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.
Is it possible to get a sheath in left-handed?
All of our sheaths are ambidextrous, so will work for either side.
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 from MagnaCut. MagnaCut steel is significantly tougher than M390, and is slightly better at corrosion resistance.
Will you sharpen my blade for me?
Has your Amtac Blades knife seen a lot of use? Send it back to us and we will sharpen it for you. The cost to resharpen your blade is $75. For more information and to purchase a sharpening please see our Blade Sharpening Page.
What are the sharpening instructions that you recommend?
If you choose to sharpen your blade yourself, here are our recommendations: The angle of the blade is 30 degrees. Bill always recommends using a jig to sharpen the blade (he normally uses a Lansky jig to hold the blade but the brand doesn’t matter too much) and a good diamond stone due to the hardness of the steel.
Will you reprofile my broken tip?
We can reprofile your broken tip. Send us your Amtac Blades knife with a broken tip and we will reprofile it and send it back to you for many more years of use. A reprofile is $75. For more information and to purchase a reprofile please see our Blade Reprofile Page.
Manufacturing
Where are your blades made?
In the past we have manufactured both domestically and overseas. Now we are making everything in the United States. It has been a long and challenging process to develop our in-house manufacturing ability, and we are proud to provide jobs and create a quality product right here in our North Idaho shop.