BLADE Staff

John Horrigan will auction Serial No. 1 on Veteran’s Day.

On June 17, 2005, while conducting military operations against known terrorists, United States Army Master Sergeant Robert M. “Bob” Horrigan was killed in action in Al Qaim, Iraq. In recognition of the 20th anniversary of Bob’s supreme sacrifice for his country, ABS master smith John Horrigan has made a series of 20 special knives in his twin brother’s honor.

Robert started his military career in 1984 with the 3rd 75th Ranger Battalion under the command of Captain Stanley McCrystal, going on to serve as a Ranger instructor in Mountain Phase in Dahlonega, Georgia. Robert was a light weapons sergeant with the 7th Special Forces Group ODA. His last assignment was with 1st Special Forces Group, detachment Delta. MSG Horrigan served 9½ years with the Counter Terrorist Unit. He had three tours to Afghanistan and was killed on his fifth tour in Iraq.

To say Robert was special would be an understatement. He excelled in everything he did. Pete Blaber, a former Delta commander, wrote about Bob in his book, The Mission, The Men and Me. George Hand wrote about Robert in SOFREP, chronicling his exploits in A Better Man Than I and Walking Among Giants. Robert was the fictional character of Bob Harrington in Brad Thor’s books Blow Back and Take Down. Sean Naylor also wrote about Bob in his book, Not a Good Day to Die.

Bob was nicknamed the “pack mule.” He would carry the gear of others when they became fatigued. He had a never-quit motto and was there to help his fellow service members through.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “… credit in life belongs to the man in the arena whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood. It belongs to the man who strives valiantly, who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions, and spends himself daring greatly in a worthy cause so that he will know the triumph of high achievement; and whose place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Master Sergeant Robert Horrigan was exactly such a man.

Legacy Design

ABS master smith John Horrigan introduced his brother to knifemaking about five years before Robert was killed in action. The original Bob Horrigan Military Fighter is a model Robert designed, built and made famous.. The legacy design rightly named in his honor is 11.25 inches long with a 6.375-inch blade and a linen Micarta® handle.

Robert competed in the Best Ranger Competition in 1987 and finished in second place. John also was a Ranger in the 3rd 75th. He continues to stay connected by awarding the warriors who place second in the Best Ranger Competition with a Bob Horrigan knife in honor of his brother.

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of Robert’s death, John has made 20 commemorative knives with Robert’s touch mark—a bear paw with Horrigan through it. The knives are numbered 1 through 20. Robert designed the knife for the military elite who continue to carry it with service, pride and a brother’s love.

Robert loved where he worked and when someone asked him which unit he was in, he’d tell them “1st SOFT D.” He was all about secrecy of the unit. He’d let them try to figure it out. (Robert had a dry sense of humor). His nickname in the unit was “Puddy,” Elaine’s boyfriend in Seinfeld.

Serial No. 1 of the Bob Horrigan knife will be auctioned off this coming Veteran’s Day, November 11, with the proceeds going toward a great cause.

For more information on the auction and the entire series of 20th anniversary Bob Horrigan knives, visit John Horrigan Instagram page or visit eliteknives.com.