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FOG HORN A Twobirds Flying Publication 2012 Twobi rds Fl ying Publica tion Copyright 2012, All rights reserved. Extrema Ratio’s Pugio Classic & Timeless By: Sal Palma Extrema Ratio requires no introduction. They are known worldwide as purveyors of many of the best made combat knives, available to military and law enforcement. Whether your requirement is a heavy duty folding tactical knife, survival knife or fixed blade combat knife, Extrema delivers uncompromising quality and durability. A reputation they enjoy in all of its markets. Extrema’s designers are also artisans and craftsmen, in every sense of the word, having produced a number of historical replicas of collector quality. They understand edged weapons, design and manufacturing. Readers that follow my knife reviews know of my affinity for Japanese edged weaponries. Even today, they remain formidable tools of war. I also have a great love for the Roman era Gladius, its longer brethren the Gladius Hispaniensis, and the Roman pugnale known as the Pugio, which was used as a side arm by Roman soldiers. The need for a military sidearm has existed since Roman legions marched across Europe establishing an Empire that lasted well over 1000 years. That same need exists today for our fighting men and women. And, where a carbine and pistol will fail you, a combat knife will not. It is this mindset that drove the design of Extrema’s Pugio. The Pugio is a dagger most likely intended to be a boot knife. Like the Pugio of the Roman soldier, it is a secondary weapon capable of splitting open a rib cage, slashing a throat or dealing a life ending thrust. Like all well-designed daggers, such as the Fairbairn Sykes, Extrema’s Pugio is balanced well to the rear of its hilt making the tip extremely agile. A rake across the forehead would open a gash producing a “Niagara Falls” like flow of blood. The Pugio’s blade is constructed from N690 steel, an Austrian formulation, which has a very nice balance of carbon, vanadium and cobalt. N690 holds an edge, is easy to sharpen and offers a high degree of corrosion resistance. It exhibits a Rockwell hardness of 58HRC, which when combined with a blade thickness of 6.3 millimeters (0.25 in.), at the spine, delivers a defensive tool that can easily pierce 1 inch plywood.
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Extrema Ratio's Pugio - Classic & Timeless

Oct 03, 2014

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The need for a military sidearm has existed since Roman legions marched across Europe establishing an Empire that lasted well over 1000 years.
That same need exists today for our fighting men and women. And, where a carbine and pistol will fail you, a combat knife will not. It is this mindset that drove the design of Extrema’s Pugio.
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Page 1: Extrema Ratio's Pugio - Classic & Timeless

FOG HORN A Twobirds Flying Publication 2012

Twobirds Flying Publication Copyright 2012, Al l rights reserved.

Extrema Ratio’s Pugio – Classic & Timeless

By: Sal Palma

Extrema Ratio requires no introduction. They are known

worldwide as purveyors of many of the best made

combat knives, available to military and law

enforcement. Whether your requirement is a heavy

duty folding tactical knife, survival knife or fixed blade

combat knife, Extrema delivers uncompromising quality

and durability. A reputation they enjoy in all of its

markets.

Extrema’s designers are also artisans and craftsmen, in

every sense of the word, having produced a number of

historical replicas of collector quality. They understand

edged weapons, design and manufacturing.

Readers that follow my knife reviews know of my

affinity for Japanese edged weaponries. Even today,

they remain formidable tools of war.

I also have a great love for the Roman era Gladius, its

longer brethren the Gladius Hispaniensis, and the

Roman pugnale known as the Pugio, which was used as

a side arm by Roman soldiers.

The need for a military sidearm has existed since Roman

legions marched across Europe establishing an Empire

that lasted well over 1000 years.

That same need exists today for our fighting men and

women. And, where a carbine and pistol will fail you, a

combat knife will not. It is this mindset that drove the

design of Extrema’s Pugio.

The Pugio is a dagger most likely intended to be a boot

knife. Like the Pugio of the Roman soldier, it is a

secondary weapon capable of splitting open a rib cage,

slashing a throat or dealing a life ending thrust.

Like all well-designed daggers, such as the Fairbairn

Sykes, Extrema’s Pugio is balanced well to the rear of its

hilt making the tip extremely agile. A rake across the

forehead would open a gash producing a “Niagara Falls”

like flow of blood.

