Lainhart SEAL knife

Abadir

Abadir

Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
45
In the November 1994 issue of "Fighting Knives" it is stated that SOG and Lainhart was considering producing a blade together, Lainhart design and SOG manufacturing. Why did this project get lost?? Is the project still open for the future or was it this that went to United Cutlery and later ended up as an inferior product with Colt??
 
Hi Abadir,

Welcome to BladeForums!

Yes, that is what happened. SOG decided not to do the project since we felt the knife did not have much commercial appeal. Since we were marketing the knife that won the SEAL Knife competition (the SEAL Knife 2000) which was being sold to the SEAL teams, we did not feel marketing two "SEAL" knives was wise. Mr. Lainhart did get his knife made through another manufacturing company and it had a short production run there.

I hope this has answered your question.
 
Abadir: Welcome. See its your first posting. Hope you drop in from time to time.

"... Lainhart design... ended up as an inferior product with Colt."
- Hmmm, maybe not? In my opinion it was just a way bit too highly priced and a bit ahead of its time.
(Look at the Striders today)

Its design appeal, like any other for that matter, is a case of personal preference.
Perhaps it was a bit to utilitarian and "business like" to pay for a hard wearing "tool" like that.
Still, it was suppose to have been made entirely of ATS 34, which would have made it one of the first fixed blade production knives to be manufactured (I stand corrected).

Though I do not own one, and cannot judge fairly, I just didn't think the nylon sheath to be worthy for such an expensive knife.

Colt could have certainly done better and I somehow can't help feeling sorry for poor old Lainhart to have to bear that cost in his name. Anybody knows what he's up to these day's?

Krizzard, out.

"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
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Below I have included a pic of an older mid-to-late 90's catalog page of the United Lainhart knives. As you can see, there were two designs. One a Utility knife and one a Machete design. The one-piece utility knife was made of 5/32" ATS-34 steel stock and the machete knife was made of 3/16" ATS-34 steel stock. The utility knife came with a simple nylon sheath with rubber straps while the machete came with a black leather sheath.

The second pic is a closeup of the marking on the blade. The third pic is one of the utility knives I picked up several years ago where someone customized the knife by adding a green canvas micarta (unpolished) handle and looks very nice on this knife.

Even though these knives were made by United, they were one of the exceptions in that they were very nicely made and with good steel. The utility knife (in my opinion) makes a very nice boot knife as it is a very slim design, again only 5/32" thick! When COLT picked up these knives shortly after, they were then made with the lesser quality 440 or 420 steel (I forget which).

Hope this helps.
.
 
70chevelless - thanks for the pics/info - yup, that's the one I have. It's 10+ years old, and it's been my hiking blade. Definitely a well made user.
Here's mine -
283969_107_full.jpg

283969_108_full.jpg
 
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