Arcturus
"Arcturus" Tactical Combat,
Counterterrorism, CSAR Survival Knife
- Size: Length overall: 13.88" (35.3 cm), Blade Length: 8.25" (21.0 cm), Thickness: .237" (6.0 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 3.0 oz. (539 grams), Sheath (with extender, accessory package, HULA and Maglite): 1 lb., 12 oz. (794 grams)
- Blade: ATS-34 High Molybdenum Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C58, Bead Blasted
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Bead Blasted
- Handle: Red and Blue G10 Fiberglass/Epoxy Laminate Composite
- Sheath 1: 9-10 oz. Leather Shoulder, Polyester, Nickel Plated Steel
- Sheath 2: Locking, Black Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel
- Ultimate Belt Loop Extender: Polypropylene and
Polyester belt loop extender with Fine DMT diamond pad sharpener,
stainless steel snap
- HULA: (Holder, Universal, Lamp, Articulating)
Welded and machined 304 high nickel, high chromium austenitic stainless steel,
5052H32 corrosion-resistant, high strength
aluminum alloy, 6AL4V titanium alloy, Maglite MagTac series flashlight
- LIMA: (Lamp Independent Mount Assembly) Polypropylene stitched with high strength
polyester, 304 stainless steel fittings and hardware with Maglite LED Solitaire and stainless retainer
- Belt plates, loops: 5052 H32 high strength aluminum alloy, 304 stainless steel
- Lanyards: 550 Nylon Kernmantle Rope (Paracord), Nylon, ABS plastic, neoprene
- Knife: A knife designed for combat,
counterterrorism, rescue,
survival, and emergency response, the Arcturus is named for the brightest star in the
constellation Bootes. The name comes from ancient Greek
meaning guardian of the bear, befitting of this extremely
aggressive and powerful knife. I designed the blade as an evolution
of some ancient and proven styles, namely the kopesh, tanto, and
khukri. The blade has a low angle tanto forward geometry with a bit
of curve to make slicing (and sharpening) simple and smooth. The
blade has a complex recurve and is extremely thin as it nears the
ricasso, an excellent location for my hammerhead
serrations. These are effective serrations that excel in
aggressiveness with non-snagging geometries,
and can cut a wide variety of materials with limited tearing,
ripping, and hanging. There is plenty of blade length forward of the
serrations for the substantial hollow ground razor keen cutting edge. The blade
point is enhanced with a two-thirds length top swage that reduces
the point cross section without sacrificing strength, creating a
serious piercing capability, essential in combat knives. The blade width is minimized
near the grind termination, while the spine is thickest and widest
at that location. This gives the knife tremendous blade strength with
unique character and balance. The choil area is deeply sculpted with
trapping hooks, blending into the serrations, with the hand protected by
the large and effective quillon of the front bolster. The razor sharp hollow
ground blade is made of ATS-34 high molybdenum martensitic stainless
tool steel, which excels in high toughness (resistance to breakage)
at a high level of hardness and wear resistance. This steel also has
extremely high temperature resistance, keeping its temper even when
exposed to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit or 540 Celsius. The super steel
blade is fully fileworked with a punchy and deep vine pattern that aids
in grip security extending from the thumb rise and completely around the fully
tapered tang to the front quillon. The handle has very large and substantial quillons for
an extremely secure grip and a substantial belly for comfort. The
knife is bolstered with zero-care 304 high nickel, high chromium
austenitic stainless steel, the same steel used to make stainless
bolts and mechanical fasteners. The bolsters are dovetailed and bed
a pair of beautiful G10 fiberglass/polyepoxide thermoset composite
handle scales in a blue and red laminate. The scales are secured
with eight through-tang .125" diameter 304 stainless steel pins and
are sealed to the tang for complete moisture and contaminant
protection. All surfaces of the handle are contoured, radiused,
rounded, and smoothed for a comfortable grip in either forward or
reverse style. The rear bolster has a chamfered 5/16" through-tang
lanyard hole for extra security. The nicely placed thumb rise gives
extra support and control for fine and controlled cutting. The
significant angle of the handle to the blade gives the wrist a more
comfortable position, allowing a square-fisted wrist
position, reducing the possibility of strain and wrist injury. The knife has a balance point right
at the front quillon, giving a great center of percussion at the angle
of the two tanto edges. The knife feels easy, yet substantial in the
hand, surprising for its generous size.
