As part of an "Introduction", to the new Extrema Ratio RAO C (other than my blog etc.), I thought I might do what I have never done, because I think it is meaningless, and that is to compare two dissimilar products and try and say why one is better than the other; sorry this is BS IMHO.
HOWEVER, not withstanding that the the beefiest folder from Extrema Ratio sports a similar name to one of their latest creations, I will endeavour to point out the differences and what I really like about (I'll just say a little here because I want to save it up for the field review video) this latest model, the RAO C .
I will NOT say much at all about the RAO II, because I have already reviewed/shown (almost at infinitum) the RAO II models over the years performing across both hemispheres and vastly different environments. And I welcome you (if you haven't already) to check out that content, of not for jungle/alpine/coastal environments where these models were taken and used.
The next video (still in production) I will talk and show more about the RAO C in the field on the usual field reviews here @BushCampingTools .
Finally,
If you haven't seen it yet, there is a brainless short demonstrating that this folding knife will not fail levering against frozen oak. Something, in reality/practicality, I would never do, since this is abuse of a folding knife but there you have it, some shorts content (sorry for the sarcasm).
See here too:
hardcorecampingtools.blogspot...
Been considering buying the rao2 expeditions for months now but when I seen the rao c last week I took the plunge. For my use the 2 was too big, too thick and no pocket clip (even if it had a clip it would just be ridiculous to carry). The c is 100g lighter, 2mm thinner blade with a better grind for slicing and just as beautiful as the 2 imo. Thanks for the side by side Francis!
Smart move for sure. Many thanks for watching and commenting!
I love this new knife from Extrema. I really loved the big drop points of the RAO 2 and the HF1D (before they discontinued them) so I am really excited to get this knife. Only thing is I wish they kept the more minimalistic design of the other RAOs without the tacticool cutouts in everything. Regardless, man that is an awesome blade probably my favorite blade so far from this manufacturer.
Thanks for commenting. Stick around because there are some more cool products coming our way from them. Yeah I really love this compact version too.
Good review and, the video is very clear. The side by side comparison really shows the difference in size, blade, handle style, and lock. Lock the lock is a first for me on a knife. LOL. Is the adjustment for the pivot bolt used to make the opening or closing of the knife easier or more difficult? I like the RAO II.
Yes the adjustment can be made quite finely on the RAO II and it simply regulates the friction against the blade, how easy it is to open or close. O've only ever changed it once to actually make it a little more effort to extract the blade; I'm not one of these who like flicking baldes out in a blink of an eye (ok I've demoed this but in reality) -in reality, I like to go a bit slow when it comes to this so there can be no chance of any accidents to me or others around me LOL. Thanks as always for your comments here.
An excellent review as always! I have been reading into OTF (Out the Front) knives and one of their achilles heel is when gunk builds up inside the system destroying them, even the best of the best. In this respect what would you say. Is the Rao an easily cleanable knife, can it take the abuse if you accidentally drop it into a pool of mud? This is in comparison to the simpler ER models such as Fulcrum 2, Nemesis, etc which are backlocks yet do not have so many adjustment features, moving parts. So in the sense simpler knife is more mud friendly or Rao can be just as easily maintained.
These are great questions and I have just filmed actually a short video somewhat addressing this issue of folding knives with lots of components. However, I will also make a more substantial video in this regard and just focus upon getting rubbish/mud into the mechanism of say this knife. As usual thanks for watching