ESP Plastic Training Knife TKO-02 — Orange

The ESP TKO-02 is an ABS polymer training knife designed for close-quarters combat practice, personal defence scenarios and airsoft use. With an overall length of 220 mm and a weight of 92 g, it replicates the dimensions of common civilian knives and delivers a realistic handling feel without the risk of sharp edges or points. The orange colour makes it immediately identifiable as a training tool, which is an important factor in safety management during sessions.

The Soft version of the TKO-02 is made from ABS with a lower hardness than the standard version: the material gives slightly on impact, making contact with a training partner less jarring during high-speed repetitions. This is the core trade-off of the product: the Soft version offers greater safety during close contact than the stiffer versions, but the manufacturer still recommends avoiding excessive force when striking. Even without a sharp blade or edge, the knife retains a blunt tip that remains a potentially dangerous object if misused.

For airsoft use, ESP states that simply touching the opponent with the knife is sufficient to simulate contact: cut or thrust simulations are not necessary and, where permitted by field rules, are best avoided. Those using it for personal defence training value the dimensional consistency with real knives, which allows transferable motor habits to be developed, and the polymer construction that withstands intensive sessions without deforming or breaking under normal use.

Key features

• Length of 220 mm, matching common civilian knives: motor habits built in training transfer directly to the real tool.
• Soft version in lower-hardness ABS: reduces impact on the training partner during close contact compared to stiffer versions, though care is still required.
• High-visibility orange colour: distinguishes the training knife from a real one at a glance, reducing the risk of mix-ups during sessions.
• Weight of 92 g, close to a real knife: preserves the natural feel of grip and hand-transfer techniques.
• Durable polymer construction for intensive use: suited to repeated sessions without appreciable change in shape.
• Compatible with airsoft scenarios where field rules allow the use of training knives.

In the box

• ESP TKO-02-S training knife (Soft version, orange)