I have two knives that were made or carried during OIF or OEF; the first is an SOG brand knife that came back with a Marine to Camp Lejune, and sold at the Raleigh Flea Market years ago.  The second is a knife that was made specifically for a unit in Iraq for private-purchase.  Again purchased at the Raleigh Flea market still in its original box, it was an overrun of the production after the knives were sold to unit individuals. So what else is out there?  What other knives were carried by our Soldiers and Marines?  My son went to both Afghanistan and Iraq, and carried my old Desert Storm Gerber Mark II.  Was there a favorite knife, or did the Soldiers and Marines depend upon their M9s and OKC3Ss?   

The second knife was this modern John Ek knife, pictured next with its WW2 predecessor.  This one, I believe, is an early 1980s version, shown with its original sheath, and also with a leather Savage sheath made specifically for this blade.  

Two of my latest purchases started me thinking that I haven’t seen much about the use of Private-purchase knives in the Afghanistan or Iraq theater of operations.  We seem to spend a lot of time on WW2 purchases, like John Ek knives, Knife Crafters, San Antonio Iron Works, and others, followed by Vietnam, like Buck knives, but I don’t recall any recent comments or pictures of blades used during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) or OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom). The first purchase that got my curiosity was this Buck 650, or the Nighthawk.  First introduced in 1993, this one was made in 1994 (Buck started dating their knives in 1984, I believe, with symbols after the number).  It’s a very well-made knife, and fits the requirements for a CUK (Combat Utility Knife).  Too late for Desert Storm, it certainly would have made a great knife for combat carry.  Pictured here with it’s Vietnam era predecessors the Buck 119 and 120.  

What year exactly did the US change their liner webbing design? I have a liner that looks later, but it has the WW2 style webbing.  Thanks! Wade

Thank you Herman for this identification.   I wonder how it ended up with this group.

I just read through all the comments on this post and I am going to agree with Allan H. If you are going to spend that kinda of money on a group like this you better know what you are buying. Now to the others issue at hand at least for me. I cant stand it when someone buys something and then someone says something could be post war and then gets mad and cancels their purchase. This isn't good buyer ethics especially if you have knowledge of what you are buying. Another thing to mention is technically the war in Europe ended in April 1945 so in a lot of people's opinions anything after April 1945 is considered post war. In my opinion post war is May 1945 to December 1946 however one can argue that post war is 1946 to 1950 at witch time the korean war started. But to say the seller is lying about it being Ww2 and everything isn't a good look.    But after all its your money so you can do as you please with it.   

If you are doing an Avenger aircrewman, either gunner or radioman, they were not officers, so did not wear khakis. Khakis would only be worn by officer pilots.

That's a really nice M-1. I can tell you really care about it. That's the most important thing.

If I were to drop big bucks on no-doubt-about WW2 airborne brass, I’d hold out for examples with the Meyer Metal /Shield logo.  

Hi all,      Is there any guidance or regulation regarding the use of SSI on Officer's dress blues ? Photographic evidence does not appear to be abundant. Can anyone provide photographic or other evidence that this was authorized ? Or is there some regulatory text ? Thank you so much     Kurt B