Which knives have really been endorsed by the army - at some time?

evert67 said:
I have heard this story and there are various mentions on the Internet. In 2000 there was no Seal Pup yet as we know it now, but it appears that a very similar knife, now known as the Seal 2000 was actually endorsed by some (?) SEAL teams. That said, all material I can find that backs this story comes from SOG itself (e.g., http://sogknives.com/store/S37.html). That page does mention an NSN. Would that help?

Anyone got more information on this story?
Click to expand...

Stop it with the endorsement word, just because they used it does not mean they endorsed it. Anyone saying that they got issued something when they were "in" say what you were in and when. Canadian armed forces around 2001 was issuing both Gerber multi-tools and Ontario Machetes, although the Machete wasn't really individual issue, more like vehicle kit.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
Stop it with the endorsement word, just because they used it does not mean they endorsed it. Anyone saying that they got issued something when they were "in" say what you were in and when. Canadian armed forces around 2001 was issuing both Gerber multi-tools and Ontario Machetes, although the Machete wasn't really individual issue, more like vehicle kit.
Click to expand...
I was in the Army but while in Iraq 07-08 was attached to Marine Infantry.........The RFI Rapid Fielding Initiative IFRC all soldiers deploying are issued this gear it included a Gerber multitool in a Gerber molle sheath and either a Benchmade seat belt cutter or a longer Ontario seat belt cutter that had replaceable razor blades and a slot for an oxygen wrench it also had a small ceramic rod on the side to sharpen knives. The Gerber combat folder and the auto6 I was issued in Iraq through the Marine Corp.

1SHOT1KILL is right any knife with an NSN number can be ordered by supply people and issued as seen fit.
 
Last edited:
I'll echo a few guys here in saying that just because a knife has been used (or endorsed) by the military doesn't make it any better than any other knife what so ever, as they pick equipment from the lowest bidder, which means that of the companies they looked at (probably none of which were chosen by anyone who knows what they are talking about in the least) they pick the cheapest one that can possibly pull off the task the equipment was designed for, not the best one they can find... you can equate it to getting your nikes made in vietnam by kids... because it's cheaper. I'll take this a step further and say that believe it or not, there are very few military members who know anything more about knives than the average hunter at all (true story) they are just like every other shmuck, except for the fact that they carry knives and use them for everything under the sun, besides what a knife was meant for, and they fall into the same traps as everyone and buy these "tactical" offerings by companies that are little more than sharpened pry bars. which brings me to the next part of my rant... the knife companies that market their knives to soldiers (no names, but???) they are some of the most rediculous creations out there and people buy them because of the "tacticool" look, when in reality most of the features offered on these knives are worthless and more than likely get in the way.
 
evert67 said:
I have heard this story and there are various mentions on the Internet. In 2000 there was no Seal Pup yet as we know it now, but it appears that a very similar knife, now known as the Seal 2000 was actually endorsed by some (?) SEAL teams. That said, all material I can find that backs this story comes from SOG itself (e.g., http://sogknives.com/store/S37.html). That page does mention an NSN. Would that help?

Anyone got more information on this story?
Click to expand...

Nope, 100% sure it was a seal pup. I have it sitting in the trunk of the car from when he passed it down to me (I live in a dorm, no weapons on campus). This was in 2000 or possibly late 1999, because his tour aboard the USS Typhoon was his last tour before making Chief. In fact 9/11 happened while he was going through Chief's initiation.
 
rustyrazor said:
I'll echo a few guys here in saying that just because a knife has been used (or endorsed) by the military doesn't make it any better than any other knife what so ever, as they pick equipment from the lowest bidder, which means that of the companies they looked at (probably none of which were chosen by anyone who knows what they are talking about in the least) they pick the cheapest one that can possibly pull off the task the equipment was designed for, not the best one they can find...
Click to expand...

I completely agree. I also never claimed that.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
Stop it with the endorsement word, just because they used it does not mean they endorsed it.
Click to expand...

English is not my first language, so I looked up the word endorsement in the dictionary. Its meaning actually comes quite close to what I mean.

The story goes that in the year 2000 a number of SEAL times carried out a "knife evaluation program" from which the SOG SEAL knife appeared as the best. From the SOG website: "The SEAL Team knife, formerly known as the SEAL Knife 2000, evaluation program included: tip breaking stress, blade breaking limit, sharpness, edge retention, handle twist off force, two week salt water immersion tests, gasoline and acetylene torch resistance, chopping, hammering, prying, penetration tests, cutting six different types of rope and line, plus an intense hands-on competition in the field."

My question is: can anybody confirm (or deny) this or, better, does anybody have any links to websites or other documentation that supports this.

