18C New Demo Knife Thread
 

They're kind of shy:D so I'll get the ball rolling. First things first:

What would you Charlies like to see in a demo knife?

If I may, perhaps TR could persuade Command Sergeant Major Tabata to share some thoughts, whether directly or indirectly. Just a thought . . .

That's "Command Sergeant Major" (CSM) Tabata to you!!!!

Get down and knock them out!

TS
MASTER SERGEANT
Special Forces
(retired)

Yes, Master Sergeant!

Jeez, what do I know? :(

Already called CSM Tabata, he is out on the range for a few days. I may have to go visit training for some input.

I would say that based on my SF Engineer experience, strict 18C demo tasks include cutting Demo Charge Blocks, cutting tape, measuring and cutting time fuze, shock tube and det cord, cutting wire, punching cap wells into demo, and crimping caps.

SF Engineer construction tasks include pretty much everything in light vertical construction tasks, so pliers, screwdrivers, saws, hammers, cutters, scribes, etc. would be routine.

Common SF tasks would include weapons maintenance, opening crates and boxes, cutting a variety of items, food prep, field expedient construction and vehicle repairs, survival, routine domestic chores, etc.

Having said all of that, I hate to keep coming back to this point, but I have to maintain that a knife like the New Wave, perhaps a bit larger in scale, subdued in color, with a better blade steel, crimpers, a longer blade, an awl, and a few extra bits packaged into a kit would meet almost every requirement here.

The world, missions, and our SF equipment have changed. A tool box would be nice, but impractical, a nice folder would be great, but would lack many of the features desired, like pliers and bits that every SF MOS needs for their gear, I think a Demo Knife today has to be a multi-tool and the New Wave is the best of the choices. It could still be improved upon though.

Just my .02, YMMV.

TR

I seem to remember that Leatherman made a demo version of the Leatherman for a while (my demo guys had it in black). Crimpers were shit if I remember correctly, but the fact that they tried it once says to me that they might be willing to try again with the right input.

Being a CSM and getting to visit training must be so cool. Just get up, put on your hat and ride out. Too bad some of them use it to be nit picky about other stuff.

Visiting training is the kind of stuff I would do if I was a CSM. I'd do it so much the troops wouldn't be worried about the motive for the visit.

RL - with rank, its better to promote than demote if you don't know for sure.:D

Everybody is at least a CSM or Colonel until proven otherwise. LOL

I had one, only ever used the crimpers once. The rest was ok.

Thank you, Command Sergeant Major! LOL

WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A FREAKIN' KNIFE HERE!

Sounds like maybe what we need to do is come up with an innovative way to incorporate a decent set of crimpers.

Easily done, all you do is give up a significant piece of the strongest part of the plier jaws.

TR

Maybe dump the non-needlenose portion of the pliers. Put the crimper in that area.

I was thinking the same thing....

http://www.leathermancharge.com/xtigallery.aspx

Seems Leatherman is already going in this direction...