Choosing a blade
Which blade would be best suited for me?
It really comes down to how you are using it. Blades such as the Northman can be deployed as a contingency during combatives, however, the Northman was designed as a fixed blade that you could carry in your pocket. If you are a member of the military or a law enforcement official looking to carry a blade, a larger handle makes it easier to draw under pressure during combatives. Blades like the Minuteman and Magnus make this easier. They work well as the blade you carry on your other strong side and can be pulled out easily during combatives. They will do the job that a Northman can do in your pocket but can also be run on your plate carrier or vest.
For those looking for a blade option that is a hybrid of the Northman’s blade length and the Minuteman’s handle length, we recommend The NorthmanX. The NorthmanX features a 3 1/2 inch blade with a roomier 3 13/16 inch handle. Please note, that due to the slight differences in blade geometry between the Northman and the NorthmanX, the NorthmanX is not compatible with the sheaths for the Upgraded Northman.
If I have larger hands is there a blade that works best for me?
I have big hands and have no problems carrying a Northman. Here are some videos showing how to hold each blade. If you are concerned about hand size to handle size, I would recommend either the NorthmanX, the Minuteman or the Magnus since they have larger handles. The handle size on the NorthmanX is virtually the same as the Minuteman and Magnus, featuring a 3 13/16 inch handle. The handle size on the Minuteman and the Magnus is exactly the same (3 3/4 inches long), but the Magnus gives you an extra inch of blade length. The Magnus features a 5-inch blade, while the Minuteman features a 4-inch blade. At the end of the day, it really comes down to how you intend to use the blade. If you were limiting yourself to only one blade and you wanted to carry it in your pocket or on your belt, then the Minuteman is the sweet spot due to a larger handle and a slightly shorter blade.
Updates on when blades are available again
I’m interested in a blade but it is out of stock. Is there any way I can be notified when it is available again?
You can sign up for email notifications on the product page of the item you are interested in. This will allow you to be instantly notified when more are released back into stock. We also highly recommend subscribing to our Amtac Blades Newsletter here (scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says “Get blade development updates”) to get news from Bill. You can also follow Amtac Blades on social media at the Amtac Blades Facebook Page and the Amtac Blades Instagram Account for sneak peeks of upcoming product launches and special updates.
Shipping
When will my blade ship?
Orders may take 5 business days to process so please allow 5 business days before inquiring about the ship date of your order. This also applies to any orders placed on weekends or holidays.
You will receive an email notification as soon as your order is ready to ship that will include a tracking number for each package. Orders may be delayed due to a high order volume. We appreciate your patience.
Blade Care
What blade care tips you would recommend for these blades?
Our blades are made with M390 steel or CPM 20cv steel. These are among the more modern super steels. Both CPM 20cv steel and M390 steel are a type of martensitic stainless steel having high vanadium and high chromium content for exceptional wear resistance, corrosion resistance, excellent edge retention, and high-level toughness. Due to these characteristics, they should not need maintenance other than sharpening.
Our Northman blades have always been made with M390 steel. The Magnus and Minuteman blades are currently made with M390 steel. Earlier versions of the Minuteman and Magnus were made with CPM 20cv steel.
Manufacturing
Where are your blades made?
We have and will continued to manufacture both domestically and overseas. We proudly employ US based business in many aspects of production including design, materials, manufacturing, sheaths, customer service, and media.