Do soldiers really get knives "issued" to them?

In Argentina most units get a FAL bayonet and that's it. Machetes and stuff like that is issued as needed.

There were a couple of knives made by one of the state owned military equipment factories during the '60s and '70s, most were cut down Mauser bayonets reground and fitted with new sheaths. Paratroopers had a dagger with a knuckle duster guard, not very functional but they liked it.

Paratrooper knives (top one is a reground 1909 model artilerry machete made by Kirschbaum in Germany)
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Cut down 1909 Mauser bayonets

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A few years ago a new company began designing knives for different police and military units, and while they aren't standard issue they are bought and used by entire units. They aren't great, but they are tough and affordable. I wouldn't own one myself, but it's the only locally made option for our troops and if you aren't a knife enthusiast they are OK for the price.

This one's used by the 601 Commando Company (you can see the influence from Spanish designs like the Villegas and Aitor Oso Negro). It comes with a hook and a other accesories that screw to the butt of the handle.

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This one is for the National Military School cadets
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Tanker model (used by the Xth Tank Brigade).
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Knife used by "Halcón" squad (police SWAT).
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Wow! I had no idea Benchmade autos were actually issued to soldiers. That's awesome! But why would they issue folders instead of fixed blades? A fixed blade is obviously going to be more adequate for military use.
 
I have been issued many different knives over the past 18 years. At RIVRON. We were issued a SOG SEAL pup, a Benchmade Auto Presidio, a Benchmade hook knife, a SOG trident folder and several multitools. I have also been "issued" the Emerson SOCFK, a gerber Gator and a Spyderco Endura. Point being, units will issue out equipment as the TOE lists, and as is available in the stock system. Some commands go so far as to T&E specific knives and as part of that they will issue out a batch to guys to use and provide feedback.

To add, the reason units issue folding knives is they are definitely more useful for most tasks and are more likely to be carried as opposed to a large fixed blade.

On small boat deployments I carried two folding knives religiously, and ended up leaving the fixed blade in my boat bag.
 
Metal Made Fox said:
Wow! I had no idea Benchmade autos were actually issued to soldiers. That's awesome! But why would they issue folders instead of fixed blades? A fixed blade is obviously going to be more adequate for military use.
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Folders are more compact and easier to carry, both in garrison and when kitted up. The folder can go right into a pocket and be available, whereas a fixed blade has to go on a belt or be rigged to a vest. Even though a Benchmade 140 Nimravus isn't the biggest fixed blade around, it's still something that might be a bit much to attach to your belt in garrison. If you're attaching it to a vest, then that's space where a mag or something else could go, and that gear tends to be more important. Now all that being said, fixed blades tend to be more useful when in the field, and plenty of us figured that out pretty quick. We generally strapped it onto the non firing shoulder area of the vest or on our off hand thigh if there was space. I had my KA-Bar by my left shoulder for a while, but then I was assigned my current MOS and billet and found that I was doing less bushcraft and a more compact fixed blade would fit the bill just fine.
 
This is from another thread - click the blue arrows to go there.

tazkristi said:
The TiCN coated Pacific Salt holds an NSN and is issued to pilots in the U.S. Navy and USMC. The black coating was at the request of NAVAIR. Following a rigorous testing process the Pacific Salt was the only knife unanimously approved for carry.

Kristi
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Francisco, what is that hook used for, that screws into the handle of that knife? Also, it's odd that some of those knives have what I view as "camping" features. Like the knife that you say is for the National Military School cadets. I'm sure that top cut-out is supposed to be a wire stripper, but honestly, it looks like you'd use it to grab the wire handle of a pot, to remove it from a campfire.
 
I always thought that the Marines had a contract with Kabar.

I talked to my brother about this once. He's a former Navy CB. He said that he was never issued a knife but carried a benchmade folder and a gerber multi-tool payed for out of his own pocket. Said that the SEALS are the ones that convinced him to buy the benchmade knife, but didn't mention if the were issued to them or not. I assume not though.
 
I was a Navy pilot in the late 60's, we were issued a fixed blade in a sheath i wore on my leg and a switchblade folder with a blade and shroud cutter I kept in a pocket, still have them, had an extra switchblade and sold it on ebay yrs ago for big bucks
 
rodblder said:
I was a Navy pilot in the late 60's, we were issued a fixed blade in a sheath i wore on my leg and a switchblade folder with a blade and shroud cutter I kept in a pocket, still have them, had an extra switchblade and sold it on ebay yrs ago for big bucks
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We were issued Benchmade infidels in Bananastan. Those quickly got gummed up and failed, or the blades broke as dudes were using them to extract shell casings or fix double feeds. After that we got Emerson CQC-7 everyone loved those for how easy it was to sharp (we were using the HUMV door to sharpen on) and how much abuse they could take especially in comparison to the infidels. I think someone in my command got the idea from one of the SF guys we were working with, as the first time I saw an Emerson was when an SF guy who was helping me repair damaged Constantine wire used his to cut it. Something that I had tried doing with my own personal Benchmade grip and ended up putting a huge dent in the blade.
 
I have a buddy whose in the reserves right now. He was given a gerber multi tool and some cheap S&W folder. He's not a knife guy so he thought it was cool.
 
In the mid 60s I was issued a Camillus barlow folder with a locking screwdriver/ razor blade and a spear point blade. This was in the USAF, fixed blades aren't really needed to strip the insulation off wiring.
 
I'm an EOD Operator in the Canadian Armed Forces. Some trades, including mine (Engineers), are issued Gerber Muliplier tools, and (for combat tours) Gerber LMF2 or comparible knives. When on tours overseas, we carried our LMF2s and such, along with kits we sign out to use. Most of our tools are controlled, and aren't individually issued. I do, however, carry my own personally bought folders at work too. It seems that, at the moment, Gerber has the contract for us... maybe we'll get lucky after the next election and get a different supplier. I do like my LMF2 though.
 
I was issued a Gerber Multi- Tool once, in the 90's. Had to give it back when I left. Never issued a knife or tool since.
 
I am so tired of seeing how every manufacturer's knife was ISSUED to the SEALS or some special tactical group with big initials. Or 'carried' on the famous operations we hear about.

I have a feeling most of the guys on the raids and special ops probably bought what they prefer on the internet or BladeForums and it's what they carry into action.
 
Yep, I was an armor crewman (19K) and we were issued Gerber 600's and basic Leathermans. We had a SOG Seal Pup mounted outside, but I think we "acquired" that one in the field.
 
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