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Extrema Ratio Dobermann IV African Review

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Those who have been in the wilderness know that the only thing you can depend on is your instincts and your knife. Anything that requires battery can and likely will fail. Even live ammunition can fail in a damp environment. Time and time again, your knife will be the one equipment you turn to. It’s the most essential gear for survival as its versatility serves both offensive and survival purposes.

Extrema Ratio is known for making high-quality blades. Their website offers a wide selection of blades, however, the one that stands out most is the Dobermann IV Africa. The Dobermann IV Africa is a 7.3″ hunting made from Bohler N690 steel that promises to be your best friend on your next hunting trip – for $690 USD. In this review, we’re going to take a closer look at all the features of this blade and determine if it’s worth the price tag.

What’s in the package?

If you purchase the Dobermann directly from Extrema Ratio’s website, you’ll get a lot of extra accessories including a portable blade sharpener, a marlin spike, and an extra handle made from Forprene.

Extrema Ratio, being an Italian company, is generous with leather laces. Just about every single holes on the sheath came with a foot of laces. There’s easily 10 feet of laces included in the package. It’s a bit overkill, however, appreciated since the laces can be used for tying things down. The pictures above and below don’t show you how much laces are included. We had to trim most of it for photos.

The leather sheath is made from high-quality Italian leather (as you’d expect). There’s a stiffness to the leather that gives it extra durability and makes it resistant to scratches. The sheath has a hard plastic interior that houses the blade to ensure the blade doesn’t damage the sheath over repeated use. All the stitches you see are real.

Marlin Spike

The Dobermann IV Africa comes with a marlinspike already in the package. The leather sheath has a special side pocket for the spike that holds it in place via an elastic belt. The spike seems to be made from the same N690 steel (not confirmed). It’s heavy, solidly constructed, and pointy.

Given how pointy this spike is, experienced hunters can use this for more than tying and untying knots.

Blade Sharpener

Also included in the package is a custom-made blade sharpener. Just like the marlinspike, there’s a special pocket on the sheath for this accessory. It’s a bit difficult to access and you may need to remove the blade in order to get it out. That’s not a major issue since you’re not going to be sharpening the blade that frequently given its HRC 58 hardness.

The back of the sharpener has laser-engraved instructions showing you how to sharpen your knife. It also has a carved out hole in case you want to carry this on a keychain or on your backpack.

Santos Rosewood Handle

The Dobermann IV actually has two versions. The regular tactical version comes with the Forprene handle and black steel blade. The Africa version comes with Santos Rosewood handle, leather sheath, accessories, and a satin blade finish. Both versions are made from the same N690 steel.

There’s an “Extrema Ratio” branding carved onto the spine of the handle, just in case you forgot who made your knife. The handle has the signature finger grip indentation that’s proprietary to Extreme Ratio knives. It’s a great design and feels good in your hand. The indentation for your index and middle finger adds both grip and control, making the blade easier to handle.

Rosewood vs Forprene

There’s something very interesting to note about the two handles. On the surface, it might look like the Santos Rosewood is just a wooden version of the original Forprene handle, but take a closer look. Take a look at the picture above and you’ll notice how different they look from each other. The Forprene has a different butt that seems to hand an indentation for pinky grip, meanwhile, the rosewood doesn’t.

Extrema Ratio gives you two sets of screws to be used for each handle. The Rosewood handle uses just one set of gold screws. Meanwhile, the Forprene handle comes with two sets of stainless steel screws.

The dual screws on the Forprene handle actually feel more secure. Even if you wanted to use two screws on the Rosewood handle, you actually can’t, because the holes aren’t there. I’m not sure why the engineers at Extrema Ratio opted for a single-screw system on the wooden handle.

The screws are actually different in their construction. The Golden screws for the Rosewood handle feel like they’re made from aluminum. They’re lighter than the stainless steel screws used for the Forprene handles. The two stainless steel screws’ head is fitted for both a flathead screwdriver AND an Allen wrench. The golden screw can only be used with a flathead screwdriver, which is a slight inconvenience.

Although the golden screw looks gorgeous, I like the construction and flexibility of the stainless steel screws more.

3/4 Tang

It’s also worth noting that the blade isn’t a full-tang. It’s about a 3/4 tang. The handle is plenty snug and once clamped down, it feels just as tight and balanced as a full-tang blade.

