Wonderful pictures. And after the partying is over, remind them that our gratitude STILL goes on.
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Hello, everyone. I'm one of those folks who hang out in FR's Hobbit Hole. Out two most important products there are friendly chatter, and support of our troops. It's getting close to those holidays where we miss our troops the most, and they miss being back home. So we start thinking about what we can put in GI Christmas socks to send a bit of our love over there. I want to thank our host for letting me use a bit of bandwidth to address the larger audience here.
Everybody has there own ideas of the kinds of snacks, videos, reading materials, and "comfort items" their favorite GI likes. I've been emphasizing the "hardware" items troops, and family back home, might not think about until someone is already deployed, and the PX is a zillion miles away, or it just ain't available, period. Over the last year, the Hobbit Hole has fulfilled special requests for GMRS radios, QuikClot, and "Israeli" bandages.
However, our bread-and-butter "product" is a simple item that 99% of troops and family overlook: a pocket knife. This is our "Hobbit Hole Special", and we've shipped over 300 in the last year.
I've carried a pocket knife every day since Basic Training in 1970, but it was only recently that I started to ponder why I carry one. I've since decided that a person can borrow a screwdriver, wrench, pliers, etc. with little trouble. But if you need to cut something, if you don't have your own knife, you're out of luck. Knives are not a common tool, and are almost never avaliable for "loan". The universal reaction from the troops is ,"Gee, thanks for such a useful item".
There are lots of pocket knives out there that can give great service. When it comes to fixed-blade knives, things get a little more complicated. Leaving aside questions of price and quality, there are also design and use factors that should be taken into consideration. The knife will be seen by everyone, and the wrong kind will either get you in trouble with the brass, or get you razzed by your buddies. The right kind marks you as a skilled professional. It will also help you stay safe and (somewhat) comfortable.
So my first product reviews are on some fixed-blade knives worthy of consideration. Every item I review I actually have in my hot little hands, even if I'm lazy and use some stock images. If an item is good, I'll donate it to some deserving GI after the review. If it's junk, I'll warn you, and then try to forget that I blew my money on it. None of these items are astronomically expensive, unless you intend to outfit an entire platoon or company.
For use by the troops, a fixed-blade knife can be considered a field/utility knife, survival knife, or fighting knife. There can be some overlap, but a fighting knife just gets in the way of an armored crewman, while clerical specialists should avoid the expense and ridicule, and forget about a sheath knife altogether.
The first knife under review is a very specialized aircrew survival knife, the Ontario ASEK flyer's survival knife system. "Street price" is in the $100-110 range. The knife has a short 5 inch blade, and 90% of its functionality is designed to get you out of thin-skinned aircraft in a hurry. Since one is usually sitting in an aircraft, the attachements are designed for optimal placement on the leg. The straps can be removed, however, and the knife lashed to a survival vest or armor with MOLLE straps by using plastic "malice clips".
The blade has both saw teeth and serrations, and the point is solid enough to punch through sheet aluminum. The handle is fully rubber-coated, to provide electrical insulation if you manage to hit something electrical. The steel buttcap has a small conical point on the end for breaking glass/plexiglas (forget about ABS). The knife is used in the sheath when hammering, since the nylon sheath has a hard plastic liner. The knife and sheat detaches easily from the straps by way of plastic snaps.
Another important aspect of escape from thin-skinned vehicles are seat belts and harnesses. Mandatory on aircraft, and common in vehicles, buckles can sometimes jam in a crash. A special-purpose paracord/webbing cutter is included in a pouch behind the knife handle, on the sheath. It has a guarded cutter, plus a screwdriver tip, and a ceramic sharpening stone on one edge. The cutter is included with the price of the knife, but can also be purchased separately for about $20.
The knife is supposedly already in the military supply system, with a NSN of NSN 1095-01-518-6832, but good luck getting one, especially if you ride a humvee rather than a blackhawk. Still, if you absolutely gotta have a sheath knife, this one offers one of the best combinations of price, practicality, and absence of any "Hollywood" tendencies. I rate this one as "can't go wrong."
Most excellent pics.
Welcome home guys. And thanks.
Thank you.
GREAT pictures! Did they like the Welcome Home banner you made with smaagee's pic on the donkey?
Wonderful pictures!
My mother went to DFW yesterday morning to welcome the troops, and with all that she said, *I* was almost in tears with pride for these men and women. I don't know if she got any pics or not *sigh* and she is at a gun show all day today so there is no finding out till tonight. If she got any, I will see what I can do to get 'em posted.
Hair; Great Pics, loved the poster on the wall. Looks like the troops had a great time.
Smaagee - Thank you for your service. Thanks to all of troops for their service.
Excellent pictures! What a fine lookin' bunch of guys!
I love the banner, too!
Welcome home, smaagee!
I don't know, but one of our fellow Freepers (and poster in the Hobbit Hole) came home yesterday from Iraq! Hairofthedog, her husband ecurbh, and her brother Ramius are all Hobbit Hole Freepers and got to meet him and a group of his buddies and take them out for a little fun!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1269702/posts?page=2914#2914
We're really proud of them!
