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WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: Folding Knives Replace Bayonets
StrategyPage.com ^
| January 10, 2004
| Mike Perry
Posted on 01/10/2004 11:53:29 AM PST by John Jorsett
Folding combat knives are replacing bayonets for many American combat troops. U.S soldiers carried a multitude of civilian manufactured folding knives into combat during the war in Iraq. Among the favorites were the Karambit, a hook shaped folding blade with lengths varying between two to four inches, weighing 3.5 to 3.8 oz.. and with an outside edge and tapered inside edge. attached to an alloy or polymer injection molded handle with an index finger ring. Developed in Indonesia during the 12th Century as a utility knife, it is known to have killed at least one an Iraqi who seized an American soldier's weapon. The soldier's unit received training on the use of the Karambit as a personal defense tool, and it paid off as the peculiar shaped knife can easily inflict a lethal wound. These knives are fairly expensive, costing $240 and up.
Other folding knives are more conventional in shape. Many Marines favored Strider knives, designed and manufactured by retired combat veterans. The Strider knives were noted for their durability and every member of the new Marine commando unit (Special Operations unit Detachment One) received a specially designed Strider knife called the SMF.
Troops are buying the folding knives to replace the M9 bayonet, which is also being replaced by multi-purpose tools for many everyday tasks. Companies like Leatherman Tool Group offer the knife-sized metal implements in a variety of models. These combat "Swiss Army Knife" items are only four inches long when closed and 6.25 inches long when opened. They are a lot cheaper than the folding knives ($50-60), but won't help you much in a fight.
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; bayonets; equipment; gear; knives; miltech; weapons
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To: Squantos
Don't rub it in.
81
posted on
01/12/2004 10:58:52 AM PST
by
Travis McGee
(----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
To: Destructor
Agreed. I liked the old 18" bayonet that they had in WWI and early WWII... the Springfield bayonet, I guess. I want one for my Garand at some point... The bayonet they gave me when I went in-country in '69 was about on a par with that mickey mouse mattel-toy excuse for a rifle they handed me. When I was at Parris Island I carried an M-14. When I got to Camp Gieger ('67) for infantry training, I got to carry the Garand. At New River, after school, I had a 14. Then I went to Staging Bn at Pendleton and had my first experience with the M-16 abortion. Mine would NOT cycle after firing. For each round I had to MANUALLY cock the thing and eject the spent brass. I told the armorer about it and his words were, "Live with it." Real cool piece!
82
posted on
01/12/2004 8:28:37 PM PST
by
dcwusmc
("The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself.)
To: dcwusmc
Thank you for your service to your country! I deeply regret the way that the veterans of the Vietnam War were treated upon returning home. So, I wanted to thank you right up front! I am honored to talk to you.
I own a Garand myself. A short barreled, Tanker model, 30-06 with the 8-round clip. I love the Garand and it's fun to shoot, but my service rifle was the M16A2, and M16A3. Colt did manage to make improvements to the subsequent models, so they weren't anything like that old "jammin' Jenny" that you remember. However, the M16A2s and A3s would jam up when introduced to sand, or extreme mud. The M16s still pale by comparison to the M1 Garand!
To: yarddog; Travis McGee; archy
"There is no edged tool as useful in the woods as a machete. Here you go, the weed wacker. Cuts hay, trims trees, hedges, driveway overhangs, go through brambles as fast as you can walk. Goes through 3" boxwood in one swipe. Anything bigger just needs a few more wacks. Need to shave some bark off those logs, or do some shaping? Weed the sweetcorn, pumpkin patch, or around the tomatoes? Some swipes, or a simple slip, tuck and lift is all it takes.
Worried about banging into those nasty ole rocks and wreckin' the blade? With the Q&T 4340, Rc63+ edge backed by it's Rc32 bulk and it's genuine shock absorbing pine handle, no problem. The razor sharp edge needs touching up maybe once a season, a little more if you're wackin' mostly rocks.
It's quiet too and comes with it's own pine wrapping. Quiet's a drawback though if you're tryin' to disuade a carjackin', or something similar, because it don't go buzz, or make any loud noises. If he's already inside though, you can impress him if you take the door off with it.
84
posted on
01/13/2004 9:09:26 PM PST
by
spunkets
To: spunkets
It looks interesting. I like the idea of the full tang too. Also just like an old Mauser rifle, hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Just the thing for toughness and strength combined.
BTW a carpenters hatchet cuts much better than the traditional woodsmans hatchet.
85
posted on
01/14/2004 6:11:04 AM PST
by
yarddog
To: John Jorsett
86
posted on
01/14/2004 6:14:51 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
Lone Wolf Knives Harsey Tactical
87
posted on
01/14/2004 6:20:00 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
Chris Reeve - Bill Harsey "Yarborough"
88
posted on
01/14/2004 6:23:17 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
Al Mar SERE 2000
89
posted on
01/14/2004 6:26:28 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
Spyderco Military
90
posted on
01/14/2004 6:28:50 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: Squantos; Travis McGee; Professional Engineer; 300winmag
More knife pics ping....ooh, a knife thread!
91
posted on
01/14/2004 6:36:52 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
Randall Military Knives
92
posted on
01/14/2004 6:41:14 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: xsrdx
93
posted on
01/14/2004 6:45:30 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: John Jorsett
This scares everyone I show.
To: John Jorsett
95
posted on
01/14/2004 6:49:08 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS
Microtech LCC D/A
96
posted on
01/14/2004 6:55:16 AM PST
by
xsrdx
(Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
To: xsrdx; Travis McGee
My Anti Carjacking last ditch mods are based on this combination.....let your imagination figure out what I did...:o)
Stay Safe
97
posted on
01/14/2004 11:36:23 AM PST
by
Squantos
(Cache for a rainy day !)
To: nahbi
ping
98
posted on
01/14/2004 11:38:29 AM PST
by
Tijeras_Slim
(Death before dhimmi.)
To: Squantos
My imagination is not that good.
Is there an ejector seat button hidden in that Hurst shifter?
99
posted on
01/14/2004 11:47:22 AM PST
by
yarddog
To: xsrdx; Squantos; wardaddy; harpseal; river rat
I'd like to hear from anybody on this forum who has ever been in a knife fight, used a knife for defense, stabbed someone etc. It's all theory to me....
100
posted on
01/14/2004 12:10:38 PM PST
by
Travis McGee
(www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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