KM2000
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The KM2000, Kampfmesser 2000 (combat knife 2000), is the standard knife of the Bundeswehr, mostly used by the German Army.
The knife is produced according to NATO regulations by the German company Eickhorn-Solingen Ltd. The entire assembly consists of only two components: the laser cut 172mm Black Kalgard® coated, forged 440A stainless steel Westernized tanto blade, and the ergonomic ambidextrous polyamide handle. The entire knife weighs approximately 320 grams. The sheath for the KM2000 is turnable, and includes an adaptor to allow it to be mounted onto the MOLLE / PALS load bearing system(s).
Later revisions of the KM2000 (as of 2008) use a different stainless-steel alloy with better edge-holding properties, Böhler N695 (HRC 57). Additionally, the company has introduced several new variants, like the KM1000 without a blade-coating, and the KM3000 with a spear-point blade instead of the KM2000's westernized-tanto point. The latter two are also being produced with sand-colored grips and scabbards intended for German forces stationed in desert environments like Afghanistan.
