When one thinks of a survival or backup knife, the imagination often conjures up a heavy and cumbersome tool. TB Outdoor®'s IMPACT Carbon knife goes against this expectation by combining an angular, disruptive, and sleek design with maximum robustness. This new iteration of the "Impact 127" concept pushes the boundaries of technical cutlery by introducing handles made of high-performance carbon fiber, transforming an essential tool into a true piece of engineering. This knife is the result of a philosophy where lightness and aesthetics meet uncompromising reliability.
What makes the IMPACT Carbon so "spectacular"?
The secret of the IMPACT Carbon lies in a manufacturing concept that TB Outdoor® engineers internally dubbed "monobloc." Unlike traditional methods, where material is added or parts are assembled, the IMPACT Carbon is sculpted from a single block of steel. The process involves removing material where it is not needed, much like a sculptor would.
This approach ensures maximum resistance because it eliminates any structural weakness, without welding or artifice. It's a true piece of engineering. This design, so complex that it would have been impossible to achieve qualitatively by other processes, is executed on precision five-axis machines. Every square millimeter of the knife is machined, leaving no raw surface or roughness. It's a demanding process that requires more than 20 minutes of machining per piece.
How does this 127-gram knife achieve absolute balance?
The full product name, Impact 127, refers to its weight in its simplest configuration, without an additional handle: 127 grams. This weight, surprising for such a robust knife, was a central objective of its development.
The product's balance was the subject of particularly meticulous work: the knife's center of gravity is located precisely at the center of the logo. This positioning ensures an absolutely perfect balance and contributes to the knife's unparalleled maneuverability and precision.
The design itself is an extension of the logo. Each of the logo's angles extends into the product, forming an X shape that connects the blade and the handle. This is a new visual identity that is at the heart of the product.
Why is carbon fiber the new signature of the IMPACT Carbon?
The introduction of carbon fiber handles marks a significant evolution from the initial raw steel or G10 version. The IMPACT Carbon uses a high-performance carbon fiber and epoxy resin composite material. This choice guarantees exceptional mechanical resistance to impacts and intensive use, while offering optimal lightness (less than $2 \text{ g/cm}^3$). The material is also known for its dimensional stability and indifference to temperature variations.
Each handle is absolutely unique, with the deep patterns of the carbon fiber running through its entire thickness. This exclusive character is available in three sophisticated finishes:
- Gold: With brass infused epoxy for a bold and luxurious look.
- Copper: Enriched with copper infused epoxy, offering rich copper reflections.
- Black: Pure epoxy with shimmering reflections, favoring discretion and pure efficiency.
These scales, despite their thinness and lightness, add significant comfort to the grip.
Is the IMPACT Carbon merely aesthetic or truly designed for the field?
The IMPACT Carbon is designed as a universal backup knife. It must be capable of doing everything: from cutting an apple to very demanding tasks.
- Blade versatility: The blade is of the drop point type, a shape known for its versatility and robustness.
- Cutting angle: The cutting angle has been set at $35^\circ$. This compromise allows for both good bite and sufficient solidity for tougher tasks like batoning.
- Anti-glare: In its black version, the blade is coated with a matte black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) or, in the stainless steel version, a matte polishing done with glass microspheres. This choice is deliberate to make the knife anti-glare and avoid being spotted during use in nature. PVD, moreover, improves corrosion and wear resistance.
- Ergonomics for Grip: To ensure safety, grip zones have been specifically developed. There is jimping (grip surface) on the upper part of the blade as well as a recessed area above and below the logo that allows the palm of the hand and fingers to have a grip that is absolutely impossible to fail.
How does the sheath complement the blade's performance?
The IMPACT Carbon sheath is not just a protective element; it is a functional complement and a design success.
- Material and lightness: It is made of PA6, a technical material extremely resistant to shocks. The sheath is perforated to reduce weight and to allow water to circulate freely, which allows it to drain quickly if submerged.
- Magnetic security: The sheath incorporates a powerful magnet. This magnet has two functions: it firmly holds the knife in position and, most importantly, it guides the blade so that it finds its place instantly when stored. This innovation allows the knife to be drawn extremely quickly without having to remove a tab or strap, while guaranteeing that it will not detach from its sheath during wear.
- Discreet carry: The knife is extra-flat and compact, which was one of the basic concepts. The sheath allows for belt carry, either in a horizontal position (extremely discreet, as it doubles as a belt) or vertical. The belt clip is removable and can be configured in both positions by simply unscrewing two screws.
Why is this angular and disruptive design comfortable in hand?
The design of the IMPACT Carbon, inspired by ultra-geometric and angular shapes, is disruptive compared to classic backup knives.
Although this aesthetic may be "off-putting" at first glance, the knife is surprisingly comfortable. All surfaces are perfectly finished. The angles are chamfered (or filleted) over the entire surface of the piece. These meticulous finishes, hand-reworked by artisans on certain models, ensure that the user feels no discomfort. The goal is to have a comfortable grip that cannot be compromised, even with a thin handle. The knife is an extra-flat product, ideal for discreet carry that takes up absolutely no space.
The IMPACT Carbon is therefore a product that convinces by its usefulness: it combines the demanding nature of high-precision manufacturing (more than 20 minutes of machining on a 5-axis machine) and the reliability of a monobloc construction, while offering a spectacular user experience in its balance and grip. It is the guarantee of having in hand an object whose aesthetics and execution are absolutely irreproachable.
