Project on US Knives of the last 50 years - need volunteers

[bayonetman]

Although I am not an active knife collector, with a small exception of Camillus, I find the military knives to be quite interesting.

 

In the last 50 years or so, large numbers of knives have entered the military system that really have not been cataloged too well. Between "official issue" knives, unit purchase, special purpose, private purchase, etc. there are dozens if not scores of knives that have been carried by service personnel and many of them are not well documented.

 

While I recover, I probably will have some time to try to put together some sort of reference on these, although admittedly I know VERY little about most of them.

 

I know that many members of this forum have had the honor of serving our country, and that lots of different knives have been carried.

 

If you feel like it, email me at [email protected] with information about what you carried or were carried by friends and others in your units. IF POSSIBLE, a short description of the knife model, photos (especially of them in the field) etc., what unit (if you feel comfortable with that), how it came to you (issue, special purpose use, private purchase, etc.) and any information that you care to share.

 

It will probably be some time before I can do too much with this, but will try to start a thread in the reference or pinned sections, and try to create some sort of reference. We actually have more references available on Vietnam knives than the more current ones, and the variety that I have seen is staggering.

 

If anyone is working on a book or the like along these lines say so, and I will drop the topic as not to interfere with your work.

 

Comments on the idea will be very welcome, and any help that I might get will be greatly appreciated and noted.

 

Remember, this is way out of my personal background, so please be gentle. I am just suggesting it as I will have some time available from the looks of things, not because I am an expert.

 

Gary Cunningham

[SKIPH]

Gary- Great thread! Should be interesting! SKIP

[Chas100]

Great idea Gary !! I would love to help any way that I can. I was never in the military but my Son in Law was in the army and also in a sniper unit in Iraq. I'm sure he would be able to help with questions in that era.

 

Glad to see you are on your way to recovery. Let me know if or how I could help.

[rifledoc1]

This new year I am looking to revive this thread in memory and in honor of Mr. Cunningham’s original request.  Gary’s dedication to uncovering and preserving the military history of bayonets and other edged weapons/tools and sharing his knowledge with others has benefited countless collectors. Hopefully, by continuing this thread, we can fulfill what Gary look to start here.

 

I have a number of U.S. Marine Corps related military knifes that have entered the military system within the past 50 years that I do not believe have been well documented.  If there is interest, I can post them here..  My hope is that others will add to the knowledge base of these items and add to the thread with additional U.S. Military knives that have entered the Services in the post Vietnam era. 

 

The first knife, or more accurately a multi-tool with a knife,  I would like to share is a personal favorite, the Cable Dawg made by Gerber.  I think the Cable Dawg is a great representation of just how important Operations in the Information Environment have become in the modern day U.S. military.  My research and experience with this item is USMC specific, so it would be great to have input on other Service use as well. I will try and format this, and any future posts, in a way that provides collectors with the relevant facts about the item, as well as provide the operational context on how it is used.

 

The Gerber Cable Dawg Multi-tool 

 

Official U.S. Military Designation: 

·       Multi-Tool, Folding, Pocket

 

Model: 

·       Cable Dawg (Part Number 30-000397)

·       USMC Table of Authorized Material Control Number (TAMCN) H7914

 

Stock #: 

·       National Stock Number (NSN) 5110-01-598-2254

 

Manufacturer:

·       Fiskars Brands Inc. DBA Gerber Legendary Blades Division.   (Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) Code 0RAU7)

 

Dates of Operational Use:

·       2012-current

 

Description:

·       As per Gerber’s website, “The Cable Dawg is a specialized, industrial grade multitool for work on fiber optic, IT, and cable systems. Every single tool a communications professional needs is combined into one - spring-loaded wire and cable cutters, CAT5 jacket cutter, RJ45 crimper, wire strippers, locking combo-edge knife and multiple drivers.” The sheath that comes with multitool is Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system compatible.  Cable Dawgs that are procured through the military supply system come with a coyote brown sheath, but Gerber also offers a black sheath for the commercial market.

 

Operational Use: 

·       Any modern command post, from the company level and above, relies on multiple data networks to enable an ever increasing variety of Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems.  These networks require a lot CAT5 cables, and it seems ever time Maines go to the field the Cyber Network Operator (MOS 0651) Marines are constantly “making cable.”  In today’s military, network cabling is as common and almost as important as ammunition and the Cable Dawg is a great tool to help keep up with the demand for new or rerouted cabling.  For the Marine Crops, the Cable Dawg is currently part of at least one deployable server system as well as considered a stand alone Test Measurement And Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) item. 

 

References: 

·       Current USMC technical publications

·       Gerber website

·       Web Access to the Federal Logistics Information Service (WebFLIS)

·       Collector’s experience

[rifledoc1]

I apologize. I posted the last bottom two sheath photos above by mistake. They have nothing to do with the Cable Dawg.