Top 10

[John A. Larsen]

Among other jobs I have been writing for Tactical Knives magazine for the last 10 years. One question that has come up lately is what are the top 10 knives being carried in Iraq and Afghanistan? I was in Khandar in April/May 2002 training the 101st and then it was what was in the local PX, Cold Steel SRK's, Gerber Applegate Folders, SAK's and multitools. I expect it is still the same but anyone with current experience in either country I would like to hear from you. Thanks.

[jbour13]

Originally Posted by John A. Larsen

Among other jobs I have been writing for Tactical Knives magazine for the last 10 years. One question that has come up lately is what are the top 10 knives being carried in Iraq and Afghanistan? I was in Khandar in April/May 2002 training the 101st and then it was what was in the local PX, Cold Steel SRK's, Gerber Applegate Folders, SAK's and multitools. I expect it is still the same but anyone with current experience in either country I would like to hear from you. Thanks.

Is this for market research or your edification?

Additionally, Top Ten for what purpose. Stabbing, slashing, prying, multi-use, survival, etc.

Not being hostile, just curious as to the intent, and for a more refined response.

I carry a handful of knives, mostly Benchmade. PX knives from my experience are marketed towards cool, not function. FWIW

Best to you SGM and welcome to the board

V/R
SSG B

[John A. Larsen]

jbour13, as I said it is a question that we received from our readers, would like to be able to give them a good answer, not someone's flight of fantasy about de-animating bad guys, although it seems most people would rather believe fantasy then fact. Case in point, I had a John Nelson Cooper 8 inch bowie in VN, that I never carried as it was carbon steel and rusted very quickly. I used it one time to cut up a block of hamburger meat and the blood stained the blade. No one would believe me when I would say how the blood stain got on the blade, but when I would say "Ok, I de-animated 3 VC " then everyone was happy. To your question, what are the general purposes knives being carried, not only by SF personnel but by the big Green Army. Thanks.

[casey]

I know one 19 year old in Baghdad who swears by his Harsey T2.

[Bill Harsey]

jbhour,
PX knives are selected by someone in the Army and price point is a big issue.

All my cards on the table face up: John A. Larsen is a friend of mine and he can ask any question he wants here, in whatever manner he sees fit.
Please note the title "Quiet Professional" under his name. He is both and this forum is lucky to have him around.

Casey, Thank you.

[jbour13]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

jbhour,
PX knives are selected by someone in the Army and price point is a big issue.

All my cards on the table face up: John A. Larsen is a friend of mine and he can ask any question he wants here, in whatever manner he sees fit.
Please note the title "Quiet Professional" under his name. He is both and this forum is lucky to have him around.

Casey, Thank you.

No disrespect meant Mr. Harsey. I'm somewhat familiar with the SGM and his history, and I am actually excited to learn from him while he is a board member here.

I just wanted to give him a better persepective if I could from a regular troops standpoint. That is why I asked is this market related or his own edification. I see how I came off as curt, not my intent. I do apologize if any disrespect was thought to have occured.

Agree that price point is a big issue. I'm familiar with the SGM's work as a specialist in the area of blades.

[jbour13]

Originally Posted by John A. Larsen

jbour13, as I said it is a question that we received from our readers, would like to be able to give them a good answer, not someone's flight of fantasy about de-animating bad guys, although it seems most people would rather believe fantasy then fact. Case in point, I had a John Nelson Cooper 8 inch bowie in VN, that I never carried as it was carbon steel and rusted very quickly. I used it one time to cut up a block of hamburger meat and the blood stained the blade. No one would believe me when I would say how the blood stain got on the blade, but when I would say "Ok, I de-animated 3 VC " then everyone was happy. To your question, what are the general purposes knives being carried, not only by SF personnel but by the big Green Army. Thanks.

I use my knives for mostly (honestly) office related work. I'm and Intel geek and have to cut anything from 550 Cord to 100 MPH tape. I've learned that Benchmade knives hold an edge well for multi-use. Gerber on the other hand does not (PX special). Cutting paper is the biggest thing that has taken an edge off of my knives. Gerbers are quick to dull when cutting paper and cardboard.

I'm below novice level on the reasoning as to why one steel composition holds and edge vs. another.

I've carried Leatherman and Gerber multi-tools and the Gerber has served me well. Multiple trips to SE Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan and around the house. Has everything a support knucklehead needs.

Appealing to me is that Benchmade will re-sharpen your knives for a small fee. I have a few that are pricey to me and I take this option over attempting to sharpen them myself. The Benchmade rep asked me why it needed sharpening and I told them I was a soldier, they actually expedited it and covered the cost to send it to them and back. I just paid $5 for the re-sharpening. I need to re-read Mr. Harsey's sharpening advice over and attempt it on a Wal-Mart special.

As far as de-animation of enemy personnel. If it comes to the point that I have to kill someone, things have gone extraordinarily wrong, even more so if I have to do so with a knife. I'm the Fobbit that everyone talks about, and I'm not ashamed at my role.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by John A. Larsen

Among other jobs I have been writing for Tactical Knives magazine for the last 10 years. One question that has come up lately is what are the top 10 knives being carried in Iraq and Afghanistan? I was in Khandar in April/May 2002 training the 101st and then it was what was in the local PX, Cold Steel SRK's, Gerber Applegate Folders, SAK's and multitools. I expect it is still the same but anyone with current experience in either country I would like to hear from you. Thanks.

Sir,

I've told Mr. Harsey that I've had his Harsey-Applegate on my hip since I bought it in Iraq in 2003 through the second half of OIF I and all of OIF III.

[Jeff Randall]

Hello John,

Missed you at the Blade Show. Hope all is well with you in the Northwest.

[John A. Larsen]

Jeff, sorry for the slow reply but I was working the Spec Ops Trade Show in Tacoma, WA. Get paid to do that, have to pay to go to the Blade Show. Maybe next year.