Max Venom Product Group makes some innovative products. The new Max Venom Dimachaerus is definitely one of the coolest and most innovative. Designed by Max Venom’s Colin Desparis, the semi-custom/ mid-tech folding knife offers a unique combination of form and function.
The Dimachaerus is named for a type of Roman gladiator, popular during the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, who fought with two swords. The name is the Latin-language borrowing of the Greek word meaning “bearing two knives.”
Like its predecessor the Max Venom Direct Impact Karambit, the Dimachaerus was designed for edged and impact weapons practitioners seeking a single tool optimized for use both as an edged weapon and, in closed configuration, as an impact weapon. Although many tactical folders may be employed as impact weapons, most have not been designed as such and are less than optimal in that capacity.
The Dimachaerus has a 3.6-inch (4.58-inch tip to handle) single-edged spear-point blade. The blade is .125- inch thick and has a saber grind. The spear point provides a good balance between piercing and slicing ability, combining the sharp point of a dagger with the strength of a drop point, while maintaining some of the belly of the latter for slicing. An extra-large index choil on the blade allows choking up for precise control in close-in work. The knife measures 10.15 inches overall and 5.5 inches closed.
The blade is hand-ground from Crucible 154CM stainless steel with a matte bead-blasted finish. A premium- grade high-carbon stainless steel alloy, 154CM is a high-molybdenum modification of 440C that offers improved wear resistance and better corrosion resistance. It has an extremely fine grain structure and is known for its toughness.
The handle is machined from lightweight high-strength 6061-T6 aerospace- grade aluminum alloy. It has a matte grey Cerakote® finish. Developed for the firearms industry, Cerakote is a state-of-the-art ceramic-based protective coating that provides a goodlooking, durable, weather- and corrosion- proof finish that resists scratching, chipping, and chemical solvents.
One of the many cool features on the Dimachaerus is Max Venom’s signature large glove-friendly Bottle Buster Finger Loop™ on the spine of the blade. Other than opening a bottle with your teeth (not recommended), there’s no more impressive way to pop open a cold one. Definitely a conversation starter.
But the primary purpose of the finger loop is a retention feature when employing the Dimachaerus as an impact weapon and as a means of blade deployment. It also makes a nifty knuckle.
The blade may be deployed a number of ways using either the flipper or finger loop for easy one-handed deployment. An interesting and innovative technique unique to the Dimachaerus employs the finger loop to flip the knife open using the weight of the handle. It’s performed from a striking grip with the index finger through the finger loop and allows for a rapid transition from impact weapon to edged weapon.
The finger loop may also be employed in a similar manner to a thumb hole or thumb stud/disk, with the bottle opener acting as a thumb stop. It can also be used to quickly deploy the blade by simply catching the outer edge of the finger loop on the back edge of a pocket as it’s being drawn from the pocket in a tip-up position.
The Dimachaerus employs a button lock mechanism to lock the blade in the open position. A spring-loaded button engages a cutout in the tang when the knife is open. Although you don’t need to depress the button to deploy the blade, a detent in the tang prevents the blade from opening accidentally.
The push button can be used as an alternative opening method by depressing the button and using inertial force to deploy the blade. The knife can be closed in a similar manner.
The Dimachaerus is equipped with an ambidextrous pocket clip that can be mounted in either a tip-up or tipdown configuration. The pocket clip is constructed of stainless steel with a black oxide finish for a low profile.
For deeper concealment without sacrificing access, I have found the Galco PMC Pocket Magazine Carrier to be ideal. Although designed for front pocket carry of pistol magazines, it works equally well with folders. The model designed for 1911 magazines (PMC26B) accommodates the Dimachaerus perfectly in tip-down carry position. The PMC keeps the knife properly indexed in the pocket and conceals the outline. The hooked shape and rough-out steerhide construction keep the carrier in the pocket during the draw.
To sum it up, the Dimachaerus is a well-built edged/impact weapon with a unique design that offers capabilities not found in any other folding knife. Like all Max Venom products, it’s designed and made in the USA.
The Dimachaerus has an MSRP of $310.00. It comes with a padded black nylon zippered storage case.
