One of the most significant changes to the knife world in recent years has been the proliferation of aftermarket parts and accessories. Knife enthusiasts looking to personalize their factory-made knives literally never had it so good. Whether you’re looking for upscale screws, a decorative backspacer, or replacement scales, there’s a company that has you covered. However, 5×5 Combat Solutions offers accessories that break the mold with its Afterknife Exo-Tools.
The 5×5 Combat Solutions Afterknife Exo-Tools
Most aftermarket knife parts are primarily aesthetic. Except for deep-pocket carry clips, they don’t really do much to improve the function of the knife—just its looks. One notable exception to this rule is 5×5 Combat Solutions and its remarkable AfterKnife™ line of knife accessories.
Founded by master machinist and designer Mark Olson, 5×5’s products are both beautiful and uniquely functional.
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Background and Philosophy
Olson is no stranger to knives or the manufacture of precision components. Son of firearms industry legend Douglas Olson, Mark literally grew up around CAD design and machining. In the 1990’s, he was the senior machinist for Microtech and the Masters of Defense knife company. Later, he also applied his skills to guns as a key member of Wilson Combat, Knight’s Armament, Qual-A-Tec, and AWC Systems Technology.
In 2016, Mark decided to strike out on his own. His goal was to create a company that took unique products from the concept stage to market availability with speed and agility. Returning to his early love of knives, he decided to focus on function-enhancing “bolt-on” accessories.
He chose the name “5×5”—military jargon for “loud and clear”—as a metaphor for the clarity he intended to bring to the process. Based on the popularity of his rapidly growing product line, he chose well.
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Welcome to the AfterKnife
The 5×5 company philosophy is elegantly simple: identify popular, high-quality knives and create easily installed parts that elevate their functionality beyond simple cutting tools.
After extensive market and product research, Olson chose to start with Spyderco Knives. In particular, he focused on their most popular models and the ones available in the widest range of variations. Although they feature many different blade steels, grinds, and edge configurations, they all share the same handle construction.
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Using that commonality as a foundation, Olson designed a family of easily installed “Exo-Tools™” that give the knife another on-board function. Some replace the knife’s factory backspacer, while others fill the void of its open-backed handle to become a backspacer. However, all are precision-machined from solid stock and manufactured in Olson’s shop in Berryville, Arkansas.
Following the “AfterKnife” play on words, 5×5’s Exo-Tool accessories feature names inspired by ancient Egyptian history. The enhanced utility they provide, however, is 100 percent modern and practical. Currently, the AfterKnife family includes the following Exo-Tools:
Scorpion
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Precision machined from solid 440C stainless steel and Cerakote® finished, the Scorpion Exo-Tool includes both a hook-style safety cutter and a glass breaker. It also makes an extremely potent “skull-crusher” impact weapon.
Scarab
Most knife blades make terrible pry tools. The Scarab solves this problem by offering an on-board flat-blade screwdriver/pry tool. Crafted from spring-tempered 440C and Cerakoted black, it also makes a formidable skull crusher.
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Recluse
For fans of deep-pocket carry, the Recluse offers an ultra-discreet carry profile. Its L-shaped clip mounts to the butt end of a black-anodized aircraft aluminum body for maximum concealment. Reversible for left or right-side, tip-up carry, the spring-steel clips are universal and fit all Recluse models. They are also available in black, denim blue, khaki, and red (for training knives) to blend with common pants colors.
Nautilus
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Sailors and others who work with rope and cord know that marlinspikes are extremely handy tools. The Nautilus Exo-Tool combines a hard-anodized aluminum body and a sleek 440C folding marlinspike with a spring detent.
Talisman
Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, the Talisman and mini-Talisman add a karambit-style ring that enhances weapon deployment and retention. It is also drilled and tapped to allow low-ride mounting of the knife’s factory clip.
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Ripcord
Some users like to add lanyards and fobs to their knives, but not all designs include a lanyard hole. Machined from solid aluminum, the Ripcord fixes that.
Mantis
Billed as a “beverage extraction tool,” the Mantis is a bottle opener that also functions as a bit driver. Its aircraft aluminum jaws include two small rare-earth magnets that help hold any 1/4-inch hex driver bit.
Installation of the Exo-Tools
Installing Exo-Tools is a straightforward process that typically takes only a few minutes and a couple of Torx® drivers. It is made even easier with the detailed instructions that 5×5 thoughtfully includes with every tool. If you’re the visual type, they also have their own YouTube channel with how-to videos on installing their products.
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For models with back lock mechanisms, the most difficult part of the process is installing the lock’s flat spring. Interestingly, this chore is much easier with Exo-Tools than it is with the factory nylon backspacer. The tool’s metal body doesn’t flex, and its retaining “nub” is far more durable than the production part.
Models with Compression Lock mechanisms are even easier, as they do not need to be completely disassembled to install the Exo-Tools.
If you’re really not the DIY type, 5×5 still has you covered. The company also offers installation services for a nominal fee.
The “Pickpocket™”
When custom knifemaker Ernest Emerson developed his “wave” opener in the mid 1990’s, he revolutionized high-speed folder deployment. Although this feature has since become widely used, there are still plenty of designs for which it’s not available. Not surprisingly, Olson has solved that problem as well.
The 5×5 “Pickpocket™” is a one-piece part that attaches to the back of a folding knife blade. Precision machined from stainless steel, it straddles the “web” between Spyderco’s Round Hole and the blade’s spine. Once in place, a single Torx screw and wave washer clamps it firmly to the blade. For some models with greater manufacturing variances, 5×5 adds a small set screw to take up the slack.
Like an integral wave feature, the Pickpocket is hands down the fastest way to open a folding knife. With the knife clipped tip-up in the pocket, simply draw it with a slightly rearward motion. The Pickpocket snags on the lip of the pocket and rotates the blade quickly and positively into the open position.
For reverse-grip draws, clip the knife with the spine facing forward and draw toward the front of the pocket. This works very well when used in conjunction with Talisman Exo-Tool rings.
Besides pure speed, the Pickpocket’s broader width has more surface area than an integral Emerson wave. That makes it easier on your pockets—especially if you practice a lot. For black-bladed knives, Pickpockets are also available with a matching black Cerakote finish.
Using the Afterknife Exo-Tools
I have carried Exo-Tools on my personal knives for years. Their well-engineered designs do not add any significant bulk, but the additional functionality they provide is a game-changer. Many of my Martial Blade Concepts students are fans of deep-pocket carry and swear by 5×5’s Recluse tools.
Although Spyderco does offer several factory-waved models, many of their designs lack this feature. The broad line of model-specific Pickpockets fills that void extremely well. In addition to Spyderco products, 5×5 also recently began manufacturing Pickpockets for the High Desert Blade Works Journeyman karambit knife series, designed by Steve Tarani.
Mark Olson and 5×5 Combat Solutions have set a new standard in aftermarket knife accessories. More than just “bling,” they truly amplify the usefulness of your EDC knives. The MSRP for current models ranges from about $30-$50, which is very reasonable for beautifully engineered, American-made products.
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