Military Knife Question

I

ISKRA

Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
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During my stay here I've seen some lovely examples of some of your knives that were used by different militaries, navies etc. This raised certain questions for me. Given that these knives usually aren't shown in movies, the less knowledgable of us don't know all that much about them and the times have changed quite a bit - how common were pocket knives in the military? Let's say the period of ww2. Were they given to pretty much everyone or only more specialised units like paratroopers, engineers and such? Were there knives in various survival kits as well? How common were commercially bought knives among soldiers?

I know most of you guys are from the US, which I'm sure will provide some good information. However, if anyone could come up with some info about European or just about any army really, it'd be great too. :D

Since we all enjoy looking at pictures of our member's beautiful knives, I warmly invite you to post a pic or two of yours, if you are a proud owner of the knives in question.

I thank you all in advance.

Best regards

Jean
 
As far as USA goes, there's the TL-29 electrician knife, of course, and various iterations of the scout/utility pattern, including the all stainless underwater demolition knife. I have one or two Navy utility knives that are scout/utility knives except they have a pen blade instead of an awl.
 
And don't forget the old sailer rigger knifes with the brown plastic handles issued up to the 70s


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I just thought I'd mention a story my father always tells me when he was drafted (I think it was around 1960). He said when he got off the train with the other new recruits/draftees, they separated all the people from Chicago (including himself). Then they went to each of the Chicago-ins and had them give up their pocket knives. My father laughs when he says, "and we all were carrying one."
 
I carried a buck 112 when I was in the navy ( 1990's) . They did'nt issue knives to us . I inherited my step dads camillus pilots survival knife . 12" fixed with stacked leather handle . The last military knife I have is a friends T-29 electrician that was issued to him durning Vietnam. My oldest son just got deployed to Kandahar and he said they with issue a Kershaw or Gerber. I can't remember exactly. Sorry no pics, ancient phone
 
It depends on the time and the knife.

Frank Trzaska is an expert and here's a list of pocket knives that he's compiled. I removed some of the more modern examples to keep things appropriate for the traditionals forum... I may have missed some.

Frank has written books on US military knives and I highly recommend picking up a copy.

http://usmilitaryknives.com/knife_list.htm

Pocket Knives

Jack Knife
Rope Knives
Signal Corps
Doctors Knife
Red Cross Knife
TL-29
Camillus Cutlery Co.

E-Z Opener
Camillus Cutlery Co.

Engineers
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Imperial

MD-USN
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Kutmaster
Wards

USMC 4 Blade
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Imperial

3 Blade Utility

2 Blade Utility

WWII Era Coast Guard Approved Life Boat Knife
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Imperial
Kutmaster

Fish Knife
Camillus Cutlery Co.

Marline Spike
Camillus Cutlery Co.

Mountain
Ulster Knife Co.

Escape Knife
Joseph Rodgers & Sons

Lock Pick Knife
Ulster Knife Co.

M2
Geo Schrade
Schrade Walden

Giant Jack Knife
Colonial Cutlery Co.
United Machine & Tool Co.

MD-USN 3 Blade
Camillus Cutlery Co.

3 Blade Stockman
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Imperial
Kingston
Kutmaster
Ontario Knife Co.
Queen Cutlery Co.

MIL-K
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Imperial
Kingston
Queen Cutlery Co.
Schrade
Stevenson
Ulster

MC-1
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Schrade / Walden
Logan / Smyth

Serpentine Jack (SRU-16/P)

C4 Demolition Knife
Camillus Cutlery Co.

(some modern examples removed)
Click to expand...

Here's an example of the issued "escape knife" WWII

oss_escape-1.jpg


Here's a military plier knife. This was a private purchase, not issued. WWI/WWII

joseph_rogers-1.jpg


And since you are interested in European knives...

Here's a Polish military knife c1960s...

nozsaperskiwz69-2.jpg


And here's an early Swiss Army Knife c1891...

victorinox-soldier.jpg
 
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Jake-isn't there a picture up somewhere of that giant jack knife? IIRC there weren't alot made, but wasn't it almost a folding bayonet-big, bigger, biggest? Can't recall the thread, bad case of crs :D. Most of the iron curtain countries had variations on the ak bayonet, with the Polish and Bulgarian models being well regarded. There are some Eastern European members who might know, but I don't know that they frequent this forum.
There was a Russian fellow who had the largest collection I've personally ever seen, in person or on 'net. He put them in general, I think, in a series because of the volume. Swiss folding knives were made for a few different countries, or lesser quality knock offs by local cutlery outfits. Trading was probably done all up and down the "curtain" when units and personnel came into contact, the same way it has for centuries.
Thanks, Neal
 
Yah, 6" closed, 1 5/8" wide, and 2oz.'s lighter than a pound. Sorta big :D They come up on auction sites periodically. 4 1/2" blade plus that saw. Lot of surviving right there.
Neal
Ps-thanks Jake, appreciate the photos
 
1976 issued Swiss army knife. The utensils were made by Wenger (Wengerinox) and the knife was made by Victorinox. Both are dated 1976.


 
Great knives everyone. I especially like the Jos Rodgers Escape knife. This is a typical British Army knife from WWI also made by Jos Rodgers.

Rodgers1-1.jpg

Rodgers2-1.jpg
 
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