GATCO/ Timberline had a few new knives at their SHOT Show 2014 booth.  The Butch Vallotton-designed BattleHog series was so recent, Timberline’s new-for-2014 catalog insert did not contain the knives.  The BattleHogs are a 3″ bladed tactical knife with a reasonable size and price.

A spearpoint blade and a tanto blade are available, as is plain or serrated versions of either style.  The steel is 9Cr13MoV.  Subduing and protecting the blade is a titanium nitride coating.  Liner locks hold the knives fast in the open position.  I found the examples they showed me had good clean lock up.  BattleHogs have Timberline’s KickStart opening assist technology, which find the sweet spot between too much and too little oomph to throw the blade out.

Textured and jimped G-10 form the handles, which ride over 420J liners.  A black tip up pocket clip is reversible.  A small length of tied paracord lanyard comes with each BattleHog.  It threads through a vertical slot at the butt of the handle.  The knife’s weight comes in at 4 ounces.

Since the MSRP for this knife is a meager $49.99, this can be a good go-to knife that you would not be afraid to use and abuse.

by Wilson