extrema ratio's pugio - classic & timeless
DESCRIPTION
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.TRANSCRIPT
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.
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.
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