Serialized Run of 150: Dead Air and Medford Drop a Limited Blade
Dead Air and Medford have carved out their own lanes in their respective markets: one built on precision sound suppression, the other on knives engineered like they're designed to outlast their owners. This collaboration feels inevitable in retrospect. The Dead Air x Medford Knuckle Knife is a limited run of 150 serialized blades that takes a page from actual trench-knife design and runs it through Medford's overbuilt playbook. The result is a knife that doesn't compromise on utility or toughness, which is exactly what you'd expect from both brands.
The blade itself is 1095 Cro Van finished in black oxide, 6.75 inches of edge with a 0.260-inch spine, and ground to a profile that works as well for detail work as it does for rough cuts. That steel choice is deliberate. 1095 is simple, holds an edge well, and sharpens fast in the field. The handle is where the trench-knife DNA really shows: layered black and gray G10 with cutouts for aggressive grip purchase, plus a knuckle-duster-style guard that doubles as a striking surface if you need it. It's not subtle, and it's not supposed to be.
Each knife is hand-fitted and finished in Phoenix, which means individual variations are part of the package. They ship with a legitimately good leather sheath—black pebbled leather with paracord retention and a leg-tie system that actually holds the blade where you put it. That matters more in the real world than most people realize.
At just over a pound, this isn't a lightweight, but the weight distribution puts most of it in the blade rather than the handle, which reads well in the hand. The overall length is 12 inches, which keeps it functional without tipping into fantasy-blade territory. If Medford's reputation for durability follows here, this is a knife that'll see decades of use before you even start worrying about abuse. The serialization means there's a finite window to grab one before the run closes.
Specs:
- Blade Material: 1095 Cro Van, black oxide finish
- Blade Length: 6.75"
- Cutting Edge: 6.0"
- Blade Thickness: 0.260"
- Handle: Black and gray layered G10 with Dead Air logo
- Overall Length: 12"
- Weight: 1 lb. 3.09 oz
- Sheath: Black pebbled leather with black stitching, paracord retention, leg-tie, Dead Air branding
- Serialization: 001–150
- Country of Origin: USA (Phoenix, AZ)
This is a tool for hard use, not a safe queen. Collectors will appreciate the limited run and Dead Air branding. Everyone else will just sharpen it and go to work.
Check the following links for more details: https://medfordknife.com/special-projects/dead-air-silencers-knuckle-knife-by-mkt/Â and https://deadairsilencers.com/Â
Would you carry a knife with this trench-knife ergonomic, or does the knuckle-duster guard feel dated to you?
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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$499 is a lot of bones for a knife made from 1095 CroVan. I like the steel for big knives, I have two but it's a pretty basic inexpensive steel so the price is a stretch. Of course considering the sources there's probably a line of well healed folks ready to spend the coinage. I'm generally not a fan of leather sheaths for working knives but this is nicer than average at least. I really love the idea of trench knives but in reality, if they aren't designed specifically for your hand, and designed specifically for striking, it's far more likely to hurt your own hand while trying to use it.
Gary Paul Johnston 1*
Definitely my favorite serious knife! I've had several WW I originals, but this one is just as special, as it could be used (even though most won't $$$). As with many, my hands would probably not be at home with these 150 examples and that suggests why not make a more plain version in several lengths to really use. In the outdoors this type of knife is far better than anything else, especially with the finger guards which make it almost impossible to lose the knife when chopping branches or - God forbid - keeping a wild animal at bay (soon maybe no guns in Colorado).
Furthermore, with our magnificent warriors surely soon going to war for us, a million knives like this could be life saving!