Knife Source Review

The modern military survival knife has its origins at around the turn of the last century. A man by the name of Webster Marbles created the first modern style hunting knife and survival knives have taken their queue from that first hunting knife. Up until that time most hunting knives were little more than kitchen knives and survival knives were bayonets. Neither worked very well for the task at hand.

The military started buying survival knives in bulk and worked with the manufacturers to get the best possible knife for their troops. For instance, the saw teeth on the back of the blade were originally put there so that a downed pilot could cut his way through the thin metal of the fuselage.

In the 1980’s military survival knives saw a resurgence with the release of the Rambo movies. Although these knives worked well in the movies, they couldn’t hold up to the rigors of the real world environment. Often too large and cumbersome, they aren’t well suited to the rigors of military survival.

The following are some of the best knife companies and knives available today:

1. Gerber manufactures the LMF II series of knives. These knives have been approved by the U.S. Airforce as an ASEK knife. ASEK stands for Aviation Support Element, Kaneohe.

2. S.O.G. manufactures the SEAL 2000 knife which has been approved for use by the U.S. Navy SEALS.

3. Ka-Bar has been making the USMC Fighting/Utility knife since the mid 1920’s. This knife was approved for use by the U.S. Marines.

4. Although this last one isn’t’ used by any of the US Armed Forces it does deserve a place in line….Fallkniven manufactures the  F1 series. This series represents an entirely new philosophy with respect to knives for survival use.

Knife technology has come a long way from man’s first knives made out of flint. Rubberized handles, better blade materials, and even built in features make today’s military survival knives some of the most incredible tools and weapons man has ever created.