERE NEC VIDERI”

Having the sharpener in the sheath may be a good idea so is being able to carry it in fixed mode.

If it was the main knife I'd take it rather than a SAK anyday. Still prefer the Mora.

I notice that the RAO site refers to their target aquisition role in relation to battleships.

I did not realise the Italians had any battleships left, RN Fairey Swordfish having taken care of them at Taranto and Cape Matapan

 

[wicca]

Daddy! Daddy!...