Sniper Cutlery – Fighting Knives, Introduction.

By: Sal Palma

E-Mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com

I hope that you have all enjoyed the heavy duty folding knife segment of Sniper
Cutlery. All of the knives reviewed are quality practical knives; built to high
standards by reputable companies. Each had unique characteristics to address specific
market needs. What you, the reader, should take away from those reviews is not
which knife is best but rather knowledge of what makes a good tactical folding knife
because those characteristics are indispensable in any product choice that you make.
When you’re out there getting ready to buy your first or tenth tactical folding knife
your decision must be based on the following criteria: first, any knife that you get
must have a handle of sufficient length, girth and surface texture to allow for a secure
grip. Remember, that if you have to use it in a defensive role, you will have blood on
it and without a good griping surface you will not be able to control the knife.
Second, the blade axis point and lock up must be secure; any play, up or down and side-to-side is a potential
problem waiting to strike. Imagine, for example, using a reverse grip to chip through a wall or a door and
having the blade collapse, in this scenario, you can kiss your thumb goodbye. Third, the blade must be stout
enough for hard use. There is no substitute for adequate blade thickness, thin blades weigh less but will not
survive hard tactical use. Finally, the blade profile needs to match the intended use. Hollow ground blades will
sharpened to a razor’s edge but they will break under stress; making them more suited for EDC as opposed to
heavy tactical use, where there is moderate to heavy chopping, probing and chipping. Flat ground blades are
adept to chopping, prying, batoning or fighting. Most of your quality fighting or survival knives are flat
ground.

Before moving on to fighting knives, I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts. Whether you are in law
enforcement or military, a tactical folding knife is an important tool for you to have. I cannot overemphasize
this point. If you find yourself in a CQB/CQC situation and you
experience a primary weapon failure or loose control of your
primary weapon, transitioning to a sidearm my not be possible;
the tactical folding knife maybe the only thing that stands
between you and a body bag. Keep it sharp, keep it oiled and do
not use it to open mail, hammer nails or cut lunchmeats. You can
get a Swiss Army knife for that.

My final point goes to the great myth that you can use your
tactical folder to go against a fighting knife. If you are up against
an opponent with a purpose built fighting knife, like a Navy MK
3, shown to the left, for example, your first thought should be to
create space. Get as far away as fast as you can. If you cannot
retreat, your second thought should be to get inside your
opponents defensive perimeter as quickly as possible. If you need
to get into the guy’s trousers to do so, just do it. From that
position, use your tactical folder to defeat your target, basing your
attack on thrusting and not slashing.

© Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved. August 22, 2009

A little known, Roman, military writer by the name of Vegetius said:

“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.”

As you can see knife fighting strategies and techniques are thousands of years old - nothing new here just
common sense, good tactics and guts.

So what makes a good fighting knife? There are as many opinions as there are fish in the sea and I wish there
were less myth and more fact. However, even though you get a dozen different opinions you can still walk away
with a sense of what is a common element. I draw from one individual, who has been a custom blade designer
for years, Allen Elishewitz1

To find out where Allen’s head is at, I reached out to him and he was gracious enough to share his thoughts:

“IappreciatethisopportunitybuttakewhatIsaywithagrainofsaltbecausejustlikeasking10
knifemakershowtodosomethingandyou’llget10answers;martialartsarethesameway.

Inmyopinion,whatmakesagreatfightingknifeiseverythingontheknife.Notjustthebladeor
thehandlehastobetakenunderconsideration.Aknifeisatooljustlikeahammer.Improperly
designedorselectingthewrongoneforyourstyleortechniquewillnotproducethemostefficient
results.
Bladelengthforafixedblade:6.5”.Thisisagoodsizeforbothicepickandhammergrip.
Anythinglongerthanthisyouwilltendtogetintoproblemsintheicepickgrip.ForfoldersIlike
thebladelengthtobe3.75”to4.5”.Thisisallaboutconcealability.
Bladeshape:EverythingIcangetwiththepointlocationveryclosetocentersoTantoandhigh
sweptPersiansarenotmyfavorites.Examplesofpointlocatedinthecenterwouldbeadrop
point,aspearpoint.Also,Wharncliff2andmodifiedWharncliffaremyfavoritesbutvery
misunderstoodbythegeneralpublic.Thesebladeslookveryunusualbecausetheydonothavea
bellyand90%oftheuserscannotrelatetothisshapebladesoitisautomaticallydiscounted.Iam
abigbelieverindoubleedgeifyouhaveachoice.Idonotlikeguards;Ifeelitisawkward,
cumbersome.WhatIhavedoneisreplacetheguardwithfingergrooves,flaresinthehandleand
parrotbeaksinthebackofthehandle,palmswells,anythingsothehandhasmorecontrolover
theblade.
Ipreferhandlesthathaveaslightcurvedownward;notonlydotheyfeelbetterinthehand,but
whilegripingitandpointingtheknifethetipisoutstraighter.Idonotlikeanoverlylonghandle
becauseitmightgetintheway.Idopreferhavingaskullcrusherifpossible.Dependingonthe
knifeshape,sizeetc...AlsohowIamgoingtouseitwilldictateifthebalancepointisinthe
handleorintheblade.Ifitisbladeheavy,youhaveadvantagesinchoppingwithmoreweight
forward.Withtheweightinthehandle,thebladeisactuallyalotfasterinyourhandbutitis
more“barkthanbite”.Whatisreallydifficultistogetitbalancedrightinfrontofthehandle
whereitismoreneutralandallaround…”

