Introducing the TKOR-4.5 SERE | Toor Knives X Onward Research
Our story. Our purpose. Your tool.
At Toor Knives, we build blades every day, blades for operators, for instructors, for the outdoorsman who doesn’t want gimmickry, just performance. We’re proud to announce the TKOR-4.5 SERE, a fixed-blade born of a collaboration with Onward Research (led by Mike Jones, better known as Garand Thumb) and built right here in our San Diego facility. This isn’t just another knife; it’s a tool shaped by the demands of SERE training, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape, and engineered to perform when it counts.
Why SERE matters
SERE isn’t a pop-gear phrase, it’s a mission set. Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape: these four words form a framework used by trained personnel to endure isolation, avoid capture, resist exploitation, and return home. The environments are unpredictable. The resources are limited. The gear must work without compromise.
That reality influenced every decision we made for this blade, from the steel and handle materials to carry orientation and balance. Because when conditions get ugly, you don’t want to wonder if your tool is fit for the job, you want to know.
The partnership you see and feel
We’ve collaborated with Onward Research because their ethos aligns with ours: mission-first gear, made in the U.S. Onward Research has built a reputation for field-tested kit and transparent review of what works in real operations. Together we asked: what does a real SERE knife look like? And then we built it.
Our design intent
Blade length: 4.5″ long enough to handle real utility cutting and processing, yet compact enough for belt-carry without hogging space.
Steel: CPM M4, heat-treated to 59–61 HRC for high wear resistance and edge retention even in austere conditions.
Blade thickness: 0.175″ gives backbone for heavy tasks while maintaining slicing capability.
Handle: 5.3″ of G10 textured, weather-proof, comfortable gloved or bare, built for extended use.
Weight & length: Overall length about 9.8″, weight ~7.4 oz designed to carry all day without being a burden.
Hardware & carry: Coated stainless screws (T15) for serviceability. Horizontal belt-loop sheath included for secure belt-line mounting.
Made in the USA, backed by our lifetime guarantee, built for those who depend on their gear.
Who this blade is for
- The SERE-instructor or advanced operator who expects a tool to meet protocol and performance.
- The professional outdoors-user who travels light, carries smart, and expects durability.
- The gear-curious enthusiast who appreciates honest specs, U.S. manufacturing, and purpose-over-flash.
- If you fall into any of those categories or simply want a knife that doesn’t quit when things get hard, the TKOR-4.5 SERE is for you.
The Toor Knives promise
We’re veteran-owned, based in San Diego, and we manufacture every blade in-house to strict tolerances. (About Us – see our story) Toor Knives
We guarantee our knives for life. We believe that if you carry a tool every day in variable conditions, the manufacturing, materials, and service must be world-class. The TKOR-4.5 SERE continues that tradition.
Want to dive deeper?
- See Onward Research’s kit and approach: Onward Research Website
- Read more about our collaborations and manufacturing ethos: Toor Knives blog
- Watch the gear-in-use mindset (via GarandThumb/YouTube): Video Here
The TKOR-4.5 SERE is the intersection of field-driven requirements and manufacturing precision. If you train, travel, or prepare for the unexpected, this blade was built to meet you there. Thanks for carrying our work. We’re honored to make the tool.
