Most knife nuts know that a blade’s steel is made up mostly of two components: iron and carbon. But did you know you could have a blade without iron?
Non-ferrous knives are nothing new. Humans have slashed and bashed each other with weapons made of stone then bronze (which is tin and copper) long before the Iron Age. But thanks to advancing technology and cheaper manufacturing, we now have a variety of non-ferrous blade materials available — polymers, titanium, and ceramics, just to name a few.
Why would you need a knife without iron? No, not for sneaking past a metal detector. Non-ferrous blades have plenty of legit uses, including in marine environments (they don’t rust) and around medical and industrial equipment (they’re not magnetic). Another bonus is the “low-carb” factor; almost all the tools in this buyer’s guide are half the weight of their ferrous counterparts. And for the knife nut, they’re another specimen to add to
the collection.
Make: Schwartz Tactical
Model: ST Vengeance Generation II
OAL: 6.625 inches
Blade Length: 2.625 inches
Blade Material: Carbon fiber, titanium, and tungsten carbide
Weight: 2.2 ounces
MSRP: $225
URL: www.schwartztactical.com
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If the Predator was hunting in your neck of the galaxy, we’d expect it to be carrying something like this space-age karambit. With a slice of titanium sandwiched by two layers of carbon fiber, the second generation of the ST Vengeance is featherweight, easily concealable, and ergonomic. To increase edge retention, tungsten carbide has been added to the titanium cutting surface. The handle features a comfortable paracord wrap.
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Make: Browning
Model: Speed Load Ceramic
OAL: 7 inches
Blade Length: 3 inches
Blade Material: Ceramic
Weight: 2.9 ounces
MSRP: $40
URL: www.browning.com
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Ceramic knives became trendy a few years ago because they’re lightweight, super sharp, smell and corrosion resistant, and can stay sharp longer than traditional steel blades. The downside? Their strength also makes them brittle, so they can crack or shatter. Fortunately, we didn’t experience this con with the Speed Load Ceramic. And as its name implies, you can swap out its blade for one of two additional blades in a few seconds.
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Make: Bastion Gear
Model: Gentlemen’s Carry Knife
OAL: 7.5 inches
Blade Length: 3 inches
Blade Material: Carbon fiber
Weight: 1.5 ounces
MSRP: $82
URL: www.bastiongear.com
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This folding knife is made up almost entirely of carbon fiber, which seems like such a cool idea … until you realize it’s made up almost entirely of carbon fiber. This futuristic material is fantastic for certain fast-moving applications (i.e. race cars), but not for tools that are meant to be durable, such as a knife blade. Fortunately, this folder is well made and everything else (from the pocket clip to the liner-lock) works great.
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Make: Boker Plus
Model: Anti-MC
OAL: 7.7 inches
Blade Length: 3.2 inches
Blade Material: Ceramic
Weight: 2.5 ounces
MSRP: $96
URL: www.bokerusa.com
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This sophisticated folder is 100-percent nonmagnetic. Its frame-lock handle is made from titanium, which is strong, lightweight, and both rust and chemical resistant. On the business end, its ceramic blade could easily be mistaken for steel because of its polished mirror finish and impeccable hollow grind. Plus, the ceramic blade means it’ll retain its edge for longer than its steel counterparts. Comes with a deep-carry pocket clip.
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Make: Cold Steel
Model: Delta Dart
OAL: 8.125 inches
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: Zy-Ex polymer
Weight: 1 ounce
MSRP: $6
URL: www.coldsteel.com
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Cold Steel makes a wide range of deadly edged weapons, from fixed blades and tomahawks to spears and long swords. The company also has a series of self-defense tools made of polymers, but they’re nothing to toy around with. The Delta Dart is one such example. Though it doesn’t have any cutting edges, the triangular cross-section ends in a sharp point that makes for a powerful stabber. A neck sheath is sold separately.
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Make: VZ Grips
Model: Diamante Dagger G10
OAL: 9.875 inches
Blade Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Material: G10
Weight: 2.3 ounces
MSRP: $99
URL: www.vzgrips.com
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G10 is one of our favorite handle materials because it isn’t just light and strong, but also resistant to moisture, chemicals, corrosion, and temperature. This fiberglass laminate also doesn’t conduct electricity. So it’s no surprise that VZ Grips (famed for making pistol grips and rifles rails) has used its own propriety G10 to get into the knife game. The Diamante Dagger exemplifies the benefits of using this material for stabbing implements.
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This article originally appeared in RECOIL Issue 40
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