Met a former Navy Seal the other night...

[Folderguy]

Maybe he was just bashful in admitting to a knife nut that he doesn't carry something nice.

This may be the crux of it.

I asked him about a few different and possibly likely makers and he acted like he knew the names.

To him, the key was definitely NOT the knife, but the training to use it well... Heck, I just wanted to know which knife he used.

I think that fellow could use any decent fixed blade. He wasn't too keen on a couple of the folder names I mentioned. I don't think he likes folders at all.

In any case, what I can tell you is that he showed me a bullet scar in his upper arm near the shoulder that he said went inside him, and he also told me about a rod in his leg, after he broke it jumping out a 2nd story window to avoid a fireball from a booby trapped item...

Do I believe him? What do you think?

Oh, also, he's middle aged and married with kids, and looks like he could go to where ever tomorrow.

 

[XD45]

I was talking to a friend of mine, a Master Chief, and he said most pick what they want since it's mainly used as a tool more than anything else. Some guys go for the slightly higher end while others get a cheapy to be used and then discarded when all used up.

 

[Folderguy]

I know a guy who speaks the language that is spoken in Iraq, or perhaps certain regions, I'm pretty ignorant about languages over there... and he was sent there for 6 months as a translator. Paid very well.

He told me they (US forces) don't care what kind of knife anybody uses...

Now, this is different from my initial post. One thing is what is alright to be used, another is what is issued to whomever...

 

[Orion]

yeah, ok.
it was all made up at the expense of folderguy. we can determine this because of a three sentence post and his use of those two words.

Hmmmm.... Non sequitur conclusion. You have changed your entire premise to "the entire thing was made up" (which is non sequitur because no one said that) from "who ever said the seal in question was issued a knife?" which was a specific point in the topic....
What exactly is the point you are trying to make...? It's hard to discern when you jump from one topic and premise to another....

 

[RafaelHerschel]

it may be weird to you, but perhaps folderguy does not feel it is his place to investigate his friend's military history. maybe there was some sort of non-disclosure agreement with the knifemaker. only he knows, and the friend is under no obligation to reveal what type of knife he carried or give a reason as to why he won't.

i know and have met many military and swat types, and some are more secretive than others. generally, they dont talk about much, but it would be inaccucurate to say none of them do.

and just because they do talk about stuff, it doesn't mean they are bragging.

After carefully reading all the post by the OP, I can conclude two things:

The friend of the OP is forthcoming about some things (like showing battle scars).

He is coy about naming a knife model or brand.

“In any case, what I can tell you is that he showed me a bullet scar in his upper arm near the shoulder that he said went inside him, and he also told me about a rod in his leg, after he broke it jumping out a 2nd story window to avoid a fireball from a booby trapped item...”

“I asked him about a few different and possibly likely makers and he acted like he knew the names.”

Why doesn’t this guy simply tells Folderguy which knives he likes and why? The whole story sounds strange and unconvincing to me.

Actually, I’m giving both Folderguy and his friend the benefit of the doubt, but being secretive about something that isn’t that big of a deal is silly, when he is forthcoming about other things.

 

[JLKII]

/ rant on

Does it really matter what the SEALs or Special Forces or Rangers carry? If they carry a Whatawanker crew-served 15" blade of SV120 steel (available only to the military) does that mean that it will be of use to anyone on this board?

The fact that someone is a member of an elite unit does NOT make them an expert on knives, or guns, or anything else, for that matter. The level of knowledge of knives and knife steel and blade shape is NO GREATER among the elite units than it is among the general populace, and a lot, lot less than on this board. There is NO special training given on knives, or as a good friend of mine, who is in Special Forces, told me that if there was, "I must have slept through the class on knife selection and use when I went through SF training."

AFAIK, there is NO official issue knife for any of the military (except possible the Ka-Bar to the USMC and the Yarborough at one time to SF), and there is NO committee on "Selection and Use of Knives for Servicemembers" at Army or Navy levels. So the knife that someone carries is simply a matter of personal preference, or more often, whatever was available in the post exchange at the time (usually an SRT or a Benchmade folder), or, in some cases, whatever the supply officer bought because there was some money left over and he needed to spend it at the end of the fiscal year and gave out to his buddies.

