"Raijin" Tactical Combat,
Counterterrorism, CSAR, Survival Knife
- Size: Length overall: 13.9" (35.3 cm), Blade Length: 8.75" (22.2 cm), Thickness: .245" (6.2 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 3.0 oz. (539 grams), Sheath (with extender, accessory package, HULA, LIMA, Firestarter, and Maglites): 2 lb. (907 grams)
- Blade: CPMS30V High Vanadium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, Media Blasted, Flat Non-reflective
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Media Blasted, Flat Non-reflective
- Handle: Carbon Fiber (LVA- Low Void Aerospace grade)
- Sheath 1: 9-10 oz. Leather Shoulder, Polyester
- 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 non-reflective 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
- FIREBLOCK: Magnesium/Firesteel firestarter with 304 stainless steel safety and mounting cage
- Belt plates, loops: 5052 H32 high strength aluminum alloy, 304 stainless steel
- Lanyards: 550 Nylon Kernmantle Rope (Paracord), Nylon, ABS plastic, neoprene
- Knife: The Raijin is named for the
Japanese god of thunder, born of the divine pair
Izanami and
Izanagi. Using these as
inspiration for an extreme use tactical knife, it's appropriate that
this knife has a tanto blade, one that is very striking and
sufficiently acute for defensive, combat, and close quarters use,
while being thick and stout enough for combat, counterterrorism, rescue, disaster, and
survival emergencies. It is made with an extremely wear-resistant
and tough stainless powder metal technology tool and die steel,
CPMS30V. The unique nature of this knife is the handle, curvaceous,
angled, and designed for primary reverse grip use.
This means that the handle is primarily (but not exclusively)
gripped with the forefinger through the large finger ring, and the
blade out the heel of the hand. This is a predominant method of grip
style which offers great tenacity between the hand and knife, while
protecting or defending against the enemy at the side and rear. I
explain this in detail
at this link on my Grip Styles page. This knife can also be
gripped comfortably in a forward style, with the small finger either
threaded through the ring or the hand wrapped around the outside of
the ring. Like the Bulldog
and the Argiope, these are serious
tactical knives that feature the same type handle and have been
proven in active duty combat by professionals. This is a big,
aggressive, stout, and serious knife.
- Blade Steel: Raijin excels with what is
one of the new super-steels, CPMS30V. This is a very
special high alloy tool steel, made by the Crucible Particle
Metallurgy (CPM) process. This process creates an
unparalleled alloy mixture, as the metal is atomized and sprayed
into form with no segregation of alloy components, and
absolutely uniform distribution of the alloys. This also allows
a higher alloy percentage than traditional steel making
processes. In this particular steel, there are four significant
alloys that work together to make an extremely wear-resistant steel
with high toughness and corrosion resistance. First, there is
carbon, at 1.45 percent, allowing significant hardening and
forming of carbides. The second is chromium, and at 14
percent, it's a true stainless steel with high corrosion
resistance. The third and most effective is vanadium. CPMS30V
has 4% vanadium, allowing a very high concentration of
vanadium carbide particles, which are extremely wear resistant.
CPMS30V also has a good percentage (2%) of molybdenum, which
makes this steel very tough, resistant to breakage, even at a
high hardness.
These four alloy elements combine to form very hard
vanadium carbides and chromium carbides, particles so hard that
typically a diamond is preferred to sharpen this blade effectively.
This is a blade that should cut for years with little
sharpening, and is considered one of the most wear
resistant, highly tough stainless blades made. This is a
wide blade, so has deep hollow grinds with plenty of
spine thickness, a meaty substantial piece of geometry that will
assure high durability, no matter the situation or crisis. The
blade has a strong spine, with
excellent matching hollow grinds leading to a razor keen
single bevel cutting edge. The blade
has three inches of my hammerhead serrations for
ripping through tough materials, combining hollow ground and
chisel ground geometries for a aggressive cutting action with
little hanging or snagging. It has a total of 5 1/2 inches of standard hollow ground tanto blade
in front, razor-sharp. This is a big, long, 8.75" blade, a
blade size that bridges the gap between my tactical knives and
survival beasts, boasting a shape, size, and material that can
handle both. The spine has a two thirds-length top swage for
reduced cross sectional thickness without sacrificing strength,
and the blade is fully hand-fileworked with a bold, deep,
forceful pattern around the curvy full tang which is tapered
for balance. The media-blasting of the blade offers a non-glare
finish that holds wax well, aiding in corrosion resistance and
maintenance. This is an extreme use high wear
resistance, highly tough, and very large stainless steel blade.
- Bolsters: I bolstered this Raijin 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 and rear facing the finger
ring for easy cleaning. They are attached
with multiple through-tang pins of 304 stainless steel, and
are 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 rear bolster adds enough balance
weight to offset the blade, and has a good depression for the
fingers between the belly and finger ring. The bolsters are dovetailed to create a
solid, seamless union with the handle material. The finger
ring creates the most secure grip possible, and it's abundantly
large at over 1 inch (1.18") in diameter on the inside for even
heavily gloved hands. The inside and outside surfaces of the
ring are rounded, contoured and smoothed for comfort with no
abrasion while holding, carrying, using, or threading a finger
through. The ring can be gripped comfortably from the outside as
well in a traditional forward grip offering a wide palm area for
support. If a lanyard is needed for working elevated or over
water, no threading is easier and faster than through the large
ring.
