The Back Door: T.Kell OPS Hawk 4.5" Tanto Fixed Blade, AEBL NiB Battleworn, Blem Model – Made in USA

This item is listed in The Back Door.

This knife is listed in The Back Door. It is a blem model from T.Kell Knives, meaning it carries a minor cosmetic imperfection that did not meet T.Kell's standard for a full-price sale. The imperfection is cosmetic only. The knife is brand new in the box, never cut or carried.

Operator Series fixed blade. AEBL tanto. NiB coated.

The OPS Hawk is the debut knife in T.Kell's Operator Series, a line developed with direct input from Tier 1 military operators. The design extends the Tanto profile from T.Kell's Nighthawk series into a longer, heavier-duty platform built for duty belt, plate carrier, and CCW carry. The 4.5" blade is AEBL steel with T.Kell's dual-temper deep cryogenic heat treatment at 60-62 HRC, finished in their proprietary NiB Battleworn Nickel Boron coating. The diamond-shaped blade cross section provides rigidity the flat ground alternatives cannot match, and the tanto tip is built for penetrating cuts where a drop point would compromise. An ambidextrous Kydex sheath with horizontal belt clip is included.

Note from Lone Star Knife & Supply: T.Kell describes the OPS Hawk as being designed with Tier 1 operator input and the blade geometry backs that up. The diamond cross-section, NiB coating, and 4.5" tanto are not decisions made for aesthetics. Blem pricing on a knife this capable is a real opportunity. Never cut, never carried, full warranty intact.

Why This T.Kell OPS Hawk Stands Out

• 4.5" AEBL Tanto Blade, dual-tempered and deep cryogenically treated at 60-62 HRC
• NiB Battleworn Coating, Nickel Boron surface hardness exceeding 80 HRC
• Diamond Blade Cross-Section for superior rigidity and zero flex
• Full Tang Construction throughout
• Ambidextrous Kydex Sheath with horizontal belt clip included
• Life of the Knife no-questions-asked warranty
• Blem designation is cosmetic only, all performance specs are identical to full-price
• Designed with Tier 1 operator input, made by a USMC veteran in NW Georgia

Specifications

• Brand: T.Kell Knives
• Model: OPS Hawk
• Blade Length: 4.5"
• Overall Length: 9.25"
• Blade Thickness: 0.165"
• Blade Steel: AEBL
• Blade Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Dual Tempered, Deep Cryogenics)
• Blade Coating: NiB Battleworn
• Handle Material: G10
• Grip Length: 4.6"
• Construction: Full Tang
• Sheath: Ambidextrous Kydex with horizontal belt clip
• Warranty: Life of the Knife
• Condition: Blem model. Brand new, never cut or carried.
• Weight: 5.86 oz
• Country of Origin: Made in USA (NW Georgia)

Why You'll Want It

A purpose-built Operator Series tanto from a veteran knifemaker, with NiB coating, AEBL steel, and Tier 1 input in the design brief. As a blem it is cosmetically marked where the maker noticed and you will have to look for. The performance, the sheath, and the warranty are all full-price. The cost is not.

About T.Kell Knives

T.Kell Knives is a veteran-owned family business founded and operated by a United States Marine Corps veteran in the NW Georgia and Chattanooga area. The Operator Series was developed with input from active Tier 1 personnel to produce blades built for the most demanding carry and use environments. All T.Kell knives are backed by the Life of the Knife no-questions-asked warranty.