STS-SFLT Lightweight Utility Pack Knife Fixed Blade PDW

The PDW SPD STS-SFLT is a skeletonized fixed blade field knife precision machined from a single continuous piece of CPM MagnaCut steel, blade and handle in one unbroken construction, at a total weight of 2.8 ounces. A modern evolution of the American Bowie clip point pattern, it is designed for backpackers, overlanders, and expedition carry where pack weight is non-negotiable and cutting performance cannot be compromised. At 9.0 inches overall with a 4.25-inch blade, it occupies the practical center ground between a compact neck knife and a full-sized camp knife, capable of food preparation, campsite tasks, and bushcraft work without the weight penalty of a conventional fixed blade. The skeletonized handle is wrapped in Type-95 nylon paracord, removable for use as field cordage. Includes a kydex sheath with two spring clips for left or right belt carry. Available in Black, OD Green and Orange, Type-95 cord wrap. Designed by PDW's Special Projects Division for the kind of traveler who weighs every gram and carries every piece of gear with a specific purpose in mind. The STS-SFLT (Skeletonized Field Lightweight) is not a compromise between weight and performance. The choice of CPM MagnaCut as the single construction material means the blade that cuts is the same material that forms the handle, with nothing lost in the translation. "The knife is made from a single, unbroken piece of MagnaCut steel... crazy lightweight, clocking in at just 2.8 ounces overall." - Gear Patrol Specifications Materials: CPM MagnaCut Steel (Full Tang Construction) Type-95 Nylon Paracord Wrap Thermoplastic PVC Kydex Sheath Approximate Dimensions: Blade Length: 4.25" / 108mm Overall Length: 9.00" / 229mm Blade Thickness: 0.124" / 3.15mm Approximate Weight: 2.8 oz / 79g Features: Single-Piece Skeletonized Construction, Blade and Handle in One Piece of MagnaCut Ceramic Bead-Peened Matte MagnaCut Blade Finish Type-95 Paracord Wrap Handle (Removable for Field Cordage Use) Classic Bowie Clip Point with False Upper Swedge Two Spring Clips Included, Left or Right Side Belt Carry Kydex Sheath with Slots for Optional Strapping and Carry Configurations Marks: SPD Kraken Logo Mercury Markers Mark MagnaCut Steel Mark PDW SPD STS-SFLT Skeletonized Fixed Blade - FAQ What Does STS-SFLT Stand For? STS-SFLT is PDW's Special Projects Division internal designation for this knife. The SFLT suffix denotes the skeletonized, field-lightweight construction that defines the design: a single-piece CPM MagnaCut blade and handle at 2.8 ounces total. The name is a PDW engineering designation rather than a buyer-facing descriptor, in keeping with the SPD sub-brand's approach to product nomenclature. What Is the Blade Steel and Why Does It Matter for a Field Knife? CPM MagnaCut is a powder metallurgy stainless steel that balances edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance better than most prior knife steels in this class. For a fixed blade carried in the field, corrosion resistance matters more than in a folding pocket knife, because the blade is exposed to weather, humidity, food acids, and vegetation contact over extended periods. MagnaCut handles prolonged wet exposure significantly better than S35VN or D2, making it the correct specification for a backpacking knife, camp knife, or expedition fixed blade used in outdoor environments. It also holds a working edge through repeated food preparation and campsite use without demanding frequent sharpening. Is the Entire Knife, Blade and Handle, Made from One Piece of MagnaCut Steel? Yes. The STS-SFLT is a full-tang skeletonized construction machined from a single continuous piece of CPM MagnaCut. There is no separate handle material, no scales, and no fasteners joining blade to handle. The Type-95 paracord wrap is wound around the skeletonized handle section for grip and can be removed for use as field cordage without compromising the structural integrity of the knife. What Is the Bowie Clip Point and Why Was It Chosen for This Design? The Bowie clip point is one of the most proven blade geometries in American knife design, characterized by a concave or straight clip cut along the spine toward the tip that reduces tip mass, improves point control, and creates a fine working tip capable of detailed cuts. The false upper swedge on the STS-SFLT continues the classic Bowie profile without adding a sharpened secondary edge. For a field knife used in food preparation, campsite work, and bushcraft tasks, the clip point offers more tip precision than a drop point while retaining adequate belly for general cutting work. The American Bowie pattern was chosen deliberately as a functional reference point with deep cultural and practical roots in field use. How Does the STS-SFLT Compare to a Neck Knife for Ultralight Carry? A dedicated neck knife in the 1.5 to 2.0 ounce range will be lighter, but the trade-off is blade length and cutting capability. At 2.8 ounces and 4.25 inches of blade, the STS-SFLT occupies a more capable position: enough blade for food preparation, wood processing, and sustained campsite work that a 2.5-inch neck knife cannot handle effectively. For a backpacker or overlander who carries one knife and needs it to cover the full range of camp and trail tasks, the STS-SFLT is the more functional choice at a weight penalty of less than one ounce over a typical neck knife. For pure gram counting with minimal cutting demands, a neck knife or small fixed blade is the appropriate choice. Can the Paracord Wrap Be Replaced or Removed? Yes. The Type-95 nylon paracord wrap is wound onto the skeletonized handle and can be removed for use as emergency field cordage. It can be rewrapped with standard Type III 550 paracord or Type-95 cord. The three color variants (Black, Orange, OD Green) differ only in paracord color. All other specifications are identical across variants. What Is the Kydex Sheath Carry Configuration? The included kydex sheath ships with a removable glass-filled nylon rotating clip configured for belt carry on standard belt widths. Kydex provides positive, audible retention, is fully waterproof, and will not deform, soften, or lose retention in wet or humid field conditions, a key functional advantage over leather for an expedition and backpacking fixed blade. The sheath also includes slots for optional aftermarket strapping and alternative carry configurations. Unlike almost all other kydex type sheaths on the market, PDW uses stainless steel eyelets for additional corrosion resistance. Is the STS-SFLT Suitable for Backpacking as a Primary Field Knife? Yes. At 2.8 ounces, the STS-SFLT is competitive with dedicated ultralight backpacking knives while offering a more capable blade length and a corrosion-resistant steel specification appropriate for extended outdoor use. The MagnaCut construction handles food preparation, campsite utility tasks, and emergency cordage cutting without the corrosion concerns of carbon steel in wet environments. The paracord wrap provides a functional cordage reserve in the handle itself. For a mid-sized field knife that covers the full range of camp and trail cutting tasks at a weight that does not compromise a lightweight pack, the STS-SFLT is the appropriate specification.