Friction folder designs are recently being revamped, with new models being launched by small and traditional knifemakers as well as by some of the biggest and most important manufacturers in the field, both for reasons of style and aesthetics and to satisfy the needs of those users living in Countries where automatic or assisted opening blades are forbidden to carry or even to own.

The well-known, premier Italian knifemaker Extrema Ratio pushed the boundaries by implementing a friction-folding blade in a more performing instrument: a tactical folding knife for combat and defensive purposes. What they did was basically to implement a straight razor-type folding blade on one of their best known knifes: the Basic Folder 2.

Thanks to its signature High Speed Razor Opening system (also found on the Company's own T-Razor model), the Extrema Ratio BF2 R foldable knife provides lightning-fast deployment of the blade in a quite unusual way for a pocket knife: the tang protrudes from the rear portion of the blade enough to be comfortable to operate when wearing heavy, thick gloves, or by pushing it against your own clothes if need be.

With the blade folded, the protruding tang allows the knife to be used as a blunt defensive tool in the guise of a Kubotan or a Yawara stick.

With its blade deployed, the Extrema Ratio BF2 R knife ensures total handling safety thanks to the two, redundant safety systems already found on the Basic Folder 2 model: a classic liner-lock system and a manual safety switch that locks the blade in the open position.

The blade of the Extrema Ration BF2 R knife is manufactured out of Böhler N690 steel that's tempered to a 58 HRC hardness level; it's 9 cm / 3.54-inch long, 3 mm / 0.11" thick, and is available in a drop point or a Tanto variant.

In both cases, the Extrema Ratio BF2 R is a single-edged knife; the top portion of the blade is lightened to simulate a second edge, improving the overall aesthetics of the design.

The Extrema Ratio BF2 R folding knife is available in three different finish options: the Desert Warfare model offers an overall desert tan color with darker brown bands on the blade, but a Stone-washed version and a classic MIL-C-13924 black variant are also available.

The grip of the Extrema Ratio BF2 R knife is manufactured out of Anticorodal machined aluminum, hard-anodized in matte black or desert tan, and is big enough to ensure a safe and positive handling even when wearing gloves.

On the right side of the grip, under the blade pivot, a red safety switch allows to lock the blade in the open position. On the terminal upper portion of the grip, three small Allen screws hold a steel pocket clip in place.