WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: Folding Knives Replace Bayonets

StrategyPage.com ^ | January 10, 2004 | Mike Perry

[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.

[Squantos]

Tell Steve I said Thanks for taking his turn in the barrel GB !

Tell him I said to Stay safe !

[Squantos]

http://www.Karambit.com


15 Shade Tree Lane, Tijeras, NM 87059 ..........??

Just across from my old Tablazon casa ...albeit north side of 40 .....Travis this guy will be at SHOT show also....check it out if ya get time !

Stay Safe !

[Axenolith]

I have one of those little suckers. I was always worried about being able to sharpen that odd angled blade but the damn thing must be made of forged unobtainium because it just will not lose an edge!

[Travis McGee]

I can't wait to hit that shot show!

[300winmag]

I was always worried about being able to sharpen that odd angled blade but the damn thing must be made of forged unobtainium because it just will not lose an edge!

The AUS6 steel used in it is quite good. I mainly tweak the edge by stropping on a leather strop. With "super steels" it's best to keep the edge "in tune" with some light honing, than to let it get dull. That kind of steel needs a diamond sharpener if the edge needs serious work.

Perhaps that's another item that troops carrying good blades need to know. A pocket-sized ceramic hone will do all the "tuning" a knife needs. I like the leather strop because I can get a mirror shine to the edge, which is the true mark of a sharp edge.

Except, of course, blades made with CPM steels (Crucible Powdered Metal). They have a very high nickel content, rather than high chrome. They don't polish up as pretty as high-chrome blades because of the nickel. But a proper edge on one of those (like my Camillus) shows microscopic "serrations" in the edge when viewed under a high-powered magnifying glass. The steel doesn't look pretty, but it's wickedly sharp.

[Squantos]

I want pics of the swedish bikini team at that SHOT show this year .....don't forget yer camera !!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Knives is Tijeras? What's next, fire? The wheel?

[TC Rider]

Sweet, I've carried one of the original KISS knives for a couple of years (I actually use it as a money clip). I didn't know it had a 'big brother'.

I also keep a Griptillian folder in my back pocket for quick access.

[300winmag]

Sweet, I've carried one of the original KISS knives for a couple of years (I actually use it as a money clip). I didn't know it had a 'big brother'.

The CRKT Samson model 5700 and 5710 has been discontinued. Check online dealers to see if they have any on closeout. It retailed for $50, but is being closed out. The Hobbit Hole gets them in quantity for $18. Freepmail me if you have a hard time finding one. If you like it, buy a second.

CRKT said they made that model 1 inch longer than their standard one at the request of police. It's long enough to get enough hand on it to flick it open like lightning, and the blade is long and heavy enough to do some real damage.

[Travis McGee]

They have the gun babes at the SHOT Show? I had no idea. Thanks for the tip!

[Squantos]

Hey they did invent the grow light ! For all that indoor gardening !!!

Stay Safe !

[archy]

"You take a knife, a knife has a certain amount of leverage that's given to you. The tomahawk can be used like a knife, but you also have that 18 inches of handle that gives you a huge amount of difference in power as far as the power of the cutting stroke. It's much more practical as a field tool because you can again use it like a knife or you can use it like an ax."

[archy]

You know, I've got a modified M-7 too! I ground off the ring and most of the guard, leaving only a 1/4" guard protrusion. I also took off the metal latch thing on the butt and tossed it, and rounded what was left, like a sykes/fairbairn. The sheath is elkhide, rough suede out.

Me too, though mine's made from a much-modified M6 bayonet for the M14. We had a few excess in one stateside unit I was in when we traded our M14s in for M16A1s, and I *disposed* of them just like I was told to, since I was not given specifics of exactly where I dumped them.

But I hung onto one, and shortened the blade to a around 5½ inches, and it's now much, MUCH sharper than as- issued. And yep, I ground the muzzle ring off of mine too, though it was often carried when an M21 sniper's rifle that would accept an M14 bayonet was my usual companion. The latching mechinism is still in place on mine [it's a bit different from that of the M7 or M4 for the old M1 Carbine] so it could be so used if really necessary, but I can't really imagine ever doing so.