So chosing a knife on the grounds that the elite military units use it makes as much sense as buying a truck because the motor pool is full of that model of Ford or Chevy pickups.

Sorry to disappoint you all, but that's the way it is. Speculating on what the service uses is a complete waste of time, except for those wannabees and mall ninjas who live and die by what is said on the Internet.

/rant off

 

[singularity35]

/ rant on

Does it really matter what the SEALs or Special Forces or Rangers carry? If they carry a Whatawanker crew-served 15" blade of SV120 steel (available only to the military) does that mean that it will be of use to anyone on this board?

I'm sure it doesn't matter but as knife nuts we are also all about knife trivia. I think that's all there is about this. The majority of people here are not gecko45 wannabes

So chosing a knife on the grounds that the elite military units use it makes as much sense as buying a truck because the motor pool is full of that model of Ford or Chevy pickups.

Except for a few who want to live vicariously, the interest in this is just academic.

Sorry to disappoint you all, but that's the way it is. Speculating on what the service uses is a complete waste of time, except for those wannabees and mall ninjas who live and die by what is said on the Internet.

So all the historical trivia like what rifle what unit used in the civil war are just a waste of time? The artful renditions of soldiers in lead are quite marvelous. Maybe you just have the wrong impression that if people want to know who is using what, that they are automatically wannabes.

 

[Folderguy]

Why doesn’t this guy simply tells Folderguy which knives he likes and why? The whole story sounds strange and unconvincing to me.

Actually, I’m giving both Folderguy and his friend the benefit of the doubt, but being secretive about something that isn’t that big of a deal is silly, when he is forthcoming about other things.

That's alright, Raphael. I wasn't trying to interrogate him, as I was making friends and truthfully believe at the end of that hour that we really are friends, who understand each other pretty well.

If you think the story is "strange and unconvincing" that's alright, I'm not here trying to convince you that it's true. The fellow is rather unassuming and shy, at least at first, although if you met him you'd probably not think that. Perhaps it's better to say he's reserved. That's a much better way to describe him. After he was really comfortable with me, he showed me that scar. I'm sure he has plenty of other stories. All in due time...

Thank you for giving both me and him the benefit of the doubt.

I'm not interested in passing something off that's not true, just wondered what the knife he was talking about is like. While I can imagine what it's like, I'd prefer to know, that's all.

Also, I got the clear impression that he was issued a knife. And he did tell me he used it while a police officer. I didn't ask him what he does for a living now. Perhaps he's still a cop. Doesn't really matter to me.

 

[Folderguy]

So all the historical trivia like what rifle what unit used in the civil war are just a waste of time? The artful renditions of soldiers in lead are quite marvelous. Maybe you just have the wrong impression that if people want to know who is using what, that they are automatically wannabes.

I can assure you that yours truly is no wannabe. I have enough to take care of already, without drooling over the option of becoming a mall ninja, whatever that is.

Folderguy

P.S. This comment/response isn't directed at you, Singularity. It's just a general response to some of the ideas you addressed.

 

[bearcut]

Through the years I’ve had several friends who were in the Special Forces. Some were Rangers, one was a Green Beret and one was a Seal. Every one was soft spoken and humble. For instance, my Green Beret friend, if asked, would tell people he was in the infantry. (If they only knew). None of these guys ever made a show of their rank or position.
We often went hiking, bicycling, or backpacking together. I attended various survival classes with some of them. They were always in great shape and the best teammate you could ask for.
None of them were “knife guys”. More often than not, they carried a small neck knife as their only blade when they were with me. In fact, I always had a bigger, badder knife than they did on trips.

Now, some of the “weapons” they talked about using in operations were quite interesting.
They often related stories of using ‘What was at hand”, to get the job done. Everything from pliers to bulldozers were utilized to “disrupt” the enemy. Oftentimes the stories were hilarious. Talk about thinking out of the box! Funny though, never did I hear of a knife saving the day.