1
You can read about Allen Elishewitz here.

2
This is an example of the Wharncliffe blade. Note the straight edge with a sweeping
spine from the handle to the tip. There are variations in the Wharncliffe circles but the sweep and straight
belly-less edge are characteristic of this profile.

© Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved. August 22, 2009

Forthoseofyouthatdon’tknowaboutAllenElishewitz,hehasnumerousknifedesignstohis
creditandhasbeendesigningknivesforanumberofmanufacturer’s.Hehasadistinguished
militarycareerandfallssquarelyintothegentlemancategory;aclassact.

Allen’sholisticapproachindescribinggoodfightingknivesisasynthesisofdiscretecomponents
thatIwouldliketodiscuss.

First, fighting knives are almost universally fixed blade designs. A folding knife has a single point of failure,
which is the axis point and locking mechanism. A fixed blade does not have that issue; additionally, a fixed
blade does not need to be deployed, it is always there and ready.

Second, fighting knives need to strike a balance between reach and maneuverability. Designers will strive to stay
in the five to seven inch range with most practical designs coming in at six inches or so. Knives – folding or
fixed – shorter than five inches lack the reach to be good fighting knives.

Allen also prefers the blade tip to be as close to the center of the blade as possible, clip points, drop point and
spear points achieve this goal. In the absence of these point design, I like the Tanto point because of its
wounding capabilities and the fact that it gives you a cutting surface at the tip.

Just about every military combat knife to see action is equipped with a handguard. The logic is that a
handguard prevents your hand from sliding over the blade during hard use, but it also helps to protect your
hand from a slice delivered by an opponent. In fact, a handguard may also be configured with attachments that
are used to entangle your opponent’s knife. However, l agree with Allen when he says that guards get in the
way. I would rather have well designed finger grooves with an aggressively textured gripping surface. I also like a
grip design with palm swells because they contribute greatly to comfort and control. The key here is to select a
grip design that sits comfortably in your hand. Make this assessment by trying a saber grip, palm supported
grip, reverse grip and an ice pick grip. Any strain in your hand should disqualify the grip design.

Before leaving the grip, recall that Allen likes a grip that curves downward. A great example of that is the
Benchmade 150BKSN Marc Lee Glory Knife3. Eddie Killian designed this knife and it stands as a great
example of a truly excellent fighting knife design.

When Allen refers to a skull crusher, he is referring to the pummel. Again, I too like a good seized pummel;
they come in very handy for breaking glass or a source of less lethal force.

On the subject of balance, I like a fighting knife to be balanced slightly forward of the handle, so that the knife
blade has some heft. As Allen indicated, this type of balance is very well suited for chopping. In my opinion,
this places the center of percussion very close to the knife tip and works well with Tanto, drop point and spear
point designs, with one exception, and that is daggers. Daggers should be balanced towards the handle so that
the tip is agile. For example, the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife has its point of balance about an inch south of
the handguard.

With this discussion behind us, the Sniper Cutlery series moves on to fighting knives. In the reviews that follow
this introduction, I will be looking at designs from a number of leading companies in the United States and
Europe. As always, our focus will be on real world application and our assessments will be based on those
characteristics that designers like Allen Elishewitz see as essential ingredients.

3
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=150

© Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved. August 22, 2009

Sniper Cutlery – Ontario Knife Company’s USN MK3 Mod 0, NSN: 1095-00-391-1056
By: Sal Palma

E-Mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com

The Ontario Knife Company, OKC, has been
in business since 1889 when it was founded
in Naples, New York. They are currently
located in Franklinville, New York where
they manufacture most of their products.
Over the years, OKC has been the leading
supplier to the U.S Military, producing
bayonets, machetes, survival knives and
specialized Air Crew Survival systems.
Today, the company manufactures a
comprehensive line of products that includes
RATK, SPEC PLUS®, ASEK™ & XM™
Folders, and a variety of specialized tools
and edge weapons. In addition to
manufacturing its own products, OKC
manufactures a number of private label
blades and knives.
I chose to start the fighting knife series with
the MK3 USN because it stands as the
benchmark by which fighting knives should
be judged.
which makes it a bit more difficult to
sharpen. I would have preferred a full flat
grind; however, that would have meant
giving up some rigidity to achieve it. The
MK3 sports an aggressive clip point with a
sharp edge that aids in thrust cuts. It also
places the knife tip right at the center of the
blade. Because the knife serves as a fighter
and survival knife,
the spine has
aggressive
serrations that can
be readily used for
sawing, or other
tasks that may
arise. The blade is .161 inches thick, which
makes the MK3 stout enough for prying,
probing and digging. Balance is toward the
handle just aft of the guard. This makes the
blade tip fast, which
gives the knife a
dagger-like feel.

