ARK knife. I find the need for this disturbing

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Eric J

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
392
The reasons that created this knife make me sick. Anyone else feel the same? I'm glad it was created, but the reasons why are beyond my understanding. I had no idea these events were occurring. Sorry folks, I am in no way trying to troll Spyderco. I would just like some more clarification. Was anything done about these circumstances?
 
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Eric J said:
I am unaware of the reasons for the ARK. The reasons that created this knife make me sick. Anyone else feel the same? I'm glad it was created, but the reasons why are beyond my understanding. Sorry folks, I am in no way trying to troll Spyderco. I would just like some more clarification. Was anything done about these circumstances?
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Sexual assault of any kind is a horrifying thing. The fact that our soldiers have fear threats from within their own platoon or company is even worse. I'm glad that Spyderco is assisting in giving soldiers a way to defend themselves.

As for "was anything done about these circumstances," I'm not sure it's a one-and-done thing. Not like the military can just up and stop sexual assault problems out of hand. But being aware of it is always a good first step.
 
You are unaware of the reasons, but they make you sick? This is hardly the forum to discuss sexual assault in the military if that is what you are referring to (taken from spyderco's explanation for the ARK).

I just left active duty several months ago, and I can tell you that the problem IS being taken very seriously by leadership in all branches.
 
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Certainly we don't know the full story behind it but yes, the first time I read about the ARK I was a little "what?"
 
I found out about this knife and the circumstances for its creation from the Spyderco email.
 
Wow.....shame really, but I'd hope the military holds themselves a little above the general populace. Sad, but these type of things are happening all over the place now. Military or no, I hope and pray whomever would instigate such a crime is punished to the full extent possible. Same as those who create an event to get attention or "get back" at a certain individual or group.

I'm retired CG and frankly don't recall these type of things happening when I was in. But it may have and just kept on the QT. Dunno.
 
You're shocked people get attacked in the shower? People get attacked everywhere and anywhere. Why would a shower in a barracks be any different?
 
The perfect place for it, of course. Naked and no defense. I'm happy that I got the email...gonna get one for a Cop relative. I already have a Krein regrind that is quite decent.
Never saw this happen when I was in, but I suspect that severe reprisal is in order. Understand that women live with this "fear" all of the time.
 
Eric,

The ARK was my idea, and if the thought of a deployed service member being raped wasn't sickening, I'd say there was something wrong with you.

Okay, some of you obviously didn't read the latest Byte very carefully. Yes, sexual assault by fellow service members is a possibility, but the ARK was specifically designed to give an "always" defensive option against the threat of rape from local and third-country nationals and allied military forces.

Want to know the really sickening part? It's politically more palatable to pretend that the problem is only or mostly from other service members, instead of admitting the perpetrators are frequently the guys we pay to clean the latrines and "friendly" foreign forces.

I hope this is clearer.
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Dude, deployed troops usually shower in shower trailers, usually unlocked.

John Shirley
 
I like the design, it's awesome. I'm going to pick one up. Thanks to Spyderco and John as well as your counterpart, his name escapes me at the moment.
 
Spectre said:
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Want to know the really sickening part? It's politically more palatable to pretend that the problem is only or mostly from other service members, instead of admitting the perpetrators are frequently the guys we pay to clean the latrines and "friendly" foreign forces.
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From what I've heard, an awful lot of it is "hazing" related. Also, seems to me it's much easier to blame others than for the military to accept responsibility for the problem ourselves...
 
Rev, Sam is my partner in crime. We've worked together on numerous designs. He's a good friend and a great person.

David, I really have no idea what you're talking about.
1) I have never heard of a "hazing" sexual assault on a deployed service member;
2) What's happening is the exact opposite of what you describe: discussion of the problem always makes it sound as though other SMs are the culprits, even though all the instances I heard of in theater were by the local and third country nationals and allied military I described.
 
Spectre said:
Rev, Sam is my partner in crime. We've worked together on numerous designs. He's a good friend and a great person.

David, I really have no idea what you're talking about.
1) I have never heard of a "hazing" sexual assault on a deployed service member;
2) What's happening is the exact opposite of what you describe: discussion of the problem always makes it sound as though other SMs are the culprits, even though all the instances I heard of in theater were by the local and third country nationals and allied military I described.
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This is truly shocking. I can only hope this is not happening in Germany, as I am a contractor for the Navy and work alongside wonderful service members and German Nationals.
 
