Target Audience: Camping Enthusiasts, Backpackers, Hunters, and Bush-crafters

Need States: [A] Ease of Inventory Management and Inventory Reduction, [B] Immediate Access to Specialized Tools based on Emergent Needs and Task Variability, [C] Tool-free In-field Maintenance (Field Stripping) and Ease of Disassembly, [D] Durability and Usability of Materials and Tool Design based on Outdoor Conditions, [E] Tool Design Versatility based on Common Bushcraft Techniques

The DualBlade tool consists of a double-sided full-tang blade (knife + saw) enclosed by two handles of a symmetrical design that also function as the blade’s sheath. A horizontal channel along the blade’s length mechanically interfaces with guide rails within the handle, suspending the blade within the handle body.

The default ‘Basecamp’ blade shown integrates a versatile straight-black knife blade with a cross-cut wood saw blade, providing the means for a variety of tasks — from meal prep, rope cutting, batoning (wood splitting), flint striking, carving, to branch trimming and notching.

The quick-detach (QD) accessory system allows the user to easily swap out carry accessories based on needs and preferences — e.g. carabiner for pant and pack carry or clip for pocket carry (not shown).

Belt loop carry option using the DualBlade QD Carabiner Accessory.

Hiking backpack carry option using the DualBlade QD Carabiner Accessory.

‘Level 1’ (User) Disassembly exploded view — tool-free and fastener-free disassembly for ease of field-stripping and in-field tool maintenance. [TOP RIGHT] The snap-fit endcap is the ‘linchpin’ of the handle assembly. Depressing the snap-fit hooks disengages the endcap from the handle halves, providing tool-free access for maintenance and cleaning in-field.

‘Level 2’ (Manufacturer) Assembly exploded view [WIP]. (*Optimizations are currently being made with respect to handle design, handle material, rail design, and their respective manufacturing processes in order to reduce part count, cost, and assembly time.)

Exploded view of the Handle Subassembly [WIP]. (*Optimizations are currently being made with respect to handle design, handle material, rail design, and their respective manufacturing processes in order to reduce part count, cost, and assembly time.)

CMF (Color Material Finish) options for the DualBlade — [LEFT] Standard colorway inspired the natural environment and foliage, [RIGHT] High Visibility colorway for emergency or hunting use.

Carabiner Carry Accessory Subassembly [WIP]. The carabiner body was designed with a 2D profile to reduce part complexity, manufacturing operations, and cost. (*Revisions planned to simplify assembly hardware and approach).

The blade lock ‘carriage’ interfaces with the handle body via a dovetail cross section — retaining the blade lock assembly within the handle geometry and along a controlled path. A cantilever flat spring allows the detent latch to deflect and move between the detent ‘channels’ from its locked to unlocked position (*Further illustrated below).

The blade-lock mechanism has a two-stage operation — [1] the detent latch (in red) is depressed and then [2] the blade lock carriage is pushed up (while sustaining pressure on the latch). This two-stage design mitigates the risk of accidentally unlocking the blade during use. The user’s grip also serves as a secondary fail-safe in the case of accidental disengagement of the locking mechanism.

[ABOVE] Cross-sectional drawings of the blade lock mechanism, illustrating the knife in its locked and unlocked state. A two-stage latch-channel detent mechanism was selected and developed based on design drivers around improving ergonomics, simplifying usability, and risk reduction (user safety).