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From: jat@hpsemc.cup.hp.com (Joe Talmadge)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Best Knife for a LRRP?
Message-ID: <35277@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 5 Jun 91 19:02:40 GMT
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Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu

# Overall, it seems I would prefer some kind of a machete/bush sword
# possibly with  a saw back.  A second small blade for skinning/eating
# might be nice, I hate to skin/gut with a pointy knife.

I've got some friends who were in the Marines, and they swear by their
Kabars.  

One of them claims that during cold weather training at some
horrendously cold temperature, they were forced to cut down some
saplings with a number of different machetes, and their Kabars.  He
claims all the machetes either broke or became quickly useless after
pounding on frozen -10 degree trees, whereas the Kabars did the
job with relatively little wear.

I can't contact this guy anymore, but as I recall he emphasized the
Kabar's usefulness in chopping, cutting, fighting, etc., at any
climate, and its amazing toughness.  Based on his opinions, I would
say make sure you get a knife with a solid sturdy blade.

Anyway, that seems to be a place where the Kabar is more advantageous
than the machete.

Joe
jat@hpsemc.cup.hp.com