Best Covert Knives: Spyware

There often comes a time when your typical EDC items are forbidden. Maybe a trip to a restricted building, concert, or other non-permissive environment. For some folks, it can often be their workplace.

In this case, we’re looking at the most basic and often regarded as harmless everyday items such as drinking straws and writing implements (but not tactical pens — we may take those on in a future article). Most of what we’re looking at here are designs of a covert nature. They are disguised as somewhat everyday objects, which are innocuous looking to the casual observer. These are pieces built to get a last-ditch defensive weapon into an area where they are prohibited. 

However, if you get caught with one in the wrong place you could end up being trespassed or even looking at a federal felony — so beware. The caveat is that tools such as these are intended for people who are just collectors of unusual or exotic weapons.

Remember, just because it may pass through a metal detector, the same cannot be said of body scanners or physical pat down searches.

These tools have no cutting edges, no spring-assisted opening, and no fancy locking mechanisms. Instead, they have just one purpose: put a deep hole into something or someone quickly but look innocent while they’re doing it.

True spyware at its finest!

Always remember, a well-rounded fighter can find ways to adapt and use whatever may be at his or her disposal in a self-defense situation. Although, it never hurts to have something at your fingertips. 

If items such as these are not for you, maybe think of them as inspiration, should you find yourself unarmed and need to fight for your life.

Kopis Designs Carbon Fiber Vent Pen

Kopis Designs specializes in covert-type items, so they get a second mention here with their Carbon Fiber Vent Pen. As the name suggests it is completely made of carbon fiber, so it’s light in weight while being incredibly strong.

Outwardly it appears to be no more than a standard cheap pen in your shirt pocket. In all actuality, it is a small survival kit housed in a devastating last-ditch self-defense implement that you can take most anywhere with you.

The Ventilator is constructed from ultra-stiff hollow carbon-fiber tubing, and has a penetrating point that is protected and concealed by a standard pen cap with a pocket clip. The kit includes:a 3-inch diamond E&E saw, steel “Delta” handcuff key, escape saw that doubles as a handcuff shim, a spring steel, split pawl handcuff shim, and a micro glowstick.

PROS:

• Carbon fiber is a true space-age metal that is extremely strong due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
• Rust and corrosion proof, this one can poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
• The E&E kit is ingenious, especially if you find yourself kidnapped and hope the captor doesn’t find it on you.

CONS:

• As a last ditch stabbing weapon, it excels. The only issue is that the E&E kit may get in the way or, at worst, get lost should you need to bring this into action.

Revenant Corps G10 Super Awl

Externally, it looks like a typical Sharpie marker. Undo the cap and you’ll see what sharpie really means.

Revenant Corps removes the marker from the body of the Sharpie and replaces it with a black G10 rod encased in Marine-grade epoxy for a permanent fit. This big-body version of the marker makes for a more ergonomic hold over the smaller sharpies.

The cap is easily removed and stays in place when you don’t need to make your mark on something.

PROS:

• Externally, it looks identical to a Sharpie marker for the ultimate hide-in-plain sight effect.
• Rust and corrosion proof, this one can poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
• The thicker handle makes it easy to hold onto.

CONS:

• A lot of other makers have turned similar versions of these out over the years. It is known by conscientious TSA workers. Be very careful where you take it.

Shomer-Tec Carbon Fiber Ventilator

Shomer-Tec specializes in covert items. They make a lot of special projects for various three-letter agencies you’ve heard of and more than a few you’ve never heard of. Yet, they don’t sit on their high horse and withhold these items from the general public, either.

The Carbon Fiber Ventilator looks like a cheap black ball point pen. The body of the pen is coated with a slightly tacky material to aid in wielding it and makes it look more like a pen. This belies a length of carbon-fiber tubing that comes to a piercing hypodermic type of point hidden beneath a pen cap. It is extremely light in weight while being incredibly strong. Technically, it could double as a drinking straw.

On top of all that, the pen cap functions as a handcuff key.