Both handles are one piece giving it extra snug. Assembling and unassembling the handle can be difficult while you’re outside since the handle holds the blade in place VERY securely.

The Blade

The knife is 13.3 inches long with a blade length of 7.3 inches. Without the sheath, the knife weighs 368.5 grams, which is a good balance. It’s light enough to carry around on your belt. Yet it is heavy enough for chopping. The blade is made from N690 Bohler Stainless Steel.

N690 Bohler steel is the perfect marriage between performance and edge retention. The N690 steel is also infused with Cobalt, giving the blade an extra edge, making it even sharper. The fusion of cobalt alloy also gives the blade extraordinarily high edge-retention. The edge also tends to be more even making it easy to resharpen and maintain.

The N690 Bohler steel is also known for its ability to resist corrosion from humidity, moisture, and salt. This makes the blade reliable under any climate or conditions.

The blade is .25 inches thick, making it one of the thickest blades on the market. The extra thickness gives the blade rigidity and strength to handle anything you can throw at it. The picture above shows the blade with an American quarter next to it for scale. Despite having a thicker profile, the cutting edge is still razor-sharp.

HRC 58 Hardness

One perplexing question is why Extrema Ratio engraved “58 HRC” on the blade itself. For those who don’t know, HRC stands for Hardness Rockwell C. It’s a measurement of how hard the metal is. HRC 58 is hard, but certainly not the hardest metal in existence. For $600+, you would expect the metal to the of the highest grade.

After researching this a bit further, it makes perfect sense why they chose this metal. The harder the metal and higher the HRC rating, the more difficult it is to sharpen. The Dobermann is meant to be a hunting knife and comes with its own sharpener. HRC 58 gives the blade all the strength it needs and also makes it easier to work with, sharpen, and maintain on the go.

Final Verdict

This knife will quickly replace every other knife you have and soon will be the only knife you carry around on hunting or camping trips. The N690 Bohler steel blade is sharp, sturdy, and wields a balanced mass that makes it easy to handle. It’s a heavy knife that can be tamed by the generously long handle. At 13.3 inches long with a 7.3-inch blade, there’s nothing this knife can’t handle.

Although the Dobermann is made for hunting, it’s just as good for close-quarter combat, chopping, skinning, and slicing. This knife will quickly become your go-to knife for just about everything. And the superior Italian craftsmanship will guarantee this will be passed down from generation to generation.

At $690, it’s not a cheap knife. But it’s well worth the price given its quality and useful it is. If you’re a hunter or someone who spends a lot of time in the wild, the Extrema Ratio Dobermann IV Africa is well worth the investment.

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Lifestyle

10 Camping Tech Tools for a Fun Adventure

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Camping is a fun adventure you can spend with friends and family. Whether you’re used to camping with minimal equipment or not, having a handful of camping tech tools will make the experience enjoyable. Not sure where to start? Here are the 10 best camping gadgets you must bring on your next camping trip!

1. Solar powered charger

solar powered charger

If you’re embarking on a week-long camping adventure, bringing a solar-powered charger is convenient. This can charge everything, from your mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to your lanterns and heated blankets. Try to get one that’s waterproof to ensure it doesn’t get easily damaged when drenched while gaining power. These chargers are also lightweight and foldable, letting you easily carry them around. You can get a 21-watt solar panel that weighs a pound. It can charge two devices simultaneously and distribute power evenly. 

2. Portable water filter

If you’re camping at any national park with potable water, there’s no need to bring a portable water filter. However, buying one is convenient and safe if you’re camping in the middle of nowhere for days and can only bring limited drinking water. Choose one with the most number of filtration levels. A four-stage filtration can filter up to 99.99 percent into chlorine, lead, arsenic, or fluoride. Buy a portable water filter with a fast flow rate with at least 1,500ml of water per minute. This way, you can get as much drinking water for every pour. Last but not least, try to look for BPA-free medical-grade filters and materials to avoid the buildup of other harmful chemicals. 

3. Heated blanket

heated blanket

Bringing a heated blanket will make your cold nights comfortable during your camping trip. This camping tech is essential, especially if you’re going to camp during the colder months or countries. Some heated blankets are battery-operated, and some are rechargeable. That said, bringing along a solar-powered charger makes sense. A heated outdoor blanket is made of waterproof fabric and polyester filling. This eliminates heat loss and keeps you warm in windy or rainy weather. These blankets also have multiple heating buttons to choose a temperature range, typically between 86 and 140°F. 

