Gear Guide '08 contest

[CommunityEditor]

WIN THIS KA-BAR KNIFE
Tell us about your trusty blade in 300 words or less. What do you carry and why do you love it? Are you a fixed blade or folder fan? Tactical or practical? Multi-tool or blade only? You get the point.


UPDATE on 4/23/08: Our contest is now closed and we thank all who participated. A collection of knife stories can be seen in this week's hardcopies of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times. Have a story to tell or a photo to share? Post and upload them here.

[Unregistered]

My most trusted blade is a fixed blade Carbon V SRK from Cold Steel. I got this knife in Iraq in 2003 since then it has been my field knife. In 2005 I was sent back to Iraq, my SRK went with me. My unit was housed in an unfinished palace near Tikrit. We took over the palace from some other soldiers, to say the least the place was a dump, the walls had holes in them to the outside. We were assigned "Rooms" that were really plywood and 2x4 constructs haphazardly slapped together, we had no tools available for construction so I took out my SRK and tore apart the existing hooch, I pried out nails and staples, when I got it torn apart I started rebuilding it but I had no hammer so I used the flat of the blade and hammered in the nails just fine. My blade is marred but undamaged, to this day I still carry it to the field it is my go to knife for just about everything.

Sgt James Morris
B. Co 171 VSB
Ft Jackson Sc

[Unregistered]

Me and my two brothers all received matching knives for our 12th birthdays. They are Shrade "Old Timer", 3 blade folding knives. I have carried this knife for 30 years, and over 22 years in the Army. This knife has gone through every fishing, hunting, deployment, and make-shift tool situation I have been in. The main blade is now a thin shadow of its former size, but still going strong. I could use a new knife as my Old Timer and I get ready to retire in a few years.

SFC Darryl DellaRossa
168 RTI, Ft Carson, Co

[Unregistered]

I would have to say it was my bayonet. When I cleared he bunker, that piece of cold steel helped save my life. I have a k-bar from Beirut that a Marine gave me that just suits me just fine. I also have an old timer that gets the job done. Either way, any blade that has an edge to it. Semper Fidelis.

[Unregistered]

My two most trusted blades were the Gerber multi tool and Spyderco folding Knife. This was the 90's and all the soldiers had them. I have lost them and missed them and found them and rejoiced. I dropped them in a latrine and opened MRE's with them. If these Knives could talk they could tell one heck of a story.

[usmc2141dad]

I Purchased My Kabar In 1971 When I Left Parris Island And Had It By My Side For 4 Years
And She Never Let Me Down.when My Son Left Parris Island In 2003 I Handed It To Him.he Has Now Had It For 5 Yaers And She Never Let Him Down With 2 Tours To Fallujah.this Kabar Has A Lot Of Miles And History Its Blade.

Keep Up The Good Work

Semper Fi
Dad

[chaos5567]

I have too many knives to call a favorite. But If I could only have one choice it would be the leatherman ti-charge. You can open mre's, fix anything from a radio to a 5-ton. once you own one you cant live without it in uniform or out.
But I also like my regular knives, folding i use a ken onion Spec-ops, there are many features to this knife, it can be used to skin game, open boxes, or spread peanut butter. it was desighned for combat also as the geometry of the blade is such that it dosent turn during a slash like most blades do( j-cut).

For deployment I have my trusted tanto ( proven in iraq) that i have carried for 20 years. for hard core cutting its my first choice and the first thing to enter a bunker when im clearing it and its dark.

And finally a K-5 tomahawk. This thing is great, will chop or break through just about anything.

[Unregistered]

My knife is a hand made, fixed blade, Randall Made Model #16 SP-1. Randall knives have a long history of military service and although the military no longer fields these knives I thought it appropriate to carry on the tradition. I purchased the knife shortly before a deployment to Iraq using Randall's expedited military program. Ask any collector and they will tell you that I'm crazy for carrying it and using it like the tool that it's meant to be. The true value cannot be measured in dollars, but it hinders on the work that it has done. I hope that some day after many more miles (and undoubtedly more deployments) I will be able to pass it on to a son who will value it the same way.

1LT Anthony Douglass
543rd MP Company
Fort Drum, NY

[Unregistered]

Carried a fixed 8.5" K-bar, US Army version they were selling in the AFFES at Camp Victory before heading north in Apr '04. Used it for everything from opening cans of fruit to stripping SATCOM cable to ammo crates. After returning from Iraq, been using it to field dress wild hogs and deer. Carry it pretty much everywhere I go......

[Unregistered]

Carried a fixed 8.5" K-bar, US Army version they were selling in the AFFES at Camp Victory before heading north in Apr '04. Used it for everything from opening cans of fruit to stripping SATCOM cable to ammo crates. After returning from Iraq, been using it to field dress wild hogs and deer. Carry it pretty much everywhere I go......

SSG Montgomery
HHC, 165th IN BDE
FJSC, 29206

[David Gomez]

I was issued a Smith and Wesson S.W.A.T. knife while deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base in 1997. It was the very first knife I was ever issued and I have carried it ever since. It has been with me on every deployment and assignment since. It is a folding half serrated blade and even though it is worn from constant use it is still a great knife. I consider it a good luck charm and have never lost it. I have misplaced in several times though. It always seems to come back to me. I either find it or someone returns it. Even though I have been issued several knifes since that deployment to PSAB I pretty much carry only my Smith and Wesson and a very old Leatherman Wave. I really do not want your Ka-Bar, but wanted to get my knife story on here anyways.

