Warning: If you’re caught with a metallic or nonmetallic weapon in a non-permissive environment, the consequences may be severe. RECOIL OFFGRID assumes no responsibility for these consequences. Observe all local laws and only carry these weapons at your own risk.

This is the first of a three-part series on Spyware. Not the kind that infects your computer, but the type of hardware a spy might have a need for. Even if you’re not James Bond, these tools can serve as discreet and potent force-multipliers in non-permissive areas where you may not be allowed to carry traditional defensive weapons. You may never need to use one, but if you do, you’ll be glad to have it.
Nonmetallic knives are not a new thing.

Mankind’s earliest knives were made of stone such as flint, chert, obsidian, or even heat-treated wood. Many of those materials were still in use by the time man was making tools of copper and bronze because they were so effective. In today’s era of super steels, they’re less common, but there are certain situations where you may need to use a nonmetallic blade.

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In this issue, we’re looking at nonmetallic blades made from G10, fiberglass, or another modern thermoplastic. These knives are strictly defensive in nature. You’re not going to baton wood, skin a deer, or scale fish with one. They’re meant to get a defensive weapon into an area where metal may be prohibited.

As we stated up front, carrying these into many of those places would be illegal. Getting caught with one in such a place could result in a simple trespass warning or a federal felony, which will get you jail time. That’s why it’s called a non-permissive environment. Remember, just because it may pass through a metal detector, the same cannot be said of body scanners or physical pat down searches.

One of the most interesting notions about these types of blades is that they can be stored out in the elements without worry of corrosion or breaking down. Some of the more affordable ones could be stuck in a flowerpot on a porch or in the ground on a jogging path and used later for self-defense if needed.

Black Triangle X2

Blade length: 3.75 inches
Overall length: 6.75 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
Material: G10
MSRP: $100
URL: blktriangle.com

Black Triangle was founded in 2017 to provide low-visibility personal protection assets in semi- or non-permissive environments. All their products are made in the USA. The Black Triangle X2 knife is a black G10 blade with an ergonomic handle that indexes at the pommel for a confident grip when drawing. The X2 comes with a clipped sheath, although an optional static sheath is available. It ships in a plastic video cassette case as a form of retro packaging.

Pros:

• The X2 is reasonably well made and has a decent edge for a G10 knife.
• Even the sheath is completely free of metallic parts.
• The VHS case is a cool and practical way to store this in a collection.

Cons:

• It has the typical limitations of a nonmetallic knives, such as dulling during hard use, but that’s to be expected.

Cold Steel Cruciform Dagger

Blade length: 3.5 inches
Overall length: 7.9 inches
Weight: 1.6 ounces
Material: Griv Ex
MSRP: $6
URL: coldsteel.com

The Cold Steel Cruciform Dagger is a one-piece injection-molded Griv Ex defensive spike. It’s very inexpensive, and it can be stored anywhere without worry about corrosion. Cruciform blades date to medieval times and a stab from a metal version would often result in a wound that couldn’t be stitched properly. They became popular as a bayonet pattern in later years. Cold Steel’s take on this classic design appears to be a good one for stabbing soft targets.

Pros:

• I almost never weigh price as a pro or con, but it’s hard to beat $6 on a defensive piece.
• Testing shows it’s highly effective at stabbing.
• Included key ring is a handy way to carry it.

Cons:

• It may not stand up to repeated use, as Griv Ex is not as tough as G10.
• Aside from defense, it has no utilitarian purpose whatsoever.
• No sales to California

Ed Brown / VZ Grips G10 Dagger

Blade length: 1.75 inches
Overall length: 5.7 inches
Weight: 0.85 ounce
Material: G10
MSRP: $99
URL: edbrown.com

Ed Brown is known for custom handguns and parts, but their staff are also big-time knife fans and offer a few blades as collaborative efforts. EB came up with this design with VZ Grips. You’ve probably seen VZ’s G10 blades in other articles; they’re some of the best self-defense-oriented hardware in the category. This dagger is machined from a solid piece of G10 and features a snakeskin texture for superior control in even the most challenging conditions. It’s housed in a handmade leather sheath.

