I love thick knives. They survive the rigors of the field better than the thinner blades I’ve seen in many “survival” and “utility” knives. I use my knives quite a bit. At a minimum, they are doing 1-2 weeks in the field per month building fires and gutting animals. I’ve seen many knives break in my time being in the military. Overall I see many trends that lead to knives failing. These experiences directly influence the way I look at knives. It’s not often I’m impressed when I pull a knife out of the box. The Toor Knives Raider did it for me.
This knife was designed by professionals for professionals. The Raider is a 3/16″ thick knife measuring at 4.25″ with a full tang, a deep choil and a thumb rise for aggressive work in adverse conditions. The blade is made of CPM S35vn steel, which is, in my opinion, one of the best choices for a utility knife. As it offers excellent wear resistance and isn’t terribly difficult to sharpen. The handle of the Toor Knives Raider is Maroon G10 or it can be customized with many different options via the Toor Knives website.
The sheath that comes with the knife is functional and simple and can be ordered as a belt or MOLLE mounted system. The retention of the knife is excellent and I have no qualms about it staying in place during exercises or actual situations. One thing that really impresses me right off the bat is the balance, the balance of the knife is an often overlooked but none the less important feature of any knife. A well-balanced knife can lead to less fatigue and more intuitive use and makes using the blade feel much more natural. The Raider has a balance dead center in its choil which is perfect for the vast majority of people.
I still need more time on this knife before I can give a definitive answer. However, my initial impression is that this knife is going to be my new go-to knife for survival. The simplicity, robust steel, and strong sheath make for a great package.
