I must admit, I first learned of the Lone Wolf Distributors Armorer Tool/Knife by seeing a banner advertisement on our buddy Caleb’s website GunNuts.Net. In short, this tool is really a modified Spyderco Endura 4, with an Emerson Wave Opener and a 3/32-inch punch built into it. At first blush, it doesn’t seem like much, but this is truly the knife that any gun person should always have on them, especially on the practice range.
All my 1911s are set up so that they can be disassembled without tools, but the punch makes it significantly easier to disassemble the slide. This comes in handy when I need to make a quick adjustment of extractor tension, which happens much more frequently than I would like. Glock people also know that this size punch will completely take down their favorite pistol. Having the punch built into an everyday carry knife ensures this handy punch size will be with you at all times.
As for the knife, the blade is a flat sabre grind. While I usually prefer a full flat grind with a double bevel for my larger knives, the sabre grind is a good compromise between strength and cutting ability in a knife this size. The blade is ground from VG10, a high carbon “stainless” steel that is tough, takes quite an edge and is fairly easy to sharpen.
The Emerson Wave feature allows fast, one-handed opening that is significantly faster than any automatic. I look at this feature more as a convenience feature than a tactical one, as I don’t really consider a folding knife to be my primary defense tool, but it can certainly pressed into that role.
The pocket clip can be reversed for tip down or tip up carry, and set up for left or right side carry. For half the price of many “premium” production folding knives, the LWD Armorer Tool offers utility and performance on par with the best of them.
The LWD Armorer Tool is available for about $75 through Amazon.com and Prime members get free 2-day shipping.
The wave is a great feature . You can deploy the knife faster than an auto knife. If you carry a gun you should carry a knife. What better knife to carry than one that can break down your trusty Glock.
I’ve been carrying one every day since last December. It’s a great knife and the punch is very handy!
I’ve seen it advertised, but never saw a review of the product. Thanks.
Is it USA Made?
Yes, it is made by spyderco which is located in Golden Colorado
I see Spyderco is in CO, and LWD is in Idaho, but I know most of LWD’s products are not USA made. Neither LWD, Spyderco, nor Emerson mention this unit being Made in USA, anywhere. Got a link?
I’ll ultimately defer to Tim as it’s his knife, but most Spydercos in my pile are marked “Seki City Japan” on the blades. I do not recall the injection molded handle knives as being domestic production.
I’ve had an un-Waved LWD Armorer’s Knife since 2009 or so – if you order direct from Lone Wolf Distributors, for a small extra fee they can laser-engrave your name or a short motto on the spine of the blade.
And, the wave can be used to open beer bottles.
Just sayin.