The Nieto 140-K Chaman Katex Brown is a full-tang, fixed-blade bushcraft knife designed by master cutler Manuel de la Torre for camp construction, fire preparation, wood processing, and field utility. Manufactured in Spain from Böhler 1.4116 Vanadium stainless steel (X50CrMoV15) hardened to approximately 55–57 HRC, the knife features a robust 5.2 mm spine profile engineered for high toughness and corrosion resistance in damp outdoor environments. It combines specialized firecraft features, including a sharp 90-degree spine section and a countersunk ricasso divot for bow-drill friction spindles, with a multi-position full-grain black leather sheath capable of vertical and horizontal belt carry.

Key Features

• Full-Tang Vanadium Steel Construction: Built from 5.2 mm thick Böhler 1.4116 stainless steel hardened to 55–57 HRC to resist chipping during moderate wood-batoning tasks.
• Integrated Firecraft Engineering: Features a dedicated 90-degree spine section for striking ferrocerium rods and a chamfered divot in the ricasso designed to serve as a bearing block for bow-drill friction fire spindles.
• Batoning-Friendly Profile: Incorporates a partially rounded spine towards the tip to reduce wear on wooden batons while allowing comfortable downward palm pressure during controlled carving.
• Ergonomic Brown Katex Handle: Utilizes 12.5 cm removable Katex phenolic resin composite scales over red liner accents, terminating in an exposed pommel with a crenellated glass-breaker and lanyard hole.
• Multi-Carry Sheath: Supplied with a heavy-duty black full-grain leather sheath configured for both vertical and horizontal belt orientation.

Specifications

• Blade Material: Böhler/DIN 1.4116 Vanadium stainless steel (X50CrMoV15)
• Blade Hardness: 55–57 HRC
• Blade Length: 11.5 cm (4.5 in)
• Blade Thickness: 5.2 mm
• Handle Length: 12.5 cm
• Overall Length: 24.0 cm (9.45 in)
• Handle Material: Brown Katex (phenolic resin/fabric composite)
• Bare Knife Weight: 285 g – 295 g
• Sheath: Multi-position full-grain black leather

Who is the Nieto 140-K Chaman Katex Brown 11.5cm for?

• Bushcraft Practitioners — Need a heavy-duty fixed-blade bushcraft knife with a thick 5.2 mm stock and an integrated bow-drill pivot divot to handle friction fire starting, notch carving, and baton-splitting kindling without blade failure.
• Hunters and Base Campers — Require a corrosion-resistant outdoor utility knife featuring an 11.5 cm blade length and tough 55–57 HRC 1.4116 steel for robust field dressing, camp food preparation, and heavy utility chores.

Less suitable for: Ultralight backpackers seeking minimal pack weight, where a 285 g – 295 g bare knife weight exceeds requirements and a sub-100 g skeletonised blade is better suited; users clearing heavy timber or thick limbs, where an 11.5 cm blade is outmatched by a dedicated camp axe, kukri, or machete; and fine skinning or delicate slicing, where a 5.2 mm spine profile is less agile than a thin 2 mm to 3 mm caping blade.