- Leather Sheath: I included several sheath
options for this package, because I've learned that versatility is
critical and a necessary function of the professional knife
ensemble. I've made a heavy, tough, and solid leather sheath for the
Arcturus, in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-stamped in a
basketweave pattern. This is made of leather that is twice as thick
as most other knifemakers use. The sheath design covers the blade
all the way past the front bolsters, and is designed with a top
flap that covers, protects, and secures the handle with a snap
closure. The flap folds back so that in right side wear, it will not
snag on brush or obstacles. The sheath has a high back, to protect the
wearer, and the orientation is right side edge back. I made a
sturdy and wide
belt loop for high durability, and it is double
row stitched with brown polyester for strength. The sheath body and welts are
also double row stitched for the ultimate in durability and
strength. The sheath is dyed bison brown, sealed throughout, with polished
and finished edges. 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,
brush, people,
or gear. This is as tough a sheath as possible in leather.
- Locking Sheath: The sheath is a professional
assembly, frankly, the best tactical sheath and accessory
package made in the world. It's also an example of my commitment to making the finest combat tactical, and rescue knives
and sheaths on the planet. It starts with double thickness (.125")
kydex (methyl acrylate and polyvinylchloride), hot-formed over an aluminum
welt frame of 5052 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum
alloy in H32 hardness. The body and welts are secured with bead blasted
and slotted 304 stainless steel Chicago
screws for the ultimate in durability with no care and no glare. The sheath is
one of my long-proven positively locking waterproof models, with all
stainless steel locking mechanism and components for the ultimate in
reliability and trustworthiness. Even the machine screws are stainless steel. The sheath
can be worn in any position, even upside down when worn with the
die-formed high alloy aluminum belt loops (included).
The belt loops can be located in several positions along the welt
frame and are reversible for a variety of wear options.
- Accessories: This knife and sheath is made complete with my ultimate accessory package.
- Ultimate Belt Loop Extender (UBLX): I included my
Ultimate survival, CSAR sheath belt loop extension with
outstanding and critical features and devices. The polypropylene accessory is
waterproof, durable, and extremely stout, and lowers the locking
knife sheath to be worn in a more traditional belt position with
the knife handle at the
hip. The extension is mounted with counter bored and dressed 304 stainless steel straps and
stainless steel socket head cap screws attached to the existing stainless
Chicago screws, and the assembly is stiffened by multiple zigzag
nylon stitching to prevent the extension from folding, bending, or
collapsing when the knife is extracted from the sheath. The belt
loop is over 2.5 inches wide for the widest of belts, and has a top
placement elastic bungee shock cord with snap retention to prevent the knife handle
from flopping around during active movements. Even the dot snap
assembly is all stainless steel. The shock cord is not for retention of the knife; this is done with the stainless
steel sheath lock; it just stops the handle from flopping around
during active moments. At the lower back of the extension I've included
a custom fit pocket for a DMT (Diamond Machining Technology)
Mini-Sharp diamond-nickel abrasive hone, to bring up the cutting
edge in the field with ease, even on this high alloy extremely wear resistant
blade. These are great tools that can re-sharpen or just touch
up even the hardest tool steel edges, as they are surface-bonded
with diamond abrasives. The pocket for this tool is situated at
the sheath back and against the body, so the sharpener can not
be removed unless the sheath is off the body and the industrial
strength Velcro closure is open.
- HULA and Maglite MagTac Flashlight: Included in this
professional assembly is my critical offering for field use, the HULA.
