Imamu
	
		
 
	
		
 
	"Imamu" Tactical Combat, CSAR, Survival Knife
		
			- Size: Length overall: 13.75" (34.9 cm), Blade 
			Length: 8.5" (21.6 cm), Thickness: .244" (6.2 mm)
 
			- Weight: Knife: 1 lb. 4 oz. (567 grams), Sheath 
			(with extender and accessory package): 1 lb. 6 oz. (624 grams)
 
			- Blade: ATS-34 High Molybdenum Martensitic 
			Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C57, Bead 
			Blasted
 
			- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless 
			Steel, Bead Blasted
 
			- Handle: Green, Black, Pistachio Fiberglass 
			Reinforced G10 Epoxy Laminate Composite
 
			- Sheath: Locking, Black Kydex, Aluminum, 
			Stainless Steel,  Polypropylene and Nylon belt loop extender with 
			Firesteel/Magnesium fire starter, Fine DMT diamond pad sharpener, 
			Maglite Solitaire® 
				flashlight, ALL stainless steel fittings.
 
			- Knife:  In popular culture, there is special 
			term for the end of the world when everything is chaos. The term is
			Zombie Apocalypse. If that were to happen, this is one of 
			the few knives that you would want to have in your hand. Imamu 
			is the the Swahili name for "Spirit Guide" and this 
			knife was created for intense field, tactical, survival, and combat 
			use. This is clearly one of the toughest knives I make. I started 
			with a tough foundation and made the blade in ATS-34. This is a hot 
			work, high molybdenum martensitic stainless steel, a steel used to 
			make turbine blades, and extremely high wear mechanical components 
			that must be very tough. Because it's so resistant to fracture,  
			this steel can take a lot of abuse without failing. This is due to 
			the high molybdenum content in the steel, over three and a half 
			percent. This high moly, along with high chromium (13.7 percent) and 
			high carbon make ATS-34 one of the toughest stainless tool steels 
			available. An additional advantage to this fine tool steel is the 
			extremely high tempering temperature. This means that the knife 
			blade will not lose its hardness unless the blade temperature 
			exceeds 1200°F! Talk about heat resistant!
			I've ground the blade deeply and accurately side to side, 
			with sweeping grind terminations that add to the strength of the 
			blade-to-handle junction. The blade point is clipped at an angle 
			that lowers the point and helps guide it into the sheath as well as 
			gives the foundation for the swage. The center of percussion is right at the belly 
			placement of the blade, and the clipped swage reduces point 
			cross sectional area without compromising strength. The blade has 
			2.5 inches of my new Hammerhead rip tooth serrations for trapping, seizing, 
			and very heavy ripping cuts, as this is one of the toughest 
			serration geometries I offer. The knife has deep and curvaceous vine filework completely around 
			the fully tapered tang for increased grip potential and handmade 
			flair. The knife is bolstered with very substantial, 
			multi-pinned, radiused and contoured 304 high nickel, high chromium 
			stainless steel for the ultimate in durability, and the bolsters are 
			dovetailed to bed a pair of green, black, and pistachio fiberglass reinforced 
			G10 epoxy laminate composite scales. The G10 is nearly 
			indestructible and should last generations with no care. With the 
			substantial curves of the handle belly, large forefinger quillon and the rear hawk's bill 
			quillon, this knife is very solid and bonded to the hand in the most 
			active of motion. The rear bolster has a chamfered 5/16" 
			through-tang lanyard hole for extra security, and the knife feels 
			meaty and solid with the balance point at the front of the forward 
			bolster. 
 
			- Sheath: The sheath is a professional assembly 
			of components, and an example of why I'm committed to making the 
			finest combat tactical, and rescue knives and sheaths on the planet. 
			It starts with double thickness (.125") thick kydex hot-formed over 
			a high strength, corrosion resistant 5052H32 aluminum alloy welt 
			frame, secured with bead blasted 304 stainless steel Chicago screws 
			for the ultimate in durability and no glare. The sheath is one of my 
			proven positively locking waterproof models, with all stainless 
			steel locking mechanism and components for the ultimate in 
			reliability. 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, but not shown). 
			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 called for 
			my ultimate accessory package, so I included my Ultimate 
			survival, CSAR sheath belt loop extension accessories. There is 
			nothing in this accessory that can rust, corrode or decay, and he 
			polypropylene accessory is waterproof, durable, and extremely stout, 
			supporting the weight of over five men. It allows the locking knife 
			sheath to be worn in a more traditional belt position at the hip as 
			well as reliable carry of the useful and critical accessories. The 
			extension is mounted with 304 stainless steel straps and stainless 
			steel machine 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 2.5  inches wide for the widest of belts, and has a top 
			placement shock cord with stainless steel snap retention to prevent 
			the knife handle from flopping around during active movements. The 
			shock cord is 
			not for retention of the knife; this is done with the stainless 
			steel sheath lock. 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 wear resistant 
			blade. These are great tools that can re-sharpen or just touch up 
			even the hardest tool steel edges; 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. I also added a specially modified 
			critical survival component to this accessory: the 
			Firesteel/Magnesium block with custom fittings. These blocks are 
			waterproof and durable, with soft magnesium that can be easily 
			shaved off with the knife blade, and a Firesteel striker to ignite 
			the magnesium shavings when placed into tinder to start a fire. A 
			unique addition to this block is the stainless steel rod guard. This 
			minimizes the possibility of the Firesteel contacting any other 
			metals and causing accidental sparks and ignition when worn or 
			removed, guards the knife tip (or swage) when the blade is dragged 
			over the Firesteel, helps concentrate and guide the spark direction, 
			and offers a variety of mounting options, besides on the sheath 
			extender's industrial strength Velcro straps. Being all 304 
			stainless steel, it will not corrode or rust. A recent inclusion on 
			these useful accessory packages is the Maglite Solitaire, a small 
			and durable flashlight that is waterproof, with o-ring seals and 
			made of black anodized machined aluminum. I custom make a stainless 
			steel retention double ring mount for locking the light in its 
			dedicated sleeve for security yet "up front" access in the package. 
			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.
 
			- A corrosion-proof, zombie-eating, jungle grade, rescue, 
			survival, and combat tool for any environment or exposure. This is 
			an extremely well made professional knife, one of the best 
			available.
 
		
		Thanks, G. L.!
	 
	
		I will put the Imamu to good use as well on my woodland hikes and field trips (as well as a precaution to the occasional zombie attack).
		--G. L.
	 
	
	Please click on thumbnail knife photos