PROS:

• Carbon fiber is a true space-age metal that is extremely strong due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
• Rust and corrosion proof, this one can poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
• The coated handle helps make it easy  to hold onto and aids in the disguise. 
• The handcuff key in the pen cap is a nice finishing touch to this one.

CONS: 

• Should a security type actually get their hands on this, they’ll know what it is immediately.

VZ Grips No. 2 Tactical Pencil

The VZ No.2 Tactical Pencil is the perfect addition to your EDC kit. Being light weight and having a realistic look makes it easy to carry and conceal. They’re handmade in the USA from solid G-10, which means they’re damn near unbreakable as well as invisible to metal detectors. They might look like a real pencil, but don’t expect to write an essay with one.

Even if you don’t intend to carry it to get your John Wick on, it makes for a nice conversation piece in the house.

PROS:

• A nicely tapered point on a thick piece of steel means this will remain stabby for a long time.
• G10 is pretty much indestructible.
• Tucks into a very usable sheath

CONS: 

• Availability can be an issue. VZ mostly makes great handgun grips, and these are made in small batches as they get time.

Crawford Knives Survival Straw

Pat and Wes Crawford consistently come up with exciting concepts that they turn into practical knife and survival type designs. One of them is the Survival Straw.

The Crawford Survival Straw is technically a multitool; it can function as an ice pick and can be used as a glass-breaker. The real utility is being able to punch it into a metal can of juice or any other liquid and be able to drink without having need of a can opener.

It comes with a Kydex sheath equipped with a clip and a ball chain for either waistband or neck carry.

It’s one of those designs that is so practical and easy to use that you’ll be left thinking, Why didn’t I think of that?

PROS:

• The 440C stainless steel spike is extremely effective against anything you try to pierce with it.
• On top of that the knurled aluminum handle is surprisingly comfortable in hand for a solid grip.
• The sheath is simple, yet solid and secure.

CONS:

• While 440C is a fine steel, a titanium version would have been nicer for long term use.

Kopis Designs Sip ‘N Stick

The Sip ‘n Stick was a concept inspired a while back by some conversations between Kopis Design’s owner Jon Bahlatzis and Ed Calderon of Ed’s Manifesto over the recent banning of plastic drinking straws. 

Bahlatzis took these conversations and incorporated his own ideas on improvised tools for non-permissive environments to come up with a metal straw with a classic top bend and an angled notch allowing for quick tip breakoff. Once broken, you now have a tool with a pointed end that can easily be sharpened on sand paper, pavement, or the bottom of a coffee cup. 

PROS:

• Extremely covert design with a daily function if you’re in a paper straw-infested area. 
• Although thin and lightweight, testing shows it effective at stabbing through various forms of media.
• Beyond this piece, Kopis is a treasure trove of other exotic covert tools, lockpicks, and the like.

CONS: 

• It may not stand up to repeated use, and once you break the tip off to use, its costume is gone and it’s just a spike.

Szabo Inc. Vampire Straw

Laci Szabo is one of those guys who has done it all: consummate martial artist, U.S. Marine, narcotics cop, and movie star. He routinely designs exotic martial arts weapons that actually work based on his eclectic background.

The Vampire Straw was born from a situation that occurred while he was working as an undercover vice cop, and was completely unarmed when the suspect turned violent in an instant. Szabo pondered what he could have had covertly in the vehicle and came up with the Vampire Straw.

A thick chisel ground hypodermic-style titanium tube with a knurled handle for a secure grip, the Vampire Straw functions well as a straw as well as a stabbing implement. 

PROS:

• Titanium is a true space-age metal that is stronger than steel due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
• Rust and corrosion proof, this one can smash up ice all week long and poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in, as well as functioning as a drinking straw that can punch through metal cans.
• Textured handle helps makes it easy to hold onto.

CONS:

• Not as covert as you might think, this one made headlines a few years ago when someone boarded a plane with one. Leave it in the drink cup in your car.

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