Knives Illustrated – August 2019

“FROM THE OUTSET, THE RAPID

STRIKE WAS INTENDED TO BE AN

EXCELLENT SECONDARY WEAPON

OPTION FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL,

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND

PREPARED CIVILIANS.”

A patchwork leather

pad might not be pretty,

but it worked just fi ne

for testing. Single or Double Edge?

The Rapid Strike is available as a single-edge knife, as shown here, or

with the top edge sharpened. I chose the single-edge model simply

because a double edge can cause some stink eye from law enforcement.

It is important to do your homework with regard to any weapon you

decide to carry. Make sure it is entirely legal in the confi guration you

choose. In some jurisdictions, a double-edge knife could cause trouble,

whereas a single-edge blade will not.

While an argument could be made that any fi nes that result from the

conviction of carrying an illegal weapon are worth paying if you were

able to successfully use the knife to defend your life, getting pulled over

for a simple traŠ c stop and having it go south quickly when your illegal

knife is discovered might change your mind.

The Rapid Strike sliced

through the leather like

it wasn’t even there.

Credit: Tammy Cobb

Bottom: The Rapid

Strike fi ts the hand very

well and is ready to go

to work the moment

you draw it from the

sheath. Credit: TOPS

Knives

knivesillustrated.com JULY/AUGUST 2019 • KNIVES ILLUSTRATED 41