Something New: Phantom Knives Rip Cord

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
Just got back from the shop of Phantom Knives and got to check out some cool prototypes. First and foremost was the Rip Cord, a brand new concept in neck knives. This is a very interesting and unique design. The knife is a small spearpoint blade which is housed in a pull away handle. The blade comes out the front of the knife like a forward opening switchblade and locks securely open. Unlike that type of switchblade, which requires that the user to push the blade against something to retract it, the Rip Cord uses a special key to disable the lock and allow you to retract the blade.The key remains on the neck cord after pulling the knife out. The design is probably the fastest opening knife next to a fixed blade that you could have in a relatively small package.

Also, shown to me was a collaboration framelock with flipper opener designed by Howard Viele. Ti Frame with carbon fiber overlays and a very cool Viele logo medallion embedded in the handle scale. Very cool knives but sorry no pictures yet. Phantom knives will be unveiling these pieces at the SHOT show this winter.
 
Phantom Knives kick ass - I love the neck knife they have and am extremely excited by the Viele model I've seen pictures of...

Thanks for the update, I didn't know about the RipCord model.

Kevin
 
Kevin,

They also have a search and rescue model which features a gut hook, blunt tip and some rather nasty looking serrations in a scallop in the side of the blade. That will be a heavy duty folder as well.

The neck knife you're referring to is a beautiful piece of workmanship. It is a cross between a fantasy dagger and a skeletonized neck knife kind of like the Arclite in dagger form. It is milled out of titanium and comes in a kydex sheath. The prototype I saw was made for Phantom Knives by Kit Carson. Very nice indeed.

I wish I could better describe the Rip Cord but I really have never seen anything like it. No idea yet what the retail might be on any of these knives, what kind of steels will be offered or if there will be more models but I'll let ya'll know if I find out more.;)
 
callahwj, that's a good question. I think Mass. law is that a folder with a device that permits its opening upon removal from pocket (or "deployment," don't know the wording), is illegal. Waved Emersons, for instance, are technically illegal in MA. Not sure what the implications of that are for this knife, as it doesn't really "fold", it "retracts" like a boxcutter.
 
Yes, the Rip Cord retracts like a box cutter. It is not a switchblade but does open upon removal from the neck cord. Is that an automatic opening knife? I don't know but I think you could make a comparison to a fixed blade since the fixed blade is actuated upon removal from the sheath. This knife just happens to have the sheath built in. Don't know what the legality of that is in MA or anywhere else but it's still intriguing nevertheless. I'll talk to Phantom Knives again soon and see if I can wrangle a picture or two out of them.
 
I first seen the Ripcord at the Blade Show this past year
it was Les's first Prototype and really thought it was the best design neck knife with a great WOW factor.

The handle is Aluminium with G10 inserts and the blade will be 154CM
at last report.Phanton Knife say's it's legal in all 50 States.Some will even have Boron Carbide coated Blades. That's why I seen the knife.
Darrell Lewis
 
Darrel, the new ones are way beyond the first prototype that you saw. The action is much improved and they now feature a much more refined finish with beautifully shaped carbon fiber overlays. Les even had one with a Damasteel blade. SO there will be possibly be many options available when they finally get it off the ground this winter.
 
It sounds VERY interesting. One of the limitations of a concealable NK is OAL which, for me, maxes out at about 7", 7 1/2" or so w/sheath. Then, of course, it's a matter of how much of that 7" is devoted to blade and how much to the handle.

Can anyone tell us the approximate dimensions of the Rip Cord? Does the entire blade retract into the handle like an OTF auto or does it retract partially like the Chinese military or police knife that I remember seeing a while back. TIA for any additional info.
 
The entire blade retracts so the OAL is about 4-4.5 inches. The key sticks out of the knife about 1/2" and attaches to the cord. The body of the handle is about the size of a pack of playing cards but with a much sexier profile! Kind of like a curvy blonde...;)
 
Peter you are correct the new models have improved fron the first Prototype I saw all the new one this past Monday.My guess on size would be closed 2 1/4 X 4 1/4 the blade opened is 3 3/4 OAL.
I'll check with Les on the sizes.

Darrell Lewis
 
How did you see them Darrel? Were you up here in MA or did Les send them down to you? They are really different don't you think? I've never seen anything quite like them.
 
Peter
Les and I had a meeting in North Carolina on Monday that's when I saw the latest models.I have one of the blades that I coated with Boron Carbide.I also coated one of the titanium neck knives.

Darrell Lewis
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top