Again, the ARK was specifically made for (combat) deployed service members. Circumstances will be better for other places, and I have the HIGHEST regard for German troops, who I have worked alongside on both deployments.

Remember, again, combat deployed SMs are around many contractors brought in from other countries in the Middle East and Africa; have their weapons with them all the time except in the latrines (and gyms, in some places); usually do not have their own shower facilities. ALL of these circumstances are different for SMs stationed elsewhere.
 
Spectre said:
Again, the ARK was specifically made for (combat) deployed service members. Circumstances will be better for other places, and I have the HIGHEST regard for German troops, who I have worked alongside on both deployments.

Remember, again, combat deployed SMs are around many contractors brought in from other countries in the Middle East and Africa; have their weapons with them all the time except in the latrines (and gyms, in some places); usually do not have their own shower facilities. ALL of these circumstances are different for SMs stationed elsewhere.
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Glad to hear! Thank you for your contribution to Spyderco! and your service!
 
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Thank you. If the ARK helps a single SM or other person fight off an assault, I'll be content.
 
Seneca18 said:
This is truly shocking. I can only hope this is not happening in Germany, as I am a contractor for the Navy and work alongside wonderful service members and German Nationals.
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In the German Army at least all guys were in the same shower at the same time no walls or anything.
No way a Janitor could sneak in and rape one of them. Didn't even have Janitors and cleaned our own mess. That probably kept everybody occupied all the time and if there is no freetime there is less chance of a guy raping anybody.
People even rumored that they had trouble in bed with their girlfriends since joining because the cooks put "hängolin" into the drinks. I guess it was just physical stress. But hey who knows and whatever makes them more harmless ☺

We had one guy in another platoon with different sexual orientation but he never did anything weird. Still some guys there made fun about not dropping the soap or even switched to shower gel so they don't have any soap to drop ;)
20 men showering together with knives around their necks because one of them might possibly do something against one of 19 others would have been very surreal.

Today women are part of combat troops too and not just medical service. I can imagine that there aren't too many at times and might have to shower alone. If it were my sister I would sure she would carry something no matter how small the actual odds.

Good thing is in Germany there are almost no guns so a German janitor in an American base wouldn't have any. German soldiers also don't carry unless they are deployed or part of some guard platoon and what business would they possible have in an American Base? They wouldn't make it into the camp to begin with. So a German janitor forcing somebody would mean physical force or some less scary weapon like a knife.

Long story short you should be fine, especially from the locals. Maybe more likely that one of your own guys maybe superior in rank, capable of making your life hell and maybe even carrying a real handgun tries something funny. More opportunities and more means.
 
(My apologies, Jens. I should have read your post more carefully. I will say I had a member of the Federal Politzi (sp?) at Camp Marmal talk for several minutes about how effective the ARK would be, when I showed him the prototype.)
 
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Spectre said:
(My apologies, Jens. I should have read your post more carefully. I will say I had a member of the Federal Politzi (sp?) at Camp Marmal talk for several minutes about how effective the ARK would be, when I showed him the prototype.)
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No apologies. It made sense to me.
Was even about to reply with a thank you.
Thank you. :D

Would a dedicated shower time help?
If there are lots of people showering at the same time it should be safer.

Also I don't remember being alone with another guy ever unless in a tent or being called to some sergeants office.

Never been overseas and it's probably way less controlled and organized than back home inviting stuff to happen.


Anyways the ARK looks great. The curve makes the edge nice long on a short blade.
A neck knife and H1. No rust. :) I sweat a lot thats why for working out or running I had a Tasman in a necksheath. It bounced too much and would have to be unfolded whenever I needed it.
The ARK seems like a way better approach.

What did the Polizist say?
(Polizei = Police, Polizist = Cop)
 
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He said he would choke up on the flat side of the blade with his thumb, just leaving the edge exposed. I've tried it, and holding the ARK this way makes it almost completely invisible.

pinch-grip1.jpg

Thank you, Jens. One of my design goals was to make a knife that would be very intuitive to use, and get the most cutting potential out of the shortest knife possible to grip securely.
 
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