The MK3 Navy has a 61/2 inch blade made Those of you that
of 440A stainless steel that is finished in a read my
black oxide for corrosion resistance. The
blade is flat ground from about mid-spine, 1
The actual caliper reading was .157 inches.

Copyright © Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved. September 7, 2009

introductory article on fighting knives will
recall that Allen Elishewitz likes a knife grip
to have a well designed palm swell. This is
precisely the case with the MK3 Mod 0.
This knife is a pleasure to hold and sits
in your hand very comfortably so it
mitages fatigue. A saber grip or palm
reinforced grip are a natural extension as
is a reverse grip. The pummel is fairly
large so an icepick grip was somewhat
uncomfortable for me; however,
someone with larger hands should find it
quite acceptable. The handle is
constructed of a highly textured molded
high-impact plastic that works quite well
with either a bare or gloved hand.
Certainly not as “grippy” as G10 or a
ruberrized grip but adequate nonetheless.
The key to the MK3’s feel are the
generous palm swells, they make a huge
difference. The pumel is made from steel
and comes with a lanyard hole. Ontario
provides a short shoelace as a lanyard. I
immediately replaced it with some OD
paracord that I had leftover from another
project. I was not able to pass the 550
paracord through the opening provided
so I had to gut about 2 inches worth of
the cord. This allowed me to pass the
sheath through the opening and
subsequently the paracord.
The knife sheath is made from molded
high-impact plastic that comes with a
brass belt hanger and web loop. I
removed the brass belt hanger as it is not
needed and requires an antiquated style
gun belt. Knife retention with the
manufacturer’s sheath is excellent. The
MK3 is securly held in place by a snap
at the handle as well as a spring clip
Copyright © Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.
inside the sheath that applies tension on
the blade. Although intrinsically there is
nothing wrong with the standard issue
sheath, there are better products on the
market that conform to PAL /MOLLE
standards, which will allow you to
integrate your knife into your plate
carrier or loadbearing system.
Conclusion
The MK3 Mod 0 USN by Ontario Knife
Company has been around since the
early eighties2. It is a standard issue to
the U.S. Navy Seals and has been
adopted by other special warefare units.
It suffers from no excesses and does all
of the essentials exceedingly well. There
are exotic knives available with very
high-tech steels and grip materials, and
they carry a very hefty price, but if you
need something to go to work with, I
doubt that you’ll find a better
fighting/survival knife than Ontario’s
MK3 Navy. It is a timeless design, made
for the pros by an established and
reputable manufacturer. It’s a great
choice!
Manufacturer’s Specifications
x 6 1/2" Blade
x 10 3/4" Overall
x 440A Stainless Steel
x Black Oxide Finish, molded
high-impact
plastic handle and sheath.
2
Ontario Knife Company began manufacturing
the MK3 Navy in 1983 or 1984. Dept of the
Navy provided all specifications and drawings.
September 7, 2009

