"Torvus" Counterterrorism/Tactical Knife
NOTICE!
I've made a new layout for the tactical knife descriptions, seen
on this page. I've separated the
components, briefly describing them in individual boxes. In those boxes
are links to dedicated pages describing everything about the part,
component, or accessory. The pages are substantial, and offer the
history, operation, materials, use, mounting, and care of each
accessory.
"Torvus" Professional Grade Counterterrorism Combat Knife (Shadow Line)
All Matching in non-reflective flat black camouflage
Designed for professional use, this is a top-of-the-line, incredibly
wear-resistant and ultimate
corrosion-resistant: a combat counterterrorism knife , sheath, and accessory package
that is simply the best made. This package is comprehensive, sturdy, dependable, and useable. NO OTHER SOURCE
can supply what you see here, all finely handmade to work with your gear, your outing, your mission, and your
excursion, no matter the situation and exposure. This is one of the very best counterterrorism knives and kits
made today.
Thanks, D. B.!
Jay,
I was dumbfounded when I held my counterterrorism knife and tension-lock sheath, as in ‘found dumb.’
Both the knife and sheath felt foreign in scale, weight and utility. I realized I’d never held a defensive
blade capable of defending my life, and had had a false sense of security with the automatic dagger I’d been
carrying in my pocket, and my fixed blade hunting knife I own. It was like the difference between holding
a baseball bat and a broom handle, for self defense. I’ve never fended off an attack, but I realized yesterday
that if I’d had to, the weapon I purchased from you was an entirely superior tool, and my confidence in the
other knives was completely unfounded. My grip on your knife was the first thing that struck me as so vastly
superior. I was ignorant before yesterday of what type of tool I’d want and need in an actual fight. My
grip on the Torvus alone made me realize what a fight-worthy handle is, and how underprepared I would have
been before. It was a humbling experience. I felt I’d been dumb before — I had expected to feel excited,
and was actually dumbfounded instead. And examining the blade, feeling the weight, I realized that this
blade would penetrate jackets, belts, and that the blades I had relied on before would only work if my
attacker was in shirtsleeves only. I also thought that if I were to face another man with an authentic
weapon like yours, I’d want nothing less than a pistol to fend him off.
What a humbling experience. There’s something almost ancient-feeling about your blade. Like a weapon
from before firearms when armies depended on hand to hand combat and manual weapons. I own a genuine samurai
sword, and the density and balance of that weapon is the closest comparison I’ve experienced, but I certainly
didn’t expect to hold a 6” blade with the sense of heft and lethal purposefulness of that sword. I’m dumb
founded, and even relieved that I discovered the difference.
Thank you,
D.
Included:
The Knife
- Size: Length overall: 11.75" (29.8cm), Blade Length: 6.0" (15.2 cm), Thickness: 0.227" (5.8 mm)
- Weight: 14.7 oz. (417 grams)
- Blade: CPMS30V Powder Metal High Vanadium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered, T4 Specialty Cryogenically treated to Rockwell C60, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
- Bolsters/Fittings: 304 High Nickel, High Chromium Austenitic Stainless Steel, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
- Handle: Black G10 Fiberglass/Epoxy Composite
- Type/Purpose/Origin: The Torvus is a great new
design, based on several of my previous works. The name is Latin for
"fierce," which is just what this knife presents. I've incorporated
the general design of the Ari B'Lilah counterterrorism knife, but
with some significant changes. I've created it with a thinner blade
steel, and a more curvaceous handle with a deep thumb depression.
The handle shape is a bit more curved; there is a rounded butt
without the Talon used in the Ari series. The finger ring is
elliptical, for a good fit even with gloved hands. This is a knife
designed for the most serious of action. It's a great honor to have
the input, guidance, and direction of counterterrorism
professionals, who demand
extremely efficient, well-designed and constructed, lethal
combat knives. I've built the Torvus to the highest
standards possible: what I'm known for in tactical combat knives, sheaths, and
accessories.