[Fletcher]

I purchased my KA-BAR USMC WWII reproduction knife brand new around 1986. My grandfather, who served during WWII, told me it was the finest man-killing knife ever made. Kept it in a box for show until the young, male army reserve moved in next door and had an interest in my teen-aged daughter. One weekend, I spied him in his camo pants and a white tee-shirt talking to my daughter and son. He was trying to impress them by showing off his multi-purpose army knife and how sharp it was by cutting up his tee-shirt. But I could tell it wasn’t as sharp as the KA-BAR. I walked over and we began talking knives. My son had already mentioned the KA-BAR. The reserve had never seen one so my son got it and handed it to the reserve. He pulled up his tee-shirt and the KA-BAR cut through it like warm butter and immediately cut into his skin. He let out a scream that scared all of us but it was just a surface cut. He turned red-faced and needless to say was quite embarrassed as my teen-aged daughter was laughing hysterically. He quickly handed the knife back to my son and said it was definitely sharp. That was twenty years ago, and the KA-BAR is still as sharp today as it was then.

Walter Fletcher
Millington, TN

[kenneth.delvalle]

While serving in Iraq on 2007, with 4-25 INF (ABN), I mostly used my fixed-blade Frost Cutlery Flying Falcon knife. It was real practical when conducting tactical missions. For example, I was exiting a CH-47 Chinook at a night raid. My rucksack’s strap (550 cord which I used to secure my equipment with) got stuck on the cargo rails of the bird. I simply used my knife (which was attached to my IBA) to cut it and as a result I exited the bird in a quickly manner. I also carried a folding knife (Smith and Wesson S.W.A.T) which was really practical while operating in the FOB. I really liked that knife which I considered part of my uniform. But unfortunately, it was confiscated at the airbase while redeploying.

[Unregistered]

I would have to say that my favorite is my Benchmade All-Black three and a half inch blade knife. To be honest, I don't have any war stories or amphibious expeditions with it, but it has saved my life when I worked on the rifle range. From opening MRE's to ammo crates, my baby is still holding strong, never once getting dull or wearing. I actually didn't even pay for it, but as they say "gear adrift is a gift" and we haven't parted ways since! Through thick and thin, we've been the best friends, second to my rifle, for almost two years.

Cpl Albert J. Williams
NAS Patuxent River MD

[Unregistered]

My favorite knife is definitely my black Gerber multi-tool. It has been there for me in almost every situation. It's truly a jack of all trades. It's punched holes in tarp, sawed cords off lumber bundles, opened up cans, served as my fork, tightened screws, filed rough edges, and done some if not most of that just in a given day. Aside from the knifeblade on it (which I keep razorsharp to filet fish) it's like a toolbox on my hip, so repairs get done when I see them, not "when I find the time." It's also compact, so it really has no cons I can think of. My bro, a fellow servicemember, gave it to me when I joined the service, so it won't be leaving my side.

SrA Brandon Wallis
28th OWS, WXB
Shaw AFB, SC 29152

[altmd]

My favorite is the Seal Pup with partial serrated blade by SOG. I cleaned fourteen deer before ever putting a sharpener to the knife. People in deer camp were so amazed by the knife that all of them now carry one. A tradition in my family is to give your son or daughter the knife they field dress their first deer with. Each of my three sons, all under twelve years of age, have an unopened package with their name written on it, awaiting the day they harvest their first deer. I've hunted for 24 years, used Kershaw, Gerber, Buck, Knives of Alaska and a few others, never before have I seen such a quality knife for the money.
Where is my first Seal Pup? The one I cleaned fourteen deer with. A 12 year old young man (relative of mine) in Montana that had not seen his father since the man ran out on his family when the boy was two wanted to go hunting. I drove to Montana, took the young man out and he harvested a fine mule deer. Number 14 on my knife. The knife was his. A few swipes with the sharpener, the knife was razor sharp again. He was proud of his deer, I was proud of him, and proud to pass on such a fine blade. He may not have been my son, but his excitement left me with great anticipation for the day my own children get to open up their own Seal Pup by SOG.

WIN THIS KA-BAR KNIFE
Tell us about your trusty blade in 300 words or less. What do you carry and why do you love it? Are you a fixed blade or folder fan? Tactical or practical? Multi-tool or blade only? You get the point.

Submit your story via e-mail to clawson@armytimes.com or post it here in this message board by April 15.

If your submission is chosen as the winning entry, we'll ship you this shiny new KA-BAR fixed blade. FIN. Retail value: $120.

[Unregistered]

My most trusted knife is a Smith and Wesson Special Ops tanto blade knife. I got it from my wife when I was in Bosnia, as a Valentine’s Day gift. It has gone with me everywhere since. I have cut, hammered, sliced, cooked, eaten with, and stabbed with it. When my daughters were in Girl scouts I made walking sticks for them with it. Recently I used it to cut walking sticks for my son and myself for a Cub Scout project. I found a small oak tree that we could get two sections from and made the three cuts with the folder. It also was used to cut and dump 30 sand bags in Korea before I could stop the person. The person asked to borrow it to empty the bags and they stabbed the bag at the top and cut all the way to the bottom through the dirt. It did the job and needed sharpening, but made it through. It is amusing to open the blade and see the reactions of people at the size. I keep up with any sharpening or cleaning so it will always be ready
I prefer a fixed blade for field or real world use, taking either my Cold Steel SRK or my Camillus CQB. I would carry a fixed blade if I could, but people get too excited when they see one on in public. I use the fixed blades for heavy cutting and chopping and as a tool on my gear.

Richard Hatt
SSG, USA
B Co VSB, Fort Jackson, SC.