Sniper Cutlery–SOG Daggert 2
By: Sal Palma
E-Mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com
The granddaddy of CQB weapons is the dagger.
It has been around since before Christ, and worn
by everyone from foot soldiers to noblemen.
Daggers are easily concealable, highly
maneuverable and deadly. To the ancients, the
dagger was the weapon of choice whenever the
situation called for an assassination1. It kept that
standing throughout history and it was a standard
weapon for OSS operatives during WWII. Today
daggers are used by a number of military and
police units around the world.
Modern firearms and advanced weapon systems
have reduce the instances where opposing forces
find themselves going hand-to-hand; as a result,
training doctrine has de-emphasized knife skills
and hand-to-hand combat. However, one of the
great myths about modern warfare is that you’ll
never have to go hand-to-hand, so why concern
yourself over a knife that will more than likely
1
Just ask Julius Caesar.
Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved
be used only as a tool. The best advice I can give
you is to shun that thinking and develop
competency in those techniques.
In this review I will examine the SOG Daggert 2
(TiNi) contrasting it against those attributes that
we called essential, to a fighting knife, to see
how it stacks up.
Review
The SOG Daggert 2 sports an AUS 8 stainless
steel blade that is 6.6 inches long and 1 inches
wide. SOG ships the Daggert 2 with both edges
sharp- thank goodness- so it’s appropriate to
suggest caution when handling the knife. I can’t
tell you how frustrating it is to evaluate a dagger
with only one edge on it. Thank you SOG. The
blade is partially serrated and functions well for
cutting rope and minor sawing tasks; however, in
all honesty, I would have preferred no serrations
as they are unnecessary and detract from the
dagger’s intended functionality. Undoubtedly,
SOG wants the Daggert 2 to straddle the fighting
and survival knife space.
The blade length of 6.6 inches is optimal for a
combat tool; having adequate reach to be used in
a defensive role, and it functions well for probing
applications like checking for IEDs or mines.
The blade thickness measured at the center of the
blade is approximately .18 inches, making the
Daggert 2 sufficiently stout, so it’s unlikely that
you’ll ever break the tip or the blade itself. SOG
chose AUS8 for the blade material which is an
excellent choice. It is hard enough to keep a
good edge yet easy to sharpen with excellent
corrosion resistance and reasonably priced.
Like all dagger designs, the Daggert 2 is
balanced towards the handle making the tip very
agile. The actual point of balance is just slightly Equally important to this equation is the knife
behind the handguard. Balancing a knife is not a sheath. Here again SOG has done a great job.
simple task but the Daggert 2 comes as close to a The knife ships from the factory with a kydex
neutral balance as any knife that I’ve seen in its sheath that holds the knife securely and can be
class. belt mounted or attached to MOLLE or PAL
webbing. I like kydex because, in damp
The Daggert 2’s handle is worthy of some environments, it does not get moldy or retain
discussion because it is truly excellent. Unlike moisture; obviously, this helps a great deal with
some designs, SOG engineered very generous the corrosion problem.
palm swells that provide excellent hand support.
Hammer grips, ice pick grips and saber grips are
extremely comfortable and secure. When I first
grasped the knife, it felt like a SIG in my hands,
very comfortable and beefy. I can’t say enough
about that. SOG also chose Kraton as the grip
material. Kraton is a trade name for high-tech
elastomers manufactured by Kraton Polymers. It
is generally used as a substitute for rubber, and
when combined with other compounds, Kraton
makes for a no slip surface used on a variety of
products including knife handles. Needless to
say the Kraton grip surface over the palm swells
makes for an outstanding handle with excellent
gripping properties.
Conclusion
A handguard is integrated as part of the knife’s
handle and functions well to keep the hand from The SOG Daggert 2 is an outstanding fighting
sliding over the blade during a thrust cut or knife. Its 6.6 inch double edged blade is robust,
during other hard use. fast and razor sharp. The knife point is centered
on the blade and the balance is near neutral. This
knife is designed from the ground up for thrust
cuts and slashing. It is not a chopping tool nor is
it a survival knife that can be used for batoning.
The SOG Daggert 2 is a world class fighting
knife that would have been blessed by Col.
Applegate himself. Its weight, size and grip are
well suited to combat and combat related tasks,
and it is as effective defensively as offensively.

I love this knife! It has no flaws and if you are in

a combat role you’ll find no better blade, to have
at your side, than the SOG Daggert 2 or its
shorter sibling the Daggert 1.

Manufacturer’s Specifications
Blade Length 6.6” Overall Length 11.85”
Weight 8.5 oz Edge Straight/Partial
Serrations
Steel AUS8 Handle Kraton
Finish TiNi Price $175 USD

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved

Sniper Cutlery – FightingKnives,CRKTM6016NKD
By: SalPalma

E-mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com


Earlier, in the Sniper Cutlery series, I introduced Columbia River
Knife & Tool of Tualatin, Oregon; however, for those who are new
subscribers or not familiar with CRKT, I will present just a quick
snap shot of the company.
CRKT is one of the largest manufacturers of knives and tools in the
United States, offering a diversified line of over 50 knives and tools
for commercial, military and law enforcement markets around the
world. They manufacture folding knives, fixed blade knives, rescue
tools and a variety of other accessories. They produce blades from
well-known designers like Elishewitz, Carson and several others. In
short, they are a highly respected enterprise that has built a reputation on customer
service and excellent products.
In this issue, I will review a rendition, from Columbia River Knife & Tool, of a fixed-
blade fighting knife, the CRKT M60 SOTFB1 16NKD.

Review
The M60 is a stout tool with an overall length
of 11 inches, which features a 6-inch AUS82
stainless steel knife blade and a massive
Tanto point.
Digressing for a moment, I love Tanto points
on combat knives for several reasons; in
particular, because they provide two cutting

