First Look: HK Knives Fray

Heckler & Koch Knives is rolling out the new, paracord-wrapped Fray knife to fixed-blade enthusiasts in 2019. Built from 154CM steel, the Fray is designed for strenuous use in the great outdoors.

Lead engineer Brian Zelus says, “Our goal was to create a useable, no-nonsense cutting tool. Knife ergonomics, along with a quality retention sheath, were the most deliberate engineering aspects of the Fray. Balancing appearance, function, and precision machining were critical to the design process. Perfection does not happen without extensive research and development.”

The Fray offers the user supreme comfort that helps to boost cutting power and reduce fatigue. Both tanto and clip-point style knives come with thumb-ramp jimping and an integral finger indent. Jimping is also added to tail end of the grip for better traction when used in an ice pick or reverse hold. Woven throughout the tactically placed slots in the knife frame is 1/8-inch thick paracord wrap, which has a number of uses. The paracord on the handle can be used for lashing and has a multitude of uses in a survival situation, from hunting to first aid.

The included auto-retention sheath allows for graceful ambidextrous carry and release. The Fray deploys quickly with just a minimal amount of thumb pressure, and the knife snaps easily  into place when not in use. The sheath can be horizontally or vertically carried on waist belts and harnesses for maximum usability and comfort, and for additional security, the retention sheath is also compatible with Tek-Lok hardware.

Built by Hogue Knives in the United States, HK Knives are constructed using the finest materials and strictest industry standards. MSRP on the Fray is $149.95, and more information is available at hkknives.com.