1 ambush, 2 I.E.D's, and 14 chickens later-

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
Visited my nephew this weekend, he returned last month from Afghanistan, this was his 2nd trip there, previously he was in Iraq. He is a Marine.

I made him this Combat Bowie before he left on his first deployment. His first 2 deployments were fairly uneventfull, but this last one was a bit different. He successfully made it through 1 ambush, and 2 I.E.D explosions under his HumV (within 2 weeks of each other). Both of the IED incidents the vehicle was destroyed but he was not even scratched. The other guys were beat up a bit each time, but thank God nothing serious.

I would like to tell you some heroic story about how he fought his way out of an ambush, or dispatched a swarm of enemy with this Bowie, but all it did was help slaughter a bunch of chickens in an Afghan village. He saw they were having trouble with a dull knife and volunteered to help, so the Bowie did get to draw blood.... chicken blood.

A before/after pic, in relatively good shape. Will also post some pics when I clean it up, thanks for your time, Matt.

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Cool story and glad to hear he made it through it safely. That Bowie looks well loved, very nice. Thank him for his service for us all here if you will Matt.
Thanks for the cool pics and story.

Doug
 
Looks like a more than capable knife to have on deployment, and glad your nephew is here to show where it has been!

Peter
 
I am glad that he successfully made it through such dangerous stuff! I am also glad that he never was in the situation to need to use the knife in that sort of thing. The whole better to be the guy with the gun at a knife fight than the guy with a a knife at a gun fight thing. But, I bet he felt better having it with him.
 
I heard those Afghan chickens can be as brutal as MS13 or Columbian death squads, if you're caught by them unawares in the wilderness... good thing he had that Combat Bowie on him. He might have fared better if you had a compass in the stock, and a thing that tells time.

Good to hear your nephew's okay - rather amazing that his HUMVEE was hit twice and he walked!
 
Cool story and cool knife Matt. Glad he's ok, please extend my thanks for his service.
 
Some cultures believe that when a craftsman makes a manufact, it gets imbued with part of the craftsman soul, and that if the manufact is made for a loved one, it will protect him. Maybe there's something true in this belief... :)
No matter how it was, I'm happy to hear that another man who risks his life for our collective well being is safe and well.
I don't care if I'm Italian and he's american: anyone who fights there protects all of us, and to all of them my gratitude and respect.

The knife is great. I like it a lot: clean lines, no-nonsense down to purpose.
It reminds me of the fighting sword of the Duke of Milan I have seen.
While nobles' swords are usually thought to be flamboyant and rich (and presentation swords were), this didn't have any gold or velvet or jewels. It was a dull grey steel implement, well balanced and soberly finished. Not a sword to show: a sword to use.
I like some patination on knives, anyway.
 
Hopefully just as tall or a bit more ;)

Dream knife right here.
I like seeing it with some use on it. :thumbup:
 
Good looking blade before and after and good to hear you nephew is ok and his fellow soldiers.
 
That is a great story. I think the chicken thing is great too. 99.99% of all knives taken into combat end up doing stuff just like that and that's great. Glad he's OK. What a guy. What a blade.

I hope this is not a disrespect to those who serve (never having served myself) but that might be an interesting picture thread..."Knives back from War Zones". I have seen a couple. Saw an Ontario RAT-1 folder that had clearly been through hell and back but was still cutting.

You're a good uncle.
 
I would like to tell you some heroic story about how he fought his way out of an ambush, or dispatched a swarm of enemy with this Bowie, but all it did was help slaughter a bunch of chickens in an Afghan village. He saw they were having trouble with a dull knife and volunteered to help, so the Bowie did get to draw blood.... chicken blood.
Click to expand...

Ya know... I've carried a handgun concealed when in plain clothes everyday for 23 years and I've not had to shoot anyone...BUT IT FELT MIGHTY GOOD KNOWING IT WAS THERE. I wouldn't trade away the safety/security/peace of mind for anything. :thumbup:

The ONLY downside to buying and carrying a custom blade is initial cost/risk of loss and I doubt the big blade cost your nephew anything... ;)
 
Tell that man there's a big thank you from some semi-anonymous guy on the internet.
 
Thats a sweet knife. I bet its cool that your knives see some action. On the other hand, best wishes for him.
 
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