It's a Bolo, but...

[dawsonbob]

Have any of you ever used one of these?

When I was a kid back in the 50's, I had one of these that I got from my Dad. You could also get them from surplus stores for around $6 or $7 — they had bins full of them, at the time.

I used the heck out of mine for years for almost everything; it was my first real chopper/big knife.

Somewhere along the way it disappeared. I don't know when, or how, but it went missing. I recently looked for a replacement online and, wow, they're going for well over $100 now. Something that used to be cheap surplus is now a collectors item.

These things were: "The USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife had an overall length of 16 1/2 inches with a blade that was 11 1/4 x 3 inches. The spoon tip blade was supplied both parkerized or bright. The wooden handle had either three or four flush rivets, steel, iron or brass. The left face of the blade was stamped with "USMC" and the manufacturer identity." The blade, if I remember correctly, was around 1/4" thick.

I'd like to have another one like this, but maybe upgraded to modern standards. Any thoughts?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The new Condor Bolo in carbon steel is going to be available in a 12" model. I might give that a look when it comes out.

 

[dawsonbob]

The new Condor Bolo in carbon steel is going to be available in a 12" model. I might give that a look when it comes out.

The new bolos from Condor are already on my "gotta have" list. I've been Jonesin' for them for awhile now. I want to get both the 15" and the 12" models, just as soon as they're easily available, and I have the money.

But the USMC Corpsman's bolo knife is an entirely different thing. Partly, it's because I had one back in the day, but partly it's because of the weight distribution, too. It's short, ugly, brutal, and really useful. Maybe I'll design a more modern version (with better handles), and see if I can get anyone to make me one for a reasonable price.

 

[Rupestris]

Never seen one before but thank you for posting it.

I'm stumped as to what a Hospital Corpsman would need/use that for.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Setting up the field hospital mostly.

 

[dawsonbob]

Never seen one before but thank you for posting it.

I'm stumped as to what a Hospital Corpsman would need/use that for.

Remember that the Marine Corps has no medical corps of its own. We rely on US Navy Corpsmen for all our medical needs in the field. Corpsmen go into battle with us, wherever we go. Don't get me started on Navy Corpsmen, because I can't say enough about them: these guys are ten feet tall, with big iron ones. I — and a lot of other Marines — wouldn't be here today without them. I have seen them do things under fire that were simply unbelievable.

What did they need a bolo like that for? Well, back in WW 2, they used this knife for cutting brush away from an area for aid stations, to build shelters for the wounded, and to cut poles for stretchers.

 

[Rupestris]

Setting up the field hospital mostly.

I could see that as a common use. But wouldn't the typical machete or Woodsmans Pal that were issued to troops work just as well?

Edit: Thanks dawsonbob. I was looking for more info and posting at the same time. You beat me to the Submit button.

I understand on the Navy Hospital Corpsmen. My son is one. He's at Lejeune right now and headed to Cherry Point after FMF. Thats one of the reasons this item has piqued my interest. I'd like to find one for him.

Chris

 

[tltt]

Corpsmen used it for building splints and shelters, and such. New collectors aways think amputations and it's fun to lead them on that trail of thought sometimes, atleast for a few minutes.

They are expensive now, because most have seen rough use, just like the 1917 bolos. They probably saw more use stateside, as there are tails of Corpsmen leaving them during combat, simply because of the weight.

I once saw one cut down into a Collins #18 Bowie-Machete shape, now that was neat.

 

[dawsonbob]

I could see that as a common use. But wouldn't the typical machete or Woodsmans Pal that were issued to troops work just as well?

Remember that we're talking about WW 2 here. Marines were issued a full length machete, but it was too big for Corpsmen to carry with everything else they had, so they were issued the USMC Corpsman's knife. There was no such thing as the Woodsman's Pal back then.

Come to think about it, I never saw a Woodsman's Pal when I was in, either.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That's because the Woodsman's Pal kind of sucks. (Just my experience)

 

[TheGame]

I can't be sure, but I believe my grandpa had one of those. It was a long time ago that I would have seen it, but it looked exactly like that. I wish I knew what happened to it, now that I think a bout it.