[Unregistered]

My favorite blade would have to be my black Cold Steel AK-47. I've always believed that a blade is the ultimate utility tool, and as such it must fit your hand, be uncompromisingly strong, and incredably sharp. I've used my AK for everything; to skin game, pierce sheet metal, and pierce kevlar, all the way down too opening letters and cans. The pocket rapid-deployment feature means I can get to and open it with one hand. It's big, tough, sharp, and has the strongest lock made. Why? Because my life may very well depend on it.

Cpl. Brantley, James
C co. 4th LSB
Charleston, SC

[mort]

When trying to get a job done, a gerber multi tool gives the edge that a swiss army knife did in the past. have carried many styles of knives as a former Marine. Though im in computers now and the fixed blades have long been put away. I stil find my self carring the gerber. Camping, hunting, working on a car, to even more delicate pc repair.

[georgieboy]

I loved knives ever since I was a kid. I played with a machete and never got tired of it till this day. Stabbings are common where i come from and shootings are just for amateurs. As I got older i tried to put the love of knives aside and focus on the real world of fist fighting. Ok so...now I put the fist fighting aside and joined the US AIRFORCE. I got introduced to a combat training called L.I.N.E.S as an airman basic. That training showed us so many techniques to finish your enemy when you are exhausted. Then... dun dun dun.... we were taught how to attack and block a knife. Guess what? My love for knives came back. Ohhh such a great feeling. hahaha! We were introduced with over 30 knives and I fell inlove with the "Cold Steel Voyager Tanto XL knife" It is half serrated. That knife if quick to open with just the flick of your wrist. It is a made in Japan stainless steel blade and very very very sharp. Since I can't carry a machete around, the cold steel is a substitute for it. Its about 11 1/2 inches when opened. Let me tell you something. Try opening the knife infront of anybody. The look on their face "PRICELESS!" God Bless

[Unregistered]

Had A K-bar Knifr In Baghdad Iraq In 04-05. Best Knife That I Have Ever Had The Pleasure To Own. It Was Always There When I Needed It. I Used It To Open Cans, Cut 550 Cord, Even During Some Carpentry Projects. Whenevr I Needed My Kbar , It Was There. Sadly It Did Not Make Itback From Iraq. A Young Child Pulled It From My Flak Vest During A Civil Affairs Patrol, As We Were Handing Out Candy And School Supplies To Local Iraqi Children. Hope That He Gets As Much Use Out Of It As I Did. I Plan On Getting Another Before I Deploy Back To Iraq In A Few Months. Cant Live Without It. Will Send You Monthly Updates On My Kbar And Me If I Win. Thanks.


Ssg Mark Stewart
2-8 Infantry Bn
Ft. Carson, Co 80913

[Unregistered]

My favorite knife is a K-Bar type knife that my father brought back from WWII. It was made by "Western" and was one of several versions of fighting knife that were issued during that war. The knife is a full inch longer than the current generation of K-Bars and is in excellent condition. After years of rough use it took a while to get it in shape but it now has a new leather sheath to protect the blade that is honed to a point you can shave the hair off your arm with it.

While I've always thought highly of that knife, two events in the past few years have cemented the bond. First, I am one of only a few hundred Army retirees to be recalled to active duty in support of GWOT. After leaving active duty in 1992 and entering the retired reserves in 2000, my recall orders bringing me back on active duty in Nov '05 caught many by surprise but left me with an overwhelming sense of purpose and awe. I have a chance to be part of something important, and much bigger than myself. As a retiree, I've been stationed stateside for the past 2 1/2 years but my kit bag is packed and if the need or opportunity to deploy comes, that 1944 fighting knife will go with me.

The second event that strengthened the bond I have with this knife was the death of my father a few years ago. Upon his passing, that knife, and one of his WWII dog tags passed into my posession and safekeeping. Like many fathers and sons, our relationship was a complicated one, with it's ups and downs but it had a solid core, if a bit nicked on the exterior. That knife, every inch of it, will always remind me of my Dad, of hard work, and of doing your best. And someday I'll have the pleasure of passing it on to my own son.

Marty J. Eaton
MAJ, INF, USAR
AMCOM Ops Ctr
Redstone Arsenal, AL

[Unregistered]

Although I've had several very trusted knives and tools, I have to say that my best friend has been my Kershaw Titanium Ti ATS 34 (1410) folder. This hady tool opens easily, holds an edge better than any knife I've ever owned (and that says a lot), and it has taken an incredible beating.

I bought the Kershaw from a tool supplier when I was working part-time for an RV repair center in 1996. I just needed a a good, heavy duty knife that I could clip on a packet and use for everything. It has since traveled through BNCOC, ANCOC, OEF (with 3rd Army), OIF (with the 513th MI BDE and the 221st MI BN), and WOBC with me. It has pried open ammo cases, opened MRE boxes, pulled the pins out of an M-4 bolt, adjust front sites, and evey other various and sundry requirement a Soldier might have. It has also been to 9 or ten Boy Scout summer camps, four Cub Scout Day Camps, and various hiking, camping, and hunting trips. It's always on my pocket, almost everywhere I go.

This tool sharpens up easily on my wetstone, and a diamond stone gives it a quick, keen edge.

I've never seen a better, handier, or tougher blade in over 20 years of service, 14 years (total) of Boy and Cub Scouting, and 5 years of historical reenacting.

BARRY D. LONG
CW2, AG
Asst Chief, Officer Personnel Branch
Georgia Army National Guard
barry.long@us.army.mil

[Unregistered]

I found this "Buck" made beauty when I was face down in the dirt during a Squad Training Exercise (STX) at Ft. Lewis, WA back in 2003. Since then she has gracefully applied her superior blade in the craftsmanship of hunting, fishing, woodworking, wilderness survival, and living the daily life of an Infantry soldier and even as an Army Nurse.

