Soldier Systems

Gerber considers the Artifact™ a key chain tool due to its compact size. It features an removable #11 hobby blade, cross driver, small and medium flat drivers, wire stripper, pry bar/paint can opener and a key chain attachment hole. It also includes 3 replacement blades and blade holder. As it utilizes hobby blades one user has suggested that you could dispose of the blade and replace it later in case you run into issues at the airport but the other features may give reason for pause.

The stainless-steel Artifact™ features a Titanium Nitrade coating. The Artifact™ is available from a variety of sources that offer it below the $13.76 MSRP.

Photo from Gerber.

It’s not like Triple Aught Designs ever has a problem selling out any of their limited production run custom knives and tool. Notice I said “selling out” and just “selling”. Items like the new Ti Skeleton Key sell so well that TAD employees can’t even get copies. In fact, telling the whole world about these works of art will probably ensure that there won’t be any in stock when I attempt to order one but how can I keep quiet about these?

TAD has these babies pumped out by their local machine shop which also makes parts for the F-22. Machined from a billet of 0.185″ 6Al-4V titanium. As you can see below, there are a variety of tools built right into the Skeleton Key but its use is only limited by your imagination.

The Ti Skeleton key features the following: Terminator skull graphic, flathead screw driver, spanner wrench tip, pry tip, nail puller, and bottle cap lifter.

Note that the spanner wrench tip is the perfect size to perform that oft delayed Strider maintenance.

Available soon from Triple Aught Designs.

Photos courtesy of TAD.

SOG Knives have been around for years and have long been some of my favorites. They are high quality tools and knives that won’t break the bank. They have been producing knives in their Fusion line that showcase custom features at production prices. The Salute is their first Fusion tactical folder. It comes standard with SOG’s reversible pocket clip attached to machined G10 handles combined with scalloped full-length steel liners. The lockback knife is topped off with a 3.625″ Bowie-style blade made from 8Cr13MoV and features SOG’s newest invention; a movable thumb stud.

Available in Bead Blast and Black Oxide finishes, with an MSRP of $50.00 or less, the Salute is both affordable and good looking.

The special operations medical community recently approached Strider Knives to produce an edged tool to perform cricothyrotomies. Apparently, the current issue item just doesn’t stand up to the rigors of field use. In true Strider fashion they came up with something that doesn’t just accomplish the mission, it does it with style. To give you an idea of scale, the scalpel is just over three inches long.

Available soon from Strider Knives.