 

[dawsonbob]

I could see that as a common use. But wouldn't the typical machete or Woodsmans Pal that were issued to troops work just as well?

Edit: Thanks dawsonbob. I was looking for more info and posting at the same time. You beat me to the Submit button.

I understand on the Navy Hospital Corpsmen. My son is one. He's at Lejune right now and headed to Cherry Point after FMF. Thats one of the reasons this item has piqued my interest. I'd like to find one for him.

Chris

Did I mention that I really, really think highly of Corpsmen? He has my respect, Chris.

As far as finding one for him, you could do a Google search, or try E-Bay. I'm sure that there would be some available, although they're too pricey for my blood.

I think I will design an updated version, and we'll see what happens with that.

 

[dawsonbob]

That's because the Woodsman's Pal kind of sucks. (Just my experience)

I haven't used one myself, but from what I've seen, I suspect that you're right. I think it may be one of those things that sound good in theory, but aren't all they could be in practice.

 

[dawsonbob]

I can't be sure, but I believe my grandpa had one of those. It was a long time ago that I would have seen it, but it looked exactly like that. I wish I knew what happened to it, now that I think a bout it.

Yeah, it is kinda cool, isn't it? Maybe you can find it, and give it a try.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I haven't used one myself, but from what I've seen, I suspect that you're right. I think it may be one of those things that sound good in theory, but aren't all they could be in practice.

I think that there are just too many aspects of the design that distinctly get in the way of what it's supposed to do. The general idea of a hook-backed heavy chopping design is great--it's just the ticket for handling the myriad of different northern plants and trees--but the execution is just so ridiculously awkward and cumbersome that it defeats the purpose.

 

[harpoon41]

I have one, heavy piece of steel.
I remember reading where Charles Sasser wore one on his belt when he did his solo canoe trip on the Yukon. It's a great read and blended in well with all he wrote in the 80's and early 90's. Always thought if he'd had dumped that thing would've make a great anchor and pulled him right down to the bottom of the river.

 

[dawsonbob]

I have one, heavy piece of steel.
I remember reading where Charles Sasser wore one on his belt when he did his solo canoe trip on the Yukon. It's a great read and blended in well with all he wrote in the 80's and early 90's. Always thought if he'd had dumped that thing would've make a great anchor and pulled him right down to the bottom of the river.

LOL. Yep, I remember it as being heavy, too, although that was fifty years ago, and I don't remember how heavy. That brings up the question of just how heavy is it?

I also remember that — despite having a really bad grind — it was one heck of a chopper. Probably because of all that weight, it took big chunks out of logs — more like a hatchet than a knife — and batoned like a champ.

Do you use yours and, if so, how do you like it? Is it a collectors thing, or a user?

I would like to get another one some time, if only for nostalgia's sake. I would think that, with a better grind, it would be a really good user.

 

[Fiddleback]

I love those WWII USMC Medical Bolo's. WWI had one too with a bit different shape. The one you pictured has a sheath in great condition, and the handle still looks good too. That one probably went pretty high. Nice find.

 

[harpoon41]

Mine is a beater. Paid about 20 bucks for it from a surplus store. No sheath. It's a little pitted but the blade is full and the handle is a 100%. I use it around the property and for splitting kindling for the wood stove. It's fun to use but too heavy for humping and for the time period I'd rather use a Raider Bowie for field use. I'm sure more then a few found their way home from the battlefield to the farm after the war.

 

[dawsonbob]

I love those WWII USMC Medical Bolo's. WWI had one too with a bit different shape. The one you pictured has a sheath in great condition, and the handle still looks good too. That one probably went pretty high. Nice find.

I never had one of the WW 1 Medical Bolos, although I've seen pictures of them.

The one I showed in the picture is not mine, it was only to show what I was talking about (mine disappeared). You're right — the one in the picture is in great shape, so it probably went for a couple of hundred dollars.

I would love to find one to use, but I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars for it.