My original sheath was a modification of one of the USAF pilot's survival knife sheaths. At present I'm using a British L1A1 steel bayonet scabbard, with a nylon webbing cover and belt hanger, that works fine for me. The thing's more meant to be a utility knife than fighter [better handled by my khukuri, IMHO] and is more usually the one I loan out or carry in really nasty whether, or when having a spare along otherwise is a good idea. It's a bit heavy, and not quite either as light or as handy as the Schrade *Sharpfinger* that rides under my wrist in the elastic combo rig that carries a spare Browning GP magazine behind the top of my righthand wrist, but it'll do, it'll do.

[Travis McGee]

The only other tip I have to offer folks is to keep some knife sharpening tools or stones in your car, and sharpen your household and outdoor knives at red lights. It's a good way to pass the time, keeps your blades sharp, and you will always have a handy answer to car jackers or snatch robbers.

[Professional Engineer]

I forgot to tell you, my b-i-l is a cop. He loved seeing my HH knife. He then showed me his fixed blade KISS knife. He carries it in his boot while on duty.

[SandRat]

Top notch soldiers. We had a platoon of these on Honor Guard Duty at CINC-UNC at Seoul, the ROKs were afraid of them.

[Squantos]

Ok for Kali like states maybe .......but why whould I sharpen my knife at a red light here in Texas when I can shine my 1911A1....... ?:o)

But I understand where yer coming from !.....Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

Posted on Mon, Jan. 12, 2004

NORTH FORT MYERS
ID bracelet returned to WWII troop's wife

FORT MYERS - (AP) -- Virginia ''Ginny'' Moore spent nearly 60 years believing the silver identification bracelet she gave her first husband was lost forever.

So when she was reunited with it Friday night, she couldn't hold back her emotions.

Moore cried when a Belgian police officer gave her the silver piece that her husband, Marcus L. Comer, was wearing when he left to fight in World War II in 1944.

''I was speechless,'' said Moore, who has remarried and lives in North Fort Myers. ``I kissed it. It was wonderful.''

Comer's name and Army serial number were engraved on one side, the words ''Love, Ginny'' graced the other.

When her husband was killed on Jan. 14, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, Moore thought she would never see the bracelet again.

But to her surprise, she received a call from Lorenzo Maierna in August. The officer said he found the bracelet inside a foxhole in a forest near Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, Belgium, while searching for World War II artifacts.

Maierna and his wife, who live in Arlon, Belgium, decided to give Moore the bracelet in person.

In exchange, Moore has amended her will to have the bracelet returned to Maierna after her death. Maierna hopes to open a World War II museum in Belgium to commemorate the American veterans.

''You can't explain it,'' Maierna said of his feelings upon returning the bracelet.

[Destructor]

"Far as I know, the K-bar is still the issue blade for those whose T.O. weapon is the pistol. The bayonet is supposed to be the blade for those who carry the rifle, but it appears to be going away."

This is going to cost some good soldiers their lives at some point in the future. The next time we fight a Vietnam-type jungle war our boys will need their bayonets!

[yarddog]

I have been intrigued with knives since I was a toddler. For some reason I have always feared them in the hands of another.

I grew up literally in the deep woods, using axes, hatchets, and machetes pretty much daily. When I was about 5 I found an old meat cleaver and used it as a hatchet for some time. It actually made a pretty good one.

There is no edged tool as useful in the woods as a machete. The old U.S. Ontario are the best I have found although the tramontina (sp?) from Brazil are ok. I also have a Cold Steel khukri which is useful.

Any tool used for chopping or hacking, cuts better when sharpened with a file rather than honed. A buck saw is much easier to cut with than an axe, although an axe is still indispensible.

I have never done any formal training with knives or spears and don't really know much about it but a friend and I used to practice with a mop handle with a foam blade taped to it. I keep a Cold Steel spear near the door. I also keep several different swords around. I also think a machete would make a decent weapon.