Hi, all. I've been wondering for years which makes were tested to become the 'official' Navy SEAL knife, circa 1999? I know SOG's design was chosen and that Buck's Nighthawk, and possibly something from Colt & Ka-Bar were also in the running, but haven't found definitive info on what took place. I'm also curious about the steels used and how each stood up to the tests such as rope cutting, salt water immersion, prying , etc.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Anyone Know Which Ones Were The SEAL Knife Finalists?
- Thread starter Xcaliber
- Start date
If my memory serves me well, I believe the knives tested were COTS. Gerber, Buck, etc. The first knife off was won by Mad Dog Knives. After reconsidering using Kevin's services, commercially available cutlery was considered.
The Mark III was used as the benchmark to test against. Not a big leap by any means. Tips broke aplenty on that design but the sheath is pretty servicable. BTW , the new tip design by Ontario cured the tip breaking issue but a little to late to affect purchasing decisions.
The SEAL Pup is more popular due to its size. What it comes down to is what can I get for free, break, and get another one quickly. Save the precious dollars for more fun things. Only on Bladeforums does anyone really care what knives are used, abused, etc. Hope that helps some. There have been quite a few threads on the subject. Do a search and you will have more than enough interesting reading for the evening.
The Mark III was used as the benchmark to test against. Not a big leap by any means. Tips broke aplenty on that design but the sheath is pretty servicable. BTW , the new tip design by Ontario cured the tip breaking issue but a little to late to affect purchasing decisions.
The SEAL Pup is more popular due to its size. What it comes down to is what can I get for free, break, and get another one quickly. Save the precious dollars for more fun things. Only on Bladeforums does anyone really care what knives are used, abused, etc. Hope that helps some. There have been quite a few threads on the subject. Do a search and you will have more than enough interesting reading for the evening.
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2003
- Messages
- 4,817
i wonder if that isnt all just false advertising. Too many companies claim that the navy seals chose their knives. Does the navy change their knife decision every year? Or does the company just sell one to some dudes who is a seal and say its the one chosen by seals.
Well it's all listed here.
Class of 1991
http://mdk.idv.tw/c_ataktest.htm
Yes, there are numerous claims to which is "the Official" SEAL knife.
Just think official USN, knives of which would include the generic kbar/Navy mark 2 for one.
And so Mission Knives takes the cake for now.
http://www.missionknives.com/Indexframes.html
Class of 1991
http://mdk.idv.tw/c_ataktest.htm
Yes, there are numerous claims to which is "the Official" SEAL knife.
Just think official USN, knives of which would include the generic kbar/Navy mark 2 for one.
And so Mission Knives takes the cake for now.
http://www.missionknives.com/Indexframes.html