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From: sporay@adm.brl.mil (Ralph Sporay)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Best Knife for a LRRP?
Message-ID: <35453@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 11 Jun 91 13:47:20 GMT
Sender: news@mimsy.umd.edu
Organization: Ballistic Research Lab (BRL), APG, MD.
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Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu


For years guys in SF units have been in search of the ultimate knife.
I've seen Randalls, Bucks, K-Bars, Gerbers, Gurkhas, even a vintage
M-1 bayonet hanging from LBEs. I never could make-up my mind what to
carry, so I ruffed it for years with a standard issue demo-knife until
I found something practical.

One day while horsing around a buddy of mine (with trigger time) pulled
his knife on me. I wondered how far he would go and called his bluff.
He lunged at me and to his surprise I crabbed his hand and knife and 
then his jacket, kicked his feet out from under him, and while he's on
the ground I pointed the knife toward him. Needless to say he surren-
dered unconditionally. Then I (jokingly) embarrassed him in front of 
on-lookers by showing everyone how dull his knife was. That day we both 
learned a few things, must guys really don't know how to knife-fight
and will probably never get the chance to in combat, and must guys who
I've seen carry knifes don't know how to hone them. I decided that 
spending big bucks on a knife that could get stolen, lost, or never
used was a waste.

Later I was issued the standard Army/Air Force survival knife and thats
as much knife as I need, and you can't beat the price. It does everything
the more expensive knifes do and more, how many Randall owners can drive
nails with their knifes, how many would want to? It also comes with a
reinforced sheath which is ideal for airborne operations. I just can't
see spending $65-$350 then having to modify the sheath so I don't have 
to walk of the DZ with a knife blade protruding from my ass. A lot of SF
guys carry the K-Bar, they are so popular that while at the Q-course one
JFK instructor had his stolen by a student.

I also carry a pocket knife the standard issue demo-knife I used to carry 
is know only used during ceremonial occasions, but I know a few old-
timers who still swear by them. I now carry a Swiss Army knife, I have
a Spartan (for garrison) and a Huntsman (for field) but I know a lot of
guys who carry the Champion with 29 functions, (I'd never use all 29 
functions) several guys have told me for $45 its the best investment
they have made. One drawback with the Champion is its heavy so to carry
it tied down and in your pocket may be unpractical, one may have to in-
vest in a knife pouch. Another consideration is the subdued Leatherman
this is an excellent tool-combination/knife for breaking down weapons or
opening ammo crates, and is an issued item for SF Weapons Sergeants.

While on R&R I carry a Guardian Gerber for self protection, I also have
a Mark 1 but I rarely use it because of its size. I like the feel of the
Guardian better and its easier to conceal then the Mark 1. This is im-
portant while in Patong, the bargirls there have a tendency to pad most
Falangs down.

sporay@brl.mil