Do soldiers really get knives "issued" to them?

M

Metal Made Fox

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I keep hearing the word "issued" from a few knife companies claiming that their knives are "issued" to military forces here in the States and across the world.

I know a lot of guys from every military branch, and not one of them has ever had a knife "issued" to them while in the military. They tell me that they have to buy them at the PX on base. So what gives? Are the knife companies just outright lying to us?
 
I served 1981-2004. I was issued fixed blade and folding knives in the Army. A couple were mil spec. The others commercial-off-the-shelf items.
 
Certain knives are in the catalog system with a national stock number (NSN). That means supply can order them and issue them out. I was once issued a Gerber Applegate fairbarn folder. It's rare since they get over priced due to contracts. I just got lucky since I was friends with the supply guy.
 
bravoniner said:
Certain knives are in the catalog system with a national stock number (NSN). That means supply can order them and issue them out. I was once issued a Gerber Applegate fairbarn folder. It's rare since they get over priced due to contracts. I just got lucky since I was friends with the supply guy.
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Via GPC, BPAs, or purchase orders, knives without NSNs can be purchased and issued too. Commander's choice --- whether an item with NSN or not, the commander must be willing to spend from his budget.
 
Some get, some don't. Depends om what those in charge are willing to budget for ... and knives are low down the priority list in most cases. It is normally up to the commanding officer to make it a high priority.

There are cases where knives will be issued when the function/mission requires them. There are cases where military units worked with manufacturers to get a desired product (MARSOC Strider comes to mind) but soldiers often sell the high value knives and buy cheap knives instead (pocketing the difference) so it is not always a good idea to issue "the best for the best" from a limited budget.

Many manufacturers however make grand claims and it is difficult to know for sure what is for real and what is a fancy dance with facts. When a manufacturer hands knives out as gifts does that qualify as official issue? Nope, but the marketing material will state "as used by XYZ".
 
I've seen BM presidios issued on deployments. Kershaw has a contract with Snap On, with whom the military has a contract with.
 
Woodcamo Nut said:
I'm guessing it means that the knife was designed for military use.
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Nope. What's going on is that the average civilian knife user thinks a "military-issue" or "designed for pro operators" knife is super awesome. So the marketing departments of knife companies slap words associated with that (or survival words, or bushcraft words, etc) on the knife to sell it.

Do soldiers get issued knives? Sometimes. Do they use knives? Sometime? Mostly multitools it seems.

The rest is all marketing for the folks who like to think they are car camping using the same knife SEALs get when they graduate SEAL School. :rolleyes:
 
My Oldest son just started basic training a little over a month ago. He was issued a Gerber multi tool.
I think most of the wording used regarding "military issue" is marketing, along with "tactical". It sells a pile of equipment.
 
Army-72 to 76. I was issued a TL-29 and a bayonet when I drew my weapon from the armory.--KV
 
marcinek said:
Nope. What's going on is that the average civilian knife user thinks a "military-issue" or "designed for pro operators" knife is super awesome. So the marketing departments of knife companies slap words associated with that (or survival words, or bushcraft words, etc) on the knife to sell it.

Do soldiers get issued knives? Sometimes. Do they use knives? Sometime? Mostly multitools it seems.

The rest is all marketing for the folks who like to think they are car camping using the same knife SEALs get when they graduate SEAL School. :rolleyes:
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Yes to all of this.
 
ellipticus said:
USN 1974-1980, Electrician's Mate.
I was issued a TL-29 when I reported aboard my second ship.
We were allowed to carry Buck 110's that were privately bought.
Home ported in San Diego no less.
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Off subject but why do you have a Gerber FSII as an avatar? The reason I ask is I have one that I found in 78' that I carried until 05' thats now in my safe. It was also stolen in a burglary and later returned as the burglar had it in his pocket when he was being booked. I put Whitetail antler slabs where the wood scales were missing when I first found it.
Have any clue what it's worth?

If thats a Buck 110, sorry, nvm.
 
If you really want a hard use, do-or-die performance tool, look to the SEALS. Those guys face challenges none of us can comprehend, and live lives of constant danger. Every day could be the end of the line.

That's why I'm here, trying to answer the question:

What do baby seals carry?

'Cause I need a blade that will help keep me from getting clubbed, when I go camping.
 
My Dad's WWII issued knife is below (what is left of it). He served in the Merchant Marines and was issued a knife with a "USMC" badge on it. They did not get issued anything from the Merchant Marines. Everything that their supply officer provided was "cast-offs" from other branches of the Armed forces. Navy hats, Army boots - you get the picture. The MM were the red-headed stepchildren of the services back then.

DSC_0092.jpg
 
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In any unit that is issued M-16/M-4 rifles, there is an M-9 bayonet someplace in armory for each weapon. That is the issue knife for the army, as in "knife bayonet." Whether the troops ever see that bayonet is up to the unit commander. Given the tendency of troops to either steal, break or cut themselves with bayonets, many prefer to keep them in the armory.
 
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