Chris Reeve Green Beret?

Q

qwerty13

Joined
Feb 10, 2005
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Any comments, endorsements, criticisms? Any info would be appreciated. I'm looking for a new fixed blade tactical and always liked the specs on the GB but never handled one. I only know they're pretty pricey. Any other competitors I should consider?

Thanks
 
The Green Beret has proven itself to the Army Special Forces as well as to general soldiers that have purchased it for themselves. I have a very close friend that purchased one from our local knife store and took it the Iraq with him. He used it to death and it never failed him. The CPM S30V steel is almost impossible to stain.( I say almost... I have not heard on any staining, but you never know what people will try to make something look bad.) I own one of the large models and it has served me well. The strengths of this knife out weigh the price by far. It is well worth the expense. Look on Chris' website and read more about it. He has a link to the special forces site that contains some other information on the knife also.
 
I have the 5.5" blade. I like it a lot. After using it for a while, I would prefer no serrations but I think the Neil Robert's Warrior fits that bill. The Blackhawk sheath is great too.
 
qwerty13 said:
Any comments, endorsements, criticisms?
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Uncomfortable handle, low chopping/cutting ability, strong tip, fragile edge and brittle steel with low ductility and resistance to impact.

Any other competitors I should consider?
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Becker, Ranger Knives, Swamp Rat, Busse Combat.

-Cliff
 
In addition to Cliff's test I had it from a tester at a magazine that the edge did not hold up well on the brass rod test and chipped. I'll disagree on the handle comfort, at least for my hands.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Uncomfortable handle, low chopping/cutting ability, strong tip, fragile edge and brittle steel with low ductility and resistance to impact.



Becker, Ranger Knives, Swamp Rat, Busse Combat.

-Cliff
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GunnerJohn here, handing the keyboard over to Bill Harsey, designer of the "Green Beret" knife in question.
This is Bill Harsey, confirm my post and id at Professionalsoldiers.com. For some tech reason, the login here jammed up on me and I have not been able to log in nor have I received the requested help to make it right.

Mr. Cliff Stamp,
You mention some friends of mine in the knife business and the knives they make, they do good work and I have no problem with that however you make some strong accusations about Chris Reeves and my work using the steel called CPM S-30V and I note based on your total posts you have a lot of keyboard time here.

I strongly disagree with your assessment of both the steel and the knife design. This has not been our experience testing this steel for a over a full year before it was on the open market and we chose it above all others to use on several projects where it has proven itself time and again in difficult conditions beyond any doubt. Have you also tested the Strider Knives using the same steel?

How much time have you spent in the field, as a soldier, testing this knife in actual hard knife use cutting conditions?

After reading your "testing" procedures, I wonder if you would use the barrel of your rifle to jack up a humvee to change the tire and then complain that it didn't shoot quite as well afterwards?


Thank you, Bill Harsey
 
I have never understood why to use S30V (BG42, ATS34 etc.) on large fixed blade?
especially when CRK can use good A2 steel...
 
huugh, although it doesn't address your question directly, I don't know if you've read the FAQ on the Chris Reeve website. There is a section, What is CPM S30V stainless steel?

Obviously, Chris is familiar with the capabilities of A2. He is still continuing to produce the one-piece line in A2. He was also part of the development of S30V and has an expert's confidence in its capabilities, as well.
 
esav - even CRK's FAQ says (about S30V) "...It is an advance that will again raise the standard of folding knife performance..."

but using this steel for the large fixed blade imho doesn't work

I think only reason why is it used is current hype about hyperextramegacool steels like S30V (yeah, CR first used it etc. and it is good steel, but you wouldn't use Ferrari for offroading would you?)
 
I'll try to stay away from being too "partisan" in a discussion of this type. I'll just make a few observations. S30V appears to me to be America's response to VG-10, the successful Japanese cutlery steel. In that sense I think it is a worthy competitor. There is no question that it resists corrosion better than VG-10. I use both these steels in the kitchen every day. There is also no question that S30V, when it is ideally heat treated, is a little softer and tougher than VG-10 with slightly less edge retention - very slightly less. All in all, it is a really good stainless steel for use in a large fixed blade knife.

If you compare S30V to one of the carbon steels or tool steels like Cliff suggests, then it is going to fall down (very slightly) in terms of edge durability. But S30V is a stainless steel and so you need to compare it to other stainless steels to be fair. You would be hard pressed to find a stainless steel that does a better job in this area than S30V and still retains a high level of hardness and edge retention. Personally, I can't think of two better stainless steels from which to make a military fixed blade than VG-10 and S30V.

I don't know either Mr. Harsey or Mr. Reeve except by reputation but I have confidence that both of them know their way around a military fixed blade. If I were a soldier (and I once was) I'd be thrilled to have one of these knives and wouldn't look any further for another one.
 
"I don't know either Mr. Harsey or Mr. Reeve except by reputation but I have confidence that both of them know their way around a military fixed blade. If I were a soldier I'd be thrilled to have one of these knives and wouldn't look any further for another one."

DITTO!!!! As far s I am concerned, enough said!!
 
I carried a one in Iraq and love it no problems at all and I take it camping sometimes
 
gunnerjohn said:
How much time have you spent in the field, as a soldier, testing this knife in actual hard knife use cutting conditions?
Click to expand...


So now you have to be a soldier to be able to evaluate a knife?:rolleyes:

I think that there is plenty of evidence that s30v is not the optimal steel for a large fixed blade, and I'm sure Cliff will be along shortly to explain it!:p
 
imo, the knife is soft and thick, so there wasn't much point in using S30V (just by specs, haven't handled one)
 
I have the Green Beret in both the 7" and 5.5" blades and also have 2 Neil Roberts Warriors.
For me, of the 2 G.B. blades I find the 5.5" one a lot more comfortable to carry,however, my newest EDC fixed blades are the Neil Roberts and a Fallkniven F1GM.

If you feel you need the serrations then go for the G.B. but try and find someone who has both and see which one carries the best for you.
If you don't need the serrations then I would go with the Neil Roberts.

Mr. Harsey I do agree with your retort to Mr. Stamp....anyone can break any knife if he tries hard enough but if you have been "in country" and used the tools and it has stood up to whatever you have called it to do then that is where the rubber meets the road.

Ciao
Ron Cassel
:thumbup:
 
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