I'm currently reading a book entitled, "First In: How Seven CIA Officers Opened the War on Terror in Afghanistan." The author states that this CIA team chose Kershaw knives for its operation. I'm curious to know if anyone else has learned of special ops teams that are using Kershaw or ZT knives. Anyone care to share?
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Kershaw/ZTs Used by Special Forces?
- Thread starter ICCW
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"As Stan was finishing his review of the items he had obtained, Murray arrived with a box containing knives for the team. There were Ken Kershaw folding knives with belt clips featuring a razor-sharp, spring-loaded three-inch blade, with an interior lock to keep the blade in place. A flick of the thumb opened the blade with an impressive snap."
Looks like it should read Ken Onion by Kershaw knives. As it take place in 2001, "Ken", "a flick of the thumb", and 3-inch liner lock to me indicates that these were probably Blurs... but that may just be wishful thinking.
Looks like it should read Ken Onion by Kershaw knives. As it take place in 2001, "Ken", "a flick of the thumb", and 3-inch liner lock to me indicates that these were probably Blurs... but that may just be wishful thinking.
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This one requires a flick of the thumb to open. Kershaw/Emerson alliance.
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I'm interested to know more about what knives our special forces use too.
All I know is that in Act of Valor, they were using Kershaw's, bo.
All I know is that in Act of Valor, they were using Kershaw's, bo.
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Recent graduates of the Q Course get a Yarborough fixed blade but it's a safe queen for most. As to carry pieces: Lots of different knives on an ODA. You may occasionally have as "issue" blade which is more like your logistics guys ordered something cool and squared you away. It's largely up to the individual and what they prefer. Years ago a Randall (plus a Rolex and a Star Sapphire ring) was a traditional knife but now operators carry ZT's., Kershaws, Cold Steel, Sog, KA-BAR You name a decent quality knife and some on the team is carrying it or has it stashed away somewhere.
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Auto Commander came out in 2009 I believe. Not sure if that's yours or not. It's more of a sweep and push than a simple flick in my mind. They are kind of fun to open with that somewhat unusual mechanism. I believe G&G Hawk designed it and those geniuses make some really neat unusual stuff. I wish I'd picked up a Cyclops from Gavin at the OKCA show.. I know, I tend to ramble and get off top..SQUIRREL!..ic a bit.
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I spent my last ten years of service attached to SOCOM and the above is true. Big mix of issued knives and privately purchased knives within the various SF units from all the services. There is no "standard issue" knife for any of them. There are some traditional and legacy blades for various groups/units/teams, but many of them are purely ceremonial. Plus, the same guys will carry different knives from day-to-day depending on their mission profiles, as well.
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Some kind of cool pieces were the "sterile" blades issued on occasion. They had no markings whatsoever so they couldn't be ID'd as US in origin. That was the theory at least. I've got a few fixed ones (sorry, no pics. Knives at home). I've never seen a sterile folder but that doesn't mean there aren't any out there.
This one requires a flick of the thumb to open. Kershaw/Emerson alliance.
That's a 3.75" blade, not 3". The auto commanders are roughly equal in dimensions compared to the regular commanders, barring the lack of a wave and thicker handle to house the firing mechanism.
Sounds about right, that's the year in which I got mine.