- Blade Steel Alloy: The Torvus
blade is a special hypereutectoid, high alloy martensitic
stainless tool steel, CPMS30V. This is a powder metal
technology tool steel, a high technology steel known for
extremely even distribution of alloy elements and a uniform
microstructure. It's a high vanadium stainless steel, and
the vanadium aids in forming complex
vanadium carbides. These are some of the most wear-resistant
carbides available in tool steels, offering incredible wear
resistance even at a lower temper. The high
chromium and high carbon also results in profuse chromium
carbides, increasing corrosion resistance as well as wear
resistance.
- Heat Treatment: This Torvus has my
T4 heat treatment, yielding an astounding blade in incredible
condition through advanced processing protocols. How advanced is
this treatment? It's a multi-stage cryogenic treatment,
involving temperatures ranging in over 2100°F
to -320°F. The process is an evolution of my
advanced heat treating processes, and consists of 33 dedicated
and specific steps and takes 172 hours. This means that just to
heat treat this blade takes over a week. The reason for this is
scientific and critical, but yields the most stable, most
wear-resistant, most durable and long-lived structure of this
steel, profuse with fine multi-element carbides and a uniform
and unbelievably robust structure. This process differs from my
T3 process by adding an additional fourth temper cycle, alternated
with an additional deep cryogenic soak, to allow more of the
carbides to develop and the martensite to stabilize. This is a testament to my
determination to make the very best knives, steels, treatments
and kits in the modern world. I know of no one else who has
advanced the treatment to this level; it's unheard of in the
metals and knifemaking field.
- Blade Design and Geometry: The blade of the
Torvus is double-edged and hollow ground; the main cutting edge
is hollow ground with a 8" diameter wheel and the top edge with
serrations is hollow ground with a 3" diameter wheel. This is an
extremely difficult grind profile, and the purpose is to create two
complimentary edges, with the 8" hollow grind creating a very thin and razor-keen
edge with high longevity. The spine is substantial enough to
support this high vanadium steel; the
point of this knife is thin enough to offer extreme penetrating potential,
resisting wear to a great degree. Both cutting edges
are single bevel. This means that there is one slanted
line (bevel) from the hollow grind that creates the
cutting edge. Most knives are made with double bevel
edges, increasing the actual cutting edge angle. The main
non-serrated cutting edge is
is a straight tanto which has 1.75" of curved edge in
front of the dividing line (yokote), and 4.25" of
straight edge between the dividing line and the choil. The top edge is designed with my Hammerhead
serrations, which are extremely tough and aggressive, with reduced
snagging and wide transitions between concavities and segmented
edges. This is my most requested serration profile because it is
extremely aggressive and tough. The grinds on the blade are accurate,
concise, and
with nicely radiused grind terminations for great transfer of energy
without stressing the blade-to-handle ricasso area while a
supportive spine runs the length of the blade.
- This is an extreme use, high wear
resistance, and extremely keen high alloy
powder metal stainless steel blade
with advanced heat treatment.
-
Blade Finish: The blade and bolsters (and all
of the accessories) are in my "Shadow" line of
counterterrorism and tactical knife finishes. Answering
the request for completely subdued and non-reflective
surfaces, I developed the Shadow Line with my Ghost
Slate finish. This means darkening in a permanent
fashion not only the stainless steel of the knife,
blade, handle, and fittings, but all of the gear in the
entire kit: the fasteners, the sheath parts, aluminum
mounts, accessories and entire package. Read more about
my Shadow Line and Ghost Slate finish on my
Counterterrorism Knives page
at this bookmark.
