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A Navy SEAL Briefly Discusses His View on Knives
- Thread starter Bimmer1
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Quite a few people in the higher tiers of special forces carry folders. And quite a few folding knife makers cater to selling them knives. The "folding knife is a broken knife" commentary is exactly that, the opinion of just one. Since the utility of the knife as a tool is its primary concern, taking up less space on a load out can be considered. Folders are common, and extreme duty folders are plentiful at a price. However, cheap fixed blades are exactly that - and having them break not uncommon. It's going to be an interesting discussion defending a cheap fixed blade vs high tier folder.
Note carefully the description of the primary weapons which are extensively trained with - all firearms - and the knife described - private purchase. The military doesn't offer much in the way of knives, and certainly a lot more folders and multitools than fixed. Training is biased to firearms, simply because the soldier who can hit at a further distance is likely to be the victor. If that means calling in an airstrike while quietly strolling away from contact, sure. Why not let others in to do their job and reduce your risk of actually being killed? Darwin can and will sort out the stupid ones.
All considered, a brief description from an admitted non-knife knowledgeable user. I wouldn't hold this up as the shining example why one blade might be better than another.
Note carefully the description of the primary weapons which are extensively trained with - all firearms - and the knife described - private purchase. The military doesn't offer much in the way of knives, and certainly a lot more folders and multitools than fixed. Training is biased to firearms, simply because the soldier who can hit at a further distance is likely to be the victor. If that means calling in an airstrike while quietly strolling away from contact, sure. Why not let others in to do their job and reduce your risk of actually being killed? Darwin can and will sort out the stupid ones.
All considered, a brief description from an admitted non-knife knowledgeable user. I wouldn't hold this up as the shining example why one blade might be better than another.
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None of the SEAL team brothers I used to paintball/party with in San Diego carried a fixed blade besides a Benchmade rescue/safety hook. They all had a folder clipped some place just like most civies, geared up or not. None of them cost over $120. They also averaged about 5'8" and 150 unlike the media image.
Handle up on a vest isn't great for assessability with either hand from mutiple positions and would get in the way frequently outside of an administrative setting.
Just heads up - there are ninjas of the highest level who love and trust S&W branded folders or Gerber Paraframes.
Handle up on a vest isn't great for assessability with either hand from mutiple positions and would get in the way frequently outside of an administrative setting.
Just heads up - there are ninjas of the highest level who love and trust S&W branded folders or Gerber Paraframes.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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The SEAL's I knew when I was in carried K-BAR's for the most part, same with the Force Recon guys.... (82-86)
I wouldn't put too much stock in what they carry and or use while in because once they get out and into the civilian world their needs will change and if they aren't carrying folders already they likely will be once they get out.
Kind of like I was when I was in, I didn't use folders in the field at all, but that changed once I got out.
Once really can't compare Military life in the field to the Civilian world....
Knives for the Military people in my own experiences are nothing more than a tool that could be a pry bar when needed to something to open MRE's and everything in between, they are just part of the gear and not much more really.
I wouldn't put too much stock in what they carry and or use while in because once they get out and into the civilian world their needs will change and if they aren't carrying folders already they likely will be once they get out.
Kind of like I was when I was in, I didn't use folders in the field at all, but that changed once I got out.
Once really can't compare Military life in the field to the Civilian world....
Knives for the Military people in my own experiences are nothing more than a tool that could be a pry bar when needed to something to open MRE's and everything in between, they are just part of the gear and not much more really.
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Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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Yeah I was about 5' 8" and 145 when I was in also.... Was 5' 7" and 132 when I was in boot camp.
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One of them used to carry your favorite
He was married to my girlfriend's twin sister and was a wiry fella who could bench press more than me and I'm 6'2 200 in top shape.
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This guy wrote a book a while back: Major George Washington's Journal To The River Ohio. It is not really about battle but still a book from a vet.
I need to write a book...
I need to write a book...
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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One of them used to carry your favorite
I used to keep the weight down to a min because I wasn't that big so I carried a K-BAR most of the time.
There seems to be a whole lot of assumption going on here. I dont believe anyone's expert opinion on what special operators do, use, or like unless they are or used to be an operator. Anyone else, including me, is just basing everything on movies and video games
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I wanna carry what Jessie Ventura did!
There are a couple reasons for this...
1) The Gerber Multiplier is a RFI issue item. So are the Benchmade and Ontario Lanyard cutters. The Benchmade and Gerber Autos were normally issued through all Unit Supply levels...even the Benchmade Nimravus was issued through these same channels.
2) Young Soldiers DO NOT have a "disposable income" to drop $300-$500 on a high end knife. Add to that the high rate of "sticky fingers" on every deployment and you will begin to understand why they choose affordable knives.
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There's nothing wrong with using a budget tool but there's a difference between using one and naming it "the best."
You still don't get it. It isn't a "budget" tool for a Soldier. It is the "best" that they determine is affordable on their income.
Reality is this -
There are more Gerbers, Benchmades, Spydercos, Cold Steel and SOGs being carried in Afghanistan right now than there are Striders, Hinderers and Emersons being carried over there.
Reality is this -
There are more Gerbers, Benchmades, Spydercos, Cold Steel and SOGs being carried in Afghanistan right now than there are Striders, Hinderers and Emersons being carried over there.
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No, you don't get it. If someone likes Gerbers and uses the crap out of them, great. I have budget knives that I use the heck out of. I have no problem with that. What they give me though is an absolute statement and not one that is qualified by budget. i.e. Gerber is the best and there's nothing better on any budget. It's statements like that.
What most folks don't get, is that like Cops, Not all Spec Ops guys are gun guys or knife guys.. They don;t get wrapped up in the Minutia alot of us do when it comes to a knives and guns. You would be surprised how little they know about some of the things we expect Everyone should know about knives and guns.
They have to learn a ton of stuff and retain it. They like to use simple tools and they have a budget, They have Arms rooms full of stuff that gets broken, DX'd and replaced, and they move on. That funny line Nick Nolte says about " I don't know what its called... I just know the sound it makes when it takes a mans life" has a lot of truth to it.
When you train and operate at that level, they can pick up a rock and get the job done, Few are going to get wrapped up in what knife to use...
They have to learn a ton of stuff and retain it. They like to use simple tools and they have a budget, They have Arms rooms full of stuff that gets broken, DX'd and replaced, and they move on. That funny line Nick Nolte says about " I don't know what its called... I just know the sound it makes when it takes a mans life" has a lot of truth to it.
When you train and operate at that level, they can pick up a rock and get the job done, Few are going to get wrapped up in what knife to use...