Only once has she tip-toed on the edge of failure, but even with a broken tip she accomplished the mission with extreme precision and sharpness of edge; failure not an option for this razor sharp fixed blade. Once "lost and forgotten" to "prized and cherished", this knife will always remain an integral part of my outdoors, recreational, and military living.


Go For Broke,

Joby Denny
2LT, AN
Nursing PI
WRAMC

"A good leader inspires men to have confidence in him; a great leader inspires men to have confidence in themselves"

[DeathB4]

My favorite knife is the "good ol" fixed blade Cold Steel SRK(survival rescue knife) I was issued. It's my buddy, enough said.

[Unregistered]

I’m a folding blade man. More specifically, I’m a multi-tool man. I served in the Navy as a Machinist Mate for twenty years. For those who don’t know, a machinist mate spends most of his life operating, maintaining or repairing equipment from tiny valves to giant turbines.

The most useful thing I could carry down into the engine room was a multi-tool. It was more than just convenient to be able to reach for the Leatherman multi-tool; it was as its name implies several tools in one. Every use represented a tool I didn’t have to carry to the job site. It also filled in for single use tools I didn’t know I needed. I can’t begin to number the jobs I did not have to interrupt to go search for wire cutters, screwdrivers or needle-nose pliers.

I loved my slim Leatherman and never thought I would trade it for anything—right up until I found the Gerber blade system. The main advantage of the Gerber for me was the little pinch stoppers. Small metal tips that kept the two sides from pinching my big beefy hands while I was cranking on a stubborn nut or thick wire.

The slide-out pliers on the Gerber turned out to be easy to deploy with one hand. That’s a very useful feature when you’re balancing a tiny part with the other hand while lying in an awkward position inside a turbine casing.

Morgan Johnson
MM1 (USN/ret)
Memphis, Tenn
(901) 857-4131

[Unregistered]

My fixed blade Benchmade would have to be my favorite knife. I bought it just before deployment and carried it on me the whole time. It came with a solid sheath that I secured to my belt. It came in handy almost every day. From cutting open boxes, cutting cargo straps, using the tip as a screwdriver, and slicing open sand bags, my Benchmade stayed sharp the whole time and the blade never chipped or broke. It is the perfect size to carry around and something I would not go back to Iraq without.

[Unregistered]

Being a "Doc", I had the honor to serve several tours in Vietnam with some great units, as a combat medic with the 4/31st, 196th Infantry, as a clinical specialist with the 101st Airborne and down in the "Delta" as
both an advisor and medic.

I carried a Buck folding Hunters knife, the blade looks longer than those I see for sale today. This knife saw much in Vietnam, not all war as it was great for the day-to-day chores but after it first saw action, well no more kitchen duties.

When I wore a .45 I had a K-Bar but it was frankly perhaps useful if I was say being over run but it never got that bad. The K-Bar was not sharp enough, never precise nor holding that razor edge a "Doc" requires.
Granted a K-Bar can whip out "wille pete" from a soldier but it was just not delicate enough for that task. The folding aspec allowed one to cut clothes, equipment off a wounded soldier with ease, it was ample for cutting web gear or the harness in a chopper's seats, it could do a precise airway, and always be available
within my aidbag. That it could be used with the handle unlocked allowed the blade to track fast and not cut a wounded soldier, then it could help style a boot to accomodate a injured toe or such, always able to trim a callous or such. Between snake bites and removing shrapnel it did its job.

It was almost rejected on my second tour when I processed in-country, as the MP said "no personal weapons", but his LT noted that I was a medic and it was acceptable after I said "no Buck knife, no
second tour". I still see my knife once in a while, gave it to a hunter friend (ex-marine) who lives in Taos Pueblo. Guess unlike myself a knife really does not to retire.

[bradschneier]

Owning a knife has been a ever evolving process in my life and in my military career. As a young man my favorite knife was a folding (swiss army) pocket knife given to me by my father. After joining the miltary as a Combat Engineer we were issued two types of knives and several tools to complete our demolition missions. My peers, subordinates, and superiors were always asked about why the several types and finally the US Army decided upon the Gerber, Multi-purpose tools that are outstanding for the demo and other engineer related work.
Absolutely the best knife is a Kabar that I have carried on every deployment since Desert Storm and my 20 years of service. It is absolutely great to handle and use whether you are prying open cache hideout doors to cutting strips of cloth to tie off splints on a leg fracture. It is very durable, easily resharpened and takes a beating.
I would never even think about redeploying without each of these knives for necessity, sentimental or just plain good luck.

[CommunityEditor]

There's still time to enter the Gear Guide contest. Tell us about your favorite knife in 300 words or less. Submission deadline is April 15.

