Shipping Paused Until 9/20/25 during move to new warehouse (will ship sooner if possible).
Why This Knife Is Worth a Second Look
Made out of 1095 steel, this Cerakote knife blade is a general-purpose outdoor knife that unleashes unmatched versatility. It boasts a near center-line drop point tip that proves perfect for piercing tasks. It also offers a high saber grind that makes it ideal for slicing and taking on bushcraft tasks.
This skeletonized fixed blade knife is extremely lightweight, and it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing knives in our collections, thanks to its clear Cerakote Ceramic protective finish. You’ll be blown away by both its beauty and adaptability.
How to Customize This Unique Skeletonized Fixed Blade Knife
The Architect® AK 5.5 Cerakote knife already has a one-of-a-kind appearance that sets it apart from other blades. However, you can take its design over the top by personalizing it through Architect Knives. Simply use our Knife BUILDERS tool to pick out the right handle and provide it with an even higher-end look.
Many knife enthusiasts have chosen to go with one of our Architect® handle kits when customizing this knife. No matter what you plan to utilize it for, you’ll provide yourself with easy access to a premium knife without having to pay a pretty penny.
Let Us Supply You With the Best Knife Blades
When you place an order with Architect Knives, you’ll receive more than just a gorgeous blade. All our products, including our blades, handles, sheaths, and other accessories, come equipped with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our products are also all made in the USA using high-quality materials and top-shelf craftsmanship. Whether you buy a Cerakote knife blade or another item, you’ll enjoy free shipping throughout the U.S. and a lifetime warranty. Check out what else we carry in our inventory and get your hands on products built to last!
Cody B Nevins –
Tops 1095 goodness combined with ESEEs venerable handle shape combined with The Knife Connection comfortably ergonomic, colorful G10 handle scales all adds up to an instant classic ! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
arthur qualls –
I’m gonna say it , I can quit wondering if I’m going to have to make my own knife, this is it , though I’ve yet to take it out in the field , I feel this is as close as it gets , at 10 oz. or so , 5/32nds ,5″ blade ,full options with the ESEE scales and accessories , it is the sweet spot , already planning on my second , Thanks TKC — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Yan-Eric Tremblay –
It’s exactly what i was expecting it to be. My new hunting and camping knife. Love the high saber grind! Great design! Shipping and service was excellent. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Charlie –
Balance is excellent, almost feels weightless in the hand. The blade geometry just works. The jimping is well done making the knife comfortable and controlled when choking up on the blade. The scale compatibility with the esee 5/6 is a major bonus to a well executed blade. Tops 1095 is top notch as well. Everything about the knife is a win. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Sheldon Nelson –
I knew before ordering my field buddy 5.5 that it was a good choice for me. I love the ordering process and the amount options this blade has and when it arrived I was blown away by the quality of every item that I had chosen, from the kydex to the leather belt loop and the mountain of hardware they provided to enable me to add more options in the future. Iv had my knife for a couple of weeks now and iv processed fire wood in the yard to meat and veggies in the kitchen. The edge retention is very good, easy to sharpen and easy to maintain. The overall package for the money is well worth it and fits my needs to a tee. Very well done! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
timothy tom –
I have a Cold Steel Commercial Western Hunter that’s excellent in dressing and prepping food but wanted a knife that was a little bit stronger to have confident in a survival situation if I happen to be in one. So, I ordered the 5.5 which is a little bigger. the cutting edge is great but not as good as the Cold Steel in the prepping. So turned the edge into a convex grind. Even though it’s not perfect as the Cold Steel it’s right up there where I want it. It dresses and preps great plus I have the confidence you would get in a strong survival knife. So, for my use it’s perfect. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Christopher Brown –
I have had this knife for about two weeks. I have beat this bad boy to death. I have processed a ton of firework and there is no hot spots on the handle. I enjoy this knife and love using it. The finish is completely worn off and no major issues. I will gladly recommend this knife to anyone. Great value and an excellent price point. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Ryan –
I purchased this knife because of the overall shape and design. Figured it would make a good survival type outdoors knife to keep in a pack or in a vehicle. I’ve had it about 3 weeks now and have used it to process firewood, make feather sticks, typical “bushcrafty” stuff, meal prep, carve traps etc. Due to the high grind, it cuts much better than I originally anticipated. The steel was also a concern because my primary knife for the last 4 years has been cpm3v. This 1095 is done right! I sharpened the factory edge down to a little thinner profile and have only had to strop it to bring it back to shaving sharp. Thoroughly impressed for the money. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Cody B Nevins –
Tops 1095 goodness combined with ESEE’s venerable handle shape combined with The Knife Connection comfortably ergonomic, colorful G10 handle scales all adds up to an instant classic ! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Don P. –
I have always liked knives in the 5.0-5.5 inch length – handy to carry yet capable of light chopping chores. The Field Buddy 5.5 comes with a nice even grind and takes a great edge very quickly.It is a perfect fit in the leather bushcraft tyype sheath. which looks great with the black micarta/burlap handle scales. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Greg M –
From the moment I got this knife, it felt like my favorite. I think Dale has possibly created the best belt knife. Maybe that sounds melodramatic, but this thing is really well designed and high performing. Thanks TKC! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Adam Näsholm –
Easily my favorite knife ever. Perfect size, extremely ergonomic and tough as nails. Just a really great knife. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Robert Mann –
Fantastic fit and finish! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
