Max Venom Products Group may not be the best known knife company, but it makes some very cool and innovative products. The 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 that fought with two swords. The name is the Latin-language borrowing of the Greek word διμάχαιρος meaning “bearing two knives” (di-dual + machairi-knife).
Like its predecessor the Max Venom Direct Impact Karambit, the Dimachaerus was designed for edged and impact weapons practitioners who sought a single tool optimized for use as both 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 4.58-inch (11.63 cm) single-edged spear point sabre-ground blade, with a 3.6-inch (9.14 cm) edge. The blade is 0.125-inch (0.317 cm) thick.The knife measures 10.15 inches (25.78 cm) overall when open and 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) closed. It weighs 5.53 ounces (156.77 g).
The spear point blade provides a good balance between piecing 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 blade is hand-ground from Crucible 154CM stainless steel (58-61 HRC). It has a matte bead-blasted finish. 154CM is a premium-grade high-carbon stainless steel alloy. It’s 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. It’s also fairly easy to sharpen. Although it’s not one of the newer “super” stainless steels, it’s still an excellent performer.
The handle is machined from lightweight, high-strength 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and has a grey Cerakote® finish. Developed for the firearms industry, Cerakote is a state-of-the-art ceramic-based protective coating that provides a good-looking durable, weather- and corrosion-proof finish that resists scratching, chipping and chemical solvents.
One of the really 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. Of course, the primary purpose of the finger loop is as a retention feature when employing the Dimachaerus as an impact weapon and as a means of blade deployment. And it also makes a nifty knuckle too.
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 knife open using the weight of the handle, as shown in the video on the Max Venom website. 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, or it may be used to quickly deploy the blade by simply catching the outer edge of the finger loop on the back edge of the pockets as it’s being drawn from the pocket from a tip-up position.
The Dimachaerus employs a recessed button lock / plunge lock mechanism to lock the blade in the open position It employs a spring-loaded button that 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 creates opening resistance that prevents the blade from opening accidentally.
The push button can be used as alternative opening method by depressing the button and using inertial force to deploy the blade. The knife can also be closed in a similar manner. It’s a very strong .lock with the added advantage that your hand is out of the path of the blade when closing.
The Dimachaerus is equipped with an ambidextrous pocket clip that can be mounted in either a tip-up or tip-down 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 Gunleather® PMC Pocket Magazine Carrier to be ideal. Although designed for pocket carry of pistol magazines, it works equally well with folders. The model designed for 1911 magazines (PMC26B) accommodates the Dimachaerus perfectly in a 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 keeps the carrier in the pocket during the draw.
To Sum Up
To sum it all up the Dimachaerus is a well-built edged/impact weapon with a unique design that offers capabilities not found in any other folding knife. As with all Max Venom products, it’s designed and made in the USA. The Dimachaerus has a MSRP of $300.00 and comes with a padded black nylon zippered storage case. It gas a limited lifetime warranty.
Max Venom also offers a smaller version of the Dimachaerus called the Dimachaerus Jr. It has a 2.25-inch (5.75 cm) blade. Other than size, it’s identical to its bigger brother.
SpecificationsMax Venom Dimachaerus
Manufacturer: Max Venom Product GroupDesigner: Colin DesparisType: Manual Opening Folder (Flipper, Bottle Buster Finger Loop)Lock: Push Button / Plunge LockBlade Length: 4.58 in. (11.63 cm)Edge Length: 3.6 in. (9.14 cm)Blade Thickness: 0.125 in. (0.317 cm)Overall Length: 10.15 in. (25.78 cm)Closed Length: 5.5 in. (13.97 cm)Blade Steel: 154CM (58-61 HRC)Handle: 6061-T6 Aluminum w/ Cerakote FinishPocket Clip: Stainless Steel, 4-Position MountingCountry of Origin: Made in USAWarranty: Limited LifetimeMSRP: $300.00
Material Disclosure
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.
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