The latest sharp and pointy to come from the ever fertile mind of designer Andrew Bawidamann is the “Bawidamann Needle” CQB dagger. The Needle is Andrew’s take on a ring knife, but like all of his work, has it’s own unique attributes hat set it apart from the competition. There are two versions, a live steel model as well as a G10 version.
The Bawidamann Needle
The Bawidamann Needle is made in conjunction with the Les George Shop, right here in the USA. Being that I’m a fan of both Andrew and Les’ work that’s a great combination in my opinion. The design came about after Andrew got tired of Nate Murr (Marine combat vet, inventor, and writer) pestering him to make a ring knife. Like anything that Andrew approaches, if he’s going to do it, he’s going to make it his own, and that’s just what he did with the Needle.
Rather than the traditional, well ring, that forms a ring knife’s pommel, the Needle has a faceted tear drop shape to it instead. This allows more room for larger finger, or a gloved hand. The other thing it does is allow for a handle shape that still comfortable if you grasp it without slipping a finger through the ring hole. So even a quick grab will still give you a solid, and secure grip on the knife, even if you don’t get your finger through the hole.
The knife itself is 7.6 inches overall, with a 2.75 inch blade. It’s a double edged, dagger design made from CPM 154 stainless steel, and finished with a Monsoon gray cerakote finish. I’m pretty sure Andrew made up the name Monsoon Gray, but it sounds good and it’s a good color. Weight on the Needle is just 4.4 ounces, so it’ll be easy to add to your EDC gear without weighing you down.
Speaking of carry, a knife is only as good as its sheath. The first run of the Needles come with an upgraded Chattanooga leather scabbard. These are a top notch sheath that works as well as it looks. I have a Bawidamann Tommy Spike with a Chattanooga leather sheath and it’s excellent. Later runs of Needles will come with a kydex sheath, so if you like premium leather, you need to jump on the first run.
MADE IN THE USA
MATERIAL: CPM 154
OVERALL LENGTH 7.6″
BLADE LENGTH 2.75
FINISH: MONSOON GRAY CERAKKOTE
WEIGHT: 2.1 OZ
WEIGHT WITH SCABBARD: 4.4 OZ
SCABBARD: CHATTANOOGA LEATHER MADE IN THE USA SCABBARD
MSRP: $295.00
The G10 Bawidamann Needle
If you need something more discreet than the CPM 154 Needle, then the G10 version might be what you’re looking for. The G10 Needle is made by VZ Grips, who has a ton of experience with the G10 material in general, and is using if for non metallic knives.
G10 is lightweight, and being non metallic is perfect for non permissive environment carry option. I have a number of VZ’s G10 knives and they perform their intended function quite well. A G10 knife is never going to have an edge like a steel blade, but they have a sharp tip and penetrate even heavy clothing well. There is an edge that you can slash with as well although it works best on bare skin. You can certainly use the Needle, or other G10 knives for utility use like opening boxes, but that isn’t really their intended purpose. There are two different handle textures available on the G10 Needle,. either a Black Fishnet or Olive Walkure pattern.
A non metallic knife is useless without a way to carry it. Especially a way to carry it that doesn’t have metal, which would defeat the purpose of the G1 nature of the tool. Andrew worked with Kevin Westberry at VZ grips to come up with a practical and effective way to carry the Needle.
Kevin performs some wizardry with his sheath designs that allows them to be trim, and minimalistic, and completely lacking in any metal components at all. They’re stitched leather and done in such a way that the they can be carried discreetly inside the waistband.
Andrew and Kevin put a lot of time and thought into the design and came up with one that holds the Needle deeply and securely. The sheath comes about halfway up the handle and that parts rides deeply inside the waistband. This allows for much more discreet v carry and enhances retention. The big tear dropped shape ring protrudes able the waistband and gives you plenty of space to grab and draw the knife.
I’ve had one of the G10 Needles Needles for about a month and half now. I’ve carried it at work, tucked in behind my duty belt both on and off duty, sometimes under nothing more than a t-shirt. It weighs only one ounce, so you really can forget you’re carrying it. The sheath works great inside the waistband and keeps the knife tucked away securely and holds it close enough to the body too that even the light t-shirt covered it with no issue.
About the only downside is that the sheath does require a belt for you to the thread the sheath loop through. Being that I’m always carrying a gun I have a belt on anyway though, so this wasn’t a bog deal. I didn’t need to shank anyone with it so far, but it was comforting knowing I had it as a backup to my gun, or to help with weapons retention if I needed it. It was also nice to know that if I went somewhere that I couldn’t bring my gun, I still had a viable defense option I could take withe me.
MATERIAL: BLACK G10
OVERALL LENGTH 7.4″
BLADE LENGTH 2.75″
WEIGHT: 1 OZ
WEIGHT WITH SCABBARD: 1.7 OZ
SCABBARD: GASDEN LEATHER, MADE IN THE USA LEATHER SCABBARD
MSRP: $135.00