So, I'm a knife guy. Not that I'm a "knife fighter" or an "edged weapons expert" but I like knives. I like the utility of them; I like the simplicity of them; I like having one on me all the time. Another thing I like is when a knife is versatile by virtue of its design. If the knife can do something more than just cut a string or rope (or person) I'm a happy camper. Recently I was introduced to the Razorback TROCAR made by BLACKHAWK! Blades. Although the original design is more than ten years old it's been upgraded with some cool features. Let’s take a look...
Originally designed by Massad Ayoob for Masters of Defense knives back in the late '90s, the Razorback fixed blade was meant to be the perfect blend of utility mixed with close-quarters emergency-use combat effectiveness (it cut good up close). Given Mr. Ayoob's background in law enforcement and his close ties to that community it's no surprise that he had law enforcement professionals in mind when he sat down to design the blade. A couple years ago Masters of Defense became part of the BLACKHAWK! Products Group and BLACKHAWK Blades was also born.
Getting back to the Razorback... in recent years though there has been a growing number of medics - both on law enforcement SWAT teams and in the military community - who have been using this knife. With that in mind a redesign was undertaken. The redesign had three set goals:
- To maximize the knife's value as a field medic's tool
- To retain all of its personal defense characteristics
- To make it as affordable as possible for the end user
The photo at the top shows the fine balance of the design; the slim profile of the blade; the plain edge (available partially serrated); and the contoured grips. What is also shown that you may not recognize or notice are the indexing notches in the spine of the blade. Realizing that field medics may have to use this knife to insert a chest tube or perform an emergency tracheotomy, the need for those indexing notches was identified. How could the field medic, using this knife, immediately and quickly know that he was cutting to the necessary depth? In this case he can put his index finger into the indexing notch and cut to where his finger is at skin level. Knowing which notch lines up with which measured depth is all that is required.
The second and third photos to the right show components of the Razorback TROCAR's transport and sheathing system. Designed to be completely compatible with the CQC holster's mounting platforms as well as the BLACKHAWK! STRIKE (improved MOLLE) equipment carrying system, the Razorback TROCAR's sheath is delivered with:
- a paddle mount
- a belt mount
- a neck chain
- several other pieces that serve as adaptors to various other platforms
You can also purchase the necessary pieces to mount the TROCAR sheath onto the STRIKE (MOLLE) vest webbing. Thanks to the forward thinking designers at BLACKHAWK! the TROCAR can be mounted vertially, inverted, horizontally, or at one of several angles. It can be carried on a neck chain if you'd like or attached to your CQC Tactical SERPA holster platform. Versatility of function and carry, with safety at the forefront of design consideration, was the name of the game.
Now that you know how many different ways you can carry and use this knife, let's take a look at some of the basic information. The blade length is 3.875" (1/8" under 4"). It is made from AUS8A stainless steel and finished with a Black Teflon coating. The knife is available with a plain or partially serrated edge. From what I understand the plain edge is better for cutting clothing and for general medical use while the partially serrated edge is better for utility and defensive work - so know what your intended primary use is before you make your purchase. The handle is made from fiberglass-reinforced injection-molded nylon (which feels like comfortable rubber). Overall length is just under 8.5" so you have (doing the math) just over 4.5" of handle. That's not a HUGE grip but it's enough and you don't end up with a handle-heavy knife or one too long to carry comfortably in all those different ways.
OF COURSE I had to take it out back and find out what I could (or couldn't) cut with it. Out came the crap from my shed that included everything from common string to twine, fishing line, 1/2" rope (nylon and cotton weave) and the now-half-destroyed plastic bucket. Cutting was easy for the knife. My test model is new and the edge was nicely sharp from the factory. String, twine, rope and even nylon webbing was no issue at all. Because of the size of the blade and the balance of the knife I had a hard time getting any real leverage swinging to attempt to chop in to the plastic bucket. That said, I did turn the bucket on its side and drive the TROCAR into it several times. That done I went over to the nearest tree and did several overhand swings in an attempt to see how far I could bury the TROCAR into the trunk without losing my grip (love those kevlar lined gloves when doing such things). I managed to bury the knife up to the 2nd notch which is about two centimeters.
Having satisfactorily abused the knife I took it into the house and washed it and left it to dry. Come dinner time it was used as my steak knife and cut the medium-well meat cleanly. I was satisfied.
The BLACKHAWK! website lists the Razorback TROCAR at $74.99. A quick GOOGLE search of "razorback TROCAR" resulted in a plain edge listed for $50.26 and a combo edge model for $57. Shop around. For those prices this is a high-quality knife that sports versatility of use and HUGE versatility of carry.
Stay Safe!
