Navy Seal friend & team uses Daniel Winkler knives and Tomahawks. Why?

[Woods Walker]

I find it mildly interesting because of curiosity but what they do and what I do are very very different. Not going to spend X dollars just because the SEALs use a knife.

 

[The cow]

I own a winkler knife and axe. But I got them for their looks. His stuff with wood grips look fantastic. I can't say why the SEALs are so fond of his stuff beyond that they work. There is a lot of metal behind the knife edge but it still stays really blasted sharp.

I can't say that they are worth the money when you compare it to many of the knives in the $10-200 range but I also don't use them in the full capacity that they were designed for.

 

[Captdoug56]

To my knowlege, based on public info, (im not a USN Seal)
at least guys, when on Seal Team 6 can buy what they want. They do not have a directly accountable Govn't buget. Its not even part of USN budget money
They also spend alot if personal cash on their toys. Big buck knives, many customized and made in limited no.s is the norm.
Their shit can't break when needed the most.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[marcinek]

To my knowlege, based on public info, (im not a USN Seal)
at least guys, when on Seal Team 6 can buy what they want. They do not have a directly accountable Govn't buget. Its not even part of USN budget money
They also spend alot if personal cash on their toys. Big buck knives, many customized and made in limited no.s is the norm.
Their shit can't break when needed the most.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Welcome. The question posed in this thread may have been resolved 2 and a half years ago. :thumbup:

 

[Avidknifeuser]

Since this thread got bumped--if you believe the intercept anyway--here is an answer:

"In keeping with Red Squadron’s appropriation of Native American culture, Howard came up with the idea to bestow 14-inch hatchets on each SEAL who had a year of service in the squadron. The hatchets, paid for by private donations Howard solicited, were custom-made by Daniel Winkler, a highly regarded knife maker in North Carolina who designed several of the period tomahawks and knives used in the movie “The Last of the Mohicans.” Winkler sells similar hatchets for $600 each. The hatchets Howard obtained were stamped with a Native American warrior in a headdress and crossed tomahawks.

At first the hatchets appeared to be merely symbolic, because such heavy, awkward weapons had no place in the gear of a special operator. “There’s no military purpose for it,” a former Red Squadron operator told me. “But they are a great way of being part of a team. It was given as an honor, one more step to strive for, another sign that you’re doing a good job.”


https://theintercept.com/2017/01/10/the-crimes-of-seal-team-6/

 

[GermanyChris]

To my knowlege, based on public info, (im not a USN Seal)
at least guys, when on Seal Team 6 can buy what they want. They do not have a directly accountable Govn't buget. Its not even part of USN budget money
They also spend alot if personal cash on their toys. Big buck knives, many customized and made in limited no.s is the norm.
Their shit can't break when needed the most.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Yes they do, everybody has a budget some or more generous and some get more latitude but everyone has a budget and has to account for the money they spent.

 

[skyhorse]

Likely because they like them and or their buddies have them.

Bingo :thumbup:

 

[Lapedog]

Has HTM stepped up their quality? I remember they were having some serious issues. My HTM Bullwhip is a friggin writeoff.

 

[Jhansenak47]

:barf: I hate these what do Enter a spec ops unit here use threads. Oooh Michael Jordan wears airjordans maybe I should wear airjordans too. :barf:
“Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.”
Jeff Cooper

 

[Lapedog]

I disagree. People have used handguns successfully without elite operator training classes for centuries. Infact handguns are designed to be simple to use. I think it is largely a modern thing for people to think you need training to use firearms. Of course training can and likely will help.

If you have a handgun and it is on you, you are armed.

 

[highestpoint]

:barf: I hate these what do Enter a spec ops unit here use threads. Oooh Michael Jordan wears airjordans maybe I should wear airjordans too. :barf:
“Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.”
Jeff Cooper

As a user I too agree with you but I can tell you the manufacturers absolutely love it.

 

[Jhansenak47]

I disagree. People have used handguns successfully without elite operator training classes for centuries. Infact handguns are designed to be simple to use. I think it is largely a modern thing for people to think you need training to use firearms. Of course training can and likely will help.

If you have a handgun and it is on you, you are armed.