The Pugio’s blade is constructed from N690 steel , an

Austrian formulation, which has a very nice balance of

carbon, vanadium and cobalt. N690 holds an edge, is

easy to sharpen and offers a high degree of corrosion

resistance. It exhibits a Rockwell hardness of 58HRC,

which when combined with a blade thickness of 6.3

millimeters (0.25 in.), at the spine, delivers a defensive

tool that can easily pierce 1 inch plywood.

Page 2: Extrema Ratio's Pugio - Classic & Timeless

FOG HORN A Twobirds Flying Publication 2012

Twobirds Flying Publication Copyright 2012, Al l rights reserved.

The blade has one of the best hollow ground profiles

that I’ve seen in a commercial knife offering. And, it

follows, its wickedly sharp double edge extending to a

needle sharp point. A blade length of 110 millimeters

(4.3 inches) is ideal for a boot knife but shorter than

many of the combat daggers. However, if you believe

what Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus wrote.

“A stroke with the edges, though made with ever so

much force, seldom kills… On the contrary, a stab,

though it penetrates but two inches, is generally fatal. ...

The body is covered while a thrust is given, and the

adversary receives the point before he sees the sword.”

What you lose in reach, you gain in maneuverability,

ease of deployment in tight quarters and agility. I’d call

that more than a fair trade.

Extrema uses Forprene for the blade handle, which

attaches to the Pugio’s full tang. Forprene is an

extremely durable polymer and exceptionally stable

across a wide range of environmental conditions. Like

all of Extrema’s fixed blade knives, the ergonomics of

the blade handle are exceptional.

The Pugio has a number of reliefs and finger rests

molded into the handle providing for a very secure grip.

There is also a very nicely executed palm swell that lets

the knife handle rest comfortably on the hand. Unlike

the round handle daggers, the Pugio is grip agnostic and

supports a saber grip, used in slashing; a palm

supported grip, essential to a ribcage thrust or a rake;

and a reverse grip used for power and to puncture

through protective gear. It also sports a very generous

pummel for breaking glass, or to simply get someone’s

attention.

Before leaving the handle I have to say, in unequivocal

terms, that Pugio’s lanyard hole is a manly one.

Folks, if you are going to design a lanyard hole into your

product do it with gusto and bravado so that someone

with normal dexterity can use 550 paracord without

resorting to drink. Enough said!

Do you ever wonder why it is Italians that design

Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati instead of the

British? To find the answer, just take a look at Extrema’s

rendition of a knife sheath.

The sheath assembly consists of two subassemblies, the

scabbard and the mounting hardware.

The mounting hardware attaches to the scabbard with

two screws. In a SERPA style arrangement, the

mounting bracket allows for placement of the knife on a

belt or shoulder strap in any angle - tip up or tip down.

Without question, it’s a feat in engineering with an

extremely elegant execution.

Page 3: Extrema Ratio's Pugio - Classic & Timeless

FOG HORN A Twobirds Flying Publication 2012

Twobirds Flying Publication Copyright 2012, Al l rights reserved.

After making the necessary adjustments to suit your

specific set of circumstances, simply close the latch

locking it via the wire broach provided.

Extrema’s Pugio is not a utility knife it is an artfully

designed highly lethal weapon. It was constructed by a

company that understands the role of a knife in combat

and combat support roles. Its strength and durability is

your strength and durability, and like you it is up to the

task. I can’t think of a more versatile or reliable back up

for your weapon systems and I give it a five star rating.

-SP

Specifications

WEIGHT: g 200

BLADE LENGTH: mm 110

TOTAL LENGTH: mm 210

BLADE THICKNESS: mm 6,3

BLADE STEEL: N690 (58HRC)

HANDLE MATERIAL: FORPRENE

SERRATION ON THE BLADE: NO

FINISHING AND COATING:

-LAMA: BRUNITA MIL-C-13924

Company Contact and U.S. Distributor

XTREME KNIVES Nancy Heflin PO Box 805 Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062, USA (800) 470-9414 (801) 770-4466 E-mail: [email protected] Company URL: http://www.extremeknives.com