4. Solar string lights

Bring some solar string lights to keep a nice vibe while watching the stars at night with a beer in hand. You can place these around your tent or roof to give you warm lighting while you cook dinner. Solar string lights can recharge in 20 hours under direct sunlight or may also be charged via USB for two to three hours. They can run up to 200+ hours in Low 5 Lumens and shorter hours in higher level Lumens. 

5. Portable mini burning stove

portable stove

If you’re spending a few days out in the woods, bring a mini-burning stove for daily fresh meals. These portable stoves are made of high-quality steel that doesn’t deform even at high 1500°F temperatures. Get a wood-burning stove that is easy to use by simply putting a pot holder at the top and using the wood stove combustion chamber. The wood ashes are quickly eliminated, letting you replace them with new wood to burn. This can also fit into a storage bag, sometimes weighing over five pounds. 

6. Camping torch

This is a camping tech essential that makes your adventures convenient. You can use a portable torch to light up a bonfire or wood for cooking. You may also use it for light or even as a weapon for dangerous creatures. It’s easy to use: Simply push a button to turn on the flame, and it is equipped with a safety lock to ensure it’s kid-friendly. It can usually be refilled with butane gas.

7. Portable gas fire pit

fire pit

A fire pit can add warmth and comfort during your cold camping adventure. It also adds a nice ambiance while enjoying being close to nature under the glimmering sky at night. It’s portable and comes in multiple sizes, depending on your size preference. This example includes a 19-inch fire pit with a burner lid, carry strap, and 10-foot gas hose, regulator. It’s made of durable steel and has a high-temperature finish. You can fill this up with a 20-pound LP gas tank.

8. Portable pressure shower

If you’re camping for days or weeks, you can feel fresh the next morning by bringing a portable pressure shower. It’s easy to carry and user-friendly. You fill up the opening at the top, unscrew the pump, and put the cap on. A pressure shower has a safety valve design that eliminates excess air when pressure is too high. On top of being a good camping shower, you can also use this portable shower when cleaning your car, washing your dog, or rinsing after surfing. 

9. Camping lantern

camping lantern

Never miss out on a fun camping adventure with this portable camping lantern! If you don’t have a Bluetooth speaker, then don’t fret! This lighter doubles as a speaker, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while camping, partying, or doing anything outdoors. The lantern also has a 90-degree foldable light bar, letting you adjust the lighting to cover a wider area or focus it inside your tent. This can also serve as your power bank to ensure you’ll never run out of juice. With a 10,000mAh battery, your camping adventure will go seamlessly.

10. Mini projector 

Who says camping should only include traditional activities? Bringing a mini projector can make it more fun with your kids under the stars. You can watch your favorite movie while being embraced by trees and cuddled up in heated blankets. Mini projectors can be as small as two Coca-Cola cans! They’re portable, lightweight, user-friendly, and convenient, weighing only about a pound. So, if you’re looking for nighttime entertainment, don’t forget to pack this item on your next trip!

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Lifestyle

10 Adventure Travel Destinations You Don’t Want to Miss

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glacier

Packing for an adventure travel is the most exciting thing! You’ll find yourself prepping weeks before the scheduled trip. Aside from packing, researching things to pack and what to do before and during the adventure is essential. If you have an upcoming trip to one of these travel destinations, here’s a quick guide to prepare you for the trip of your life!

1. Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

tents

Every mountaineer would probably jump on the first opportunity to trek Everest’s base camp in Nepal. It’s one of the most coveted hiking trips worldwide. The most experienced mountaineers can go all the way up to the summit. The Everest base camp hike is challenging for an average hiker due to altitude. It lasts 12 to 14 days with a total incline of 6015 meters. Although a guide isn’t required, it’s highly recommended. You can also opt for the Guest Houses along the way if you want to sleep comfortably with showers and restaurant facilities. 

2. Ice Cave Exploration in Iceland

Iceland is a beautiful country full of greenery and glaciers. The Vatnajokull National Park is Iceland’s most popular place for ice cave explorations. You can either rent a car or ride the bus or mini-bus to get to Iceland’s glaciers. However, renting a car is the easiest way to get around Iceland and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Make sure you plan a trip from November to March only because the glaciers are melted during summertime. Ice cave explorations are also day trips that don’t require you to spend overnight around the area. 