If I have a golf club and a golf ball I can be a golfer, still not Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods. It is a qualitative metaphor. Besides I think you missed my point.
"One mind, any weapon". Being good at basketball made Michael Jordan an MVP not wearing airjordans. I find what knives 'operators' use less interesting than how they actually use them.

 

[spykez]

I disagree. People have used handguns successfully without elite operator training classes for centuries. Infact handguns are designed to be simple to use. I think it is largely a modern thing for people to think you need training to use firearms. Of course training can and likely will help.

If you have a handgun and it is on you, you are armed.

I disagree. You need training to drive a car. You need training to use a firearm. At least the basics.

Other than that, yes, I agree you don't need leet ops house clearing training, just like one doesn't need rally class off road driving type training, although it is fun.

I think I know what you're trying to say, in fairness, but I just wanted to stress that not everybody should buy a firearm and then feel they know how to use it from the get go, from movies, that is a dangerous idea.

 

[shinyedges]

This. Good post.

If I have a golf club and a golf ball I can be a golfer, still not Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods. It is a qualitative metaphor. Besides I think you missed my point.
"One mind, any weapon". Being good at basketball made Michael Jordan an MVP not wearing airjordans. I find what knives 'operators' use less interesting than how they actually use them.

 

[stabman]

I disagree. People have used handguns successfully without elite operator training classes for centuries. Infact handguns are designed to be simple to use. I think it is largely a modern thing for people to think you need training to use firearms. Of course training can and likely will help.

If you have a handgun and it is on you, you are armed.

Have you ever gone shooting with handguns?
Tried them in a competition (even one you come in last place in)?

If you do, and put the target more than 3 yards from you, you will learn that it does in fact take practice.

As you are from Toronto, you should remember the story of Jane Creba:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day_shooting

Those gang members were "armed," but I'll bet that Jane and the other innocent bystanders who got shot would wish they had known how to shoot properly.

 

[GREENJACKET]

I am absolutely confident Mr Winkler makes incredibly good products. Sells to all sorts.

Every soldier I have ever met under 25 given the choice between spending $400 on a blade, or $400 on beer and the girls would choose the latter.
Those married don't get a choice.

 

[wensynch]

A knife made the good American way. That's the value worth investing in.

I don't know who Winkler is, or own a Winkler knife, but I like this story. It reminds of the story of Buck and how he offered his services making knives to give the Army when it was lacking.


Are you paying attention to this thread, QM? Care for the client and the clients will care for you. Good will.

 

[oneshot onekill]

It was from the book "Fearless", about operator Adam Brown, that I first heard of Winkler knives. I was curious, so I started looking at them online, reading reviews, articles and watching videos. It took me seveal years to actually buy one (mostly because I prefer firearms over blades). My first Winkler was a Striker. I was able to sharpen it to a mirror/razor edge which it held remarkably well. So I bought an F1. That one is a flipper folder that has a similar feel to an Emerson IMO, but again, the edge potential was remarkable. I since presented the Striker to a close friend who is a SEAL. He explained the attraction because he already had 2 Winkler knives himself. Without getting too wordy, the post about "Red Squadron" a few posts back is pretty accurate. That, and of course the post by Mr. Winkler himself pretty much sum it up. I now also have a Field knife and Belt knife. I was a Randall collector for years but I feel more inclined to actually use my Winklers. The feel and geometry make you want to use them... Edge retention too. FWIW.

 

[ATJ999]

Simple answer: Guys like toys/tools. Some like pricey quality, some like cheaper quality. Winkler makes quality blades. Nothing magical about them, they are just well made. They won't do anything more than other quality blades, or anything less. Good steel, HT, blade geometry, ergonomics, etc. Tons of great blades out there. When you hang out with guys that are interested in the same stuff, sometimes you end up getting a lot of the same gear/product/whatever.
We live at a great time right now, that if you do your homework, you will end up with an amazing blade that will last lifetimes, and performs remarkably!!!

 

[19-3ben]

I think I know what you're trying to say, in fairness, but I just wanted to stress that not everybody should buy a firearm and then feel they know how to use it from the get go, from movies, that is a dangerous idea.

Um.... you hold it sideways, and yell "POP! POP! POP!!" Right?

(I keed, I keed)