Axia Custom Tactical Knife
"Axia" Custom Tactical Knife
- Size: Length overall: 11.0" (27.9 cm), Blade Length: 6.5" (16.5 cm), Thickness: 0.21" (5.3 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 14.5 oz. (411 grams) Sheath HTL: 8.1 oz. (230 grams), Leather: 5.9 oz. (167 grams)
- Blade: CPM 154CM high molybdenum powder metal technology martensitic stainless steel blade, T3 deep cryogenically treated with triple tempering to 61.5 HRC, mirror polished
- Bolsters/Fittings: 304 high chromium, high nickel austenitic stainless steel, mirror polished
- Handle: Polvadera Jasper gemstone (New Mexico)
- Sheath: Hybrid tension lock in kydex, anodized 5052H32 aluminum, darkened 304 stainless steel, anodized 6AL4V titanium
- Sheath: Hand-carved 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-dyed, inlaid with shark skin
- Hardware, Fasteners: 304 stainless steel, darkened, 6AL4V anodized titanium, 5052 H32 high strength aluminum alloy, anodized
- Duffle: 1000 Denier Cordura Ballistic Nylon, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, blued steel, embroidered tags
- Knife: This is a great custom knife, based on
my client's input. The name is Axia, which is the Latin
word for merit. I chose this name because the substantial
presence, size, shape, and weight of the knife merits attention, and
the recipient of this custom knife merits appreciation for his
service.
- The Steel Chosen for the Axia blade is
is CPM154CM, 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 molybdenum 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. To bring
this steel to its zenith, I used my proprietary T3 deep
cryogenic process in heat treating this blade; it's a highly
detailed, extremely sophisticated process that takes 33
individual steps and takes over a week long. The result of
this is an incredibly wear-resistant blade that has
extremely high carbide development, fine grain, and
extremely high toughness. Asperity is reduced; the
microstructure development is superior to any other typical
handmade knife, and far above any factory or manufactured
knife. This is, simply put, CPM154CM at its very finest
advanced condition.
- The Blade is a custom design, based on
my client's ideas for dimension and arrangement. It's a
great tanto style blade, with imposing and broad hollow
grinds, done with a 12" diameter contact wheel. These broad
grinds assure proper thinness at the cutting edge, great
support in the spine, and unsurpassed longevity of the
knife. The powder metal stainless is flawless in the mirror
finish, and the spine of the blade is significant and stiff;
the knife has no flex. The 3/4 length top swage decreases
point thickness without sacrificing strength, and the thumb
rise offers a broad area for the thumb to apply pressure.
- The handle is thick
and solid and incredibly strong. My
client requested an extended front
bolster to offer a wider surface for the
thumb to bear pressure, and the front
bolster contour all but eliminates a
ricasso; the knife transitions from bolster face to
cutting edge with almost no "wasted" space on the
ricasso. The bolsters are 304 high
chromium, high nickel austenitic
stainless steel, for great durability
and zero care. They are mounted to the
tang with zero-clearance multiple peened
pins, a permanent attachment. They are
dovetailed to bed a pair of gorgeous
Polvadera Jasper gemstone scales. I
selected these bookmatched scales
specially for my client's knife, and
this stunning jasper has fantastic
patterns ranging from deep reds, through
golden browns, to whites, and even some
clear areas of agate. Seams, brecciated
areas, and flow patterns are abundant in
this gem, which comes from the Polvadera
hills in central New Mexico. It's
incredible to examine this stone, and
wonder about how it came to be, millions
of years in the making. Please examine
the 5 power enlargements below. I've
removed the white reflector above the
knife, so that you can see what the
stone looks like without the glare of
the glassy polished surface. The jasper is
hard, tough, and durable, an eternal
gemstone that will outlast the knife and
all of us!
- The knife feels extremely stout in the
hand; this is a substantial, solid mass. The wide hollow
grinds have a bold geometry, and the hand settles well and
secure into the curves of the substantial handle.
- Sheath (HTL): The tactical sheath is one of my hybrid tension-locking sheaths, a proven performer in the counterterrorism field.
- Materials: It's built on a frame
of 5052 H32 corrosion-resistant high strength aluminum alloy welts.
