KNIVES IN SERVICES OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

[NG VI]

Very interesting find

The doctor was most impressed

 

[Bob Denman]

You mean…

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Very nice documentary shot many thanks I believe knife you posted is made by Russian Melita brand specialists for knives designed for Military and Counter- Terrorism units deployment (not sure but looks like Melita to me)

I belive you are correct about Melita. Ill try to find some other clips, they are more interesting IMO

 

[killgar]

Green Berets are given a Chris Reeve Yarborough knife when they pass their Q-course (an ironically named Green Beret knife is the version available to civilians). When you do see pictures of green berets in operations you won't find many sporting this knife.

This reminded me of a documentary I saw about a unit of Green Berets in Afghanistan on the National Geographic channel, or Discovery, one of those kind of cable channels.

To my surprise several of the GB's were carrying BIG bowie knives. This flew in the face of commonly preached convention on this forum about how SF guys would never carry big knives because of their weight and impracticality.

But it turned out there was a good reason why they carried such knives. Apparently the rural people of Afghanistan were terrified of BIG knives. It likely had something to do with the Taliban chopping peoples hands and heads off. And as a result, the SF guys knew that the sight of a large blade was more likely to loosen peoples tongues and prompt them to give up information.

In contrast, the people were very accustomed to firearms, so the sight of a firearm didn't instill the same level of fear. I guess the threat of being shot wasn't as terrifying as the threat of being chopped up.

 

[Zulus]

Melitta is a coffee !
German made :^))

so what's is Russian melita ???

 

[Bob Denman]

Melitta is a coffee !
German made :^))

so what's is Russian melita ???

That would be coffee with a vodka chaser...

 

[AbjectTestament]

But it turned out there was a good reason why they carried such knives. Apparently the rural people of Afghanistan were terrified of BIG knives. It likely had something to do with the Taliban chopping peoples hands and heads off. And as a result, the SF guys knew that the sight of a large blade was more likely to loosen peoples tongues and prompt them to give up information.

In contrast, the people were very accustomed to firearms, so the sight of a firearm didn't instill the same level of fear. I guess the threat of being shot wasn't as terrifying as the threat of being chopped up.

You hit the nail on the head. Getting rifles pointed at you in the middle east is fairly commonplace. Pistols usually (or historically) meant executions. Large knives and bayonets (attached) are psychological tools.

 

[Bob Denman]

You hit the nail on the head. Getting rifles pointed at you in the middle east is fairly commonplace. Pistols usually (or historically) meant executions. Large knives and bayonets (attached) are psychological tools.

Big knives can loosen tongues...
... or if necessary: even heads!


!

 

[Jim malone]

The rumour goes that Daniel Winkler has made tools for SEAL team members.

Remember that tools can get you killed or imprisoned. if you search for the Casio F-91W watch you will see that a lot of people wandering around the Afghan/Pakistan country side with this particular watch on their wrist where send to be interrogated because this watch was the prefered watch by Al Qaida as an IED timer.
So wairing stuff that makes you stand out as an " operator" might draw unwanted hostile attention. Deniability is really important and carrying something local that makes you blend in is important when going "deep cover". But you probably won't fool the locals.

 

[tltt]

This reminded me of a documentary I saw about a unit of Green Berets in Afghanistan on the National Geographic channel, or Discovery, one of those kind of cable channels.

To my surprise several of the GB's were carrying BIG bowie knives. This flew in the face of commonly preached convention on this forum about how SF guys would never carry big knives because of their weight and impracticality.

But it turned out there was a good reason why they carried such knives. Apparently the rural people of Afghanistan were terrified of BIG knives. It likely had something to do with the Taliban chopping peoples hands and heads off. And as a result, the SF guys knew that the sight of a large blade was more likely to loosen peoples tongues and prompt them to give up information.

In contrast, the people were very accustomed to firearms, so the sight of a firearm didn't instill the same level of fear. I guess the threat of being shot wasn't as terrifying as the threat of being chopped up.

Yes, I remember a thread on another board, and a couple of soldiers that had to have regular meetings with Afghani clan elders chimed in. They mentioned often having special "go to meeting" knives. Big bowies were popular, large fighters too, also knuckle knives like EDMF's, and knives with modified 1918 style handles were popular. The elders would sometimes ask to look the knives over, and appraise them based on their bladeware.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

LEOs doing plainclothes work continue to out themselves by their footwear.

