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Custom knifemaker Stuart Ackerman is a South African native who currently lives in New Zealand. A veteran of extensive military combat service, he knows from harrowing personal experience what a knife really needs to do in the field and incorporates that real-world insight into every one of his designs.

Ackerman originally designed the Sustain to meet the needs of a group of daring sportsmen who hunted wild pigs with only a knife and a small pack of dogs. He also wanted it to be a highly functional all-purpose cutting tool well suited to “sustaining life” by helping to make fire, build shelter, and prepare food.

The heart of the Sustain is its broad six-inch blade, which features a sturdy saber grind and a long swedge (unsharpened back bevel). It is expertly crafted from Crucible® CPM® 20CV—an advanced particle metallurgy stainless steel that contains a high volume of chromium and vanadium. This potent combination gives it a remarkable combination of high wear resistance, superior corrosion resistance, good impact toughness, and excellent polishability.

For maximum strength, the Sustain features full-tang construction capped by contoured, polished G-10 scales that are secured by blind pins. The handle’s ergonomic profile includes a substantial integral guard and subhilt to protect the user’s hand from sliding forward, a flared butt to maintain positive control when chopping, and a large lined lanyard hole for easy attachment of safety cords or lanyards. A handsome traditional leather pouch-style sheath completes the package and allows convenient carry on the belt.