A very practical do it all knife. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Great balance and overall feel! Well outfitted with the leather pouch sheath. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Anyone that likes the size range of the Esee 5 but wants something with less weight should be very pleased. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
As always superb service with The Knifeconnection! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Mark Brown –
I have an Architect 5.5 in both 1095, as well as one of the new 3V models. In addition, I also have one of the 6.5’s, so I feel I can speak accurately to the Architect knives.. The blanks are done very well, as you can expect since Tops does them. Just like with TKC’s Esee scales, they are excellent and incredibly comfortable during use, with no hot spots. The blade shape is very useful, and although the spine thickness is a little more on the thick side, it is a high grind on a tall blade, and as such, it slices very well. I absolutely love these 5.5’s as a general outdoor knife, and the fact that it is offered in 3V now makes it even better. The value is right up there. These are a lot of knife for the money, and the fact that you can customize everything down to the sheath is pretty amazing, in my opinion. Don’t hesitate….these are some of the best useable outdoor knives for the money being offered. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Stephen Elliott –
Really like the field buddy 5.5. I own a lot of fixed blades. From Tops, Bradford to most of the Esee lineup. The field buddy 5.5 is one of my favorite go to out door knives. It has great handle ergonomics. Tough durable steel that takes a good edge. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
It’s similar to the Esee 5 in some aspects with the size and shape. Completely different in other aspects being a thinner blade stock and a much better slicer. Love the weight and feel of the field buddy 5.5. It feels stout in the hand and still feels light weight and very comfortable. I’m looking forward to seeing more knives in the tkc field buddy lineup. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Michael –
I have been collecting and testing hard-use survival type knives for a while. I have knives from Esee, Becker, Cold Steel, Ontario-Rat, Fallkniven, Mora, Condor, Bench Made, Survive-GSO, Kbar, Buck, and others. I believe the Field Buddy knives are among the best of the best. I have both, the 5.5 and 6.5. Their closest rival is probably the Survive-GSO knives. You get your Field Buddy in a few days while a GSO could take months to years in some cases. The GSO knives have handles that are a bit too skinny and thin for my taste but they have better texture on the grips. The GSO also has a better finish. But when it comes to hard use the Field Buddy can do it all. My favorite knife reviewer on YouTube, Gideons Tactical, who has used just about every knife on the market, takes the Field Buddy 5.5 with him whenever he goes on an adventure, so that says a lot!!! This is a great knife and I would tell anyone just to go ahead and get it!!! TKC service is top notch and quick! The only complaint I have is the handle grips are too smooth and slick. TKC needs to add some grips to the line-up with some texture. It doesn’t have to be super aggressive, maybe just similar to the texture of the new Esee 3D grips or the GSO knives. Some rubber grips would be nice too! I would buy them! Anyway, thanks to TKC and TOPS for a great product! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Shawn –
Very impressed with this knife. While 1095 isn’t the greatest steel it’s not bad either and TOPS heat treat really gets the most out of 1095. The blade geometry, 5″ cutting length and 5/32″ wide stock make for very agile but effective knife. The ergonomics are good as are the fit and finish. (Just my opinion here) This knife fixes the problems I’ve had with similar knives that I own. It’s a fraction of the weight of the BK2 but still solid enough for reasonable tasks. It has a solid tang and better ergonomics than the Gerber LMFII. The blade geometry performs better than the geometry of the Swamp Rat Ratmandu CG and it comes with a sheath. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
If I could make any changes I would love to see an S30V version but that’s just me being a steel snob. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
After using this knife for a few weeks I’m very pleased with it’s performance and it’s balance of weight Vs ruggedness and size Vs capability. It’s not to big to carry around, not to small to do work, not to heavy to carry and use and comfortable enough to use for long periods of time. Overall I would recommend this knife. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Joe Miller –
I am yet to take it into the field and really put it through its paces but so far I am very pleased with the balance and workmanship of the knife and sheath. Customer service and delivery time was very good. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Josh Prince –
This is a great knife a great a price. Very happy with this purchase. The knife came very sharp, I love that you can pick your handle color combo and the kydex is top notch. Feels great in the hand, can’t wait to use it more. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Treven Cobb –
Awesome knife kit! The fact this full tang blade is USA made is the cherry on top. TKC components are outstanding. Highly recommend. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Matthew Hernandez –
Out of the box SHARP!! I the handles look great, feel great! Such a nice saber grind. Will be reviewing this once I get my YouTube channel up. Also will be purchasing the big brother as well! — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Bill Harris –
The knife was razor sharp out of the box. I really enjoyed picking out the scales I wanted and the assembly was very simple. Everything fit perfectly. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Cindy –
Within minutes of receiving the email notification of this new knife I was on the website and ordered it with Red G-10 scales. Reading that the blade was manufactured here in the USA by TOPS made this an immediate choice to purchase. Received my knife yesterday (very quick assembling and shipping!) and it is even better than I expected. This is a nice, lightweight camp knife. Im actually back on here to purchase a second one as a gift. A big thank you to the folks at TKC for quick service. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Yan-Eric Tremblay –
Great design and really love the balance. — Originally posted at TheKnifeConnection
Anthony M Holmon (verified owner) –
Great knife looks great and cuts great
Kevin Stoddart (verified owner) –
Great Knife!
Cole Hood (verified owner) –
I love this knife! It’s constantly in my hand I can’t put it down. It’s lighter and thinner and obviously shorter than the 6.5 which makes for a more comfortable carry.
Dylan (verified owner) –
Absolutely a perfect knife, perfect balance and thickness and blade geometry. Way to go ARCHITECT KNIVES