1
Special Operations Tactical Fixed Blade
2
Rockwell Hardness of 56-58

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved

surfaces one of which is at the tip. This attribute enhances performance in a number of
areas, chiefly in the lessening of tip breakage. The Tanto point also has a tremendous
wounding ability; for example, snap cuts inflicted with a Tanto point are deep and
generally result in a massive amount of tissue damage. Therefore, you will discover that
many of the world’s special operations units and first responders, military and law
enforcement, use Tanto point designs for their combat knives. One example that comes to
mind is the German Army, which fields the Eickhorn 2000.
Shifting gears to the subject at hand, the M60’s blade has about 1.4 inches of its cutting
edge, towards the rear of the blade, dedicated to serrations. They do an effective job of
cutting through nylon rope and other heavy twines; however, were they to be absent, the
knife’s performance would not have suffered. This is an expression of personal
preference and not a shortcoming in the design.
The M60’s blade thickness is equally impressive, measuring.16 inches, so prying,
wedging, chopping and other hard uses are no issue for this beast. From mid-spine to its
razor sharp edge, using a flat grind, the blade transitions from .16 inches in thickness to
about .05 inches at the edge; once again contributing to its appropriateness for hard use. It
is unlikely that you will break the edge on this tool.
The knife blade is treated with a desert tan, non-reflective, titanium nitride finish that
enhances corrosion resistance and provides concealment suitable to the active theaters.
The M60 is a full tang design; however, CRKT decided not to extend it beyond the Zytel
handle to give it a good pummel. I am definitely a pummel guy; they are valuable where
non-lethal contact is the more appropriate response. A pummel simply provides a very
natural striking point for breaking glass, breaking heads, etc.
The M60’s grip is made from desert tan, highly textured, Zytel shells offset by about 5°
from the spine, giving it a slight curvature; it is ideal for a saber grip and provides a
secure, natural and comfortable hold. The thumb rest, sculpted into the handle, has
moderately aggressive gimping that contributes to the grip’s solid and secure feel. Snap
cuts, thrust cuts and slashing are executed very efficiently with this knife.
Transitioning from a saber grip to a reverse grip or an ice pick is made somewhat
awkward by the grip design. Here, a hilt that is more perpendicular to the spine would

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved

have greatly improved the situation. Individuals with large hands may also find
themselves constrained by the hilts alignment with respect to the knife blade.
Equally important, CRKT thoughtfully supplied a lined lanyard hole that will accept mil-
spec 550 paracord, a must have for any tactical use tool. I have to get on my soap box on
this one because there are way too many manufacturers that will dispense with the
lanyard attachment point yet retain the audacity to market their product as tactical.
Enough said.
The overall balance of this combat knife is neutral. The center of balance is at the hilt,
achieving a desirable characteristic that many designers strive for; however, I have mixed
feelings on the matter given the M60’s Tanto point. Were it my decision to make, I would
have allowed the center of balance to move slightly forward of the hilt thus giving the
blade a bit more heft, taking advantage of the Tanto design. I am splitting hairs here and
the M60 handles like a Lotus Europa for a knife of its size. Nevertheless, unlike daggers,
clip points and spear points that are well suited to fancy “pointsmanship”, the Tanto point
benefits from a slight forward balance.
Finally, what is a great knife without a great way to carry it?
The folks at CRKT really went out of their way to
provide an outstanding sheath. It is a drop leg
design made from Cordura with a Zytel insert.
CRKT selected a form factor that attaches to your
belt and fully adjustable for height. They also
provide dual leg straps that hold the knife securely
to the operator. I used the supplied leg straps to
secure my holster as well. This arrangement places
the knife aft of my sidearm and well out of its
way; in my humble opinion, it is an outstanding
way to carry this knife, ceteris paribus3.
What's more, CRKT provides a utility pouch with
an adjustable flap to handle a variety of accessories. You can use it to carry a multitool or

3
Latin expression used, frequently, in economics meaning all things being equal.

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved

perhaps a utility knife, for the more mundane tasks, or even a spare magazine. I use it to
carry my Surefire G3 – a dynamite arrangement! To quote a hackneyed cliché: “a place
for everything and everything in its place.”
Conclusion
Nothing in life is perfect so we base
decision on weighted factors; making
compromises between what is needed
vs. what is nice to have. The Columbia
River, M60-16NKD, combat knife
variant, combines: a robust AUS8 knife
blade, with excellent reach; a knife
handle that provides a first-rate gripping
surface that places the tool naturally and securely in your hand; a well-balanced tool; and
a superb sheath and carrying arrangement. You can’t ask for more than that. Then when
you sit down to tabulate all of the “must have” features that the M60 addresses, so
brilliantly, you won’t miss the “nice to have” stuff; now, for the icing on the cake!
As of a year ago, Columbia River Knife & Tool4 discontinued the M60-16NKD;
however, a number of online retailers still have them in inventory and at prices ranging
from 55 to 75 USDs. Do your self a favor and pick one up. It is a steal!