[Odin]

My most prized knife would have to be my MOD CQD Mark 1. The knife is designed with a glass breaker on the front and a seat belt/550 cord cutter on the back. I first purchased the blade right before my second deployment to Iraq. It was on sale at the local “gear queer shop” and when my eyes laid on it sitting in the display case, I knew that I had to have it!
While on deployment it sawed open sandbags, cut and stripped com wire, sliced 550 cord, used as a makeshift hammer or screwdriver, pried open window frames, smashed countless windows as we cleared the city, and even scaled a stucco wall by stabbing the blade into it on one of our missions. While on one of these missions I was caught in an IED blast that won me a ticket to Walter Reed Army Hospital for my injuries. When I was in the triage center I grabbed corpsmen and mumbled to him that I need my knife and it was in my right pocket. He kind of laughed and muttered something about Marines and their knives.
As one of the corpsmen stitched up my face the “Doc” brought me a plastic Ziploc bag with my knife. The next time I got to see my glorious war pig of a knife it was in Walter Reed. It was bloody, scarred, a little dirty, and scratched. The black facing was scratched from the rocks and metal that was thrown from the explosion but it still functioned beautifully. The blade still moved smoothly out with just a flick of the wrist and the edge was as sharp as the day I bought it. To this day it still sits in my right pocket, a mirror image of me, scarred, beat up, “salty”, but still ready to get the job done. Semper Fidelis

[Unregistered]

My favorite knife is the one I have carried since it was first issued to me in the spring of '96. It is a Gerber "flip-n-loc". I have been retired for 8 years now and I still carry it. I have used it to fix comm gear, misc. vehicle problems and splice many a cable connection. I carry it at work and it has come handy many a time. And the distinctive CLICK when it comes out gets a lot of attention!

[Ulu Totin' Sapper]

Although I own many knives, my favorite knife has to be my Pocket Ulu. The Ulu is a knife carried by the Native Americans inhabiting the northern regions of North America. Developed almost 5,000 years ago, the Ulu allowed these early hunters to quickly skin whales, seals, and other wild game. The grip of the knife is located directly behind the blade maximizing the force on the cutting edge. Today's Pocket Ulu builds upon this fine tradition of knifemaking by producing a high quality blade less than three inches long that can easily be opened or closed with one hand. My Pocket Ulu has literally been around the world with me and continues to be the most convienient and reliable knife I have ever owned.

[Unregistered]

I've had my K-Bar since Kuwait 2004. It has been my best friend through many an issue. I've forgotten my wallet, ID, cover, etc. But never the knife attached to my hip. I would rather be stranded on a deserted island with my K-Bar than assigned somewhere without it. When I'm done, this family heirloom will be handed down to my son....

LTC Michael Finn
FOB Falcon
Baghdad, Iraq
michael.finn@us.army.mil

[SRich]

I was about 12 years old and had some old toys that I wanted to get rid of. I took them to school and like most kids back then didn't really know what I was trading. Lucky for me, I traded those old toys Ifor some Pesos and an old K-bar knife. I loved that knife and took it home. Now you must know, my Dad was a gun and knife collector and has been all his life. He noticed my K-bar knife one day and asked where I had received it from. I told him about getting rid of some of my old toys for the K-bar. He wanted to trade me for the K-bar but I had grown attached to it. I kept that knife for about 6 years before I joined the Air Force. When I had signed up for the Air Force, I took the knife to my Dad and gave it to him. He carried that knife on himself for many years after that. He has recently had open heart surgery and has placed it in one of his gun cabinets for safe keeping. He will keep that K-bar until the day he passes away. I am sure he will want me to get it back. With my Dad and his heart problems that he has had and the miraculous recovery since his surgery, I really hope that K-bar never belongs to me again.

Shane
Ramstein AB, GE
Shane.Richardson@Ramstein.AF.MIL

[Unregistered]

My favorite knife was one I relished as a youth and then a young man in the dark soils, wetlands and thick woods of the Southest US. It was a knife that had aged nearly black from a couple of decades of prior ownership before it landed into my curious small hands, and it was a knife that carried a history of my father's service in the USN during WWII. It was loyaly secured to his side from island to island and conflict to conflict aboard the USS Essex, and then it returned to Mississippi to began anew as the everyday "tool" of a young, day-dreaming history re-living country boy who hacked, chopped, hunted, skinned, and most anything else I could think of with that historical pice of honor. To me, it was to be used, and used it was. Through countless endeavors with cans, nails, wood, ropes, wild life skinning, dirt and rock digging, tree hacking, and historical battle re-living it never failed. It was only second to the fmaily dog in honor and loyalty, but like that dog, it too would have an end. A house fire would do what WWII and all my youth and years could not.

To that USN stamped K-Bar

Delwin LEster
del2les@yahoo.com

[CommunityEditor]

My most trusted blade is a fixed blade Carbon V SRK from Cold Steel. I
got this knife in Iraq in 2003 since then it has been my field knife. In
2005 I was sent back to Iraq, my SRK went with me. My unit was housed in
an unfinished palace near Tikrit. We took over the palace from some
other soldiers, to say the least the place was a dump, the walls had
holes in them to the outside. We were assigned "Rooms" that were really
plywood and 2x4 constructs haphazardly slapped together, we had no tools
available for construction so I took out my SRK and tore apart the
existing hooch, I pried out nails and staples, when I got it torn apart
I started rebuilding it but I had no hammer so I used the flat of the
blade and hammered in the nails just fine. My blade is marred but
undamaged, to this day I still carry it to the field it is my go to
knife for just about everything.

Sgt James Morris
B. Co 171 VSB
Ft Jackson Sc


Received via e-mail on 3/4/08

[CommunityEditor]

My trusty blade (muti-tool actually) is the standard issue Gerber issued
as a part of the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) at Fort Benning,
Georgia. I, as a computer guy, thought it was cool to be issued such a
handy piece of equipment even though I just a computer guy.

What do I use it for? I mainly use it for cutting the network cables of
annoying and unsuspecting computer users. Shortly thereafter, they come
to see for assistance in finding 'what the problem is' after repeated
attempts to retrieve their email! I walk over to the wall and say
"Someone cut your cable!". I then reach into my tool bag, grab a
connector and a crimping tool and fix the problem. They think I am a
great customer service representative of the J-6 office. :)

Oh yea, the Gerber comes in handy when opening milk for my cereal at the
DFAC too! Yes, us FOBbits love our RFI Gerbers!