Pros:

• This design is extremely well made and has the names of Ed Brown and VZ Grips behind it.
• It excels at stabbing and penetrating.
• Very reminiscent of an OSS Lapel Dagger from World War II

Cons:

• Pretty much just a shiv for stabbing with no pretense of an edge
• No sales to California

Ka-Bar TDI Shark Bite

Blade length: 2.65 inches
Overall length: 5.13 inches
Weight: 0.87 ounce
Material: Ultramid Polymer
MSRP: $69
URL: kabar.com

The Shark Bite was designed by Tactical Defense Institute (TDI) based on a real steel blade. It’s constructed of Ultramid and intended as a last-ditch self-defense tool. Ultramid is a lightweight, synthetic material that provides a sharp and durable edge. It’s impervious to the elements, so you’ll never worry about it rusting, cracking, or warping. The included snap-in sheath is also made of Ultramid, and allows comfortable carry in your pocket, around your neck, on your belt, or even taped to your leg.

Pros:

• This is a solid and proven design based on the original TDI blade.
• The material excels at stabbing and penetrating but can make for an effective cutter.
• It can be sharpened with an emery board or nail file.

Cons:

• This model drifts in and out of production, so you may have to acquire one secondhand or solely by opportunity.

Regiment Blades Low Viz G10 Nonmetallic

Blade length: 2.5 inches
Overall length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 ounces
Material: G10
MSRP: $45
URL: regimentblades.com

Regiment Blades was founded by Al and Nico Salvitti to provide knives that could be used instinctively by Special Forces operators who took their combatives courses without additional specialized blade training. The Low Viz G10 Non-Metallic fixed blade is based on their metal fixed blade. There’s a large finger ring shaped and located like a firearm’s trigger guard, which aids in muscle memory and retention. The scales are held in place via plastic screws and can be removed.

Pros:

• It’s well made and mirrors both the company’s steel knives and trainer.
• Very instinctive to use if you can throw a punch
• Versatile sheath has adjustable tension via 550 paracord

Cons:

• It has the typical limitations of a nonmetallic blade and may be prone to blunting the tip if used repeatedly on a semi-hard target.

Revenant Corps Carrion

Blade length: 2.5 inches
Overall length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 ounces
Material: G10
MSRP: $110
URL: revenantcorps.com

Revenant Corps is an Oklahoma-based company that specializes in G10 blades and other covert self-defense tools. The Carrion is a chisel-ground, double-edged G10 knife that’s surprisingly good at slicing and cutting. It even has a Tsukomaki-style wrap with a sting ray skin underlay like a Japanese knife. The sheath is a static line/pocket hook nonmetallic type made of Boltaron. A G10 Trainer is available to supplement with active training.

Pros:

• The Carrion is a well-thought-out design that mirrors a lot of modern-day combatives training used in the Spec Ops community.
• Sting ray skin is a nice touch with a bow to the martial tradition and offers great grip texture.
• The sheath is simple yet versatile, giving you multiple carry options.

Cons:

• If a nonmetallic blade doesn’t get you in enough trouble, this one is double edged as well.

Shomer-Tec CIA Covert Cutter

Blade length: 3.5 inches
Overall length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 ounces
Material: GV3H
MSRP: $13
URL: shomer-tec.com

Shomer-Tec has been providing covert weapons and tools to three-letter agencies for years. One of their first products was the CIA Letter Opener developed in conjunction with knifemaking legend Blackie Collins. Completely nonmetallic and featuring a serrated edge, the CIA Covert Cutter is an update to that classic design. It’s constructed from GV3H from Switzerland, made with 60-percent glass fibers. This results in a hard edge and serrations that are actually usable. This one is often used by EOD techs due to its nonmetallic signature and tough edge.

Pros:

• An evolution of a classic design that has been around for decades, with improved features and materials.
• The integrated pocket clip and lanyard hole offer multiple carry methods.
• Serrations are very effective at cutting.

Cons:

• Shomer-Tec is more of a distributor than manufacturer but seems to be the sole source. As such they may be subject to availability.

Read More

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• Material Matters: Testing Nonmetallic Weapons
• Review: Black Triangle Creeper MK1 Mod 2 G10 Knife
• Pocket Preps: Push Dagger Buyers Guide
• Pocket Preps: Small Pocket Knives

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Written by Mike Searson