RAO Desert Warfare

In June 2006, the “185° Rgt. Ricognizione ed Acquisizione Obiettivi” (Target Acquisition Regiment) airborne “FOLGORE” (185° RAO) commissioned to EXTREMA RATIO the developing of a special knife based on specifications concerning their special duties.

The 185° RAO is the only unit in the Italian Armed Forces in charge of long range recons and to acquire several kinds of targets to be engaged with artillery, helicopters, aircraft and battleship suppression fire, across all possible theatres. This very delicate and dangerous duty is operated by detachments capable to penetrate, operate and survive in hostile surroundings thanks to two years of very hard training. The motto of this special operation regiment is: “Videre nec videri”, from Latin: “See without being seen”.

The result is a survival knife RAO. It is not a big folder, but a compact field knife with a strong and heavy blade and a very safe locking system, assisted by an extra safe device to turn the folder in a real fix blade knife. Opening and closing of the blade is done with both hands to minimize the risk of self injuries. The extra safe device is a steel pin to be hand screwed through two holes placed by the guard zone of the massive anticorodal aluminium alloy handle. This device is necessary because of the violent chopping performances of this uncommon folder. Because of its weight, the blade is a real guillotine. That is why the presence of this steel pin between the blade and the user hands is a great psychological assistance for strong and quick chops.

The sheath is an essential part of the system. It contains a diamond sharpener and allows the user to carry the knife in open condition, held with two clips or in closed condition inside the front pocket. The M.O.L.L.E. sheath can be attached to the newest generation combat jackets or standard belts.

Details:
Length: 26 cm
Blade length: 12 cm
Blade thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 340 g (505 g with sheath)

Blade material: N690 (58HRC)
Handle material: Anticorodal
Desert Warfare version