Knives in Seal Tests

Joined
Sep 15, 2000
Messages
97
What 3 knives did you submit for the test done by the west coast Seals and how did they do?
 
The knives were:
1. WB. G10
2. WB. With a seven inch blade. G10.
3. BG.G10

The knives performed quite well. On the video it was obvious that the operators like ours the best. Or maybe the camera just followed our stuff. Who knows.

As usual, the thing turned into one of those political events. Which is unfortunate for the people in need of a knife.

Oh well.
Great question, a blast from the past.

Ever Vigilant

Mick
 
Didn't Mission Knives have this up on their website? I checked yesterday but could not find it but I am sure I remember seeing it. I also remember them claiming pretty much the same thing in regards to the results.

-Cliff
 
What are you implying there Cliff?

I recall the thing with a bit of distaste. There were too many issues of; will you be able to meet production and all that type of thing. Which is obviously understandable. But in the end, no individual would be given the slot. Which turned out great. They wanted far too much for far to little. I believe the people issued the winning knife have dubbed it " The self dulling self rusting knife".

I'm gonna try to find a copy of that tape.

Later

Mick
 
Sorry, should have been more clear, I have seen multiple blades advertized as being Seal tested and approved. Quite simply if Missions MPK and yours were part of the same test obviously both could not have scored top performance. I would be interested in what other blades the Seals had to compare against the WB's and BG. And if there was some kind of rating system and how the various blades did in each aspect.

Personally, having used your products and Missions (A2 MPK), it is not much of a choice at all. I had many problems with the MPK I had a loan of. To name a few, it rusted easily (just being out in damp weather for a few hours), the edge dented on wood, and I had concerns about tip strength (couldn't actually evaluate that as it wasn't mine).

Compare this to the performance of the PAB for example which not only has as equal as thin and edge but is longer and heavier (so the impact energies are higher). Last week, I used to it take down a couple of trees, limb them out, as well clear about 250 dead branches off the surrounding trees and the net effect was no significant edge degredation let alone visible damage. It was also wet and there was no visible corrosion produced.

The security of your cord wrap is also much greater than the grip on the MPK, there are durability benefits, but then again you offer G10 grips as well. On top of that Eagle Industries makes easily the most impressive sheaths I have seen in regards to quality of construction, durability, and functionality.

To be fair to Mission, the test knife was probably a Ti version of the MPK and not the A2 one I used, however I don't think that the Ti version would be stronger than the A2 one I used nor more compaction resistant. It obviously has the same grip and sheath so the same comments would apply.

Anyway, if you can find the tape I would like to buy a copy if possible.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 03-12-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mick Strider:
The knives were:
1. WB. G10
2. WB. With a seven inch blade. G10.
3. BG.G10
</font>
Mick, if I may ask, why all of the knives submitted to the Seals had G10 handles?

I personally prefer G10 oh my MH, but anyways, somehow I thought military was mostly getting cordwrapped handles?


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Have Fun,
Alligator
 
What is a SEAL test? How good your knife looks in a movie? How good it looks at the bottom of the ocean because it's not dummy corded (Don't worry we have a lot of monet we will buy more) Or how fast you can pull it out in a bar to try and impress a woman?
 
I thought those west coast seals were protected by law?
tongue.gif
 
The contract that we are speaking of began it's research in late 1993 and was completed in 1994. The preceeding contract held by Mad Dog Knives seems to be another big rumor mill. Kevin built what I'm quite sure is the best knife ever issued to any American Serviceman in a large contract and the Navy promptly blew it and now needs to go give a bunch of five dollar blow jobs to gain back there self respect as a branch of service to make up for the handing out of the inferior crap that they currently dispense.
The tapes we are speaking of were never legally released to the public however, results from the destructive and non-destructive testing were condensed and released in part. We have some of that information and I will look it up and post it if you wish.
The question regarding the handle materials was a requirement within the contract. Conductivity would not be accepted.
Many rumors exist regarding this contract including the cost issue. The fact on cost is that all the companies had the same cost cieling to work within. It is said that some companies came in very low to win. I don't know.
Mr. Steven Dick (editor of Tactical Knives Magazine) wrote an article on this topic and it was in the Spring 1995 issue. It is descriptive of the knives entered and some of the test criteria, but no results are posted in the article.
Stay tuned and we will post some of the results that were not considered close hold information.
Duane Dwyer
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Duane Dwyer:
..... Kevin built what I'm quite sure is the best knife ever issued to any American Serviceman in a large contract and the Navy promptly blew it and now needs to go give a bunch of five dollar blow jobs to gain back there self respect as a branch of service to make up for the handing out of the inferior crap that they currently dispense.....</font>

BwahHAHAHAHA!
ROTFLMAO at that one. THAT is a good one.
biggrin.gif


Don't want to say too much about the Navy right now, though. They're having a rough time in PR, that's for sure.

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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley


iktomi
 
Vinnie,
I'm not sure but I think the SEAL test was to see which knife a SEAL could get issued and then sell in town for the most profit. Also to discover which knife could be used in a multi-level marketing scheme (Amway). I may be wrong however.

Actually I think part of it was an 8 ton hydraulic press. The STRIDER lasted the longest and when the press finally broke it, the knife was so strong it didn't snap off, but exploded. I'm not sure the exact pressure applied, but the STRIDER kicked everyone's ass.

S/F

out
 
tongue.gif
I'm not sure the knife exploding instead of snapping is a sign of strength although the final load that caused such failure would be.

Interesting how the Navy (and I guess SEALs) have been getting bad press lately. The submarine/fishing boat incident didn't help certainly, and then there are the cheesy ads the Navy has been doing with SEALs. Still, manufacturers seem to love associating their products with these guys. Despite the Navy's poor reputation now, I wouldn't be so quick to criticize the men in the SEAL teams.
 
We never criticize the men, only the organization itself. Many of them do believe their own hype, but alot are good operators that have earned their reputation. The Navy still doesn't realize that a unit's combat effectiveness is not judged by how many movies are made about it.

Vinnie trains and operates with SEALS, so I think he has an informed opinion.

Hey we all kill the same bad guys in war, no matter who pays our check. (or doesn't pay if you are a Marine)

S/F

out
 
I recall seeing a listing of the knives but no results. Considering range of prices of the knives tested I am surprised there was a cost limit.

Cliff, is the cord wrap handle abrasive? I was not too interested in the Strider knives till I recently saw the PAB.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 03-14-2001).]
 
Will, the cord wrap is very abrasive. The only grip I have used that was more so was the Steel Eagle from TOPS, due to the steel "steps" along the back of the grip.

That being said, there are handles that are more uncomfortable for me to use because they are not secure and thus my hand slams into the end hook, (Busse Combat rear talon for example).

With the Strider Cord wrap, yes there is some abrasion as well as high pressure points, but they are spready over my entire grip, whereas the former just blasts my pinky (or index finger on a stab).

It does require a decently durable grip as many friends have commented that for them the knife was not usable - they said the same thing about the Project from Chris Reeves.

If you are interested in having a look at my PAB I should be able to send it out to you some time the summer, possibly earlier depending on how much free time I get to use it.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

"If you are interested in having a look at my PAB I should be able to send it out"

Yes!

Will
 
Ok, Will, I have a lot more work I want to do with it, but if you have not heard from in a a few months drop me an email.

-Cliff
 
Yes Tom, they do. Its the new passive-agressive "politically correct" training that is left over from a recent former administration (read three ring circus). Sorry for being sinical but I am tired of the touchy-feely, have to boost their self-esteems view point. Just my two pesos.
Reed

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Collect 'em to use 'em
 
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