3. Great Barrier Reef Dive in Australia

Australia boasts the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s also a surf destination if you’re into watersports. However, you can embark on the biggest adventure travel of your life—diving the Great Barrier Reef. The reef extends 2,300 kilometers from north to south and comprises 2,900 individual coral reefs. It also has the largest natural structure, with more than 400 species of coral reefs. 

4. Machu Pichu Trail Trek in Peru

rock formation

The Machu Pichu Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world. Located in Peru, you can enjoy this UNESCO New World Wonder with an expert guide. The best time to visit Machu Pichu is during the months of June, July, and August. These are the region’s dry months, and hiking Machi Pichu is better during sunny conditions. Accommodations also get booked quickly, so make sure you book in advance. Try to do the iconic four-day Inca Trail!

5. Sandboarding in Morocco

If you’re not cut out for watersports activities like surfing, then try sandboarding in the Sahara. Most visitors go to the two largest dunes in the Moroccan Sahara—the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga. You can do fun activities in the beautiful golden dunes that flow through different slopes toward the horizon, such as camel trekking or camping at the Berber campsite. But one of the most fun activities is sandboarding. You glide down the sand dune with your feet strapped onto the board. 

6. Grand Canyon Rafting in America

If you’re from the United States and haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, it’s high time you visited! The Grand Canyon National Park offers many recreational trips, both commercial and non-commercial. You can take guided activities through 15 river concessioners because non-guided “private trips” are sometimes dangerous and not recommended for those newbies. River rafting doesn’t need experts to be enjoyable. It’s doable for every average traveler! Even kids ages 10 to 12 are allowed on motorized rafting trips. The most popular months are May and June since the weather isn’t so hot. However, don’t forget to book a commercial trip in advance for a year or so!

7. Great Walks Hikes in New Zealand

The “Great Walks” is regarded as New Zealand’s multi-day hiking. When embarking on this adventure travel, make sure you pre-book your beds in the backcountry huts along the tracks. During the hiking season, the cost of staying in these huts is crazy. Hiking the Great Walks will immerse you in New Zealand’s pure wilderness. You can also choose which hike you want, as there are multiple options. The Lake Waikeramoana Track is one of the gentlest trails, while the Kepler Track is the most challenging trail of the Great Walks. 

8. Hot Air Balloon Ride in Turkey

hot air balloon

If you want a unique and magical experience, try riding a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that lets you see Cappadocia just when the first light hits the skyline. The best time to do this activity is during spring and autumn, from April to May and September to October. It offers the best weather for hot air balloon rides

9. Glacier Hunting and Caving in Greenland

Greenland is the second-largest icefield in the world. It’s also one of the best adventure travel destinations you mustn’t miss. This place offers the best views and beautiful white-ice mountains you’ll never see elsewhere. You can go ice caving and see ancient ice and some interesting frozen formations. Try visiting the Kulusuk ice cave, which was discovered in 2016 and has had fewer than a thousand visitors since. Unlike other ice caves, this one can only be reached once the snow melts during summertime. 

10. Jumeirah Beach Skydiving in Dubai

If you want to amp up your adrenaline with an exhilarating adventure, try skydiving over Palm Jumeirah in Dubai Marina. This quick skydive activity will take about 25 minutes from the interview until touchdown. It’s also one of the safest skydive adventures in the world, with certified instructors and various packages for your preference and budget. 

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Business

10 Sustainable Outdoor Gear Brands

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If you frequent the outdoors, you know how important protecting your playground is. When you’re close to nature, you must always prioritize eco-consciousness. While you practice sustainable habits, supporting brands prioritizing sustainability becomes a top priority. If you’re always planning an outdoor adventure and need the gear, here are the top 10 sustainable outdoor gear brands you must check out. 

1. Patagonia

patagonia logo

Over the years, Patagonia has lined up its corporate social responsibilities, mainly focusing on labor and the environment. They have robust social responsibility programs that ensure workers and communities are cared for. Patagonia claims that 85 percent of its products are made in factories with Fair Trade Certified certifications. The brand also helped over 85,000 workers by participating in Fair Trade programs. The brand also helped more than 2,000 farmers from its Regenerative Organic Certified cotton program. 

