Some projects arrive with a specific brief. This one came from the HAPAK — the Home Front Command Squad — with a clear requirement: a simple, lightweight, hard-use field knife for daily carry. Reliable, tough, and purpose-built for the people using it.
The Geometry
A wharncliffe blade was the logical choice. Its flat spine, strong tip, and full belly make it one of the most capable utility profiles available — precise under controlled cuts, robust enough to handle hard use without complaint.
Combined with traditional Bladetricks karambit (ringed) handle, the result is a tool that carries like an EDC knife and transitions to a fighting grip when the situation demands it. The ring adds retention and capability without adding bulk.
The Steel
For this build I used my last reserve of thin stock 4340 alloy steel — a high-strength material used in military aircraft and heavy-duty industrial applications for its exceptional toughness and impact resistance. It is by far the toughest steel I work with.
Its only weakness is edge retention, which I addressed by microwelding a thin layer of tungsten carbide onto the edge — delivering the structural resilience of properly heat-treated 4340 with the cutting performance of a 70-80 HRC carbide edge. The result is a steel combination that has no right to perform as well as it does.
The Complete Tool
The HAPAK ships with a multi-position Kydex sheath and an Ulticlip retention clip — a carry system that keeps the tool accessible in any position without unnecessary bulk.
The Custom Version
A custom interpretation of the HAPAK is currently in progress — longer blade, hand-sculpted black G10 recessed scales with a clean border of exposed steel around the handle. The customer asked for more. We obliged. Follow the build on Instagram.