Azophi
"Azophi" Tactical Combat Knife
- Size: Length overall: 13.0" (33.0 cm), Blade Length: 7.0" (17.8 cm), Thickness: .170" (4.3 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 15.0 oz. (425 grams) Sheath: 9.8 oz. (278 grams)
- Blade: ATS-34 High Molybdenum Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
- Handle: Lignum Vitae Exotic Hardwood, the heaviest, hardest, densest wood on earth
- Sheath: Locking Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Nickel Plated Steel
- Knife: The Azophi is named
for a lunar crater and an ancient astronomer, and is an
unusual and unique style of knife pattern. The blade is seven inches
long, with a third dedicated to my vampire rip teeth serrations that
eat through many materials and even the very hardest wood. The blade
is thinly ground from ATS-34, a high molybdenum stainless tool steel
that has exceptional toughness in thinner cross sectional areas.
The point is very aggressive, thin enough for piercing, yet very
durable. I bead blasted the blade, spine, and fittings to minimize reflection or glare. The
blade spine has a two-thirds length top swage to decrease point
profile and increase penetration geometry. The hollow ground blade
is razor sharpened with a single bevel cutting edge. The blade has a
full, one inch diameter contoured and radiused finger ring to
lock the knife to the hand, and the thumb rise is well supported by
the long, sculpted front bolster pair for a wide ramp at the thumb
to apply considerable pressure if needed. The handle shape is
comfortable and well sized, with a substantial rear hawk's bill
quillon to secure the hand. At the butt of the tapered tang is a
serious talon, also called a skull crusher and cat scratcher. This
can be used to apply non-lethal pressure to the enemy, and is canted
at a forward angle, squaring the wrist joint position when the knife
is held in reverse grip. It's also angled toward the enemy in
forward grip. The talon is extremely well supported by the meaty
rear bolster, multi-pinned for absolute permanence. The bolsters are
zero care 304 austenitic high nickel, high chromium stainless steel,
for the most durable, long-lived, and corrosion resistance of any
bolster materials. They are dovetailed and bed a pair of pinned and
solid Lignum Vitae hardwood handle scales. If you're not familiar
with Lignum Vitae, you should be, as this is the hardest, toughest,
strongest, and most dense hardwood on earth! Lignum
Vitae is so hard, tough and heavy, it sinks like a stone in water,
and is used as waterproof bushings and bearings onboard ships. It is
naturally self-sealing and resinous, and has the greatest longevity
of any wood.
- Sheath: The sheath for this knife is one of my
positively locking military tactical combat models, made of double
thickness kydex, 5052H32 corrosion resistant high strength aluminum,
304, 302, and 316 stainless steel locking mechanism and components,
bound with nickel plated steel Chicago screws and 18-8 stainless
machine screws. The belt loops are reversible for a variety of wear
positions. This is the finest locking sheath made, highly
corrosion resistant, adaptable to PALS webbing and MOLLE gear as
well as traditional wear mounts. The placement of the knife in the
locking sheath keeps the finger ring accessible, for easy threading
and security. Read more about my locking waterproof combat knife
sheaths on a special
page.
- A modern, well-designed professional tactical combat knife,
weapon, and tool, extremely tough and durable.
Jay,
The knife arrived and looks great!
Take care and thanks,
--J.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos