When the need to access or open something exists and carrying a halligan tool is either impractical or just too much and a big screwdriver just won’t get it done, what do you use?
Well, the team at Zero Point asked themselves that very question. The tool that they came up with is the first joint effort between the guys with the operational experience and Zero Point’s newly established World-Class Engineering Team.
Not one to back down from a challenge, the engineers took what began as grey matter concept and a few basic sketches turning them into a well designed, highly functional tool in less than two months. Better yet, it’s made from titanium!
Enter the TiRAID (Titanium Replaceable Assault Implement Demolition)
As the name implies, the operator will have the ability to attach different options based on the assessed target as well as his particular style. The striking heads are available in either stainless steel for increased striking momentum and a finer cutting edge OR titanium for lighter weight and absolute corrosion resistance.
Striking Heads Include: Talon, Hawk, Bludgeon, Ax, and Hammerhead
As if producing the TiRAID in short-order wasn’t enough, Zero Point’s engineering team was also tasked to design and manufacture a ground breaking, 12 gauge IED disruptor, also out of titanium and within that same two month window, of course. naturally, they succeeded.
ADS carries the complete line of all Zero Point products. To see both tools visit ADS’s booth (#20415) while at Shot Show.
Body Armor Real Estate – Those four words pretty much sum up the dilemma of about everybody wearing armor these days. It seems like there just isn’t enough room for the gunfighting essentials, let alone specialized tools like those required by EOD operators. ZERO POINT has combined their operational savvy with innovative designs to produce new versions of current products as well as a few new ones.
In addition to the BARE technology, ZERO POINT will also have a couple of other surprises on hand. If you are a Breacher or EOD make sure you stop by ADS’s booth (#20415) to check it all out.
ADS has just added ZERO POINT to their line up of vendors. ZERO POINT makes some pretty amazing equipment and much of it is built for very specific purposes and the CEx-E is just such a kit. Designed as a small and lightweight site exploitation kit it provides the EOD operator the capability to detect, identify and sample explosives, desensitize sensitive explosive compounds as well as sample and package unknown liquids and powders. In addition to the tools, the kit also provides supplies to collect evidence for Sensitive Site Exploitation purposes. There are components to collect and tag evidence, protect sensitive electronic IED components and media, and document and photograph a site. There is even a large collapsible bag to transport all recovered materials. They have thought of everything. The organizer which is designed to be carried in a larger pack is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors and camo patterns.
Originally designed by Zero Point USA to allow EOD Operators to access explosive devices, the Bit Kit comes with 56 tool bits. They have thought of everything. The kit includes hex, star, common SAE and metric, drill bits, standard and phillips heads as well as a taper reamer. The Bit Kit also includes the ability to tap and remove stripped fasteners.
Featuring a compact, lightweight, hand held offset ratchet driver from Engineer, the kit also includes an extension to help get at those hard to reach places.
The pouch’s leaf-style construction also has ample room to add additional bits or further customize the kit as well as a mesh pocket for odd-sized items or fasteners.
Even though it was originally intended for EOD, it is perfect for operator level maintenance tasks. Its light weight and compact package means it can easily be included in a deployment kit, in a vehicle’s BII, or even on a Soldier’s load for those that need ready access to hand tools.
The pouch is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of color schemes.
This product is available for retail purchase through Tactical Distributors, (866) 916- 6905, Point of contact Robbie Carpenter. Government contracts and credit card purchases can be made directly from Zero Point Inc. Point of contact Jeff Madrigal.
Zero Point is a small company established by a group of US Navy EOD Tech’s with a great deal of tactical experience who saw a need for unique equipment to support the EOD mission. They specialize in Training/Equipment and Development of New Equipment for unique requirements and mission sets.
The TNT is obviously built and designed by folks who have been in the trenches and know what is necessary for this unique group of warfighters. The staff at ZERO POINT; Perry, Bob, and Jeff, impressed us as guys who know what the end user would benefit from and you can see this in the TNT. Thanks to Perry over at ZERO POINT for allowing us to push their knife through some serious testing and evaluation or the past three months.
As we’ve mentioned in previous articles on knives, they are a personal choice, and will often be misused and abused – we’ll let you decide when and where to do that. While a few will choose not to carry a knife, many others choose to do so and a few choose to carry several knives at the same time. This author believes a good cutting blade can often be more useful than any number of other tools if used properly. When mounted and carried in an easily accessible location the knife is often the first tool at hand.
Not every knife is a fighting tool but rather, many are utilitarian, which is exactly what the TNT is, in both design and form.
For example, the sheath is made of KYDEX and is ready to go with either MOLLE or belt attachment hardware. Additionally, it can quickly be attached via straps for SCUBA/Dive Operations. Now that’s some forward thinking, wouldn’t you agree? Very versatile.
Not only is TNT a slick design, it’s made of some pretty impressive material as well.
The TNT Knife is made of grade 5 titanium (annealed) Ti-6AI-4V. Perry tells us this is basically aerospace grade titanium. That’s some pretty impressive material. Further their knife registered .79 on the magnetometer, which easily qualifies as non-magnetic. So if you have a J-O-B that requires your tools be non-magnetic, then TNT will easily fit this bill.
TNT impressed us time and again as we cut, hacked, tore, ripped, sawed, smashed, thwacked and thumped our way through the junk yard. Really there’s an unlimited list of opportunities inside a junk yard and this knife really did some neat stuff. Additionally, we utilized the TNT in training and real-world applications which should never be separated. Remember the old adage; You will Fight like You Train.
Fit, Form, Feel, and Functionality are always of importance to the end user. Although the TNT may look meek and mild, it is very well built and will take most any abuse it can be subjected to.
The blade is flat edged so there is no way to puncture or rip a lifevest or rubber boat, making this design is an excellent choice for Dive Ops as well as for use in other Maritime applications.
TNT is more than an EOD Knife. It will also easily facilitate numerous capabilities such as cutting through pipe, leather, cloth, straps/seat belts, and anything you may face in the field. This knife is sure to do so with ease and precision. Just look at this video as it cuts through a hydraulic pipe with the saw side of the blade, under the hood of this car in the junkyard.
Smashing through a window is not as easy as it seems on TV where things are not always portrayed correctly. Attempting to use a round ended or blunt object to break a vehicle window often ends in utter failure. That’s why it’s important to have the right tool at hand, or in this case the right knife with the right tip as it can make all the difference in the world. Design, form, fit, and functionality all work together in this knife, making window breaking a simple task.
Slim Profile and Ergonomic Design combined with Sheath fit and functionality are all capabilities built into one small knife unit.
After seeing how this knife easily cuts multiple wires, breaks windows and saws through tubing, you can only imagine how well it would work in any of the multitude of tasks you could use a knife for. TNT is definitely one of those GOT TO HAVE items in any Go-Bag!!!
Based on a need for a safety hook that would facilitate the remote removal of hazardous items like a S-Vest, or to remotely open a suspicious item such as an IED within a backpack, Zero Point turned to Benchmade. They created the specialized hook knife below. As you can see, it is unlike any other hook knife on the market. Its long length allows it to be inserted into narrow openings and the ridges along to back assist with grip and indexing. Since its inception Zero Point has included this tool in most of their kits.
While the knife was initially intended as an EOD tool, it has recently been released for general sales and adopted by LE, medical professionals, and sports medicine due to its unique size and design. If you are looking for a hook knife that does more than just cut cord and webbing, then this is the one for you.
If you are looking for the best EOD kits out there, then check out Zero Point. www.zeropointusa.com