4
For additional information and to view the company’s products visit http://www.crkt.com

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved

Fighting Knives – Cold Steel’s RECON Tanto
By: Sal Palma
E-mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com
Since I can remember, there has always
been a considerable amount of
discussion about knife-points. They
usually revolve around what point
design makes a better knife. The Tanto
point has always been controversial
because knife aficionados tend to
pigeon-hole the Tanto blade as a
combat knife. I don’t disagree with that
in its entirety but as I discussed in my
introductory article to fighting knives,
one characteristic does not, alone, make
the knife. An excellent knife brings to
the table a variety of attributes that
work in concert to create an
outstanding tool: blade material, length,
thickness, grind, balance and the handle
must all interact seamlessly. What I
strive to do in my “Fighting Knife” series
is expose you to designs that I consider
to be excellent tools; with the
understanding that we are talking about
a knife that will, at some point in time,
become a backup weapon in a tactical
situation. Cold Steel’s Recon Tanto falls
squarely into that class of tool.
From an anthropological perspective,
the Japanese did not originate as its
own unique culture. Rather, Japanese
culture is a summation of Chinese,
Korean, Russian and Polynesian origins.
Some of the most beautiful women in
the world come from Northern Japan.
Their skins are milk white and they are
handsome tall women. This is due to the
Russian influence. Customs, dress and
religion were profoundly influenced by
the Chinese and Korean cultures. The
same holds true for their weapons.
The Tanto blade has its origins in Japan
and it was first manifested in the
Chokuto swords. Archeologists generally
agree that the design was imported
from China. The more significant
characteristics of the Chokuto was the
straight blade and the squared off tip.
Later in Japanese history, the samurai
made significant changes to the
Chokuto sword giving it a longer more
curved edge that swept to a point thus
creating what we know to be the katana
sword.
Figure 1 - Japanese Chokuto1
As Figure 1 illustrates, the Chokuto edge
is straight, lacking the curvature that is
characteristic of the katana blade, and
the tip squares up.
The katana swords, to this date, retain a
puncturing and slashing ability that is
unsurpassed; whereas, the Chokuto’s
1
This picture is of a Chokuto built by Joe
Walters of Moonlit Forge. Details are available
at the following web site:
strength was a devastating chopping
facility. Although technically the Tanto
point in use today has its origins in the
Chokuto design, most sword people will
go along with tracing its origins to the
Japanese katana.
Review
Cold Steel’s Recon Tanto, Model
Number, 13RTK is a hefty 9 oz. tactical
knife.
The blade is constructed from AUS8
steel, which offers excellent edge
durability and corrosion resistance. The
massive 7 inch blade is 3/16th of an inch
thick, which gives the Recon Tanto very
respectable tool strength. I cannot
image, anyone, able to snap this blade
during any real-world use.
Most tactical knives in use by military
personnel today end up being used for
probing, prying and cutting. Any of
these tasks, including poking through an
exterior wall, are no challenge to this
Tanto. I had some difficulty in my
testing because I did not have two rigid
surfaces to work with; when I tried to
pry two surfaces apart, the weaker
surfaces gave way. This is one
behemoth of a knife. Punching through
sheetrock, two and three sheets thick is
a snap, as is a variety of other tasks,
including light chopping.
Its combat abilities are equally
respectable. The razor sharp 7 inch
blade is flat ground and has excellent
reach. Using this knife in a defensive
role, in tight quarters, presents no
problems at all. The Recon Tanto is
ideally suited for snap cuts, thrusts and
slashes. The slight curvature of the
blade makes the knife a very effective
cutting tool as well.
The Recon Tanto is balanced slightly
forward of the hilt and that gives the
blade a bit more heft, which comes in
very handy for snap cuts and chopping.
A snap cut with this Tanto will easily
take and appendage. The extra blade
heft does not make for a nimble point,
so if carving a “Z” on an opponent’s
forehead is what floats your boat, you
may want to look elsewhere.
Cold Steel uses a black epoxy powder
coat that contributes to corrosion
resistance; however, it brakes easily
under hard use. I would have preferred
an oxide finish or a parkerized surface.
As it ships from Cold Steel, the blade has
a semi-gloss look, and I definitely think
it can be improved on; I offer my
comment as a suggestion to the folks at
Cold Steel.
Whether punching through a wall or
executing a snap cut, having a good
handle is critically important. Here too,
Cold Steel has done an excellent job.
Tactical knives are subjected to hard
use; therefore, providing an effective
way to control the knife is essential and
requires some thinking.
Providing a hand guard, as part of the
handle design, is essential for hard use
applications. However, it has to be done
with a degree of finesse so that you
don’t end up with a hand guard that
gets in the way or is easily entangled as
you draw the knife.
The Recon Tanto incorporates a lower
hand guard that is quite effective in a
saber grip, reverse grip or ice pic. For the gripping surface, Cold Steel
The handle is very comfortable and chose to use Kraton®, which is a
substantial; at a length of 4-3/4 inches, polymer commonly used to replace
it allows a good solid grip, even for rubber and it is frequently used on tool
individuals with large hands. Although grips and other applications. Kraton is
the design does not incorporate palm durable and stable at temperatures that
swells, it fills the hand quite comfortably are well over 100°C.
and does an excellent job of insulating With or without gloves, I always felt that
the hand from shock, resulting in less I had a comfortable and secure grip,
arm and hand fatigue. even in wet conditions.
As a final point, Cold Steel provides a
lined lanyard attachment point that
accommodates 550 paracord.
The Recon Tanto ships with a Secure-
Ex® Kydex sheath, which is designed to
be carried on the belt. The knife is
secured at two points, the handle and
the hand guard. At the handle, there is a
snap that attaches to the belt loop and
at the hand guard by the molded
sheath. Overall, this sheath does an
excellent job of securing the knife, and
there is an abundance of eyes and slots
along the periphery of the sheath to
deliver considerable flexibility in how
the knife is carried.
Manufacturer’s
Specifications
Blade: 7"
Handle: 4-3/4"
Overall: 11-3/4"
Thick: 3/16"
Weight: 9oz.
Finish: black epoxy powder coat finish
MSRP: $119.99