The same question was actually asked on another forum (knifeforums). A SOG representative replied that it was true and that he needed a few days to collect the documents. That was his last post in the thread...
 
I'm active duty... I can tell you the only things ever issued en masse are a gerber multi tool and a benchmade seatbelt cutter or some variation. No specific knife or knives are endorsed by the military and every unit has there own supply clerk as has been stated previously, who at their discretion based on unit funds can order certain things for soldiers with an NSN number.

Edited: more specifically most supply clerks cannot order atomic bombs.
 
Last edited:
Not true. All units have unique identifiers attached to them which limits the type of items that can by procured thru supply. Going by what you said, a Squadron/Unit from Finance or the hospital could order a tank or a SSBN. After all...they both have a NSN assigned to them. The Benchmade auto can be ordered and issued thru normal supply channels. We ordered them for our squadron prior to deploying to Iraq in 2004. The old Camillus stainless "pocket knife", Orange handled pilots knife w/ auto blade, Bayonets, Pilots survival knives and a host of smaller knives are all listed in the supply system for issue. Now, with the days of IMPAC cards and the supply system downsizing, units can purchase with unit funds pretty much anything you can get approved for. You cannot purchase firearms, as there is a specific route that must be followed. Obviously, this is something that can be breached if you are the "right" type of unit. Knives are considered tools, not weapons. Most any unit can order them thru the supply system. However, most opt to purchase with the IMPAC card to expand the choices availiable.
 
Yes you are correct a support battalion cannot order a tank, but I'm not talking about mission essential equipment that is issued through the unit either. I should have been more specific meaning that a troop/ company supply clerk can order you anything from a knife to toilet paper. But the point is its not endorsed by the military just because you can order it.. That was the original question
 
I carried an Ontario Pilot Survival knife. They were available through supply in the U.S. Army in the 1980's. Jumpmasters in the Airborne units had one strapped to their legs for quick deployment. In fact, I had never seen the M2 or MC-1 automatics
in use.
 
Javelin said:
I can vouch that the SEALs were issued SOG seal pups. My dad worked with them for a bit in 2000-2002 (fun years huh), and was issued the same gear as the SEALs for some reason. Part of that issued gear was the seal pup.
Click to expand...

Hi Javelin, does this knife any markings that would allow for more precise identification? E.g., name, type number or steel type?
 
:thumbup:
This one...nuff said.
us-army-pocket-knife.jpg
 
A former SEAL helped design the Trident knife. I was issued an Ontario OKC13 Bayonet in the Corps.
 
The genius part of all these "used by special forces/top secret squirrel high-speed operators" claims is that there is no way to confirm or deny them.

It's brilliant marketing, really.
 
marcinek said:
The genius part of all these [...] top secret squirrel high-speed operators claims is that there is no way to confirm or deny them.
It's brilliant marketing, really.
Click to expand...

:D That was my reason for starting this topic.

And I'm still interested in any information regarding the SEAL knife evaluation program.
 
cutter17 said:
The Benchmade AFO I/II is said to have been used by all branches of the Military, per BM website;

"When the going gets tough-get tougher… The AFO is in an elite class of proven tools on active duty throughout all branches of the Armed Forces the world over."

Funny though that BM list 12 items with having a NSN number, the AFO is not one of them. Yet the Stryker auto, and Presidio auto are both NSN items. I wonder why the AFO is not?
Click to expand...

Just remember that this type of statement gives you just enough information to jump to the conclusion that it is an issued item. I don't know if this particular knife is (you say it doesn't have an NSN). But all it takes is a privately purchased or gifted knife to be carried into theater and then the manufacturer can truthfully say it is used on active duty. These kinds of statements are a common marketing ploy.
 
Nope, 100% sure it was a seal pup. I have it sitting in the trunk of the car from when he passed it down to me (I live in a dorm, no weapons on campus). This was in 2000 or possibly late 1999, because his tour aboard the USS Typhoon was his last tour before making Chief. In fact 9/11 happened while he was going through Chief's initiation.
Click to expand...

Javelin, I think you have your dates confused. Typhoon wasn't even around until 93.

From Wiki article:
USS Typhoon (PC-5) is the fifth United States Navy Cyclone class patrol (coastal) ship. Typhoon was laid down 15 May 1992 at Bollinger Machine, in Lockport, Louisiana and launched 3 March 1993. She was commissioned 12 February 1994 in Tampa, Florida. As of 2008, Typhoon operates in the Persian Gulf, stationed in Manama, Bahrain since 2004 and is manned by one of 13 rotating 30 person US Navy crews and a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) that performs ship boardings.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top