The order for the Nomad Mk2 is a trial for the Australian Army, being conducted by 1RAR and consists of metal live blades and 6061 Aluminium trainers (Army HQ specified Aluminium with a type 2 red anodizing).
The Mk1 had a standard tip on it but the Mk2 has a reinforced tip for penetrating harder targets.
Features:
·100% Made In Brisbane, Queensland Australia
·Steel used is Cryodur 2363 (German made A2 imported in 15mm plate)
·The Nomad weights about 170grams
·A new kydex sheath was designed specifically for the Australian Army to be more compact than standard Mk1 sheath and to fit under a shingle
·Ever knife is machined out of the solid 15mm thick plate steel
·Each knife is one piece (integral) with no separation between handle and blade
·Each knife is heat treated in Brisbane to about 57-58RC
·Each knife is cerakoted in flat black
·The knives are hand sharpened by either myself or Dirty Harry and are all double edged
The knife is currently not restricted to Army purchase and is available for civilian use (without the unit markings).
Tags: ZU Bladeworx Australia
I am having trouble figuring out where to actually buy these things, let alone how much they would cost.
http://www.zubladeworx.com.au/where-to-buy-i15/
I had looked through that and not found this specific model of knife, that was the only reason why I was asking.
Their Floro fighter is $300 from Empireoutfitters, this will probably be the same price range.
You could be right but I seriously doubt it, if true that wouldn’t make it applicable to usual Army budget and numbers.
On the other hand, AU Army might be able to splash out on their 1RAR members…
Its true, you can look up the contract on the tenders.gov.au website. Its great to see Aussie made items being bought.
I was referring to the potential $300 price tag per knife Bill mentioned above. Not the fact that the deal is in place or not.
For this to work the price will have to be a lot lower than that.
How the hell is that chin strap staying on his face?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Willpower
The Force is strong down under…
Looks suspiciously like a SOCP. Good to see Greg Thompson’s original design getting a run on effect through other makers.
Is this right in that the Zu fixed blades are made in Australia but their folders are 100% made in China?
Hi Geoff
We have a design that way pre dates the SOCP which is based off a Japanese Kunai. We don’t currently make any folders. We looked at a ZU Design by WE Knives but haven’t done anything with it and most likely won’t. It was not popular with our customers to have a ZU Design made in China. It was never a ZU Bladeworx knife anyway. ALL ZU Bladeworx Knives are made in Australia.
Your design pre dates 2011 when the SOCP was first released? Wow! That’s awesome.
Thanks for the clarification on folders made in China, I thought this link from your website was a bit odd what with the 100% made in Australia vibe http://www.zubladeworx.com.au/zu-design-i20/
Really digging your gear congrats on the army gig well deserved I’m sure.
Hey Geoff
Thanks mate. Appreciate your comments.
Not to take anything away from the SOCP (or the Spartan which I prefer), I designed a ring dagger about 8 years ago before ZU began. It was custom made by an Aussie known as Tinbasher (Richard). We made just 8 for mates. I based it off a kunai. At a guess Cold Steel probably had one before that even.
Thanks for the reminder about the Web page, I better delete that section about ZU Designs. The design we made is pretty slick though and I will likely give it to WE if they want it.
Cheers
Matt
All good! But what do you actually do with it? AND yes I’m dead serious!
Pointy end goes into the other guy’s squishy bits.
seriously?… you stab MF’s in the face/neck/thoracic cavity when theyre in close and grabbing at you… or open MRE’s…
And with this being a double sided blade, you can do bugger all else with it, I.e. 99.99% of the jobs you use a knife for in the field, and frankly if one is to use your field blade on someone it’s going to make their eyes water
Ok why do I need this particular knife to “stab MF’s in the face/neck” etc., when lots of other knives already do it quite effectively while also having other general knife purposes, like Mr. Schagen says
It’s one of those things you either get or you don’t.
No the first iteration of a ring blade, but damn it looks good. Might have to order one.
yup, I got the SOCP on my CR/PC
I don’t know what you do for a living so I can’t tell you why you need a knife like this. I personally know why soldiers/LEO’s should have a knife like this on their kit, and/or a push dagger knife on their 1st line/duty belt. here are some links I remembered for your off hand browsing pleasure…
https://loadoutroom.com/23310/combat-blades-and-the-gerber-ghoststrike-its-hard-to-stab-through-clothing/
https://loadoutroom.com/23738/consider-carrying-fixed-bladed-knife-defensive-purposes/
As someone in the soldier/leo business I can get along just fine with the one of the knives I already have, which are more traditional fixed blades. I’m familiar with these ring types of knives, I just don’t see the need for them. If I were to walk down the hall of my office I could collect 3-4 different types of push blades and ring knives from the guys who work for me, but they have yet to be more beneficial than the stuff that I have. And yes, I have actually attended knife-specific training from guys who would scare the shit out of me if they came at me with one.
I’m not a know it all, but I’ve been around the block once or twice. I’m not feeling it with the ring knives.
That’s not a knoife!
If it’s taxpayers funding this for individual issue then for less money the taxpayer can supply each man :- 1) A Multi Tool 2) A Quality Folder and 3) A Fixed Blade General Purpose Knife.
“stab MF’s in the face/neck” etc. Don’t we still issue bayonets for this?
Steady on mate, the SOCP and variants there of are purpose built fighting blades ie for soft tissue stabbing and slashing. Far be it for us to question the application and training methods of the ADF.
In basic (2003) I did bayonet training/assault course..however I never got issued a bayonet, however, I did get an E-tool and more multi tools than I count…
The purpose of the knife is as a centrally chest mounted weapon retention or close quarter combat tool. Replace the Benchmade SOCP 176 with the ZU Bladeworx Nomad in the pictures and you’ll get the idea
https://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/benchmade-knives/docs/SOCPDaggerUseandCarryGuide.pdf
This one’s been done to death and yet they keep coming up with new ways to re-invent the wheel, why?
https://soldiersystems.net/2013/10/29/benchmade-introduces-comboedge-socp-dagger/
https://soldiersystems.net/2016/04/18/hardcore-hardware-australia-asot-02-edged-tool/