I do hear some stories from grunts in the Sandbox about knives though. The cultures they are in now, often fear knives more than firearms so, the soldiers are starting to brandish larger knives simply for the intimidation factor. The grunts I know aren’t knife nuts however. Any reasonably well made knife seems to work for them.

 

[singularity35]

After he was really comfortable with me, he showed me that scar.

Did you show him yours too?

Just kidding let's lighten this up.

 

[singularity35]

I can assure you that yours truly is no wannabe. I have enough to take care of already, without drooling over the option of becoming a mall ninja, whatever that is.

Folderguy

P.S. This comment/response isn't directed at you, Singularity. It's just a general response to some of the ideas you addressed.

Gotcha, folderguy.

 

[hutch1510]

in short there is no "standard isue" knife.... an operator or any other mil person is pretty much free to choose his own gear, and it's "OFTEN" purchased with a credit card by someone authorized to use it. the item is usually bought from all the same people that offer everything to everyone on the board here. a person trained to use a knife or any other weopon will do more damage with the worst steel & design knife offered, as long as it's able to cut or pentrate it can be used as such.

i would also add, i would imagine they would use some "ceramic" or other hi tech plastic knife...for the simple fact that it's light and tough... then can be broke/and or discarded after use. hardly what the average knife owner would want to buy and invest in. yet perfectly suited for a mission of sorts. so as it's largely irrelevant what they would choose to use.

 

[Folderguy]

Through the years I’ve had several friends who were in the Special Forces. Some were Rangers, one was a Green Beret and one was a Seal. Every one was soft spoken and humble. For instance, my Green Beret friend, if asked, would tell people he was in the infantry. (If they only knew). None of these guys ever made a show of their rank or position.
We often went hiking, bicycling, or backpacking together. I attended various survival classes with some of them. They were always in great shape and the best teammate you could ask for.
None of them were “knife guys”. More often than not, they carried a small neck knife as their only blade when they were with me. In fact, I always had a bigger, badder knife than they did on trips.

Now, some of the “weapons” they talked about using in operations were quite interesting.
They often related stories of using ‘What was at hand”, to get the job done. Everything from pliers to bulldozers were utilized to “disrupt” the enemy. Oftentimes the stories were hilarious. Talk about thinking out of the box! Funny though, never did I hear of a knife saving the day.

I do hear some stories from grunts in the Sandbox about knives though. The cultures they are in now, often fear knives more than firearms so, the soldiers are starting to brandish larger knives simply for the intimidation factor. The grunts I know aren’t knife nuts however. Any reasonably well made knife seems to work for them.

Very interesting.

The man in question says he was in the Navy. Doesn't offer anything about the SEALS. It was a friend of his who outed him to me. He didn't deny it, just accepted it with normality. Totally reasonable behavior. A number of posters here think he was being secretive. I wouldn't characterize it that way. Let's just say he was tweaking me. Especially after I said I'd try to find out. If I had asked about it in a different way, perhaps he would have said what he was "issued" or used, or whatever. I asked him if the knife was an Emerson or Strider, and he didn't actually tell me yes or no, but more or less indicated he knew about those knives. He's clearly no fan of folders, at least not for combat.

He did tell me things that have happened with him as a consequence of his training, which I won't relate here. Suffice it to say that he'd not have told me what he did if he didn't trust me.

I won't see him for at least another 10 days or so, and depending on my schedule will try to see him and perhaps get a simple answer out of him about his knife. FWIW, we have more important things to discuss than what he used while in the military.

This is not the end of the world folks! I just friggin' wanted to know what the knife was!! LOL

 

[foxtrot2058]

/ rant on

Does it really matter what the SEALs or Special Forces or Rangers carry? If they carry a Whatawanker crew-served 15" blade of SV120 steel (available only to the military) does that mean that it will be of use to anyone on this board?

The fact that someone is a member of an elite unit does NOT make them an expert on knives, or guns, or anything else, for that matter. The level of knowledge of knives and knife steel and blade shape is NO GREATER among the elite units than it is among the general populace, and a lot, lot less than on this board. There is NO special training given on knives, or as a good friend of mine, who is in Special Forces, told me that if there was, "I must have slept through the class on knife selection and use when I went through SF training."