- Bolsters: I bolstered the Torvus with my
signature zero-care, high nickel, high chromium 304 austenitic stainless steel bolsters,
contoured and rounded for comfort of the hands, and shaped and
radiused in the front face for easy cleaning. They are attached
with multiple through-tang pins of 304 stainless steel, and
the mounting is permanent, as well as extremely corrosion-resistant. This is the
same steel used for stainless steel nuts, bolts, and fasteners,
and the bolsters are heavy, thick, and solid, giving great
balance to the knife. The front bolster is contoured
around a 1.25" diameter elliptical forward finger ring,
which is rounded and radiused for comfort and
smoothness. The finger ring offers maximum security
between the hand and the knife, essential in the most
critical of counter-terrorism and combat tactical
offensives. This is a feature that is key in cementing
the hand-to-knife grip. The Torvus design is comfortable
particularly in the reverse grip, with the thumb laid atop the rear
bolster. The thumb area in forward grip is depressed into the spine,
a "thumb drive" arrangement that stabilizes the thumb while allowing
great force to be applied to the blade. The rear bolster has a large chamfered
3/8" (10 mm) through-tang lanyard hole for added
security when working elevated or over water or in a
debris field. The bolsters are dovetailed to create a
solid, seamless union with the handle material. The bolsters are treated in my "Ghost Slate"
shadow line for reduced glare and match the rest of the knife
and gear.
- Handle: The
handle scales are black G10, a fiberglass reinforced epoxy composite
that
is one of the most durable and dependable manmade handle materials
on earth. The handle scales are dovetailed and locked and bedded
under the bolsters, secured with four heavy 304 stainless steel pins. The
handle shape is comfortable and extremely secure, with deep
finger grooves, and significant slope for the heel of the hand that makes
the knife melt into the hand. The tang is fully fileworked with
a bold square-circle alternating geometric pattern for increased purchase and
handmade signature. The tang is fully tapered, with plenty of
thickness to support the butt at the rear bolster. The heavy rear
bolster is significantly mounted to the tang with multi-peened
zero-clearance pins, and has an
extra-large 3/8" through-tang lanyard hole for super
security when working elevated or near water or in
special circumstances that require insurance against
dropping the knife. The large lanyard hole is chamfered
and dressed smooth for abrasion reduction of the lanyard
and is easy and fast to thread.
- Balance and Feel:
The center of balance of the knife is between the first two
fingers in the hand, making the blade feel light and fast, perfect
for this thinner blade. The Torvus feels fierce and fast, a
reliable, hard, wear-resistant and tough stainless steel cutting
tool.
Included:
The Sheaths
This knife has two sheaths, one in heavy leather, one in tactical combat, tab-locking.
1. The Leather Sheath
- Weight: 9.8 oz. (278 grams)
- Materials: Heavy 9-10 oz. thick leather shoulder, stainless steel reinforcement screws, hand-stamped, black lacquered, nylon stitching
- Storage: double-layered embroidered drawstring bag
in cotton canvas, polyester
- Description: I've included a heavy, tough,
and solid leather sheath for the Torvus, in 9-10 oz. leather
shoulder, hand-stamped and tooled. The leather is shoulder, from
mature cows, and is twice as thick as most other knifemakers use.
The sheath mouth at its thickest is reinforced with stainless steel
Chicago screws. The stamp-tooling is a randomized pattern for visual interest
and breaking up the light and reflection. The sheath is also
useful for traditional and conventional wear options. The sheath has a
single belt
loop that is double-stitched throughout with the toughest nylon thread that is
water and sunlight resistant. The knife fits deep and secure into
the sheath, with the handle exposed and the high back of the sheath
protecting the wearer. The entire sheath assembly is double-row
stitched for extreme durability. The sheath edges are dressed and smoothed for
comfort; the entire sheath is sealed with lacquer for water
resistance, permanence, and longevity. Leather is irreplaceable in
extremely cold or hot environments, and where absolute silence is
needed in tactical operations with no clicking when in contact
against objects, people, or gear. The leather sheath is also great
for a "non-tactical" outdoors look in a more casual setting when a
knife simply needs to be a tool.
2. The Tactical Sheath
- Weight: 11.4 oz. (323 grams)
- Materials: Hybrid Tension Tab-Locking in Black Kydex, Black Anodized Aluminum Alloy, Blackened Stainless Steel, anodized 6AL4V Titanium.
- Description: This sheath is one of my hybrid
tension tab-locking models, originally designed for
counterterrorism use.
This is my proprietary design, the best possible sheath of its type
available in the world today. Actually, it is the ONLY type of this
sheath available in the world today!
