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Pro-Tech Brings Back Rare Production Harkins ATAC

March 19, 2020

Pro-Tech recently put out the first new batch of the Harkins ATAC dual action autos in years. The ATAC, designed by legendary custom maker J.A. Harkins, offers users a mid-size cutting tool with two different ways of engaging the automatic action.

The ATAC’s defining feature is its dual action nature. When it comes to most autos, the designation “dual action” would imply a knife that can be both opened and closed with its opening mechanism. The ATAC is different. Here, the “dual action” refers to the fact that there are two ways of opening the knife – one obvious, one more subtle.

Users can of course use the decorative thumb disk to kick off the ATAC’s action, but a second mechanism is hidden beneath the front scale. By squeezing the scale in the correct location, the spring is engaged and the ATAC blade swings out. Either way users open it, the blade locks into place with a liner lock, and must be closed manually.

Undearneath its headline-grabbing special features, the ATAC is a very classical folding knife design. Its slim drop point blade is 3.25 inches long, making it well-suited to most any EDC-style cutting chore. Pro-Tech has begun moving into S35VN with some of their recent designs, but for the ATAC they went back to tried-and-true 154CM – which is also a nod to the knife’s custom roots, as it is a preferred steel for Harkins.

The ATAC’s handle compliments its blade, mimicking its use-oriented simplicity. A minor finger groove is the only real ergonomic element of note; everywhere else the lines are simple and straightforward, allowing the end user to decide how to hold it. The ATAC also comes with a sculpted pocket clip, embellished with an orange peel texturing; an indictator that the ATAC falls into the premium bracket with Pro-Tech’s lineup. The knife’s handles are made of aluminum with carbon fiber inserts, and it weighs 3.57 oz.

The ATAC is a production version of a custom from J.A. Harkins. It takes its name, look, and dual action mechanism from that custom original. According to Pro-Tech, the construction of these knives is so complicated and time intensive, they can only release a batch every couple years.

The current batch of ATACs is available with dealers now.

Knife in Featured Image: Pro-Tech Harkins ATAC

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