"Utamu" Custom, Tactical, Wilderness, Survival Crossover Knife
NOTICE!
Please note the layout for the tactical knife description
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.
"Utamu" Custom, Tactical, Wilderness, Survival Crossover Knife
(Shadow Line)
All Matching in non-reflective flat black camouflage
Designed for professional use, this is a top-of-the-line, extremely
tough and ultimate corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant knife: a tactical
and survival knife , locking sheath, and accessory package
that is simply the best made. The knife is a complete crossover
type, suitable for utility, rescue, and working tool applications. 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 simply
one of the very best knives and kits
made today.
Thanks, T. S.!
Hello Jay!
To start, I am blown away by your craftsmanship holding the knife in my hands! Thank you so much! It is a formidable tool and work of art.
When I held the knife the first time, the line from Crocodile Dundee, "That's not a knife. Now THIS is a knife!"
It makes every other knife I have owned seem like a sharpened piece of stock metal in comparison.
The attention to every detail, the fit of the bolsters and handle scales, the grind of the blade, all the file work; every aspect of the blade and kit shows the thought and craftsmanship that you have poured into this!
It has a presence, the weight and thickness of the blade assure me it is something I can really rely on.
I'm sorry it has taken me a while to write this. It has been busy and I wanted to really look everything over and admire the knife and kit before writing you.
I already cut myself with it haha. I was not being real smart when I was testing how sharp it was and ended up underestimating how sharp it was and gave myself a minor cut puncturing a milk carton.
It is more than I even hoped for and am honored to own such a fine blade.
Thank you so much Jay! This has made me even more excited for the other two knives that you are still working on.
—T.
Included:
The Knife
- Size: Size: Length overall: 13.9" (35.3 cm), Blade Length:
8.3" (21.1 cm), Thickness:
0.260" (6.6 mm)
- Weight: 22.0 oz. (624 grams)
- Blade: CPM154CM Powder Metal High Molybdenum Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered, T3 Specialty Cryogenically treated to Rockwell C61, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
- Bolsters/Fittings: 304 High Nickel, High Chromium Austenitic Stainless Steel, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
- Handle: Blue/Black G10 Fiberglass/Epoxy Composite
- Type/Purpose/Origin:
The Utamu is a new custom design for a great client; he
requested a special knife for survival, wilderness, and possibly
tactical use. I named the knife "Utamu." I came up with the name
because much of the original design for the blade and handle was
based on my "Imamu" pattern,
a Zombie Apocalypse type of knife, and I thought I would just change a few
letters in the name that sounded interesting. Later, I found out
that "Utamu" is the Swahili word for "sweetness." This is great
because this knife is very, very sweet, indeed! It's a massive and
powerful tool, a great adjunct to any activity outdoors, suitable
for everything from wilderness survival to rescue, from tactical or
even wild animal defense. My client wanted a knife with the heft of
the Imamu, but also with a serious, sharply angled point for
penetration and a narrow cross sectional area. I'm sure that this is
a knife that will be another great design, and it was a pleasure to
make it. He also wanted plenty of mount options, and I was happy to
be able to accommodate any wear option he might have.
- Blade Steel Alloy: My client requested the special hypereutectoid, high alloy martensitic
stainless tool steel, CPM154CM. 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 molybdenum stainless steel, and
the molybdenum aids in forming nucleation sites for complex
carbide development. The moly also increases the toughness
dramatically, resulting in a blade that's extremely durable.
This allows me to temper the steel at a higher overall
hardness, for great wear resistance as well. The high
chromium and high carbon results in profuse chromium
carbides, increasing corrosion resistance as well as wear
resistance.
- Heat Treatment: This custom Utamu 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 2000°F (1090°C)
to -320°F (-196°C). 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 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.
Click here to know more about the heat treating designation.