AFAIK, there is NO official issue knife for any of the military (except possible the Ka-Bar to the USMC and the Yarborough at one time to SF), and there is NO committee on "Selection and Use of Knives for Servicemembers" at Army or Navy levels. So the knife that someone carries is simply a matter of personal preference, or more often, whatever was available in the post exchange at the time (usually an SRT or a Benchmade folder), or, in some cases, whatever the supply officer bought because there was some money left over and he needed to spend it at the end of the fiscal year and gave out to his buddies.

So chosing a knife on the grounds that the elite military units use it makes as much sense as buying a truck because the motor pool is full of that model of Ford or Chevy pickups.

Sorry to disappoint you all, but that's the way it is. Speculating on what the service uses is a complete waste of time, except for those wannabees and mall ninjas who live and die by what is said on the Internet.

/rant off

I agree with this response. Most special operations personnel are not any more an expert on knife, firearms, field/ tactical gear than anyone else. Gear selection is much more a personal preference and I would venture to say that most professionals who use them are looking at them purely on their functional merits. I also agree that most special operations personnel are not too talkative about their gear and even more importantly their training. Many military gear selection changes have been influenced by the civilian side (i.e. hunting/ competitive sports/ martial concepts). However, I can appreciate how someone might be interested in what they carry from a military history point of view. Also as what was said, some of this is purely a budgetary decision.

 

[tvranesic]

/
The fact that someone is a member of an elite unit does NOT make them an expert on knives, or guns, or anything else, for that matter. The level of knowledge of knives and knife steel and blade shape is NO GREATER among the elite units than it is among the general populace, and a lot, lot less than on this board.

That pretty much nails it down. I made the mistake in my younger years of assuming all cops must be into guns. My son's ball coach was a local cop who was about to retire and I struck up a conversation with him one day about guns in general. He responded that he really didn't even like guns and only had one because it was issued to him. I know locals cops don't compare to elite units in the training arena, and I know they also have weapons training, but his guy couldn't tell you anything about what he carried other than "it's a Glock 40". And wasn't the last cop I encountered who had little interest in firearms. Many view their firearm as a just another tool for the job and only hit the range when it's time to qualify.

 

[res1cue]

guys guys

no need to argue about this

"deadliest warrrior" told me they use the cold steel recon 1

problem solved

 

[stanley_white]

Most military folks in general are not "knife guys".

Most military folks use what they are issued or what they can acquire at the PX.

Most military units have one "knife guy" who tries to spread the good word to everyone else.

-Stan

 

[PropThePolecat]

Many view their firearm as a just another tool for the job and only hit the range when it's time to qualify.

I know alot of cops, and i totally agree with your post.

As for spec-ops types and their knives...i read this book about a danish Jaeger soldier, which are like the british SAS, and his tour in Afghanistan. There are 2 parts i recall where he mentions a knife by brand. The first time, is when hes in Scandinavia training HALO jumps. He mentions that he was carrying a MAC SOG as part of his gear.

The other part, is when he is in Afghanistan with his unit, and theyre driving in 2 vans into some city, dressed like regular afghanis, to pick up an intelligence agent who was meeting with his source of info. In essence they were driving in, to extract and protect a spy. In that part he mentioned some of his gear, and he wrote that the knife on his person was a double-edged Gerber. Gerber makes alot of double-edged blades, maybe it was a Guardian or a Fairbairn-Sykes knife. He didnt tell what model it was.

 

[omniviking]

BTW, the former Navy Seal I mention in the first post later became a police officer. He told me that most policemen carry two handguns, while he carries one gun and his NS issued knife. Just ask me why!

Why? Because knives never run out of ammo and don't misfire.

Pat

PS, why bother these men over this shit? maybe they have had to do a few things they would rather forget.

My uncle in law, Ode, was in WWll and he was just a sailor drive the boat (landing craft) in the Pacific. he would hit the beach, drop the ramp and watch a lot of good men walk out and die. one day he got to see his best friend, another boat driver catch a head shot. Ode was a very kind tender man and when talking about his tour of duty, he would break down, it would about make him throw up.

So sometimes just let sleeping dogs lay. honor and respect.

Pat