Included:
Accessories: Belt Loops, Plates, Straps, Clamps
This kit contains my standard belt loop and mounting package.
- Standard Belt Loops: accommodates 0.190"
thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high strength
corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil
thickness
- Medium Profile Belt Loops: accommodates
0.250" thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high
strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black
at 1 mil thickness
- High Profile Belt Loops: accommodates
.250" thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high
strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black
at 1 mil thickness
- Vertical Flat Mounting Straps:
accommodates up to 2.0" wide belt, web, strapping, or gear,
clamps rigidly and vertically 90 degrees to the long axis of
the sheath, black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion
resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
- Horizontal Flat Mounting Straps:
accommodates 1" to 3" wide belt, web, strapping, or gear,
clamps rigidly and horizontally (in line with the long
axis of the sheath), black anodized 5052H32 high strength
corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil
thickness
- Horizontal Belt Loop Plates: allows
wear with the long axis of the sheath in line with standard belt, without rigid clamping,
accommodates .250" thick by 1.5" belt, welded black anodized
5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy,
anodized black at 1 mil thickness
- Vertical High Strength Flat Mounting Straps: allows
rigid and high strength clamping of sheath to web, strap, or
both belt loop extenders, made of drilled and milled
blackened 304 high nickel, high chromium stainless steel
Included:
Belt Loop Extenders (2)
- Ultimate Belt Loop Extender (UBLX):
allows wearing with locking sheath and knife handle just
below the belt line, with DMT folding pocket diamond
abrasive sharpener, in black polypropylene, polyester,
black acetyl buckles. DMT diamond sharpener.
- Extended Length Belt Loop Extender (EXBLX):
allows wearing with locking sheath and knife sheath below
the belt line, sheath tail just above knee, with 2" wide leg
strap, in black polypropylene, polyester, blackened stainless steel, acetyl buckles.
Included:
HULA (Holder, Universal, Lamp, Articulating
- HULA with Maglite Mag-Tac flashlight:
provides a primary, fully adjustable flashlight in removable holder,
with a frame that can be aimed and locked in any direction, mounted
on the sheath body no matter where the knife is worn. This is the
very best, most durable flashlight holder made in the world today.
Included:
LIMA (Lamp, Independent Mounting Assembly
- Lamp Independent Mount Assembly (LIMA):
Backup, emergency, safety LED programmable flashlight and
independent web frame and mount, in polypropylene stitched with high strength polyester,
anodized 5052 high strength corrosion resistant black
anodized aluminum mounting bar, 304 stainless steel ring
retainers, nylon elastic shock cord, with ThruNite Ti3
flashlight.
Included:
Sternum Harness Plus
- Sternum Harness Plus: allows wearing of
locking sheath upside down across sternum, handle down, in black polypropylene,
polyester, acetyl buckles
Included:
Diamond Abrasive Sharpener, Lanyards
- Diamond Sharpener with Pad/Sheath:
Diamond abrasive sharpening stone, 2" x 6",
double-sided (400G/600G), nickel bonded diamond abrasives
over phenolic core, heavy nylon sheath to store and protect
other gear from diamond abrasives; sheath doubles as work
pad so diamond does not scratch surfaces, stitched with
polyester, hook and loop closure
- Lanyards: 550 Nylon Kernmantle Rope (Paracord)
sliding noose lanyard, waterproof adjustable SCUBA lanyard with
silicone rubber padding
Included:
Duffle, Storage
- Duffle Bag: 1000 denier Cordura®
ballistic nylon, waterproof polyurethane coated,
interior lined with heavy polyester felt. Nylon, polyester,
polypropylene sling handles, embroidered patch, removable
embroidered name patch with hook and loop
- Storage bags and tins for hardware, leather sheath,
HULA assembly
To see many more options for mounting, wear, and rigging, please visit
these pages and look over their detailed photo sets. I've assembled and
mounted the knives and kit accessories in a variety of ways, and most of the
various arrangements are applicable to this knife as well.
