Shipping Paused Until 9/20/25 during move to new warehouse (will ship sooner if possible).
CPM 3V Knives for Sale
When your Architect AK 6.5 is made from this super tough blade steel, you know it’s up to whatever you throw at it. Widely appreciated for its nearly indestructible suitability for the bush, CPM 3V is unlikely to break, no matter what you ask of it! Its edge retention is nothing short of legendary! Perfect for a 6 inch hunting knife, CPM 3V is heat-treated and also more rust-resistant than 1095 due to its chromium content.
With Architect Knives’ Knife BUILDERS, we offer you a sophisticated tool for building your blade. With Knife BUILDERS, you can try on sheaths, handle scales, and attachments before committing. With this premium purchasing experience, you build your knife, your way.
A Companion Knife for Life
We take our promises to you seriously, so we not only 100% guarantee your satisfaction, we guarantee our blades for life. We’re proud to offer CPM 3V blades and custom knives for sale, making your field dressing experience safer, quicker, and cleaner. This reliable blade is a winner when paired with the best of US-made knife components. Architect Knives has brought you a custom experience that lets you build your blade to your vision.
Your Custom Knife Source Online
Design and build your knife, your way with the online customization experts at Architect Knives. Our CPM 3V knives are for sale to serve you with the very best of custom knives to answer your bushcraft, outdoor, DIY, and work site needs. Take advantage of our free US shipping to unleash precision in style. Browse our collection and find your perfect fit at Architect Knives!
Efrain Cruz –
The knife you want to carry at the fall of civilization — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Daniel Grant –
Yeah this thing is pretty awesome. I ordered it on a Friday, got it on a Wednesday, and put it together in about 10 min (it took me that long because I’m a dumbass and tried to put the handle on upside down the first time then wondered why the it didn’t fit right). Anyway you’ve got 3V steel, lifetime warranty, made in the USA, by TOPS (something you can’t actually get from anyone else anywhere so far as I know), you’ve got pretty much any handle you want (I picked the Essee black and orange tiger stripe G10 which is suwweeet), pretty much any kind of sheath you want, and it was $220 delivered. A Cold Steel SRK in the 3V with a smaller blade and a Kraton handle will probably run you $160+ if you can even find one, and that’s really the only competition for this I see price-wise. This is a screaming deal that you can actually have in your hand in a week’s time for anyone who doesn’t mind putting in the effort to attach their own handle. Since that took me all of 10 minutes (upside down handle adventure and all) and the next cheapest knife I can find that’s in any way remotely comparable (Bradford Guardian 6) runs easily $40 more, this knife is, again, pretty much a no-brainer. Now I have a TOPS knife in 3V (something almost no one else has) all because the guy who runs this site was cool enough to get TOPS to make him knives in 3V. What’s the absolute worst thing I can say about this knife and this “Knifebuilder” concept? That I was so excited about the product and the price when I saw it, that I ordered it on my phone while I was still at work on my lunchbreak, and forgot to add an attachment point to the sheath I selected. That’s it, that’s the closest I can come to a complaint. Otherwise this thing is just cool as hell, at an unbelievable price. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Griff –
This knife is awesome, and such a great deal for 3V. I love the features of the knife. My only gripe is the factory sharpening: it was a fat and un-even. Near the choil, the edge was over-sharpened such that it angles inward slightly. It was pretty sharp though, and would work okay. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
The Peter’s Heat Treat seems good so far: I chopped some old bone I had laying around, and it suffered zero effect with the factory edge angle. When chopping the bone once I reprofiled and thinned out the edge, it got some slight shinny spots, but less than I noticed with TOPS 1095 heat treat on the Baja 4.5, doing the same test. And that’s an extreme test. When chopping wood, even through hard knots, it hasn’t been effected at all. As compared to similar looking 3V knives made in Idaho, with long wait times (cough cough), these knives really only have two major differences that I see. The fit and finish is less good, and there’s less precision on the primary grind (the blade is pretty thick behind the edge). But for the price, this is a great deal and I love it! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Brent –
So far I love the blade! It’s a perfect overall size. Not too big but big enough to get so many jobs done when out camping, bushwhacking, or tater diggin! Thanks to 5 minute knives, I found out about the architect. I got him to make a custom sheath even though the sheath you can order with the knife is a good one. I wanted a custom one so I went with ordering just the knife with micarta scales. Great knife, I highly recommend it. Itll be interesting to see how the 3v steel performs compared to the 1095. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Dave Brennan –
Excellent knife, excellent customer service, great price and as an international customer I’m already looking at my next purchase 👍 — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Michael –