- Handle Material: The scales for this knife
are Carbon Fiber. This is a special carbon fiber, rated LVA
(Low Void Aerospace), which means that there are very few voids
or holes in the material and it's preferred by the aerospace
industry because of the higher density. This is very strong
stuff, actually made of extremely high strength carbon fiber
reinforced polymer. This material is very hard and abrasion
resistant, harder than Micarta or G10, and though somewhat more
brittle, is made so no thin areas are presented for the
possibility of fracture. Clearly, in this form, this is one of
the most durable manmade handle materials I use, and with zero
care should outlast the knife. The carbon fiber scales are bedded to the tang and locked under the
bolster dovetails and secured with four 1/8" 304 stainless
steel pins. The swell in the handle thickness
creates an interesting visual surface pattern with light
interference in the material, while the overall belly and curves of the
handle creates a secure grip. Add to that the angle of the
handle to blade is similar to a "gun handle" angle, positioning
the blade at a more aggressive presentation position in either
forward or reverse grip while allowing the wrist to lock in a
more solid joint.
- Balance and Feel: This is a superior,
robust, elegant knife, with a very substantial blade made for the the most challenging
uses. The knife is
comfortable in either reverse or forward grip style, and the
large rear finger ring locks the hand into the handle with
absolute security. The balance point is at the
front face of the
front bolster, so the blade mass is noticeable and useful
when using both the standard knife edge and the hammerhead
serrations. In forward grip, the thumb is comfortably drawn to the
thumb rise for great control while the pad of the thumb is
fully supported by the bolster and the forefinger locks against
contoured quillon. In reverse grip, with the index finger
threaded through the ring, the handle spine supports the palm
heel while the thumb rests against the ring for control. The
other fingers are comfortable between the front quillon and the
finger ring bolster support. For a 8.75" bladed knife, it
feels reasonably light, surprising for its overall footprint.
- 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
Raijin, 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 leaves the handle exposed
for a quick unsheathing. The sheath has a high back, to protect the
wearer, and the orientation is right side edge back. I made a double
belt loop for several wear options, with high and low loops, double
row stitched with polyester for strength and moisture and rot
resistance. The sheath body and welts are
also double row stitched for the ultimate in durability and
strength. The sheath is dyed black, sealed throughout, with
buffed edges in an acrylic water resistant satin finish. 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, people,
or gear. This is as tough a sheath as possible in leather.
- Locking 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. This 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 multiple positions along the welt
frame and are reversible for a variety of wear options. This
spacing also allows the array of my sheath accessories to mate with
and locate in multiple positions along the welts, and allows the
knife to be mounted to virtually any gear in any position!
- Accessories: This knife and sheath is made complete with my ultimate accessory package.
For more details and instructions for these accessories, please look
over my Tactical Sheath
Accessories page and look a the photos with descriptive
identification text on
this knife's page.
- 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. This particular UBLX has a top belt position, so the
knife rides lower on 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
polyester stitching to prevent the extension from folding, bending, or
collapsing when the knife is extracted from the sheath. The belt
loop is 2 inches wide for standard tactical 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 and is media-blasted for
non-glare. 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 very active moments (running, climbing, crawling). 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, 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. Read more about the
UBLX at this link.
- FIREBLOCK: I've included my
magnesium/firesteel fire starter assembly with this knife, a
critical survival tool that can save a life in a prolonged
excursion. It's made of magnesium, a metal that burns at
833-5000 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to ignite any type of
flammable tinder. The ignition source is firesteel, a high
carbon steel that auto-ignites (sparking) when small particles
are scraped off by the knife blade swage tip. The assembly is
mounted in an all stainless (304) safety and mounting cage, for
tight control of the sparking area and a variety of mounting
options. Read more about this critical survival accessory
at this link.
- 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 ABS clips for other
gear on the harness. Even the removable X-strap assembly
has a snap that is non-glare, and made of stainless steel for
zero-care and high corrosion resistance.
- Flat strap plates (horizontal and/or vertical): 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.
- Learn much more about my Counterterrorism Knives at this link.
- A truly professional grade knife, made of extremely tough
and robust materials, with a design that is suited to the most
aggressive and serious tactical use, while crossing over to major
survival, extrication, disaster response, and emergency reaction
needs. It is a complete and ultimate package of accessories and wear
options built of the most durable, corrosion resistant, and strong
materials available, like no other ensemble on earth. NO OTHER
SOURCE offers and supplies what you see here, all custom made to
mesh with your gear, your outing, your mission, and your excursion,
no matter the situation and exposure. This is why I make knives for
some of the top military, tactical, rescue, and counterterrorism
units in the world. This is a knife that can deliver for
generations, getting there, achieving the potential, and getting you
back home.
- Disposition: Counterterrorism
Thanks, S., and the Unit!
