Buck and today's military

[Blue Sky]

There have been a few threads lately about what guys are really carrying overseas in the service these days and Buck seems almost totally absent. Is this really the situation these days? If true, any idea why?

 

[rooikat]

I have wondered about this, myself. The more recent Stryder fixed blades seem like they would be ideal for spec ops units.
The folders, not to mention the 110, are built like little tanks. Not to mention, the very competitive prices.
Walmart is selling the 119 for under 40 bucks. Just about any soldier should be able to swing that.

 

[Mike Kerins]

Having been in the military (Navy) for 22 years, my observation is that, unless we're talking about an elite force such as the Seals, most GI's are going to take what's given to them and not go out and buy an expensive knife. In the Navy, however, most sailors that use a knife on a daily basis prefer a Buck 110, at least they did when I was in. The older 440C steel was really appreciated by them for being able to cut the manila or nylon line and still remain sharp. The odd sailor may carry some sort of typical nautical knife, but the standard carry was a 110 with a sheath that allowed them to also carry a marlin spike. These were the two essential tools of their trade.

 

[Buckaholic]

The odd sailor...

When I was a kid and Navy dependent, which I was for 18 years, my dad dragged my ass all over the Pacific to various bases. Heck, I went to three different schools for second grade (no, I wasn't from West Va and being held back). Point is that we moved quite a bit and I would always be at the Base Exchange checking out knives.

Older, I worked at the Navy Exchange and, as Mike said, the most popular was the 110. Sailors and Marines liked it, a lot.

However, it was not standard issue...contrary to what was seen on "Lost".

Remember seeing Camilus for a lot of the sheath knives (don't know if those were issued) and those steel pocket knives with the can opener, screw driver, and awl that were issued. I'll check my issue pocket knife and see what it is, but pretty certain it is a Camilus...it's in the saddle bag of my bike in the garage. And it's 40 degrees out there...too cold and I'm too old.

Whatever is issued is, typically, from the lowest bidder for the issue spec.

Anyway, I'm not even going to touch Mike's statement about "the odd sailor...". Too easy

That's my two centavos on the subject...
Goose.
BCCI 1190

 

[puukko]

Blue Sky, for what it's worth......A couple of years ago American Rifleman did an article on the Kimber TLE II gun adopted by LAPD Swat. Accompanying the article were pictures of LAPD Swat members on training drills and in at least one shot you could see a Buck tactical knife (a Nighthawk, I believe) in its sheath on one of the Swat team members gear. So at least some of our elite tactical law enforcement teams carry Buck. While in the army I and many in my unit carried 110's. You wouldn't want to be caught carrying something else! I suspect there are a number of our young troops still carrying them.

 

[Blue Sky]

Thanks for your comments, they do reinforce the idea that in the recent past Bucks were quite common. What changed? It's a rhetorical question, I guess.

 

[Slufstuff]

An interesting question. I also carried a Buck folder, a 112 Ranger, when I was in the Air Force back in the late 70's early 80's. It was a good quality knife, and still is. But todays plethora of "tactical" or "paramilitary" looking knives just did not exist back when I was in the military. I think if I was a 19 year old airman today, looking to buy a mid sized folder for carry while in uniform, I would probably be looking at a Spyderco or similar knife. I might not even go with a dedicated knife, but a modern multi-tool in a subdued finish.