SARK
Encyclopedia
For other definitions, see Sark (disambiguation)
The SARK (Search and Rescue Knife) or NSAR (Navy Search and Rescue) is a folding knife designed by Knifemaker Ernest Emerson
for use as a Search and Rescue knife for the US Military. It features a wharncliffe blade with a blunt tip in order to cut free trapped victims without cutting them in the process. A variant with a pointed-tip designed for police use exists, known as the P-SARK (Police Search and Rescue Knife).
crash in 1999, which resulted in the deaths of six Marines
and one sailor, the United States Navy
performed an assessment of their equipment and decided, among other things, that they needed a new search and rescue knife. The KA-BAR
knives issued to the SBUs (Special Boat Units) had catastrophically failed to cut the Marines free from their webbing.
The Navy went to Emerson Knives, Inc.
, where the owner, Ernest Emerson, designed and fabricated a working prototype within 24 hours. The Navy found that the knife met their needs, and the model was dubbed the "SARK" (Search and Rescue Knife). The SARK is a folding knife with a wharncliffe-style blade and a blunt tip designed so a rescuer could cut trapped victims free without stabbing them. Seeing another need in the police
community, Emerson replaced the blunt end of the SARK with a pointed end and named it the "P-SARK", or Police Search And Rescue Knife. The Ontario, California
Police Department consulted Emerson to produce written policy for the carry and deployment of the P-SARK knives in their department.
In 2005, the Navy changed the requirements on the SARK to incorporate a guthook on the back of the blade for use as a line-cutter. Emerson made the change on this model, which was designated the NSAR (Navy Search And Rescue) Knife and only made available to the United States Navy.
of 57-59 RC. The handle is 4.7 inches (119.4 mm) long, making the knife 8.2 inches (208.3 mm) in length when opened. The blade steel is Crucible's 154CM and is 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) thick. The butt-end of the knife is square-shaped and features a hole for tying a lanyard
. Some models are made with partially serrated blades to aid in the cutting of seatbelts or webbing.
The handle material of the SARK is composed of two titanium liners utilizing a Walker linerlock
and a double detent as the locking mechanism. The reasons for using titanium as a linerlock material were due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. The handle's scales are made from black G-10 fiberglass, although models were made for a few years utilizing green G-10. A pocket clip held in place by three screws allows the knife to be clipped to a pocket, web-gear, or MOLLE
.
Each model is equipped with Emerson's Wave opening mechanism. The Wave is a small hook on the spine of the blade designed to catch the edge of a user's pocket, opening the blade as the knife is drawn.
Sark (disambiguation)
Sark is one of the Channel Islands.Sark may also refer to: which means "shirt"* Sark, the villain in the 1982 film Tron played by David Warner* Julian Sark, a character from the TV series Alias...
The SARK (Search and Rescue Knife) or NSAR (Navy Search and Rescue) is a folding knife designed by Knifemaker Ernest Emerson
Ernest Emerson
Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker known for making decorative knives but later became better known for his combat knives, eventually founding a...
for use as a Search and Rescue knife for the US Military. It features a wharncliffe blade with a blunt tip in order to cut free trapped victims without cutting them in the process. A variant with a pointed-tip designed for police use exists, known as the P-SARK (Police Search and Rescue Knife).
History
After a helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
crash in 1999, which resulted in the deaths of six Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and one sailor, the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
performed an assessment of their equipment and decided, among other things, that they needed a new search and rescue knife. The KA-BAR
KA-BAR
KA-BAR is the contemporary popular name for the combat knife first adopted by the United States Marine Corps in November 1942 as the 1219C2 Combat Knife , and subsequently adopted by the United States Navy as the U.S. Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2...
knives issued to the SBUs (Special Boat Units) had catastrophically failed to cut the Marines free from their webbing.
The Navy went to Emerson Knives, Inc.
Emerson Knives, Inc.
Emerson Knives, Inc. is a production knife company founded in 1996 by custom knifemaker Ernest Emerson in an effort to mass produce his folding knife designs for the US Military and Collector markets.-History:...
, where the owner, Ernest Emerson, designed and fabricated a working prototype within 24 hours. The Navy found that the knife met their needs, and the model was dubbed the "SARK" (Search and Rescue Knife). The SARK is a folding knife with a wharncliffe-style blade and a blunt tip designed so a rescuer could cut trapped victims free without stabbing them. Seeing another need in the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
community, Emerson replaced the blunt end of the SARK with a pointed end and named it the "P-SARK", or Police Search And Rescue Knife. The Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
Police Department consulted Emerson to produce written policy for the carry and deployment of the P-SARK knives in their department.
In 2005, the Navy changed the requirements on the SARK to incorporate a guthook on the back of the blade for use as a line-cutter. Emerson made the change on this model, which was designated the NSAR (Navy Search And Rescue) Knife and only made available to the United States Navy.
Specifications
The SARK, PSARK, and NSAR, like all of Emerson's knives are made in the USA. All three models feature a wharncliffe shaped chisel-ground blade that is 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) long and hardened to a Rockwell hardnessRockwell scale
The Rockwell scale is a hardness scale based on the indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload. There are different scales, denoted by a single...
of 57-59 RC. The handle is 4.7 inches (119.4 mm) long, making the knife 8.2 inches (208.3 mm) in length when opened. The blade steel is Crucible's 154CM and is 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) thick. The butt-end of the knife is square-shaped and features a hole for tying a lanyard
Lanyard
A lanyard is a rope or cord exclusively worn around the neck or wrist to carry something. Usually it is used where there is a risk of losing the object or to ensure it is visible at all times. Aboard a ship, it may refer to a piece of rigging used to secure objects...
. Some models are made with partially serrated blades to aid in the cutting of seatbelts or webbing.
The handle material of the SARK is composed of two titanium liners utilizing a Walker linerlock
Walker Linerlock
The Walker Linerlock is a locking system developed by custom knifemaker Michael Walker in 1980 for use on folding knives.When the blade of the knife is in the opened position, it is held in place by a leaf spring that butts up against the tang of the blade to prevent the blade from closing...
and a double detent as the locking mechanism. The reasons for using titanium as a linerlock material were due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. The handle's scales are made from black G-10 fiberglass, although models were made for a few years utilizing green G-10. A pocket clip held in place by three screws allows the knife to be clipped to a pocket, web-gear, or MOLLE
Mölle
Mölle is a locality situated in Höganäs Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 725 inhabitants in 2005.It is best known for its scenic harbour and its location adjacent to the Kullaberg Nature Reserve...
.
Each model is equipped with Emerson's Wave opening mechanism. The Wave is a small hook on the spine of the blade designed to catch the edge of a user's pocket, opening the blade as the knife is drawn.