Click HERE to learn more about Gripknife.
Edged weapons have been paired with firearms since French boar hunters began affixing knives to their muskets in the 17th century. Since then, the bayonet has seen almost continuous use in warfare for its ability to allow soldiers to fight in close quarters even after discharging their weapons.
The Ohio-based company Gripknife believes it’s invented the next evolution in the bayonet’s story, and we caught up with them at SHOT Show 2020 to see for ourselves.
The name says it all: Gripknife is a vertical grip that affixes to a rifle’s forend and doubles as an “out-the-front” (OTF) knife. Users deploy the edged weapon by pressing a button located on the rear of the mount, and the knife springs forward and locks in the extended position. To return the knife to the grip, users place the blade in the mount, push the button, and depress the knife back into the handle.
Gripknife claims their Patriot model is the strongest OTF knife in the world. It features a four-inch blade constructed from M2 High Speed Steel—the kind of metal used to make tools, bits, and blades that cut other steels and metals. The mechanism that locks the blade is Gripknife’s design, and the company claims it can compete with the strength of folding-knife locks.
SEE ALSO: DesignatIR: A New VIS/IR Laser for the Civilian Market – SHOT Show 2020
We found the Gripknife to be easy to deploy, but there’s enough resistance that users shouldn’t worry about ejecting the knife accidentally. The grip texturing feels good in the hand, and the knife has a solid, reassuring heft.
Gripknife reps described a variety of instances in which their product might be useful. In a home defense scenario with multiple attackers, a user might need a knife if an intruder(s) gets close enough to grab his/her rifle. Law enforcement personnel may also benefit from the Gripknife in a similar scenario if they aren’t able to deploy their sidearm.
Gripknife has produced a training video for their product, and you can check out an excerpt below.
Along with their original Patriot model, Gripknife is ready to ship a lighter, cheaper option constructed with A2 rather than M2 steel. This model, called the Defender, saves customers about $200 and about 2 ounces of weight.
Gripknife also plans to develop a version with a shorter blade, and they had a prototype model at their booth we got to check out.
The Patriot is on sale right now for $495 and the Defender is on sale for $290.
Full specs on the Patriot are below:
Gripknife – 4” Patriot
Knife Type: Foregrip
User: Ambidextrous
Mechanism: Out-The-Front
Action: Magnetic Assist ™ Spring Assist
Overall Length: 8.10″
Overall Mounted Length (From Tactical Rail): 5.50″
Blade Type: Spear Point, Single-Edged
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Length: 4.00″
Blade Material: M2 (54-56 HRC)
Blade Width: ≈1.06″
Blade Thickness: .187″
Blade Finish: Black Nitride
Handle Material: Zytel
Handle Color: Black
Handle Texture: 60 Grit
Handle Width 1.50″
Handle Thickness: .96″
Blade Lock: Linear Cam™
Blade Lock Material: 17-4ph CNC Machined
Blade Lock Coating: EXO
Chassis: Model 7
Chassis: 2-Piece Dovetail, Interlocking
Chassis Material: 17-4ph CNC Machined
Chassis Coating: EXO
Chassis Lubricant: Self-Lubricating
Sheath: Rail Mounting Sheath
Weight Overall: 11.50oz. / Knife Only: 7.80oz.
Best Use: Defense & Survival
Design Type: Heavy Duty
Made: In USA
Click HERE to learn more about Gripknife.