- Blade Design and Geometry: The blade of the
Utamu is single-edged and hollow ground with a very large
diameter wheel, 12" (30 cm). This creates a very deep and large
hollow grind, resulting in incredible geometry. In fact, it's
likely that the blade, even if continually sharpened will last more
than 3 generations. It's an honor to think that more than 100 years
from now, this knife will still be around, still be an effective
working tool. The blade has 3 full inches of my hammerhead
serrations, my most requested serration profile for the toughest
cutting tasks. The point of the knife is thin enough to be effective
in penetration, yet has enough belly to be supported by the thick
spine of the blade. The blade has a 6" (15.2 cm) top spine swage to
reduce the point profile and lighten the blade point without
sacrificing strength. The blade is fully tapered and fileworked with
a punchy pattern to increase grip traction and add handmade
distinction.
- This is an extreme use, high wear
resistance, highly tough, and extremely keen high alloy
powder metal stainless steel blade
with advanced heat treatment.
-
Blade Finish: My client requested that the blade and bolsters (and all
of the accessories) to be 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
custom Utamu 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 deep forefinger quillon that guards the hand from the
working end of the knife and gives a solid area to apply forward
force. 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: My client chose the handle scales of
blue and 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 six heavy 304 stainless steel pins. The
handle shape is comfortable and extremely secure, with extra-deep
quillons, full belly, and slope for the heel of the hand that makes
the knife an extension of the arm. Once in the hand, this handle
design is simply hard to put down, melding into the grip. The tang
is fully fileworked with an bold and well-defined geometric pattern
for increased purchase and handmade signature. The tang is fully
tapered, with plenty of thickness at the butt for support and
balance, with the rear bolster sporting 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 at the front bolster-to-ricasso position, making for a
substantial blade weight balance. The knife feels
massive and stout in forward grip, blade leading. In reverse grip,
the blade feels heavy and strong, with an overhand motion feeling
the most effective, should defense (think wild animal) be necessary.
The handle is shaped to lock in the grip, and is large enough to be
comfortable with gloved hands.
This is a beautiful, heavy, strong, and durable custom
knife that will be a reassuring pleasure to have in the field. Sweet,
indeed!
Included:
The Sheath
The Tactical Positively Locking Sheath
- Weight: 15.4 oz. (437 grams)
- Materials: Positively Locking (version 2.0) in
Black Kydex, Black Anodized Aluminum Alloy, Blackened
Oxide Stainless Steel, blue-anodized 6AL4V Titanium.
- Description: This sheath is one of my
extremely durable positively locking models, originally designed for
Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) 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! There is so much more to
this sheath that I've created a special page:
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
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 Powertac M5 Generation 3, 2030 lumen
rechargeable programmable flashlight:
provides a primary, fully adjustable flashlight in removable holder,
with a stainless steel and anodized aluminum 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
with a fantastic programmable light.
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 OLIGHT I1R 2 Pro Eos 180 Lumen
rechargeable 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
- Lanyard: (2) 550 Nylon Kernmantle Rope (Paracord)
sliding noose lanyard, flashlight lanyard
Included:
Duffle, Storage
- Duffle Bag: 1000 denier Cordura®
ballistic nylon, waterproof polyurethane coated,
interior lined with heavy polyester felt. Nylon, polyester,
polypropylene sling loop rubber handles, embroidered patch, removable
embroidered name patch with hook and loop
- Storage bags and tins for hardware, leather sheath,
HULA assembly
Thanks, T. S.!
Hello Jay!
To start, I am blown away by your craftsmanship holding the knife in my hands! Thank you so much! It is a formidable tool and work of art.
When I held the knife the first time, the line from Crocodile Dundee, "That's not a knife. Now THIS is a knife!"
It makes every other knife I have owned seem like a sharpened piece of stock metal in comparison.
The attention to every detail, the fit of the bolsters and handle scales, the grind of the blade, all the file work; every aspect of the blade and kit shows the thought and craftsmanship that you have poured into this!
It has a presence, the weight and thickness of the blade assure me it is something I can really rely on.
I'm sorry it has taken me a while to write this. It has been busy and I wanted to really look everything over and admire the knife and kit before writing you.
I already cut myself with it haha. I was not being real smart when I was testing how sharp it was and ended up underestimating how sharp it was and gave myself a minor cut puncturing a milk carton.
It is more than I even hoped for and am honored to own such a fine blade.
Thank you so much Jay! This has made me even more excited for the other two knives that you are still working on.
—T.
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.
