Three Rivers Manufacturing Releasing Two Mid-Year Sequels

Three Rivers Manufacturing is readying line expansions for two of its most popular models. The Neutron is the one-hand deploying, locking version of the Viator, and the Nomad slipjoint receives a sequel with the Atlas.

Neutron
The Viator released at the beginning of the year, catering to users in need of a mid-size, high-performance slipjoint knife. But of course requests for a locking version came in. “Not all people are slipjoint fans, but everyone liked the way the Viator felt in hand and its slicey blade,” says Marianne Halpern, Co-Owner of TRM. So in drawing up this variation the company incorporated both a titanium thumbstud and a liner lock.

Otherwise the design is mostly the same, save for a few subtle alterations. “There are differences in the clip screw hole pattern and handle scales (to accommodate for the thumb ramp), so Neutron scales aren’t interchangeable with Viator scales,” Halpern explains. However, she notes the Neutron will have a slew of handle color options, just like the Viator. Users can even choose whether or not they want the atom pattern machined into the show side scale. The steel has been upgraded to CPM-20CV, and every drop point Neutron blade is hand sharpened by custom maker and TRM collaborator RJ Martin. “I think adding the thumb stud and lock will get this design a lot of new fans,” Halpern notes.

Atlas
The Nomad slipjoint was the original TRM flagship offering for several years. However, Halpern says the diminutive slipjoint is officially retiring to make room for its sequel, the Atlas. “The original Nomad had a good life and has a lot of fans, but this will be the new Nomad model going forward.”

She goes on to say that the Atlas features streamlined construction and a slimmer build than the Nomad. “We’ve made it a lot simpler. There’s a lot less hardware and we’ve thinned the entire design out.” The simpler build is complimented by a refinement of the ergonomics, with a finger choil and groove on the handle working in conjunction for comfort and control. The Atlas’ non-locking blade is 1.99 inches long and made from S35VN steel. Its titanium and composite frame keeps its weight low at 2.1 oz.

Neither the Atlas nor the Neutron is cheap, but TRM worked hard to keep quality up while making final price tags more accessible to the average user. “We found out that high-priced knives limit the potential audience,” Halpern tells us. “We wanted to develop a more moderately priced series of knives.” But high-end projects like the Thunderbird will not be entirely left behind either, and Halpern says we might see another premium offering before the end of the year. A locking version of the Atlas is also up for consideration.

The Neutron will be available soon with a starting price of $159. The Atlas is expected to arrive by August and will set you back $124.

Knife featured in image: Three Rivers Manufacturing Neutron