Boise Knife Maker Carves Niche Helping U.S. Special Forces Soldiers, makes green beret knives'

kbci ^

[chance33_98]

Boise Knife Maker Carves Niche Helping U.S. Special Forces Soldiers

By Jon Hanian

Boise, ID - His name is Christopher Reeve, "Just as in superman." But he readily admits he is no way affiliated with superman. He just happens to make knives for the next best thing, the United States Army Green Berets. "This is the best military knife on the market and that is not sales (B.S.) that is fact."

That bravado is backed by the fact this little machine shop in Boise, is cranking out one of kind hand crafted knives made to exacting specifications that have graced the covers of knife magazines but more importantly carry the U.S. Army Special Forces seal of approval. "When you are spending $300 for a knife it better be the best."

They call this knife the "Yarborough" made by Chris Reeves but named after the U.S. General Yarborough who was instrumental in the creation of the green berets, the Army's elite Special Forces warriors. Reeves has been making knives for 27 years. His urge for metallurgy began in his native South Africa 27 years ago. 14 years ago Reeves came to America and settled in Boise where his knife making craftsmanship caught the attention renowned knife maker and designer Bill Harsey, who designed the knife and asked Reeve to produce the knife in his Boise studio. The knife quickly caught the attention of the top tier of the U.S. military who love this Boise made knife and issue it to every soldier that becomes an U.S. Army Green Beret. The steel actually arrives looking something like a rusty, blunt piece of steel but before it leaves it goes into a machine that will hone one of two different bevels into the leading edge. The blade is sharpened, polished, custom made grips are added and then the finished product is ready to be shipped.

Consumer models look exactly like the military version with one important distinction. The military version carries the Yarborough name etched into the blade along with a government serial number that is presented to each graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course. Reeves says this knife is efficient, tough and uncompromising, like the soldiers for which it is designed. "I am very proud that they are using this knife, and am also very proud that is probably one of the finest military knives on the planet."

Without the name "Yarborough" and non-serialized, the otherwise identical knife, also called "The Green Beret Knife" is available from Chris Reeve Knives.

[lovecraft]

Picture please....any new knife or gun thread has to have a pic...it's the freeper version of the nudie mag...:-)

[lovecraft]

I should say...bigger picture...oops.

[Freemeorkillme]

I agree and I want one.

[chance33_98]

if you find one, let me know, that was the biggest at the site :)

[Freemeorkillme]

http://www.chrisreeve.com/home.html

Check em out

[chance33_98]

[chance33_98]

DOH beat me to it :) and thanks for posting the link!

[lovecraft]

They blocked me from accessing it...stupid company policies..

[chance33_98]

can you see th pic? If not I can host it on my server :)

[gridlock]

Oh Baby.... That's the stuff... Oh yeah, baby...

[LibWhacker]

A damned fine knife, but I still prefer
my 10" Smatchet, which is also a Bill
Harsey design.

[1Old Pro]

Nothing but the best, not cheap.

[Prof Engineer]

PING

[Blue Screen of Death]

His urge for metallurgy began in his native South Africa 27 years ago. 14 years ago Reeves came to America and settled in Boise...

I guess this makes him an African American. I wonder if the government considers him a minority contractor.

[norton]

I remain quite comfortable with either of my circa 1970 Randals thankyou.

[pgobrien]

Very nice knife, but I like these better. They were issued to the First Special Service Force in WWII. Canadian/American forces that were the prototypes for our Special Forces. (Green Berets)
http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/V42.jpg

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I'm a knife collector, and I think this is a fine knife. However, when I was active duty Special Forces I carried a Camillus "Demo" knife (issued) and a BUCK Folding Hunter (which I think I paid about $20.00 for). These got all my knife-intensive chores done. If I wanted to cut firewood, or do other heavy jobs, I used an axe.

In other words, these knives are great if you get one free, or if you just want to collect them- but a little expensive to be carrying around in the boonies.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

bump

[300winmag]

In other words, these knives are great if you get one free, or if you just want to collect them- but a little expensive to be carrying around in the boonies.

A wonderful knife, especially if you have to fight with one. But before you get a fighting knife, you need a using knife for everyday tasks. It's a tool, not a weapon, and every GI should have one.

Unfortunately, the government thinks in billions of dollars, not tens of dollars. So we have been shipping this knife, our "Hobbit Hole Special" to all the troops that we have "adopted" here in FR's Hobbit Hole.

It's a great combination of high quality and reasonable cost. If we can do it, why can't Uncle Sam? And as far as being a useable tool, I saw one (not one of ours) clipped to a loop on the body armor of a Marine Sergeant Major. I think that's an appropriate endorsement.