SFC Computer Guy
Camp Striker, Iraq

received via e-mail on 3/6/08

[CommunityEditor]

I was issued my first Ka-Bar in 1985 as part of my gear issue for a Special Boat Unit. It was the best blade I ever had; always strong, always sharp and always ready. I used it to cut, clean, chop and hammer. I won a second knife playing poker and gave that one to my father who is an avid hunter. We took our knives on all our hunting and fishing trips and never needed another blade. My dad loved his hunts, but always talked about how he used his Ka-Bar on trips and how it got him out of a jam. One time he fixed the blade on a long stick to make a spear which he used for fishing and another time finishing a boar hunt. My dad had his knife stolen a few years back, but now has mine to keep him going. He is looking forward to turning that knife over to my son ( after a few more seasons ).



Phil Francois

received via e-mail on 3/11/08

[CommunityEditor]

In 1975 I bought a Buck Folding Ranger for use while I was in the 8th
Maintenance Battalion. Heavy by today's standards, brass with an ebony
handle, it was not only good looking, but also had the advantage of
being just within the Army's legal blade length so I could carry it at
all times. The knife survived two tours in Germany, numerous stateside
field exercises, hunting trips, etc, and has opened more MRE's than I
ever care to remember.

I have had other knives and tools (a Gerber Multi-plier, an SOG multi
tool, Old Timer and Schrade knives and even a Smith and Wesson Swat
knife), but the ol' Buck always remains in the front of the dresser
drawer and somehow, like a comfortable old pair of sneakers, my Buck
always winds up on my belt. Favorite? Yeah, that Folding Ranger would
have to qualify.

Vaughn DeWolfe

received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

My trusty blade can cut me out of any situation. He's
always there when I need him. He's never let me down. Even when I'm
down and out, I can always look at him, hold him and stab something with
him. My trusty blade gives me constant relief in all things difficult.
No stubborn package wrappings, bent nails, knotted rope, or annoying
twigs stand a chance against him. My blade is true to his word, he will
never age with rust or dull with boredom. Although we come from
different worlds. I feel as if we are one in the same. It doesn't
bother me that he was made in china. Because he was built for me and I
will carry him for all of my days. No matter where I go you can bet on
seeing a folded bulge in my back pocket. Forever stamped onto his blade
will be memories of use in time of need along with his name, a simple
but known name, Smith & Wesson.

Sgt Justin "Lucky" Parks
MAG-41 Ops NCO

received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

For years I was the one-size-fits-all guy with my Leatherman or Gerber
Plier Combo tools. Then, just before I was deployed to Afghanistan my
loving wife gave me a Benchmade Griptillian folder with a pocket clip.
My initial response was a vocal "Thanks Honey I love it!" with a mental
"What do I need this for?" since I already had a Gerber multi-tool.
Being the loving husband that I am, I clipped it into my pocket and went
off to FT. Carson for pre-mob training. After about 1 week of regular
use I realized that getting this little jewel out for use was a breeze
compared to the multi-tools I had always carried. I was hook on the clip
folders. I used my Benchmade throughout my entire deployment and it
never let me down one. I have since added another larger Benchmade
Griptillian and my ever thoughtful wife gave me a new SOG folder for
Christmas. While I still carry the Gerber multi-tool (upgraded to the
EOD model) for all of the uses that a standard knife can't do, I am an
official clip it in your pocket and go folder fan. I never leave home
without one. By the way, my wife is a fan as well and now she carries a
small Benchmade with her wherever she goes.

SFC Scott Stephens
OPS NCO

received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

My favorite, and most trusted blade is my Cold Steel Gunsite Tanto folder. My wife bought this knife for me as a present for graduating PLDC, in 1999. Since then, I have used this blade in Korea, countless field exercises, and two deployments to Iraq. Its tanto point keeps it from breaking and the serated portion is great for sawing through small branches and boxes. This knife has retained its efeectiveness so well, I will gladly pass it on to my son when he turns 12. He's now 5.

SSG Stephen Rogers
Ft. Campbell

received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

In 1975 I bought a Buck Folding Ranger for use while I was in the 8th Maintenance Battalion. Heavy by today's standards, brass with an ebonyhandle, it was not only good looking, but also had the advantage of being just within the Army's legal blade length so I could carry it at all times. The knife survived two tours in Germany, numerous statesidefield exercises, hunting trips, etc, and has opened more MRE's than I ever care to remember.

I have had other knives and tools (a Gerber Multi-plier, an SOG multi tool, Old Timer and Schrade knives and even a Smith and Wesson Swat knife), but the ol' Buck always remains in the front of the dresser drawer and somehow, like a comfortable old pair of sneakers, my Buck always winds up on my belt. Favorite? Yeah, that Folding Ranger wouldhave to qualify.

Vaughn DeWolfe


received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

I can't tell you what make or model my favorite knife is. I have not
come across it yet. I do know that it is not the CRKT folder I bought in
Iraq in 2003. The blade rusted after two days in my pocket. If I used
the clip to hang it from my belt, or on my body armor, it would open by
itself at inconvenient times snagging on equipment, uniforms, fingers,
etc. resulting in more band-aids being used then the knife being used
itself. When I returned to the states I returned it to CRKT in exchange
for two of their fixed blade models. Those too have been a
disappointment, with their uncomfortable handles and ill fitting sheaths
they never made it to the field, but instead reside in my foot-locker.
So perhaps the K-Bar fixed blade will become my favorite knife on my
next deployment. Without your help we may never find out.