The individual welts are then anodized for a full mil of thickness,
twice the thickness of typical anodizing. The anodizing creates a
built-up near-ceramic hard surface on the aluminum, and it's
entirely corrosion-resistant and non-conductive. It's permanently
dyed (in black) and sealed with a solution that inhibits ultraviolet
degradation of the dye and anodized surface. In fact, all of the
aluminum components in this assembly are the same alloy
and are treated this way; this is
the most advanced condition that will even withstand marine use. The sheath front and
back are double-thickness kydex, twice the thickness of typical
knife sheaths, and the sheath is bonded with waterproof marine-grade
cement and secured with darkened 304 stainless steel
Chicago screws. I included three extra-length anodized
titanium springs for an easy release and unsheathing of the
knife.
- Flashplates: NEW!
My client requested the emblem of his service, the 118th
Infantry Regiment on a flashplate for the sheath. I created
one of my "dress" black lacquered brass flashplates, but
also an upgraded version of the plate. This upgraded version
is made of 304 stainless steel, media-blasted for
non-reflective finish, and I digitized the emblem and fused
ceramic to the stainless, for a permanent, durable graphic
on completely corrosion-proof stainless steel. Additionally,
I made this plate reversible, so it can be displayed on
either side of the sheath. This is a new development I'm
sure to repeat. The graphic is bold and distinctive, and
suitable for field use with more durability than the brass.
Because I digitized the artwork, I also included a red oak
engraved plaque with a simple hanger slot just because I
thought it would be neat to have (photos below).
- Layout: As with all of my sheaths, this
one is built on a 2.5" center hole pattern, so the components can be moved around an
mounted in various positions on the sheath. As with all
of my tactical sheaths, this one is completely reversible
for as many wear options as possible. Most of my accessories can be used on this
sheath, including any new ones I develop.
- Horizontal Belt Loop Plates for horizontal belt or webbing wear,
welded for ultimate strength and light weight,
reversible, and in black anodized aluminum.
- Flat mounting straps for rigid clamping to
webbing, belts, or gear in vertical or horizontal
orientation in black anodized aluminum.
- Low profile belt loops
(footman's loops): for tactical webbing belts with
maximum .190" thickness and 1.5" width in black
anodized aluminum
- High profile belt loops
(footman's loops): for tactical webbing belts with
maximum .250" thickness and 1.5" width in
black anodized aluminum
- High profile wide belt loops
(footman's loops): for tactical webbing
belts with maximum ..250" thickness and 1.75" width
in black anodized aluminum
- Titanium "Dogleg" springs
in three thicknesses for versatility, in anodized and
engraved 6AL4V titanium
- All necessary stainless steel hardware, fittings, fasteners and tools for mounting, moving, and adjusting
- Sheath (Leather): My client also requested a
fine leather sheath appropriate to the design of the knife. I built
this sheath in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, and I hand-carved it and
inlaid 14 designed panels of Shark skin. The color of the leather
I hand-dyed to echo the orange red-browns of the gemstone, fading to a mahogany
at the edges. The entire sheath is double-row stitched with
polyester, for great durability, even at the belt loop. The sheath
displays plenty of the handle for a bold display, and it's all
sealed with lacquer for longevity.
- Containers, Instructions, Archival: included are tin plated
steel containers for the fasteners and hardware, and the
instructions for the rig including a checklist for the
kit. Included is an engraved co-extruded acrylic archival plate.
- Mini-Duffle: One thing I found out over the
years was a need to store these components that was as tough and
durable as what they contained. This is why I make the duffles, in
my studio, by hand. I make them in 1000 Denier Cordura ballistic
nylon, which is coated on the inside with polyurethane for moisture
resistance. This is some very tough stuff, and I triple-stitch the
seams, all in heavy polyester thread. I've included steel D-rings at
the zipper stops on the ends for several reasons: to mount accessory
straps or carry options, to clip accessories, and to oppose the
zipper when pulling open. Otherwise, you have to pinch the material
to open the zippers with one hand and pull the zipper pull with the
other. I've used double zipper pulls.
The design of the duffle is a box-end, so that the duffle stores
neatly, and it's not too big but accommodates the kit well, with
some room to spare. It has my "Jay Fisher Knives" embroidery, and opposing that is a hook and
loop stitched tag mount, with a removable embroidered identifier of
the knife pattern. This is important when clients have more than one
knife. These duffles are so great, I have clients buying them
alone without a knife, for their friends and other stowed gear!
- This is a great custom knife, a very bold pattern that I enjoyed
designing with my client, one that I will be proud to carry in my
pattern inventory and make again for others. The choice of handle
material was befitting of the knife, confident and brave.
Thanks, A. W. and T. W.!
It arrived yesterday sir. It is absolutely gorgeous! And the flashplates with my unit crest are outstanding!
Thank you so much.
--T. W.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos