If you could take one current manufactured combat knife back to 1969 what would you p

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D R E

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May 25, 2000
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Before our heyday of combat type knives, in the late 60's there was Camillus, Buck, Gerber, Western, and custom makers like Randall etc. My question is what would be the manufacturer or specific blade to take back in time that would best serve the needs of Vietnam bound servicemen?

Steve Dick often references how he would have loved to have carried many of the production knives reviewed in Tactical Knives Magazine. Nothing mall Ninja-ish, just a solid design, excellent materials and with a smoken warranty. Readily available through PX’s, mail-order or other sources, the knife should be inexpensive yet quality all around.

Based on what was popular at the time, the pilot knife, my vote would be for the Cold Steel SRK in properly heat treated 1095.

• Lightweight
• Compromise length of 6”
• Durable Kraton handle and Kydex sheath for jungle environment
• Easy to sharpen 3/16” blade width
• Affordable to replace

Anyone else?
 
Personally, I think a modern, stainless steel multitool (like say, a Leatherman Wave) would be more useful to a lot of soldiers.

Besides, I'd submit that the SRK with it's overly think grind, rubber handle, and no guard is in many ways a step down from the old, standard issue Ka-Bar...At least as a "combat" knife.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Kraton is a bad choice. DEET destroys kraton.
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I have also read that Kraton is impervious to DEET. I considered that possible weakness but don't know for sure. If DEET destroys Kraton, there goes all the modern versions of the Kabar to include the BullDozier.

My personal favorite is Micarta but that also causes the cost to go up. Perhaps in rethinking this a bit maybe something more like the SOG SEAL Pup Elite. Small, lightweight, definitely impervious to DEET with the Zytel handle. The reality is there are just too many to choose from. Makes for an interesting discussion though.
 
Tony_A said:
Personally, I think a modern, stainless steel multitool (like say, a Leatherman Wave) would be more useful to a lot of soldiers.

Agree on the multitool but a 5-7" blade is plenty helpful in a jungle environment.

Besides, I'd submit that the SRK with it's overly think grind, rubber handle, and no guard is in many ways a step down from the old, standard issue Ka-Bar...At least as a "combat" knife.
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Agree on the multitool but a 5-7" blade is plenty helpful in a jungle environment.

A rubber handle and more substantial blade thickness would seem to be a better fit for such an environment. The single guard on the SRK is more than adequate for a utility/combat knife.
 
JTR357 said:
A Busse or a Fehrman
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Affordable for the average soldier, sailor, marine?

I know what I would have but the original question had more to do with a lower end, mass-produced blade. Easily affordable yet replaceable for low cost.
 
D R E said:
Affordable for the average soldier, sailor, marine?

I know what I would have but the original question had more to do with a lower end, mass-produced blade. Easily affordable yet replaceable for low cost.
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In that case,I'd check out the huge (affordable) variety Boker has to offer.

or the ZT series
 
Plenty of guys had Randalls and other customs that were a little stretch on the budget but served well and I have not seen any better suggestions yet. But the multi tool suggestion would have been very nice.
 
Tony_A said:
Besides, I'd submit that the SRK with it's overly think grind, rubber handle, and no guard is in many ways a step down from the old, standard issue Ka-Bar...At least as a "combat" knife.
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No guard? You mean no double guard?
I've never liked double guard and I don't understand why it would be so important even when stabbing.. just my opinion.
 
some soldiers in vietnam also carried tomahawks


im obsessed with the vietnam war and the cold war in general
 
How bout a Ka-Ba..........Oh. nevermind.:D


Seriously though. All the considerations you mentioned applied its hard to beat the good ol Ka-bar. Other than that Id have to agree with the Becker suggestion.:thumbup:
 
D R E said:
Affordable for the average soldier, sailor, marine?

I know what I would have but the original question had more to do with a lower end, mass-produced blade. Easily affordable yet replaceable for low cost.
Click to expand...

in 1969 dollars?


weren't randall mades under $100 in the sixties? relatively pricey, but probably nothing compared to today's dollars.
 
Seems to be too many vagaries in my initial post. My thought was, what would be a relatively low cost blade, popular today, that would be an excellent choice for grunts during the Vietnam war.

Another manufacturer that comes to mind would be Ontario. All the designs from the 40-60's with updated materials.

Here's are a few of my choices:
RAT4 or 6
SOG SEAL Pup
SRK
Bravo 1
Ka-Bar in Kraton

Add a leatherman Wave to any of the above and you are well prepared.
 
I carried a Schrade 150T over there at that time. IMO that knife fits the mold you're talking about.

Best,
 
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