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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on May 26, 2015 at 19:33

Ulster Mountain Knife
Bone stag, 5 blade, stamped bail
c. 1942~43

Many paratroopers were issued a George Schrade PRESTO
Each branch of the military had something unique.

A list of WW1 & 2 era military issued pocket knives is substantial .. perhaps, too voluminous to cover here.

I would highly recommend reading Levine's Guide to Knives.

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Permalink Reply by Tristan on May 26, 2015 at 19:43

Thanks!!

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 28, 2015 at 14:10

The short answer is if a soldier had a job that required him to have a pocket knife it was issued to him.  Pocket knives were also sold through post/base exchanges as well. Several pocket knives were also "issued" to U.S. soldiers via the American Red Cross during WWI.  Similar efforts were made through the USO during WWII.  The Red Cross issued thousands of hobo type knives (consisting of a spoon and blade) to dough boys in WWI.

the four tool camp knife made famous by the boy scouts were made in the millions and given out to soldiers in WWII.  The knife would later be issued with steel slab sides and remained in service until present day.   The Electical knife with a spear blade and  locking folding screw driver (known as the TL-29) also became standard issue for linesman and other troops shortly before WWII.  Marlin spike knives and other rope knives became a typical issue item in the U.S. Navy shortly before the turn of the century (in the 1890s).  Marlin spike knives were also issued to Army Personnel during WWI.

Micahel Silvey's Book, the Complete guide to U.S. Military Pocket Knives will give you a good run down on all the pocket knives issued and/or used by U.S. personnel from the Revolutionary War to the Present.  He also explains when they were  officially issued by the government or entered into service through private means.

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