Plain Cloths and UC are two very different things with very different requirements. But yes footwear can be a give away though no UC would fall into that.

 

[Billy The Blade]

I realize that the Gerber Applegate - Fairbairn Combat folder, (or the smaller Covert)
don't qualify for the O.P.'s thread inquiry,
but I thought I would bring it up just for thoughts.
I, personally find it 'clunky' & outdated as there are far better and more specialized fighting &/or self defense knives available.
-Great info. and insight being provided in the thread responses.
BTB

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Melitta is a coffee !
German made :^))

so what's is Russian melita ???

My bad, sorry. Here is their website Melita-K
Its again in Russian but for non-speaking friends Ggl have available translation to go over the menus
Clicking on the British flag will get you to a non working with knives land…

Каталог продукции

Бытовые ножи имеют широкое применение в сфере домашнего хозяйства. Ножи отличает идеальная форма лезвия и высокая износоустойчивость режущей кромки

www.melitak.ru

 

[BladeCollector99]

I realize that the Gerber Applegate - Fairbairn Combat folder, (or the smaller Covert)
don't qualify for the O.P.'s thread inquiry,
but I thought I would bring it up just for thoughts.
I, personally find it 'clunky' & outdated as there are far better and more specialized fighting &/or self defense knives available.
-Great info. and insight being provided in the thread responses.
BTB

Hi Billy The Blade

Thank you for your reply,,,I never mentioned folders wouldn't qualify for the topic,,,please if you have any insights let us know with folders what are your findings or opinions all welcome to me I was only curious to know closer from this field of cutlery point that's all and I am not anywhere close to person who would know anything about it at all ,,, it just comes to my mind on pure impulse.... when creating topic as new member

 

[Sonnydaze]

I think the Fairbairn/Sykes fighting knife, devised by those two in Shanghai yrs ago. Used to dispatch many a bad guy.
Used by SAS, Airborne, special services of various countries, extensively used at Normandy invasion.
This is an oldie, but it is still top o' the heap in my eyes.

Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[The Grendels]

I imagine that if you're carrying anything with a tactical look to it you're doing it wrong, unless you're playing combat dress-up on a military base. You're primarily going to want a decent multi-tool, especially one with a lot of wire tools. Then just a not too threatening knife with 2.25-3" narrow blade, because you really don't want to attract a ton of attention. A more robust version of the CRKT CEO knife would be fine.

 

[Charlie Fox]

The only government agencies I’ve dealt with was the Secret Service and CBP. Their knives and multitools were pretty run of the mill; lots of Gerbers and Leatherman models, mostly cheaper stuff. The “high speed” personnel all had clips showing in their pockets - from what I could see Spyderco and Kershaw.

 

[Zulus]

My bad, sorry. Here is their website Melita-K
Its again in Russian but for non-speaking friends Ggl have available translation to go over the menus
Clicking on the British flag will get you to a non working with knives land…

Каталог продукции

Бытовые ножи имеют широкое применение в сфере домашнего хозяйства. Ножи отличает идеальная форма лезвия и высокая износоустойчивость режущей кромки

www.melitak.ru

After initial research - Phase One
I concur
there is online sporting store named Melita K :^D
They got some knives, for military, police use too
Nothing covert though

But nearly all knives are made with one steel only :
70Х16МФС-Ш
I'm trying to find West World substitute
0.7C, 16Cr, + few elements more

So I dig deeper and found more friendly page :

20 Knives of Russian Military and Law Enforcement -

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the relatively rare or new knives, bayonets and multi-tools of Russian armed forces and special police units. Some of these edged weapons are adopted in small quantities by special forces, others are newly adopted and are being widely supplied to...

www.thefirearmblog.com

Knives as knives, nothing really special

And still same steel :^O

But nothing for spies :^D

 

[Zulus]

I realize that the Gerber Applegate - Fairbairn Combat folder, (or the smaller Covert)
don't qualify for the O.P.'s thread inquiry,

You realise wrong !
"Welcome to every example and suggestions from those , who might have any relevant and valid info on these secretive blades"

So
Fairbairn-Sykes isn't very secretive
Or 9" bowie :^D

 

[Jim malone]

I believe that Michael Janich once told the forum that Spyderco gave away a batch of waved Endura's to guys from 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (1st SFOD-D) . I don't have any more info about the specifics of what model or for what cause. He said iirc that he met some members of the team months/years later and a lot still had the knife with them.