KM2000: German military knife

L

Legendary_Jarl

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Feb 8, 2010
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1,109
Hello guys,

Have you seen the standard German knife issued to their army? It is the KM 2000, with a westernized tanto point and steel Böhler N965 (similar to 440C), it measures an overall 11.92 inches with a 6.7 inch blade.

Km2000.jpg


My question is, why would the germans choose stainless steel for their 6.7 inch knife over high carbon steel, and why would they choose a tanto point instead of a drop point or clip point? I mean, the knife itself looks quite cool but why not go for something more practical?
 
Stianless does not require the care that carbon does , out in the field caring for a carbon blade takes commitment ( moisture ) whereas stainless will not readily rust , notice I said readily.

As far the blade config , maybe they thought it might be an all around useful design , the tanto for prying boxes-tip strength , serrations for cutting rope easier , webbing etc.. Just because someone is in the military does not mean they are or ever were interested in knives , perhaps whoever chose that design thought it more practical then others.

My thoughts

Tostig
 
I agree with tostig that stainless is definately a good way to go for a survival/army knife. Depending on the situation you may not have time and or materials needed to properly maintain a carbon steel blade. Especially if the soldiers to the front lines of some place humid or swampy. As for the tanto point, it makes for a very solid, strong tip that can be useful for prying(dare I say...) and penetrating. I agree with you though that a spear/drop point is a much more useful design. Perhaps a spanto tip like on the xm-18 would be a good choice. If it were me I would probably take that knife and sharpen it like a traditional drop point blade until the two flat edges blended together. Good find though, its always cool to see what different military organizations are using.
 
Stianless does not require the care that carbon does , out in the field caring for a carbon blade takes commitment ( moisture ) whereas stainless will not readily rust , notice I said readily.
Click to expand...

I agree with tostig that stainless is definately a good way to go for a survival/army knife.
Click to expand...

But wouldn't they be underpowered in terms of applications given the brittleness of ss?
 
I have an old Bundeswehr Camp Knife made by Kissing Crane knives dated 1969 that was made with 420 series stainless. From the sharpening wear it looks like it saw a lot of use & still looks like it would serve a soldier just fine. Stainless steel works just fine for a field knife & is easier for a soldier to maintain.
 
Tostig makes a lot of sense, good reasoning! Also, function follows form as far as military knives go. The tanto tip has a lot more piercing power than a standard clip point or a drop point.
 
obviously the tanto point makes for a much stronger tip.
especially when it's expected to double up a "pry-bar", and that's besides dealing with the military's idea of tactical "penetrative chores".
it is afterall, built specifically to meet and execute the German army's fullest expectation of exactly how a combat knife should perform in the field.
we'll just have to wait and see if future Bund tenders renders the tanto point as das kaput!
 
Stainless being brittle is nothing more than bad info that has been passed along. I have never used this steel but I would make a bet it not like 440c, the same is said about N690co too but it also is not anything like 440c.
 
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used any of these knives in the field. Can't tell from the picts but curious how is the edge, durability etc.

They look "cool" but hard to spend that kind of cash on something I have never handled. They all seem to be in the $150 and up range.

This model seems to be the most affordable:

clubmail_128213772_04ca39f71.jpg
 
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