Conclusions
Cold Steel’s designers clearly knew what
they were doing. The RECON Tanto
draws from some of the best sword
technology in man’s history. Its Katana
lineage is evident in the sweeping edge.
Its Tanto point provides superior
puncture power. Its substantial blade
thickness provides remarkable tool
strength. The AUS8 construction
guarantees that the edges will remain
unbroken and sharp; lastly, a handle
construction that provides a durable,
comfortable and secure gripping
surface.
What you end up with is one heck of a
combat knife, where the sum of its parts
is greater than the individual
constituents.
To fully appreciate Cold Steel’s Recon
Tanto hold one in your hand and feel
how it becomes an extension of your
arm. Then you’ll know, first hand, what
seamlessness means.
Sniper Cutlery Fighting Knives – Extrema Ratio 39-09
By: Sal Palma
E-mail: spalmajr@hotmail.com
Extrema Ratio, from Prato, Italy, is the
country’s most influential military knife
manufacturer; they offer a line that
includes blades of every design for all
types of military operations. Their
folding tactical knives are legendary and
they are carried by a number of military
organizations and law enforcement
agencies in Italy, as well as other parts
of the world. Extrema Ratio knives are
Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.
renowned for their robustness, quality
and design. It is always a pleasure when
I have the opportunity to T&E one of
their knives.
In this review, I will be taking a look at a
fixed blade combat knife from Extrema
Ratio, the 39-09.
First, some background on its origins.
The Extrema Ratio 39-09 was
commissioned by the C.O.F.S, Comando
Operativo Forze Speciali, led by Major
General Marco Bertolini.
General Bertolini has a distinguished
military carrier and has served in Italy’s
most specialized units. He has
numerous deployments to Kosovo,
Bosnia, Sarajevo, Pale, and other cities
in the region, and is highly decorated.
From December, 2004 to the 25th of
September, 2008, he served as C.O.F.S.
Commanding Officer.
General Bertolini’s desire was to have a
combat knife that is a modernized
version of the Pugnale da assaltatore
modello 1939. The exact origin of the
M1939 knife is not accurately known.
Some believe that it was Finland;
however, it was definitely World War I
that places the M1939 in Italian hands.
From there, it underwent some
improvements to create the M1939
Paratrooper that was adopted by the
Italian Army.
During the course of writing this review
a friend had the opportunity to look
over the Extrema Ration 39-09, and he
asked, “Where did the cool looking
bayonet come from? The 39-09 is not a
bayonet nor is it a sword.
Most steel collector’s set a blade length
of 12 inches as the cutoff to where
bayonet stops and a sword starts, and
as it comes from Extrema Ratio, the 39-
09 has no means by which to affix it to a
rifle. A side by side comparison with an
Ontario M9 would clearly reveal those
differences. What you have embodied in
the 39-09 is a knife of considerable 39-09 Special Edition C.O.F.S.
distinction.
The 39-09 comes in three versions, the
Review Operativo, the Ordinanza and the
C.O.F.S Special Edition. My review is
based on the Ordinanza.
This knife comes in a very attractive
case bearing the C.O.F.S logo and two
sheaths. One is the traditional calf
mounted sheath, which is worn just like
a diver’s knife and the other is the
ceremonial, belt mounted, scabbard
that holds the 39-09 at a 45° angle.

