Add a Comment

Comment by John Lovell on October 29, 2011 at 20:27

I can add some validation to Clint Thompson's info.  I was the Supply Officer of a Marine Corps infantry unit in Vietnam.   I had a safe full of Marine Corps K-Bars (they were in a safe because they would otherwise quickly disappear ).  No one was "authorized" by the Table of Equipment to be issued one.  So why did we have them?  The better question is,"Who needed one ?".  Every man who was issued a rifle was also issued a bayonet.  The bayonet would serve its purpose on the end of a rifle or in your grasp.   In all my years in the Marine Corps I never saw anyone carry or use a K-Bar Marine Corps "fighting knife".  I have one that I bought thru a commercial source.   Have I ever used it?  No;  it is simply memorabilia.   I think so much of the concept of "fighting men" carrying "fighting knives" is fantasy ---- Rambo-itis.    As Clint divulged, no US military service routinely issues knives to its troops.  Must be a reason;  or, rather,  no reason to do so.

Comment by Terry Waldele on October 29, 2011 at 20:21

Clint, you're spot on about our government requiring combat soldiers to buy their own knives.  Where are the government's priorities, anyway?  Maybe the solution would be for the government/military to contract with knifemakers to submit bids to make knives for combat soldiers.  The knives would be available at no charge to combat soldiers and they could select from a variety of them.  Also, there could be a limit on the contract price the military pays for those combat knives, say $100.00.  Since the government/military just LOVES contracting for military goods and services, they should really go for this idea.  There would also be an added benefit if only knives made in the U.S.A. would be eligible for bidding, thus keeping Americans employed making them.

Comment by Jeremi Lett on October 29, 2011 at 16:20

Amazing work Stefan!Thnx Jan the JuJu is one of my "WoW"factor knives I own.

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 29, 2011 at 8:31

Don...

Yes I like to call it management through crisis.  Our military is the finest in the World on destroying, killing and taking ground but let peace break out and they are clueless.  I learned this when working with them in Iraq.  I have hear this said before by much smarter people than me.  One army for war and one for peace.  I would think with all the billions we pump into the military we could afford a $50 knife for each combat soldier.  Ok I have to get down off the soapbox  now be for I fall and break hip. LOL!  Thanks Don.

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 28, 2011 at 19:00

Don....

I know Ontario Knife Company out of Franklinville, NY has the current USMC combat knife contract.  As for the rest of your answer...lets just say it is complicated.

No military service in the USA issues all of their combat service men and women a combat knife, tomahawk, multi-tool or even a pocket knife.  I know a Ranger who served in Vietnam in a LRRP unit.  He told me all of his fellow Rangers in this unit, had to buy their own combat knife before going overseas.  Most of them went to a knife maker in Panama, where they took the jungle survival training, and had one made.  The main reason they did this is 18 to 20 year old kids didn't have the money to buy a KA-BAR.

The knives you see approved are just ones who were put in the GSA Schedules.  Now if a Colonel wants his fire eaters and life takers to have the $350 combat knife then he just has his people order them from the GSA schedules.  All contractors who want to do business with Uncle Sam have sales people getting their products into the right hands.  One thing I do know, US Military generally does not issue a combat knife.  The SF guys and Seal guys I know buy their own combat knife.

As an example, I know many Marines and Rangers who had to buy extra mag for their M9 semi-auto 9mm pistols as they were only issued one with the gun.  The problem is complex with too many cooks in the kitchen.  I could go on for some time about this issue.  I hope this helps Don.

Comment by Clint Thompson on October 28, 2011 at 11:41

I am posting this in several groups. I am ready for a new subject to write about. I decided to ask my buds at IKC for suggestions. So give me some suggestions....even pink knives. LOL!

Comment by Jeremi Lett on July 15, 2011 at 20:26

Such sleek lines but smooth

 

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on July 15, 2011 at 14:36

Stefan, thats a fine knife, I just love ivory. Show us any new ones that come along.

Comment by Jan Carter on July 10, 2011 at 19:35

Stephan, Impressive workmanship

 

Jerami, I like the blade design on the JuJu 

KnifeMaker Comment by Stefan Albert on July 9, 2011 at 11:10

Hi all

 

That is my new Knife for Cech Republic President.

 

 

This knife is the first piece of a 10 piece series , which we prepared for DIC together with my friend Lubomir Madaric. The first piece was prepared for the occasion of the president of Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus’s 70th birthday.
Steel- ATS-34 , guard - stainless steel , Handle - mamuth tusk .
Decoration – the other side scrimshaw /Sv.Vaclav/ and /the Czech presidential palace/ . Guard -24 KA gold monogram and the Czech national coats. The guard is placed with 2 diamond pieces /1ct

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• …
• 35
• Next ›
• Page