The knife is produced according to NATO regulations by the German company Eickhorn-Solingen GmbH The assembly consists of three components: the laser cut 172 mm Black Kalgard coated, forged X55CrMo14 or 1.4110 (440A) stainless steel Westernized tantō blade, the ergonomic ambidextrous polyamide handle and screw.
The KM2000 owes a lot of its fame to the fact that it is among the few (if not the only) "tantō"-style military knives actually issued in significant numbers.
Based on the popularity of the design, Eickhorn has developed the line-up introducing many variations in shape, material used, colors.
Later revisions of the KM2000 (as of 2008) use a different stainless blade steel alloy with better edge-holding properties, X105CrMo17 or 1.4125 (440C) Böhler N695 (HRC 57).
The newer version of the KM2000 has a modified tip for greater strength and stability while thrusting and prying windows and containers open.