The CAC (Combat Assistance Campaign) knife was developed by TARRERIAS-BONJEAN (TB Outdoor) in collaboration with the Armée de Terre. The CAC design was born in 2018 and has been serving French troops since then.
TB Outdoor has been in business since 1648, managed by the same two families who founded it. Their first collaboration with the French army began in 1996, when TB Outdoor created the Bivouac knife and has since progressed into the main supplier of knives and utensil kits for the French army.
The CAC is the third iteration of the French “campaign knife”, designed to be light and as robust as possible. It can be opened and closed with one hand, allowing easy access when needed. The lock for the blade is used to assist with opening the blade and can be operated with one finger (normally the thumb or index finder). It is also extremely strong, ensuring the blade will stay fixed when opened and locked.
Le C.A.C Blade
The steel used for the blade was specially developed by TB Outdoor's factory for the CAC knives. It is a nitrogen-doped Z30, which is similar to a Z50 DV14. Nitrox® is composed of 16% chromium and has carbon content of 0.35%.
We advise you to regularly maintain the edge of your knife with a fine sharpening stone or a suitable sharpener. In this way, it will be very easy to preserve all the qualities of your knife over time.
Perfectly resistant to corrosion, the blade is made of Nitrox. The cutting edge is smooth or a hybrid smooth and serrated edges. The CAC also features a window breaker and a reversible belt clip. It is a real concentrate of all the advanced technologies that can be expected from an operational knife.
The handle is constructed of PA6 polymer loaded with G10 fiberglass. These plates are attached to the mechanism via stainless steel screws, one of which cleverly houses a seatbelt cutter. This curved and interchangeable blade is designed to cut webbing, ropes and seat belts to aid extraction in the event of an accident.
What is PA6 FV?
PA6 is a polyamide, a technical thermoplastic. TB Outdoor have selected for their collection of CAC knives a fiberglass-infused PA6 FV. Integrating fiberglass with the polyamide makes it possible to form a three-dimensional network of the skeleton of the part, strengthening its construction. The technical properties of PA6 FV are very similar to those of metal in terms of deformation, creep characteristics and energy absorption.
What is the G10?
The G10 consists of fiberglass that is dipped in resin. After compression and curing of this mixture the G10 becomes a lightweight, durable and robust material. Outdoor and survival knives often offer G10 handles because of these characteristics. G10 is a very resistant material and not very sensitive to water, cold, heat, rot or corrosion.
(2026 manufactured CAC knives will come with an updated serrated blade, the pattern of the serrations have changed for longevity and durability)
The Short & Sweet:
