Knife Handling

W

will62

Joined
Oct 18, 2002
Messages
372
Just thought I would throw this one out to see what you guys say.

Since arriving here in the sandbox nearly all of our unit went out and bought knives at the BX, both male and female. In the 90 plus days we have been here we have had about a fourth of our unit seriously cut themselves with their knives. Some have been lock failures but most are due to lack of knowledge about safely using a knife.

This is in addition to a number of knives being broken due to trying things they have seen in movies ie opening barrels and throwing.

What really gets me is that the average age of this group is 38. Do people just not carry knives anymore, members of this forum being the exception?

I can't remember how many people I had to show how a linerlock works after they bought it.

Explanations anyone??
 
People just do not carry knives anymore, members of this forum being the exception. It's a pity, it's their loss, but that's the way it is -- and that's why so many of them wince when they see our knives. They're scared of what they don't know.

At least your buddies are willing to give the knives a try. Teach them the best you can, and I hope all of you come home safe! :D
 
getting cut with a knife is the best lesson you can learn. you will not do wahtever you did again
 
I've handled knives since I was six (I'm 23 how) and the first thing I learned was to respect it, but it took getting bitten several times (I've never broken a knife, other than a few tips).

What kind of knives are they buying that are breaking so easily?

And, no, I don't think people carry knives like they used to. Everything comes prepackaged for us, so we don't need to cut things (other than packaging :D), so the need for a knife has really dropped.

I live in the south, so there may not be as many sheeple around because a lot of people around here still do carry knives (even just an SAK or a Leatherman); not because we're unrefined, but because it's somewhat of a tradition.

I have a friend who moved here from Ohio some years ago. He was sitting in his car with his wife when someone approached him. And the story goes... "Let me see your knife, son." "I don't have one," my friend replies. "Well, here ya go then, maybe we'll trade again someday," and the man hands him an old Buck, fixed blade hunting knife... beautiful knife, stag handles. People still trade knives around here, though it's a dying tradition.
 
The main ones that I have seen broken are Cold Steel Voyagers and a couple of Gerber Gators.
 
Those aren't exactly wimpy knives, either. Too bad they're not really prybars, though ;)
 
Like psychopomp I've owned and handled blades since I was 5 or 6 and still carry one to this day. I don't see why everyone has just gone so damn soft! I even had Marine buddies of mine whince when I pulled a blade out! :eek:

I have to say though, that trading thing's a new one on me! What a tradition! A new blade from some guy on the street...SUPERB!! :D
 
I like the sound of that myself. My Dad was like that. If he saw you liked his knife, he'd give it to you, and find himself another one.
 
will62 said:
Just thought I would throw this one out to see what you guys say.

Since arriving here in the sandbox nearly all of our unit went out and bought knives at the BX, both male and female. SNIP...
Click to expand...

I have no explanation other than times change.

What I would like to know -- did they get cut more often with the male or female knives? !!! :D

One other thing ... thanks & keep safe!
 
I think the biggest problem is, people in general don't understand what knives are for. Cutting, duuhhhh. Most all of us here on this forum know that though. Funny thing though. Many military troops know nothing about knives. Including the fact that they are not screwdrivers, and folders are not for throwing. Hey, man on another note. I was with the 386th ESFS most of 2003. I was one of the "Viper" patrols at Ali Al Salem AB. Where are you?
 
Sounds like a serious oversight in training procedures. Anyone in the armed forces should be well-trained in the use of edged weapons.
 
leather1 said:
Sounds like a serious oversight in training procedures. Anyone in the armed forces should be well-trained in the use of edged weapons.
Click to expand...
That all depends on the carreer field. The US Military does't give any "Real" training on the use of knives to its troop unless it is specified in the job description. I am not talking about "don't cut yourself on the sharp end", or "A sharp knife is a safe knife". That is something that should be covered to troops before they deploy. Troops that are "Well-trained" in bladecraft are not the ones this guy is talking about.
 
Psychopomp said:
[snip]

I have a friend who moved here from Ohio some years ago. He was sitting in his car with his wife when someone approached him. And the story goes... "Let me see your knife, son." "I don't have one," my friend replies. "Well, here ya go then, maybe we'll trade again someday," and the man hands him an old Buck, fixed blade hunting knife... beautiful knife, stag handles. People still trade knives around here, though it's a dying tradition.
Click to expand...

What a great tradition. I'm just awestruck.
 
USAFSP said:
That all depends on the carreer field. The US Military does't give any "Real" training on the use of knives to its troop unless it is specified in the job description. I am not talking about "don't cut yourself on the sharp end", or "A sharp knife is a safe knife". That is something that should be covered to troops before they deploy. Troops that are "Well-trained" in bladecraft are not the ones this guy is talking about.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see. Well in the late 60's every Marine was taught the use of edged weapons during hand-to-hand combat training. I assumed this still was the case. My mistake.
 
No man this is the kinder gentler military. LOL I was told by a subbordinate that you can call a "Time Out" during basic training if you can't take getting yelled at by your DI/TI. Only a few carreer feilds get real training anymore.
 
Fearsclave said:
What a great tradition. I'm just awestruck.
Click to expand...
Maybe it's just something in the mountains with all the old hunters. It's not just giving knives to younger people, it's trading amongst themselves. I've never done it, but have sat around and listened to the stories some of them tell involving their knives.

In my mind at least it gives the knives a story of their own and each new owner adds to it.

But, not to hijack this thread...

It does seem like they should have been trained a little better in the basics of knife handling. Maybe not knife combat, but at least what you can and can't do with a knife and how to do it.
 
Will62,

I hope you're OK over there. I am proud of you soldiers. Some want to be there, some don't, but you're still there. God Bless you for what you do! I appreciate my Freedom sir! Thank you!

Fisher of Men
 
USAFSP said:
No man this is the kinder gentler military. LOL I was told by a subbordinate that you can call a "Time Out" during basic training if you can't take getting yelled at by your DI/TI. Only a few carreer feilds get real training anymore.
Click to expand...

I have no idea about the military, besides that my dad was a marine well before I was born. Are you serious? Time out? I grew up watching lots of war movies, and also grew up watching Full Metal Jacket, that was what I thought the military still was. I have no idea though, I mean I thought basic training ment something like lots of PT, learning firearms, and knives. I thought they would teach our military to use a knife, sharpen a knife, etc... What the heck happened???
 
The thing isn't just that people aren't used to using knives. People use knives every day. But they're butter knives, and dull kitchen knives, and steak knives that won't cut steak.

These people, even military people, get ahold of a "real" knife, and they don't know how to use it. People slice themselves cutting an apple or opening an MRE because they're not used to what a sharp knife can do.

Part of the whole "a sharp knife is a safe knife" is that a sharp knife cuts easily and predictably, while an dull one requires excessive force and cuts unpredictably. But another part of that adage is about people getting used to dull knives and not knowing how to use a sharp one.

Giving someone a sharp knife who isn't used to using one is like giving car keys to someone who's never driven. An accident will happen.
 
My best wishes and prayers to those of you out there in the "sandbox." And my appreciation for doing a job that most can't or won't do...

Back on-topic - My explanation for the number of knife related accidents is that firstly, most people do not use a knife often enough to be entirely edge-aware. Thats just a reflection of modern life, even within military circles. Secondly and possibly more importantly, you've indicated that many have gone out and purchased a NEW KNIFE. Being unaccustomed to a knife is one of the surest ways to have an accident. It could be just one feature on the knife that stands out that causes this to happen. Let me explain.

I have seen expereinced folk who train with a knife, accidentally cut themselves because a new knife was a couple of inches longer and hadn't been imprinted in their muscle memory. Cut themselves on the leg in a down cut. It wouldn't have happened with their usual knife.

Whenever I sharpen kitchen knives for friends and family, a certain proportion will accidentally cut themselves for the first time in a long while. Sinmply because the knives suddenly behaves differently (by being freshly sharpened).

I've cut myself on knives that had a sharpened top clip, because my personal EDC is a single-edged piece...

A friend who has used a lockback folder for the bulk of his life, picked up a slipjoint (SAK) and within seconds had the blade close on his hand with disastrous results. Just hadn't gotten used to the non-locking blade.

ETC. ETC. ETC...

I'm not sure how to avoid these incidents other than to make sure that when you get a new knife or have something changed to at least "play" with it and familiarise yourself. And I mean a good 30-60minutes just handling the piece. Accidents will still happen, but hopefully you'll be more prepared. Regards. Jason.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top