Dachs Knives GNOM Skeletonised Full Tang Tanto Knife (N690) With Kydex Holster

The Dachs Knives GNOM is what happens when you take a fixed-blade knife and start removing everything that doesn't absolutely need to be there.
 
Compact, lightweight and completely stripped back, the GNOM is a 160 mm full-tang fixed blade with a 65 mm modified tanto blade, weighing just 70 g. There are no scales, no unnecessary bulk and no attempt to disguise what it is. Just a piece of properly treated N690 steel, a Kydex sheath and a surprisingly useful collection of features built into the skeletonised handle.
 
It is the sort of knife that can disappear into a pocket, pack or kit bag until you actually need it.
 
Böhler N690 Modified Tanto Blade
The GNOM uses Böhler N690 stainless steel, hardened to approximately 59 HRC.
 
N690 is a well-established Austrian stainless steel used for quality knives, offering a useful combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness. The modified tanto blade profile gives the GNOM a particularly purposeful shape, while the flat grind keeps it practical for everyday cutting tasks.
 
The blade has a Stonewash finish, giving it a subdued, hard-wearing appearance rather than a polished finish that needs to be protected from the first day it leaves the box.
 
At just 65 mm, the blade is compact, but this is still a proper full-tang knife rather than a novelty-sized blade.
 
Skeletonised Full Tang Handle
The GNOM's handle is made from the same Böhler N690 steel as the blade, leaving the full tang exposed.
 
That keeps the knife exceptionally light and gives you plenty of options depending on how you want to configure it.
 
Multiple attachment points run through the handle, allowing the GNOM to be wrapped with paracord if you want additional grip or simply prefer a more traditional handled feel. Leave it skeletonised for the absolute minimum size and weight, or add your own wrap to suit the job.
 
This modular approach is one of the more interesting things about the GNOM. Dachs has essentially provided the blade and framework, leaving the user to decide how much handle they actually need.
 
Built-In 6.35 mm Bit Holder
And then there's the slightly unexpected feature at the back of the handle.
 
The GNOM incorporates a 6.35 mm (1/4") bit holder, allowing it to accept standard 6.35 mm bits.
That makes the skeletonised handle more than just a way of saving weight. With the appropriate bit, the rear of the knife can become a compact part of a minimalist tool kit.
 
It's a clever use of space, particularly for anyone building lightweight outdoor, workshop or EDC-style equipment where carrying a dedicated driver isn't always desirable.
 
Kydex Sheath
The GNOM comes supplied with a moulded Kydex sheath designed specifically around the knife.
The self-locking design holds the blade securely while keeping the overall package compact. Kydex also makes sense for a knife intended for outdoor use, as it is lightweight, durable and doesn't absorb water in the way some traditional sheath materials can.
 
The result is a very compact knife-and-sheath package that can be carried without adding much bulk to your kit.
 
Small, Light and Properly Useful
The GNOM isn't trying to be a large survival knife compressed into a smaller package. It is doing something considerably more sensible.
 
The idea is to provide a genuinely useful fixed blade while removing as much unnecessary weight and bulk as possible.
 
Opening packaging, cutting cord, preparing food in the field, general workshop jobs or simply keeping a compact blade in your outdoor kit are all well within its remit.
 
At only 70 g, you might actually forget you've packed it.
 
Until you need it, of course.
 
Specifications
Overall Length: 160 mm
Blade Length: 65 mm
Blade Material: Böhler N690 Stainless Steel
Blade Style: Modified Tanto
Grind: Flat
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Blade Construction: Full Tang Fixed Blade
Handle Material: Böhler N690 Stainless Steel
Handle Design: Skeletonised
Handle Colour: Black / Stonewashed
Bit Holder: 6.35 mm (1/4")
Sheath: Moulded Kydex
Weight: 70 g
Country of Manufacture: Czech Republic
 
Why Choose the GNOM?
Extremely compact: 160 mm overall length with a 65 mm blade.
Lightweight: Just 70 g.
Böhler N690 steel: Stainless steel hardened to approximately 59 HRC.
Modified tanto blade: Compact and practical blade profile.
Full tang construction: The blade and handle are formed as one continuous piece of steel.
Skeletonised design: Removes unnecessary material and keeps the knife exceptionally slim and light.
Paracord-ready handle: Multiple attachment points allow you to add your own handle wrap.
6.35 mm bit holder: Built into the rear of the handle for compatible 1/4" bits.
Kydex sheath: Lightweight, durable and securely retains the knife.
Stonewash finish: Practical, understated finish suited to regular use.
 
The GNOM is a very Dachs Knives sort of product. There is no attempt to make a tiny knife look like something it isn't. Instead, Dachs has taken a small piece of quality N690, given it a useful blade shape, added a few genuinely clever features and stopped there.
 
No unnecessary bulk. No decorative handle scales. No wasted space.
 
Just a compact Czech-made fixed blade that you can configure to suit the way you intend to use it.