Mercenaries like the M-21

bladeprince

bladeprince

Joined
Jun 12, 2006
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Saw a show on professional soldiers that corporations and even the US government hire for jobs in Iraq (I heard on the radio there are over 10,000 of them). One of them was going over his equipment before an assignment. He picked up his knife and it was quite obvious that it was a CRKT M-21 4" combo spear point.

I happen to also like this knife (along with dozens more). Strong, fast opening, easily cleaned considering the sandy environment. All-in-all, a good choice for his situation. While I love the Axis lock, I've heard that they are difficult to keep clean and many soldiers prefer a liner lock for sandy/muddy conditions. Each to their own.

Just found it interesting.

Regards
 
And they're pretty inexpensive too; if you look around you can find 'em for about 50 bucks or so. Great value in a big blade from a reputable company.

Personally, as a civilian here in the USA, I prefer carrying the Endura ZDP-189.

But the info in your post is interesting & well taken.
 
Hey Guys...

I've got 2 M21's and I love them..
Great knife at a reasonable price...

Can't go wrong with it IMO..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
There have been huge discussions on the term mercenaries in the past on multiple mil/leo forums. The security contractors and other experts working varying jobs shouldn't be called mercenaries as it gives the people a very wrong idea of what the work is about, what the people doing it are like or what their motives are.

Just thought you'd like to know.
 
As a retired "green suit" wearer, I also occasionally carry a CRKT M21 as a backup to my CRK Sebenza.

Also, my own belief is that if you're in a combat zone, you should either wear that green suit and be subject to the UCMJ or an indig. Paid civilians blur the line as to what law they operate under and to whom they are accountable. When they kill people, it is unclear by what law they do so. I prefer we not outsource what our military should be doing.
 
For the record, I'm not here to discuss politics, what is right and what is wrong, only the use of faulty terminology that is harmful to contractors and their image. Like I said this has been extensively discussed in mil/leo circles online and offline and this term used here is simply wrong.
 
Who cares what you call them, they are corperate mercs. Also our goverment pays them 20 times what it pays our soldiers and many of these mercs do not even possess the quality or level of training that our troops do (I'm shure some do). Halley Burton is not a contractor, it is a multinational corperation that was given a government contract for double digit billions without having to bid on the contract (as is standard procedure for government contracts and also allowed them to overcharge us for everything from parts to soda) because they gave our vice president am 8 million dollar severance package when he left them to become vice prez. Then after taking billions from American tax payers and not even bieng able to explain where most of it went they moved there company offshores and left the U.S. I spit on Halley Burton and there "Blackhawk or whatever mercs." If we gave 1/20 of the money spent on these mercs to vetrans health care we may actually be able to take care of our soldiers when they get back. I support soldiers, not the money grubbing profiteers, who cares what I am implying by calling a corperate army "mercenaries".
 
That is an extremely sad delusion you have there. I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with the subject better.
 
Isn't it difficult to clean between the lockbar and the handle scale? I got some toilet paper stuck in there when I tried to clean my M16. If I was going to take a folder into the desert, it would be a lockback.
 
They were called Hessians in this country, long before anyone ever used the word mercenary, and I think the M-21 is a fine tough folder on a Soldier's pay.
 
BigJimSlade said:
Who cares what you call them, they are corperate mercs. Also our goverment pays them 20 times what it pays our soldiers and many of these mercs do not even possess the quality or level of training that our troops do (I'm shure some do). Halley Burton is not a contractor, it is a multinational corperation that was given a government contract for double digit billions without having to bid on the contract (as is standard procedure for government contracts and also allowed them to overcharge us for everything from parts to soda) because they gave our vice president am 8 million dollar severance package when he left them to become vice prez. Then after taking billions from American tax payers and not even bieng able to explain where most of it went they moved there company offshores and left the U.S. I spit on Halley Burton and there "Blackhawk or whatever mercs." If we gave 1/20 of the money spent on these mercs to vetrans health care we may actually be able to take care of our soldiers when they get back. I support soldiers, not the money grubbing profiteers, who cares what I am implying by calling a corperate army "mercenaries".
Click to expand...

It's Blackwater, not Blackhawk. Blackhawk is the manufacturer of various tactical nylon products. It costs the military anywhere from $25,000 to over $100,000 per month for military personel due to the various support structures that are in place. This doesn't even include the costs of training and the support structures for retired personnel. The high pay for contractors is a result of the fact that these corporations/individuals must provide thier own support structures resulting in six figure salaries as opposed to the ~$20,000 a year and up that a soldier makes.
 
heisler said:
Isn't it difficult to clean between the lockbar and the handle scale? I got some toilet paper stuck in there when I tried to clean my M16. If I was going to take a folder into the desert, it would be a lockback.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd use toilet paper to clean much of anything but my backside. Even newspaper is better than TP.

Because of design requirments, the lockback is not open on the spine of the handle. A liner lock like the M-21 can be hosed off or just shaken in a bucket of water or stream. If it gets packed with mud, it can quickly be pushed out with a stick or small knife. The holes in the side add to the ease of cleaning and cut down on weight for a knife of its size. Plus, CRKT's new "AutoLAWKS" make for a solid locking system.

For casual camping or EDC in the city, any type of knife would do but I like the man's choice of the M-21 considering his "work environment".

Merc, contractors, soldiers of fortune. Not much difference to me. What counts is how they do their jobs. Do they use good judgement? Do they treat the non-fighting locals with respect? Are they well trained?

I was surprised to hear the number was so high and yes, I also believe the money could be spent more wisely. But this war has our backs against the wall and it seems we have no choice but to use them. Corporations can do what they want. I talking about government payments.

But wait until we bomb Iran. We're just getting started with this "world domination thing".

Regards
 
In my mind a mercenary is anyone who puts his/her life in danger for wages that are ten to twenty times what the same job would pay in a safe environment be they a mountain fighter or an electrician.
 
for sandy/muddy environs, I like fixed blade best. every heard the sound of fine gravel/mud/sand in the washer/pivot area? your heart would sink....

but if I had to pick a folder, I would prefer a framelock with an open back for cleaning. and phosphor bronze instead of teflon washers. and something easy to disassemble for cleaning.
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys...

I've got 2 M21's and I love them..
Great knife at a reasonable price...

Can't go wrong with it IMO..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...

The fit and finish on the better CRKT knives is pretty amazing, especially considering the price they sell for.
 
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