| Industry | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | Bear Valley Springs, CA 1988; 38 years ago (1988) |
| Headquarters | Prescott Valley, Arizona |
Key people | Kevin McClung |
| Products | Knives |
| Revenue | N/A |
Number of employees | N/A |
Mad Dog Knives is a customknifemaking facility headed by Kevin McClung, a former Senior Materials Scientist at theAmerican Rocket Company, Mad Dog Knives is based inPrescott, Arizona.[1][2] Mad Dog Knives made the fixed-blade knife known as the ATAK, used byNaval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2 after the "SEAL Trials" of 1992.[3] Mad Dog Knives are typically made from selectively tempered, hand ground O1 Tool Steel with a hardchrome plating to protect the blade.[1]
Mad Dog Knives makestactical fixed-blade knives, originally using Starrett 496-O1 high carbontool steel and later switching to Precision Marshall Presco American Made 01, which is given a proprietary heat treatment. This process includes hardening, stress relieving, and selectively tempering the blade.[1] As a result, the blades have an edge hardness of 62-63 on theRockwell C scale whereas the tip, spine, and tang have a Rockwell hardness of 50-54.[1] This heat treatment was devised to develop phenomenal edge retention while preventing tip breakage and maintaining a degree of flexibility on the softer spine to improve the toughness of the knife. The blades arecoated with a layer of hardchrome as a method of abrasion and corrosion resistance.[1]
Mad Dog Knives utilizes a proprietary glass/epoxy composite material for the handle material of its knives.[1] This material can withstand long term heat in excess of 149 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit), a tractive force of 79,000 psi, current of 1,000 volts per mil (0.001") of thickness and is impervious to salt water,diesel oil,benzine and other caustic/corrosive fluids.[1][4] Mad Dog Knives utilizesKydex 100 ® as a sheath material.[1][5]
Mad Dog Knives has madeceramic MIRAGE X blades and blades from other non-metallic materials for EOD and other military usage.[6] These knives are not available for sale to the general public.[6]
Mad Dog Knives won the 1992 "SEAL Trials" to supplyNaval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2 with a fixed blade knife.[1][7] This knife is the ATAK (Advanced Tactical Assault Knife) and Mad Dog Knives received a U.S. Navy Sole Source Justification for its manufacture. The ATAK is the only knife in US Military history justified as such.[1][3]
Mad Dog Knives have been described as weapons inRichard Marcinko'sRogue Warrior novels and were props inSteven Seagal's movieUnder Siege 2: Dark Territory.[8][9] One of the knives used in the movie was later sold at aSafari Club International fund raiser for $10,000.[10]
