Sidearms & Scatterguns The real tactical knife

kraigWY

CMP GSM MI
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 10, 2006
2,296
305
77
Wyoming
When I first went to Vietnam, like all young soldiers I had to have a "tactical" (though they weren't called that then) knife. I tried the K-bar, and various heavy comerical knives.

But like most soldiers I figured "to hell with that", that crap gets in the way, its heavy, and ended up selling or trading it (them) to guys in the rear.

I settled on the U.S. Military Camp knife. Kept it razor sharp and found it all I needed, (excluding the bayonet for digging, the e-tool was discarded from the start).

When the shit got thick, (I'm talking thick jungle, not firefights), it was handier then the larger knives. I keep it open, hanging from some string (550 cord) and used it to cut my way out of vines and wait-a-minute bushes. Also easier for disassembling weapons too. A must if you're carrying a '60.

I laugh when I see people carrying Rambo type knive, wondering how long it will take them to toss it if they were in the jungle.

I think now a good leatherman tool would be better, but I don't know if they had them in the mid-60s.

I carry one not (only its a CASE) found its about all I need when hunting or camping. Also it was my main tool for EOD work when I was on the bomb squad. (The Military Version is non-sparking).

US_camp_knife.jpg
 
Re: The rear tactical knife

I carry a bayonet that just so happens to have a m-16 on the handle. Great multi-tool. You can not only cut but shoot as well. Just joking. Large knives are overrated
 
Re: The real tactical knife

You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UyCzZH_hFlA"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UyCzZH_hFlA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
Re: The real tactical knife

I own a Chris Reeves Green Beret, and you would have a hard time convincing me that I have the wrong tool. The Green Beret and a Gerber Multi-tool will handle anything short of needing a firearm.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...</div></div>

They weren't humping my ruck.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

Good to hear that you like it! I want to get one soon even if it is just to own one. I can understand the overhype of big knives when the majority of folks will never use it to kill. Hell even the guys overseas will tell you that all they are is expensive MRE openers, doesn't mean I wouldn't like to own a couple anyways. Now if you want to talk about absurd I have no idea why anyone would want to carry a "tactical" tomahawk.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

smirk.gif
Yeah right. Some people have a REGULAR Rambo lookalike.

Me? I got a chainsaw Rambo lookalike. More useful than a chainsaw bayonet.

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZsyxH5mrOx4"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZsyxH5mrOx4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
Re: The real tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...</div></div>

They weren't humping my ruck.

</div></div>

If you find your ruck all splooged you'll know that they were.
 
Re: The rear tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Of course if you're a paratrooper, you need this guy. Though not a jungle knife.

GEDC2511.JPG
</div></div>

My dad (Air Force) had one of these. I believe he had it with him during the year he flew in Vietnam. When we were kids we used to walk around the house snapping it open. I can't remember, was it Schrade that made these?
 
Re: The real tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Veer_G</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...</div></div>

They weren't humping my ruck.

</div></div>

If you find your ruck all splooged you'll know that they were. </div></div>

Veer has never carried a heavy pack so he has no clue what you are talking about Kraig.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

Kraig, I disagree. I like the small knife on my body, a leatherman on body armor and large choper on Ruck Sack. The Choper is not for fighting its for cutting shit down, opening up shit, digging etc. I dont carry a Bayonet though

The Choper is usually a typical Bush Knife and hate to admit it but one of my favorites is the Kershaw D2 Steel.

If I am not going anywhere where I need the big Choper I use a Strider 8541 Knife on my Body Armor for prying etc. Its not very big though
 
Re: The real tactical knife

I think the best knife is one that fits your needs. If you are Rambo, then by all means use a Rambo knife.....most people probably don't fall into this category. I just picked up a Steve Woods Hide Hunter on trade and I really like it so far. Its not overly big.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Originally Posted By: Veer_G
Originally Posted By: kraigWY
Quote:
You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...


They weren't humping my ruck.




If you find your ruck all splooged you'll know that they were.


Veer has never carried a heavy pack so he has no clue what you are talking about Kraig.</div></div>


That's OK, I don't know what "splooged" means anyway.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Originally Posted By: Veer_G
Originally Posted By: kraigWY
Quote:
You'll have a hard time convincing 97% of the population ...


They weren't humping my ruck.




If you find your ruck all splooged you'll know that they were.


Veer has never carried a heavy pack so he has no clue what you are talking about Kraig.</div></div>


That's OK, I don't know what "splooged" means anyway.
</div></div>

Splooged is what happens when KY Jelly sees that I've had something to say in a thread.

Here's a hint:

1040ppl.gif


(It was a word play on "humping." I savvy heavy rucksack fine.)
 
Re: The real tactical knife

These look like they got the use they were designed for. Great lookin', work hardened knives there!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MontanaMarine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">These two went many miles with me,

aKABARGerber.jpg
</div></div>
 
Re: The real tactical knife

Man this "splooged" thing is getting waaayyy off the thread. Very funny though.

I gotta' say I've often wondered if I was "going Rambo" because I carried two knives and a Gerber multitool when I hunt. Then, one deer season I was talking to some hunting buddies and noticed they too, were carrying two knives. So, either all three of us were going Rambo or it is indeed acceptable to carry more than one knife. I never figured that a large knife or a knife suitable for hand-to-hand combat was really necessary for my purposes. Got a Fallkniven F1 and one of those small WM-1 (actually designed for women's hands) for deer gutting. Well, those two and an old old German knife that was used when I killed my first deer years ago. It's like an old friend.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

Its amazing the design and usefulness of that type of knife has not changed in 30 or 40 years. With the exception of the handle, my old Boy Scout knife is the exact same thing. I still have it, use it, and will give it to my son when he gets old enough.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

I think in terms of intended use the army camp camp knife is a great survival knife the same way the original swiss army knife is.

Where I live we hunt pigs with knives and dogs so while I might use that type of knife for 97% of the things I actually need a knife for, sometimes I need something slighty more suited to the purpose.

just my own experience, I get what you're saying though.
 
Re: The real tactical knife

I carry a Leatherman Wave, it was issued to some, but my ass had to cough up dough for it. Best 80$ I have spent. The Benchmade fixed blade, and spring loaded one we get are very nice... but I have very little to no use for them. Last deployment I never used it, and this deployment I didn't bring em'.

Saw a some solider walk into the PX about an hour ago with a huge freaking knife (talking like 12" long) in a sheath on his leg drop holster. Saw his unit patch... air winger. Go figure.