The Holder, Universal, Lamp, Articulating (HULA), is my answer to a
call for not just a backup lamp that I've provided on previous
Ultimate Extender packages, but an actual main or key professional
grade lamp and mount assembly. The lamp I included is the Maglite
MagTac, one of the most sophisticated and intense flashlights made
today, with three modes of operation and durable construction. The
lamp is a powerhouse, with ultra bright LED
technology that is dependable and tough, cranking out 310 lumens,
lighting up the world 600 feet away! The low power setting
allows a 17 hour battery life, using CR123 lamps, the same lamps
used for many tactical accessories like night vision goggles,
targeting lasers, and firearm lamps. The only thing the lamp
needs is a reliable, adjustable, dependable and corrosion-proof
way to mount, use, and carry it on the sheath, so I designed the HULA. This special
holder will hold any flashlight that is 1" by 4.75" and also
accommodates the Maglite XL-100 and XL-200 flashlights that have different
programmable options. The holder's lamp frame is made of welded 5052H32 high
strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, for the highest
durability and corrosion resistance combined with low weight This
aluminum is suitable for marine (salt water) environments. The
lamp is held in custom made socket with a retaining cap that is
maintained in a T-slot lock by the elastic tension of replaceable
shock cord straps. The T-slot lock can be negotiated even in the
dark due to it's simple and clever design and construction. The lamp
can be turned and operated within the holder, and can even have
selected modes while still in the control of the holder. One of the
best features of this assembly is my exclusive ball joint and pinch mechanism.
This is a very old mechanism, dating back to 200BC, where a ball
sits in a dedicated socket, and is held there by the tension of a
screw. The ball joint frame, ball, tangs, screw and mounting
hardware are all welded 304 high nickel, high chromium stainless
steel which is bead blasted for glare reduction. This is a very
tough assembly that will probably outlast the knife owner. What it
offers is an articulating adjustment, aiming and positioning of the
lamp, while still mounted on the knife sheath, wherever the knife
sheath is mounted on the body. In the traditional belt line position, the lamp can be aimed at the ground in
front of the wearer (great for hiking or movement), or aimed at any object or
person in front of the wearer, while freeing the hands for a weapon,
tool, rescue, medical aid, or carry. Having the HULA also eliminates the need for a
headlamp, a device that has its own limitations. This new development
has been highly
popular with search and rescue and disaster response teams and
counter terrorism teams. If the wearer needs the light in his hand, he simply pulls
up on the T-slot locking cap, pulls the lamp from the socket, and
replaces the cap so it won't bounce around. I've done my research,
and created simply the finest flashlight accessory made in the world
today, custom made to mount to my locking sheaths, the best locking
sheaths made in the world today. One more important point: the bolt
pattern and arrangement allows the HULA to be bolted to eight positions
and 16 orientations along the welts of the sheath. Talk about flexibility! There are
much more to these accessories; learn about these critical
accessories on a special page on my site at this link. Mounting,
care, and use instructions are posted there.
- LIMA Emergency Lamp Backup: An important
lesson I learned from my counterterrorism unit clients is the
addition of the emergency backup lamp, because any electrical
device can fail, and a backup can save your life. So I included
my LIMA (Lamp Independent Mount Assembly) on this sheath. This
is a special socket in thick and wide polypropylene stitched
with polyester for durability and rot resistance, and it
accommodates a LED Maglite Solitaire. This little light puts
out! At 37 lumens for over an hour and a half, it can reach out
180 feet and give you enough light to get to safety, should your
HULA fail, or you decide to go lightweight without it. The LIMA
is secured with a 304 stainless steel strap and screws and
mounts anywhere along the sheath welts where I have the critical
2.5" spacing. The retaining strap rings are also 304 stainless,
and the 3/16" shock cord is easily replaceable if needed.
- Horizontal Belt Loop Plates: Answering the
call of my counterterrorism and military clients, I've included
a pair of horizontal belt loop plates for this knife sheath.
