WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: Folding Knives Replace Bayonets

StrategyPage.com ^ | January 10, 2004 | Mike Perry

[John Jorsett]

Folding combat knives are replacing bayonets for many American combat troops. U.S soldiers carried a multitude of civilian manufactured folding knives into combat during the war in Iraq. Among the favorites were the Karambit, a hook shaped folding blade with lengths varying between two to four inches, weighing 3.5 to 3.8 oz.. and with an outside edge and tapered inside edge. attached to an alloy or polymer injection molded handle with an index finger ring. Developed in Indonesia during the 12th Century as a utility knife, it is known to have killed at least one an Iraqi who seized an American soldier's weapon. The soldier's unit received training on the use of the Karambit as a personal defense tool, and it paid off as the peculiar shaped knife can easily inflict a lethal wound. These knives are fairly expensive, costing $240 and up.

Other folding knives are more conventional in shape. Many Marines favored Strider knives, designed and manufactured by retired combat veterans. The Strider knives were noted for their durability and every member of the new Marine commando unit (Special Operations unit Detachment One) received a specially designed Strider knife called the SMF.

Troops are buying the folding knives to replace the M9 bayonet, which is also being replaced by multi-purpose tools for many everyday tasks. Companies like Leatherman Tool Group offer the knife-sized metal implements in a variety of models. These combat "Swiss Army Knife" items are only four inches long when closed and 6.25 inches long when opened. They are a lot cheaper than the folding knives ($50-60), but won't help you much in a fight.

[freebilly]

it is known to have killed at least one an Iraqi who seized an American soldier's weapon.

Not a wise career move....

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[spodefly]

Other folding knives are more conventional in shape. Many Marines favored Strider knives, designed and manufactured by retired combat veterans. The Strider knives were noted for their durability and every member of the new Marine commando unit (Special Operations unit Detachment One) received a specially designed Strider knife called the SMF.

What happened to Kaybars?

[Jeff Gordon]

The Karambit...

[Jack Black]

Strider makes great knives, no doubt. I'll take the MT fixed blade for general use. A nice folder is always a good thing too, though.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Strider SMF

[Restore]

I gotta have one!

[Joe 6-pack]

As a platoon leader in Somalia, I can't count the number of times one of my troops, Rambo knife-on-hip, would come up to me and say, "Sir, can I borrow your leatherman?"

These days I'm partial to my Beretta Airlight:

[flashbunny]

[dcwusmc]

Far as I know, the K-bar is still the issue blade for those whose T.O. weapon is the pistol. The bayonet is supposed to be the blade for those who carry the rifle, but it appears to be going away.

[Restore]

Check out Emerson Knives Website. Great videos an whatnot.

[Khurkris]

Battle blades are a neccessary part of a Soldier's kit. Realistic training is imperative.

[Khurkris]

A bit fancier than what I have used. But one of the best battle tools; usuable for about everything.

[ASOC]

Yup - goy my son a SOG EOD tool, wicked good stuff and a S&W HRT knife, in case he needed to cut away any webbing or the like. He seemed to like both. He should be in the sandbox sometime next month...

[Khurkris]

Good fortune to him. Good tools you sent.

[therut]

Brought my brother-in law a krambit for Christmas with training videos. Now I've decided I need one too. Emerson is the place to be for these. However I found out about these knives on the highroad.org and there is other outlets for the Emerson knives for about 75.00 less. The videos are impressive----however I was saddened really to see the guy has a wedding ring on!!!!!!LOL

[Monty22]

I still prefer bayonet

[SandRat]

Maybe but our Rangers are also buying up "Tomahawks." Yes, I said "Tomahawks," and for all of the same reasons that woodsmen and frontiersman had them to start with.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Being old school, that looks like an improper fit. Looks like an M14 bayonnet on an M15. There isn't enough blade forward.