Dan Greenwood
SSG USAR

received via e-mail on 3/14/08

[CommunityEditor]

When I was a boy scout, a friend of mine was given a Buck 110 by his
father. To my 14 year-old eyes it was the most beautiful tool I had
ever seen. The 110 is 'the' classic pocket knife with brass bolsters,
rosewood handles, a sturdy lock mechanism, and a monster of a blade, at
least when compared to the standard boy scout pocket knife. It has a
nice weight, feels great in your hand, and handles like a fixed blade.
I've had various decent knives over the years, but hadn't really
'rewarded' myself with the purchase of my own 110, until I deployed in
support of OIF1. It seemed the opportune time to pick one up. What a
beauty. It has served me well, making quick work of any cutting task,
which thankfully in our LSA was usually opening MRE entrees. Never
really had to strap it to the end of my M-16, and that's probably a good
thing.

Nelson Rosen
LTC, MC, USAR


received via e-mail on 3/14/08

[CommunityEditor]

After snapping the blade of my buck knife in 1971, I purchased a Old Timer folding hunter that provided me 27 years of faithful service as a Boatswains knife, upon my retirement in 1999 I passed my oldtimer down to a BMCS at my ceremony so that he could pass it to another worthy sailor upon his retirement, I may have retired but I know my Old timer still had many un-rep rigs left in her.



RM Seals CWO (BOS’N) USN, Ret.


received via e-mail on 3/14/08

[CommunityEditor]

I really enjoy my leatherman multi tool…..i have used it for everything from disassembling a 50….to taking parts off a humvee….

One day waiting around FOB Kalsu…my squad mates and I decided to take the snorkels off our 1114s only to find out we didn’t have right tools….no worries we had our leathermans that we bought at our fobs px months ago…..we quickly made short work of the snorkels only to move on to other things like tighting mounts on the 50s… and adjusting the frag 5 door latches….

I would be totally lost without my leatherman and it goes everywere I go even in the civilan world..



Sgt erlandson…


received via e-mail on 3/14/08

[CommunityEditor]

I carry a Leatherman Wave on a daily basis. I have carried
everything from a Leatherman SuperTool to a folding fighting knife, but
this has proven to be a vestal and rugged system. It is a multi-tool
that thinks a tactical folder. Whether I'm cutting into a box or
tightening a loose bolt it helps me get my job done. What can I say...
It is far better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have
it.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Ryan M. Davis, Acquisition Specialist


received via e-mail on 3/14/08

[CommunityEditor]

I purchased my KA-BAR USMC WWII reproduction knife brand new around 1986. My grandfather, who served during WWII, told me it was the finest man-killing knife ever made. Kept it in a box for show until the young, male army reserve moved in next door and had an interest in my teen-aged daughter. One weekend, I spied him in his camo pants and a white tee-shirt talking to my daughter and son. He was trying to impress them by showing off his multi-purpose army knife and how sharp it was by cutting up his tee-shirt. But I could tell it wasn’t as sharp as the KA-BAR. I walked over and we began talking knives. My son had already mentioned the KA-BAR. The reserve had never seen one so my son got it and handed it to the reserve. He pulled up his tee-shirt and the KA-BAR cut through it like warm butter and immediately cut into his skin. He let out a scream that scared all of us but it was just a surface cut. He turned red-faced and needless to say was quite embarrassed as my teen-aged daughter was laughing hysterically. He quickly handed the knife back to my son and said it was definitely sharp. That was twenty years ago, and the KA-BAR is still as sharp today as it was then.

Walter Fletcher


received via e-mail on 3/15/08

[CommunityEditor]

My favorite knife is a Navy version of the K-Bar fighting knife. When I was a junior cadet in ROTC, a newly assigned Master Sergeant came into the program. He had been a Ranger instructor for many years prior to this assignment. He became my mentor and I went on to become the only Infantry officer and Ranger school graduate in my class. A few years later, he was assigned to JRTC and I stopped to visit him while I was enroute to Fort Sill. He then gave me the K-Bar knife and told me it was one that he had carried in Vietnam. There was a special significance to that. Since then, I have carried it with me to the field, camping trips and on 2 deployments overseas. The knife, albeit over 40 years old, still holds a keen edge and I use it for many things. But most important to me is the symbolism of him giving me a knife that he carried to war and now I have carried that on myself.


V/R:

Jonathan D. Thompson, Contractor
Senior Military Science Instructor

received via e-mail on 3/15/08

[CommunityEditor]

ka bar is the strongest knife i have ever had.it easy to use.i love the lock release,its easy to open.and easy to sharpen.i put it threw all kinds of test everyday,i open paint cans with it,open cardboard with it, cutting everything with it.and i have open all kinds of dead amimals with it. and the balde hold up to just about anything.it will last for a very long time.i lost one ,one day and the next day i order another.i cant live with out mine ka bar knife.i hope when i die they bury me with my ka bar knife.i never want another knife except my ka bar knife.

thank you barry cox


received via e-mail on 3/16/08

[CommunityEditor]

While serving in Iraq on 2007, with 4-25 INF (ABN), I mostly used my fixed-blade Frost Cutlery Flying Falcon knife. It was real practical when conducting tactical missions. For example, I was exiting a CH-47 Chinook at a night raid. My rucksack's strap (550 cord which I used to secure my equipment with) got stuck on the cargo rails of the bird. I simply used my knife (which was attached to my IBA) to cut it and as a result I exited the bird quickly manner. I also carried a folding knife(Smith and Wesson S.W.A.T) which was really practical while operating in the FOB. I really liked that knife which I considered part of my uniform. But unfortunately, it was confiscated at the airbase while redeploying.