These bolt on either side of the sheath using included hardware,
and are 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum
alloy, riveted with 304 stainless steel for permanence,
durability, and light weight. They allow horizontal wear of any
belt up to 1.75" wide, and the sheath runs inline with the belt.
- Sternum Harness Plus: The sternum harness
I've included is also the result of input from my
counterterrorism clients. It allows the knife to be worn, handle
down, angled across the sternum, on top of any other tactical
gear. This harness is made of polypropylene and stitched with
polyester for rot-free, high strength longevity, and the buckles
and straps are ABS plastic. The harness can be donned and doffed
quickly and simply and the "plus" is the additional one inch
wide stabilizing strap and buckle that creates an "X" strap
around the torso. I also included some handy clips for other
gear on the harness.
- Flat belt strap plates: These have several
uses: one is to mount the knife sheath rigidly clamped to the
sternum harness, with no play. They also allow the sheath to be
clamped on any gear (like PALS webbing) with a solid strap
security and no sliding around (like on traditional belt loops).
So they clamp the sheath to your gear with all stainless steel
hardware.
- Lanyards: I've included two lanyards that
can be critical and necessary for retention of your knife when
working in elevated locations or in marine environments. One is
a SCUBA lanyard with tension adjustment and neoprene sleeve to
protect the wrist. The other is an adjustable sliding paracord
type, a frequent request by my tactical combat professionals.
Both lanyards can be quickly and easily attached to the knife
lanyard hole through the rear bolsters and tang.
- Tools, Hardware, Containers, Bag, Tag: I've
included all the tools, hardware, and necessary components to
mount all or any combination of these accessories with your
gear, on your person, and all of the hardware is stainless steel
in common American Standard Sizes. Included is a screw top tin
for hardware storage, a waterproof container for the larger
components, and a heavy canvas embroidered drawstring bag to
keep it all together. Also included is an archival engraved
acrylic tag detailing the components with contact information. Instructions for the individual components
are also included, as well as a list of video links that explain
how to set up every single one of them! This is an ultimate
system, and demonstrates my commitment to actual combat, field,
rescue, and counterterrorism service in my trade.
- The Arcturus is a serious, professional knife that is up to the
task in any environment or exposure, with super tough heat resistant
tool steel, razor keen and aggressive, a handle that comfortably
conforms to the grip, with outstanding features and accessories, one
of the absolute best available in the world today, an ultimate
survival tool and weapon with an outstanding accessory package.
- Learn much more about my Counterterrorism Knives at this link.
- Read other testimonials of an earlier Arcturus I've made below the
thumbnail photos on this page.
Thanks, S. H.!
Jay,
Received yesterday the package.....just love the feel of this tool creation you did!!!
--S.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos
Testimonials about another "Arcturus"
Jay,
Just walked in a few minutes ago ... knife was waiting for me when I arrived, and I
must say at first glance it looked huge; however, once I took it out of the sheath
it had that incredible feel that I have come to love with your knives. My PJLT Tac
knife has been with me now on three different continents and it is now like and old
friend. For my up coming deployment to OEF I wanted something with a little more
bulk as well as something that I could carry in a survival/exfil mode...I must say
this definitely looks and feels as if it has the perfect combination of length,
weight, and balance to take on the most demanding tasks. I like the way you
incorporated the webbing into this knife and it has the same secure locking mechanism
that I have come to trust. After six months in OEF and another 60 days in Africa,
I never once had the locking mechanism open while in motion. I carried it both
upright and handle down on my vest and never once had a problem. I can't thank you
enough Jay for your quick response and as in the past, having one of your blades
close at hand is a very comforting feeling.
... I sing the praises of your knives at every opportunity and I only wish that every
soldier, airman, sailor, marine, and civilian serving this great country of ours could
have the opportunity to carry one of your knives where ever they might find themselves - most
especially if that brings them into harm's way.
All the best Jay to you and yours and as always thank you very much.
--T. A.