Down in Melbourne over the long weekend helping my father in law clean out some junk.
He was digging in a box full of military gear, tossing things from his 40 + years in the Military....gifting me with stuff that really only duplicated my career, when he shoved this under my nose.
Do you want it? he says.....well yeah, a nice KaBar, I had to make do with a bayonet.
A productive trip after all.
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Nice well used piece with provenance. I have one too but never used it. I just wanted it so asked as SEAL for a new one, he gave it to me. We were on the USS Alamo together back in...1978 I think.
Gents,
Surprisingly enough, this USN Mk 2 Fighting Utility Knife is exactly the same type knife and scabbard that was issued to our class when we attended the US Army Special Forces Underwater Operations Course on Fleming Key in 1970.
The blade and inside of the scabbard were covered in what looked to me like axle grease. After seeing that goop on the day they were issued, those knives stayed in their scabbards until we turned them back in at the end of the course. Yes, it would have worked in an emergency, but hopefully a more appropriate dive knife without that mess is being issued these days.
Surprisingly enough, this USN Mk 2 Fighting Utility Knife is exactly the same type knife and scabbard that was issued to our class when we attended the US Army Special Forces Underwater Operations Course on Fleming Key in 1970.
That would be right. The SEALs were in the next compartment and as we sailed, we got together and talked gear. They bought these knives from QM in the boxes of a baker's dozen at $1 USD each and when they rusted or went to pot, they threw them overboard. No loss to them...
Yes, equipment has evolved miles. Even since I left a dozen years ago, everything has completely changed again.
For fear of getting too far off topic, I will end this line of discussion with a thanks to Jim for posting a photo of what seems to be a much later model of the antique Emerson re-breathers we were taught to use. Thanks for the memories....
Have had one under my truck seat for years, and with thumb and forefinger wrapped around the handle just ahead of the pommel you can chop fairly well with it if you have nothing else, though I prefer a good Swedish bush hook with a blade about 3/16 thick.
The K-bar and a cheap ARS folding Japanese saw made life much easier when "camping" in the 80s.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
PM
Originally Posted by Terry Hawker