I have often wished that Esee would offer the 6 in CPM3V or a high end stainless. So when I got an email from TKC about the Field Buddy 6.5 I jumped on it instantly. However, the knife is more like the much sought after Survive GSO line of knives than an Esee, but better because you get your knife in a few days rather than a few months or even years. I also like the handle better than the GSO which is a bit skinny and thin for my taste. This knife is a beast and everyone who holds it says they feel like they are holding something that is indestructible!!! The only advice I have for TKC is that they should make some grips with more texture and grippy. I put a pair of G10 winter forest grips on my RAT-7 and they are a huge improvement over the factory grips but they are a bit slick. I purchased the micarta grips for the Field Buddy thinking they would have more texture than the G-10 but they are still too slick. A pair of textured grips would make this the perfect knife!!! I think TKC should also make some rubber type grips similar to those on a Fallkniven or Cold Steel. Anyway, TKC knocked the ball out of the park and into the next hemisphere with the Field Buddy 6.5. I also recently watched one of my favorite Knife Reviewers on YouTube, Gideons Tactical and he raved about the Field Buddy 5 and always takes it with him on his outings. So I guess I am going to have to get the Field Buddy-5 also!!! Good Job TKC and TOPS!!! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
The Nomad –
First, I did buy scales and a sheath to go with the blade. I am having some trouble finding the words to explain how much I like this knife. It is the right length for a field knife, the blade thickness is spot on, the scales on the handle are one of the best I have felt, the CPM 3V steel is great, and it is light in the hand and fast to use. It made short work of every task I asked it to do. Even the pommel was great at cracking pecans open. IMHO, if you are on the fence about this knife go ahead and jump. I don’t think you will be disappointed at all. I can’t wait for the 5.5 to be available in June. 10/10 would buy again and again. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
John O’Malley –
An extraordinarily well-constructed knife – made in the USA. It is razor sharp and perfectly balanced. Affordably priced with excellent handle and sheath options. It has been a very long time since such an amazing value crossed my path. Likely to purchase another and fit it into a leather JRE “W” sheath. Nicely done, TKC! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Brent –
Thanks to Joe from 5 minute knives, I got this awesome bush knife. Now I’ll have a trusted large fixed blade anytime I go camping/hiking. I did not order it with a sheath so I can’t comment personally on that. I love the blade stock and the grind. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
crespin –
I am happy that TKC/Tops offered this blade in CPM 3V. Based on my limited research, the 3V is quite superior to 1095. It offers everything that 1095 does on steroids, and it also has some amount of corrosion resistance. I had purchased the scales for an Esee 5 last year but I returned the Esee 5 and kept the scales because I had hoped to purchase the Field Buddy 6.5 later on, and I was fortunate that my patience paid off with the upgraded steel! Plus, I was able to purchase the “blade only” because I had previously purchased the scales that fit it. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
C –
best knife I have bought AND 1/3 the price “bespoke” knife makers. Get 1 now. I would recommend the 3V version but its kina hidden on the website/not available in the knife builder tool? — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
KC Ramsey –
I had extremely high hopes for this knife. I love CPM 3V steel and I love Tops knives. This is now my favorite knife that I have ever owned. I loved being able to customize my scales and sheath. My edge came sharp and without any imperfections. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the knife. The Knife Connections customer service also went above and beyond by contacting me by phone when the leather backer I wanted was out of stock. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Jeremy Evans (verified owner) –
I discovered these knives looking for fixed blades made with CPm3v, but I completely underestimated the convenience and usefulness of having a knife be completely customizable! I love my new AK 6.5
Kody Vinson (verified owner) –
I really like this knife and the concept behind these knives great sheath as well ! Only thing that I didn’t really care for was the spine wasn’t sharp enough to throw a spark but i fixed that so not really an issue
If your thinking about grabbing one I definitely would recommend
Raymond Anderson (verified owner) –
The knife has held up to my daily needs of cutting through smaller (1-3″) limbs and branches, works well for what I need it to. I do land survey work and we tend to be in the sticks a lot. Hasn’t had any problems as of yet. The build quality and blade edge have held up superbly as well. I highly recommend this knife. Plus it is a looker!
Edward Celio (verified owner) –
Awesome quality, easy to order , zero wait. The knife is totally overbuilt it’s a thick slab of 3V with a edge that’s hair popping out of the box quality kydex sheath can’t be happier with it only complaint is I wish the red liners were brighter so it would pop more visually but that is a cosmetic thing as far as performance this knife is a Ferrari
Avjeet Mangat (verified owner) –
Architect® AK 6.5 Blade Only – Uncoated CPM-3V Steel – High Saber Grind