The Pro-Tech TR-5 T501 is the standard black configuration of the Tactical Response 5 — a push-button automatic with a 3.25-inch CPM-S35VN blade in stonewash finish, black aluminum handle, slide safety, and integrated steel glass breaker. It is the core TR-5 configuration built for dependable everyday automatic performance without specialized finishes or limited-run features.

CPM-S35VN is a Crucible Particle Metallurgy stainless steel that has become a benchmark for production carry knives. It delivers a well-balanced combination of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance — holding a working edge through extended daily use while remaining straightforward to sharpen with standard equipment. It improves on CPM-S30V with better toughness and easier sharpening without giving up meaningful edge retention, making it one of the most practical steels available at this price point.

The slide safety is a physical lock that blocks the push button from being depressed, preventing the blade from deploying during carry. With the safety engaged, the knife cannot be fired even under pressure. It sits on the handle spine and is operated with the thumb — safety on for carry, disengaged when the knife needs to be deployed. It is the standard carry configuration for any push-button automatic.

The TR-5 features an integrated steel glass breaker at the butt of the handle — a hardened steel point designed to shatter tempered glass in emergency situations such as a vehicle entrapment. It is a fixed, non-removable feature built into the TR-5 platform across configurations, adding emergency utility without changing the knife's carry profile or overall dimensions.

The TR-5 T501 is a push-button automatic knife, and automatic knife laws vary significantly by state and municipality. Many states permit ownership but restrict public carry. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify the laws in their state, city, and any jurisdiction they plan to carry before purchasing. Knifeworks does not provide legal advice on knife carry laws.

The TR-5 T501 is designed, engineered, and hand-finished in Placentia, California by Pro-Tech Knives. Pro-Tech has manufactured American-made automatic knives in small batches since 1999, individually hand-fitting and finishing each knife in-house.