Delvalle, Kenneth SSG MIL USA USARPAC


received via e-mail on 3/16/08

[CommunityEditor]

Many years ago when I was in the Army, my father gave me the K-bar he carried when he was in the Marines. When I was Stationed at FT Lewis it was attached to my web gear when the SGT MAJ did a field inspection of my squad. He stopped in front of me and asked about the K-bar. I told him it was my fathers when he served. The SGT MAJ then said to my Squad leader " you need to give this man something less dangerous like a bayonet."

C. Matthew Rosleck
Network Inventory Coordinator


received via e-mail on 3/17/08

[CommunityEditor]

The legacy of my grandfather as a Marine is what inspired me to become a
Marine. He passed away before I was born, and I never had the
opportunity to meet him. When I informed my family of my decision to
join the Marines, I was given all of his old issue as a sort of family
heirloom. In his collection was an old KA-BAR which looked like it had
been through quite a bit.
The blade was pitted on the sides, but shiny, and looked like it
had been sharpened a thousand times. For my grandfather to have kept it
for so long, it must have been special to him. The handle was wrapped
leather, but not in the traditional sense of stacked leather wrapping a
modern KA-BAR has. It also had a red band near the bottom.
I carried that knife everywhere I went, and took it on
deployment to Iraq in 2004. The knife still cut like it was brand new
and never once let me down. I cleaned and sharpened it every time I
cleaned my rifle.
Unfortunately, I was forced to come home on emergency leave
after a family emergency. It was the middle of the night, and I did not
have time to pack my belongings. I was told that whatever I had left
would be shipped back later.
When my unit came back from overseas, I was able to retrieve
most of my belongings, but my KA-BAR was no where to be found. Either
someone had taken it, or it had been lost in the chaos of coming back to
the US. To this day, I still wonder where it is and if it serves its
new owner as well as it served me and my grandfather before me.


Sgt Seth D. Pedigo, USMC
USTRANSCOM, TCJ3-J


received via e-mail on 3/13/08

[CommunityEditor]

My trusty blade is a Case 6275 Moose...1975 edition given to me
by my grandfather, who proudly served in the Navy during WWII, then
served in the Department of Public Safety in Texas and finally as a
Texas Ranger. This blade holds a special place in my heart and to this
day I can't use it without thinking of him. I take it fishing, hunting,
and have used it for just about everything you can use a knife for. I
carried it everyday with me to the point of even taking to the
airport...this was post Sept 11th and I mistakenly forgot to leave it at
the house. Luckily I was able to find a USO office and successfully
mail it to my parents for safe keeping. Needless to say this is a
treasured possession and will be kept in the family for generations...


NEAL M. WILSON, Capt, USAF


received via e-mail on 3/17/08

[CommunityEditor]

My Dad was a knife collector and every year for his birthday, I bought him a different one. After he passed on in 1994, his collection became mine. Today, I am a special agent with OSI and for the past 7 years, I’v carried the Benchmade 9100 auto stryker. My knife has followed me to Guantanamo, UAE, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and as I gear up for a possible 3rd tour somewhere In the “desert,” it will still be my blade of choice. I have used it for everything from opening boxes on Christmas to touching things no one would want to lay a hand on. It offers me comfort as a 3rd choice for safety and always brings a smile to my face, as I remember my father when using it.

Special Agent Mark C.

AFOSI


received via e-mail on 3/18/08

[CommunityEditor]

What Makes A Great Knife?

A great knife is the like the one I'm carrying right now--a Carson-designed CRKT folder of 7 1/2 inches (model M16-12Z). I've carried my CRKT folder every day for 3 years straight now--remarkable if you consider I've carried some sort of knife each day for 30 years, but never the same blade for over a few weeks time. I would either find some fault in the knife, or some use it wasn't suited for.

But this CRKT folder, with it's tanto-shaped blade 3 1/4 in blade has won my devotion. I can't find one fault with it whatever the task. The steel is not brittle nor too soft--so it stands up to hard use, is easy to sharpen and holds a razor edge. It securely clips into my pocket, or onto my belt, deploying easily and quickly with one hand. Upon opening a liner lock secures the blade, and can be locked into place to guard against inadvertent closure. There is also a small quillion on the blade that keeps my hand from sliding off the handle onto the blade. I can tell a true knife aficionado designed this folder.

I've camped at 10,000 feet, punched cattle, lived in dangerous neighborhoods and deployed to the desert. I've never had to use a knife in self-defense, thank God. But if I did, I'm confident my CRKT would stand up to that new challenge as well.

Lt Col Lance A. Carmack, USAF


received via e-mail on 3/22/08

[CommunityEditor]

I purchased my oldtimer folding hunter in 1971 Yokosuka Japan after breaking my buck knife trying to pry up a deck socket on the Okie City CG5, The old timer served me well on over 2000 unreps if not more, saving 3 lives along the way after shipmates got entangled in station to station phone lines, I presented my oldtimer to a BMCS (SW) upon my retirement onboard the USS Stennis, in 1999, I wanted the senior Chief to pass down the Oldtimer to another worthy shipmate upon his retirement, the oldtimer did not want to retire with me. I lost contact so I hope my wishes were carried out.



Robert M Seals CWO(BOSN) USN Ret.


received via e-mail on 3/24/08

[Proud Mom]

Was the winner posted here or just in the papers? I read thru the stories but didn't see the winners story.