Comments on: When You Gotta Chop Something

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:27:22 +0000

While working at SERE in San Diego I carried the Cold Steel version of the Kukri. I used it as an axe/machete/shovel in the bush, and found it to be a terrific pice of kit. I recommend it for field/combat use as the blade is non-reflective, and the nylon sheath is weather resistant and easy to attatch to belt or pack. Mine is a factory second, so it was only around $30.00.

By: Eric Daniel

Eric Daniel — Fri, 18 May 2007 17:10:55 +0000

I’d like to clarify my statement regarding having to pay for a broken bayonet.
I do not speak for the US Army nor for any unit commander. What my statement reflects is my experience during two deployments. I know for a fact that other soldiers, in other units, were issued, and did use bayonets, all with the approval and encouragement of their commands.
As for paying for it’s replacement, any time a piece of equipment is damaged or destroyed, it is up to the unit commander to decide whether or not the damage was duty related (normal wear and tear) or negligence. While some commanders are of the opinion that Army equipment is meant to be used in combat, and that such usage may result in damage to the equipment, others are not, and view equipment damage as a reflection of their command leadership (in some cases it may not even be the immediate commanders view, but the view of higher.) In any event, to what extent you use and abuse your gear is as much a reflection of your actual situation as it is command climate.
Also, as an aside, at one point I was carrying the USMC Ka-Bar, which I consider to be one of the finest field knives ever produced, because I couldn’t get a bayonet, but was told to ditch it as it was “Marine Corps” and that we in the Army did not use Marine Corps equipment. So I got the Kukri and my supervisor was happy with that.

By: Grandjester

Grandjester — Fri, 18 May 2007 16:50:21 +0000

WTF is the M9 good for anyhow? Even the wire cutter sucks.

By: j house

j house — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:42:01 +0000

I was in Nepal in November and met with the British logisitics chief for the Gurkhas..there are alot of variations of the knife and alot of phonies around Khatmandu, but a good one has one heavy blade. I’ve seen a sheep’s head lopped off in one go…effective.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:12:29 +0000

kevin — try http://www.khukuriknife.com/

By: J

Fri, 18 May 2007 15:10:31 +0000

What? Our soldiers have to pay for a broken item like a bayonet? How on earth can they do their (highly dangerous) jobs? Sorry, but this comes as a surprise to a non-military fellow. I don’t like my tax dollars going to some hugely expensive airplane when that money could be used to buy all the bayonets our guys want to use (and break to their heart’s content). That’s my .02.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:46:03 +0000

Can you recommend a good place to purchase one?

By: Allium

Allium — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:44:51 +0000

Great recommendation. I keep one in the car/jeep and used it for years as an all purpose for camping. Between that and the old KBar style you can’t go wrong.