2. Osprey

osprey logo

Osprey, a brand that creates robust backpacks for travel and outdoors, is also committed to sustainability. The company is a trusted bluesign SYSTEM partner, which helps eliminate PFAS-based DWR in 100 percent of its textile products. On top of its promise of eco-friendly materials, the standard for its backpacks is unparalleled, offering durability, functionality, and repairability. These products undergo field testing and athlete evaluations to ensure it’s a pack that runs a lifetime. 

3. Hydro Flask

hydro flask logo

Plastic bottles comprise one of the highest numbers of ocean pollutants. Hydro Flask is committed to minimizing this by introducing excellent insulated water bottles that last a lifetime! I bought one five years ago, and the insulation functionality still works like the very first day I got it. The brand boasts its recycled-content bottle, the Slingback Bottle Pack, with a 100 percent recycled polyester body. It also eliminated single-use plastic for its packaging, specifically for 90 percent of its products. Hydro Flask uses soy-based inks and no foils and varnishes for their products too!

4. Black Diamond

black diamond logo

Black Diamond is among the top brands for the best outdoor gear, specifically reliable and durable helmets. The company’s ethos is based on the team’s outdoor pursuits. First, the company’s 12,000-square-foot headquarters is energy-efficient, with a 2,200-watt solar photovoltaic system that generates about 3,000 kWh of electricity per year. Black Diamond also advocates for sustainable outdoor and recreation practices and is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps. 

5. Sierra Designs

sierra designs logo

Sierra Designs is also one of the best sustainable outdoor gear brands you can rely on. They aim to create products that have as minimal impact as possible on Mother Nature. The brand boasts the DriDown product, which ensures that feathers come from animals that weren’t subjected to any harm. The brand also uses neglected recycled materials for its fabric’s exteriors and insulation for apparel and sleeping bags. A lifetime warranty also backs all Sierra Designs products.

6. Hyperlite

hyperlite logo

Hyperlite is your go-to outdoor gear brand if you’re into climbing, hiking, or rock climbing. The company is committed to sustainability for as long as the brand is still in operation. They created the Hyperlite Mountain Gear ethos, essentialism, which differs from minimalism. The brand believes that an intentional and thoughtful approach to assembling its backpacks ensures its products are safe, comfortable, warm, and efficient. Hyperlite is a proud partner of Dyneema, a bio-based fiber company, and promises to use this fiber in all its outdoor gear products. 

7. MSR

msr logo

For all your climbing equipment, don’t miss out on MSR products. The founder, a lifelong mountaineer, believed that a safe and reliable equipment is key to greater adventures. Today, the brand is proud to hand-build many MSR products. The brand is also another founding members of the Outdoor Industry Association Sustainability Working Group. It’s a collaboration of over 300 outdoor brands, manufacturers, and suppliers that focus on sustainability challenges and solutions. 

8. Sunski

sunski logo

When you’re enjoying outdoor adventures, make sure you enjoy it in style with Sunski sustainable glasses. Sunski is a fantastic eyewear manufacturer in America that uses plastic scraps to turn into frames! A unique sunglass niche in the industry. The sunglasses are flexible, lightweight, and extremely durable. All Sunski customers will also get a lifetime warranty for their glasses. And if they break? Repair or replacement is free!

9. Cotopaxi

cotopaxi logo

Cotopaxi backpacks, travel packs, hip packs, and duffels are colorful and vibrant and made with eco-friendly materials. They embarked on the The (Re)Purpose™ Collection program, which uses recycled deadstock or leftover fabric from other fashion brands. They also offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs or replacements. As members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, they support Amazon’s reforestation. Cotopaxi believes that doing good will create a ripple effect, so they reward customers who #DoGood!

10. Goal Zero

goal zero

Here’s another eco-friendly outdoor gear brand for all your needs and more. To offer you the best outdoor camping experience, Goal Zero even sells power essentials, such as inverter generators, handheld portable power devices, solar panels, and battery banks. The company also aims to practice eco-conscious manufacturing methods by ensuring all 10+ factories in nine countries adhere to environmental and human rights standards. Its top sustainable camping gear is the Yeti Portable Power Station, with a four over five rating!

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