Operativo

I’ll cover the sheaths later in the article

39-09 Ordinanza C.O.F.S.
because they deserve a review of their
own.
Looking at this knife transports me back
to the trenches of World War I with
visions of soldiers and their 12 inch long
bayonets, fighting for every inch of soil
through clouds of mustard gas. It is from

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.

these abysmal days that the 39-09
draws its character.
The Extrema Ratio 39-09 was
introduced early in 2009, as a
modernized reproduction of the
Pugnale da assaltatore modello 1939,
and subsequently issued to the C.O.F.S.
units as the de facto combat knife.
The blade is a dagger-like design with a
length of approximately 7 ¾ inches as
measured from the hilt to the tip; giving
these knives excellent reach. However,
it stands right at the maximum length
that I consider practical for a combat
knife; having said that, I do recognize
that a combat knife in today’s military
units serves two masters. It is first a
utility tool and secondly a fighting knife,
so its blade length is not at all
inappropriate given what its usage will
be.
The edge is a very sharp flat grind that
extends the full length of the blade.
Extrema produces two versions of the
39-09 blade. The civilian version is a
single edge blade and the military
model comes with a double edge.
Owners of the civilian version should
not feel handicapped; however, I have
to admit that I feel a bit like a castrato
with just the single edge version.
At its thickest point the 39-09 is
approximately ¼ of an inch, which gives
this knife excellent tool strength.
Snipers often need to puncture through
exterior walls to create firing lanes. This
knife is quite capable of that task and
then some.
There is a section of the spine, about 3
inches in length, where the blade has
been recessed to a thickness of .1
inches. I’m not sure what Extrema’s
reasoning was for that concept, but it
Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.
appears the only function served is
aesthetics; possibly a mechanism for
balancing the knife or a weight
reduction technique. It may very well be
a combination of both.
I would have preferred a continuous
broad spine- for tasks like batoning1;
however, I don’t feel that the recess
compromises the overall tool strength
of this knife.
The blade material is Bohler N690 steel,
which is the equivalent of a 440C
stainless steel on steroids, and has good
corrosion resistance and edge retention
characteristics.
The 39-09 is a full tang design, which
extends just past the handle to provide
a very nice pummel. I like this a great
deal because it gives the knife a less
lethal capability, which is often the
more appropriate response; it also
makes the task of breaking glass simpler
and without sacrificing the blade’s edge.
The 39-09’s handle was brilliantly
executed all the way from the choice of
materials to its shape. This handle
provides an outstanding gripping
surface and stands out as the most
obvious enhancement over the M1939
Paracadutista.
Extrema chose Forprene for the gripping
surface. This is a N.A.T.O. mil-spec
elastomer that is used in place of
rubber. Forprene elastomers are
extremely stable across a broad range
of environmental conditions.
Extrema included very well thought out
swells in the handle that do an excellent
1
Batoning is not a word that you’ll find in the
dictionary but it is heavily used in the survival
knife vernacular. It refers to placing a knife on a
log then striking the spine of the knife to split the
log for kindling.
job of filling the hand and providing a
very comfortable grip; therefore, light
chopping, prying and probing are
comfortably done with minimal hand
fatigue.
As I mentioned earlier in the review,
Extrema has three models of the 39-09,
Operativo, Ordinanza and the C.O.F.S.
Special Edition. The Operativo ships
with the calf mounted sheath only;
whereas, the Ordinanza comes in a case
that includes two sheaths – a calf
mounted sheath and the ceremonial
belt mounted scabbard. The Special
Edition features a beautifully crafted
wood handle and satin finished metal. It
is a numbered edition but not
restricted.
The sheaths that are included with
these knives are phenomenal, I have to
tell you.
Let me get on my soapbox for a
moment. Folks, we – meaning reviewers
– do not place an adequate amount of
emphasis on knife sheaths, and a sheath
can make or break the knife.
Recall what your first quality holster did
for your sidearm. Therefore, I’m
determined not to commit the same sin.
The sheaths that ship with the 39-09 are
outstanding both in construction and
design. They are jump ready.
You can stand on your head, drop on
your head from the ceiling or engage in
any conceivable activity without regard
to the security of the knife.
The sheaths are constructed from
molded PVC, which is then covered in a
nylon cloth that is both durable and
attractive.
The knife is secured by a broach that is
molded into the PVC sheath locking the
knife in place at the hand guard. The
Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.
blade is also secured by a large two
snap loop at the handle.
The calf mounted sheath also has a flap
that covers the knife handle and
releases via a side release buckle.
Last but certainly not least is my one
issue. The 39-09 does not have a
lanyard attachment point. Therefore, all
of the sheath security mechanisms are
pointless if there’s no way to secure the
blade to the operator.
Including a sheath attachment point is
as simple as extending the pummel a
fraction of an inch or so; then drilling a
hole suitable for 550 paracord.
Conclusion
The Italians have done it again! The
reincarnation of the Modelo 1939
Paracautista, in the Extrema 39-09, is
truly a job well done. Extrema has
brought excellence in engineering and
design to the project and the result was
a combat knife that upholds its tradition
as one of the best combat knives ever
made.
Manufacturer’s Specification
Model: 39-09
Weight: g 36
Blade Length: mm 190
Overall Length: mm 315
Blade Thickness: mm 6.3
Blade Steel: Bohler N690 (58HRC)
Handle Material: Forprene (NATO mil-spec
elastomer)
Serration on the blade: No
Finishing and Coating: MIL-C-13924 Black coating
Product Gallery

Copyright, Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved.