Page 254 – BLADE Magazine

A Knife for Sgt. Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor Recipient

Knife Collecting

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September 11, 2012

Editor’s Note: This is excerpted from a larger feature appearing in the special military December 2012 issue of BLADE, on newsstands now. BLADE thanks all past and present military service members and their families for their sacrifices.

by Mike Carter

In recognition of his military actions in Afghanistan on behalf of his fellow servicemen and his country that resulted in his receiving the Medal of Honor, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota Meyer recently was presented with a custom knife made by Gene Baskett, a custom AR-15 rifle, and honorary membership in the Knifemakers’ Guild.

During a special ceremony this past December in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Baskett, formerly of Elizabethtown and now of Eastview, Kentucky, presented Sgt. Meyer with a Baskett knife, a custom fi ghter with a black Moly-Coated CPM-154 stainless blade and a black linen Micarta® handle. The knife is engraved “MOH, Sgt. Dakota Meyer, USMC” on the mark side and “8 September 2009, Kunar Province Afghanistan” on the flip side. The engraving is by Patrick Clark of Clark Jewelers, also of Elizabethtown. Richardson Gunsmithing did the Moly Coating.

About Sgt. Dakota Meyer

According to Dakota Meyer’s citation for the Medal of Honor, he was recognized for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009.

“When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, [then] Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six-hour firefight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers.

“Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe.

“On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged, they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner he killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break out.

“Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire, he dismounted the vehicle and searched house-to-house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer refl cted great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

More About Commemorative Knives

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9/11: We Will Never Forget

Knife Collecting

BLADE Staff

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September 11, 2012

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It was 11 years ago today—a sunny Tuesday morning, just as it is this morning in New York City—that scores of innocent Americans paid the ultimate price when the Twin Towers were attacked.

At some point today, take time to pause and reflect on those innocent lives lost and the lives today that continue to be affected and will be for decades to come. We salute the victims and their survivors, for they are the ones who shouldered the brunt of the burden, with the survivors continuing to do so today.

The knife above was made by Bob Dozier and scrimshawed by Sandra Brady. It rests atop a raw piece of cut steel from the South Tower and, below it, a piece of South Tower and 1095 carbon steel forged into ladder-pattern damascus by Daryl Meier. A portion of the latter material was used for the blade steel.

On one side is “We Remember 9-11-2011” commemorating the 10th anniversary, and the New York city skyline, including a shadow outline of the Twin Towers in place of the missing jet in a flyby jet formation, and a soldier saluting. On the flip side is a scene of firemen fighting the fires of the Twin Towers before they fell, an American flag, and the words, “Lest We Forget 9-11-2001.”

The knife was auctioned last year to benefit the 9/11 first responders’ families.

“There will never be enough to repay our debt for what [the first responders] paid,” Dozier said in a BLADE article last year.

8 All-Time Favorite Military Knives

Steve Shackleford

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September 10, 2012

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To mark the special military issue of BLADE on newsstands now, here are my picks for four of the best military knives of all time. For the full list, be sure to pick up the December 2012 issue, or watch your mailbox if you’re a subscriber.

BLADE salutes all who serve, as well as the heroes who made a difference 11 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

U.S.N. Mark 2/U.S.M.C. Fighting-Utility Knife

Known by many simply as a “Ka-Bar” or, generically, “kabar,” it was made not only by Union Cutlery/KA-BAR but also, among others, Pal, Case, Camillus, Utica, Conetta and Robeson Shuredge during World War II.

To me, it is the quintessential military knife of all time. The iconic picture of it on the hip of the U.S. Marine on the black sands of Iwo Jima tells it all. It was there and so were the Marines. The only thing missing is Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison.

U.S. Mark I Trench Knife

There is an illustration on page 27 of Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member M.H. Cole’s U.S. Military Knives, Book IV that has all the trimmings: skull crusher, dagger blade and the four finger holes in the knuckle guard.

Though I cannot imagine having to insert four fingers into such a knife and using it—the possibility of breaking my fingers if the blade were somehow stuck into something and/or wrenched away awkwardly is too likely for my tastes—I love the knife’s looks. It reeks of Doughboys, Over There and Jimmy Cagney’s The Fighting 69th.

Randall Model #1-8 with Leather Handle

Though the leather reportedly did not hold up well later in the jungles of Vietnam, the stacked-leather-grip Randall Model #1-8 has some of the most beautiful lines of any knife ever made.

The thin, slightly dropped handle, double guard and narrow tang opening into a magnificently ground clip-point blade does it for me in aces.

Case V42

Classic Skull Crusher, cylindrical/swell-center handle, double guard, dagger blade and the clincher, the thumbprint indentation with grooved lines on the ricasso, alone would guarantee the V42 a place in my pantheon of military knives, but the fact it was tailor made for the First Special Service Force of World War II, the forerunner to today’s U.S. Special Forces, steps its already impressive bona fides up yet another notch.

Learn More About the History of Military Knives

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Judge Allows Victimized Retailer to Join NYC Lawsuit!

Steve Shackleford

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September 10, 2012

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Federal Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis has granted Knife Rights’ motion to amend its federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., adding as plaintiffs New York knife retailer Native Leather and Knife Rights Foundation. Native Leather was one of the retailers originally targeted by Vance on charges of selling “illegal gravity knives and switchblades” which in reality are legal one-hand opening and assisted-opening folding knives. An example of a one-hand opener is the Timberline SOC pictured above.

Native Leather, Ltd., is one of the New York retailers Vance accused of selling illegal knives. Like other retailers who were threatened with prosecution (Home Depot and Ace Hardware among them), Native Leather surrendered much of its knife inventory, made substantial monetary payments, and stopped selling a number of common pocketknives (mischaracterized by the City as “gravity knives” and “switchblades”) to avoid the DA’s wrath. Because of the vagueness and inconsistency in the way the City and DA interpret state law, Native Leather still has no definite means of determining whether the DA’s office will once again allege that its knives are illegal in the future.

The lawsuit challenges New York City’s and District Attorney Vance’s attempt to mischaracterize the most widely-owned pocketknives in America as contraband. The case seeks a judicial determination that the New York State laws regarding “switchblades” and “gravity knives” are unconstitutionally vague as applied to these common pocketknives with a bias towards closure, including one-hand opening and assisted-opening folding knives.

    Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “Adding Native Leather as a plaintiff allows us to provide the court with an example of a retailer victimized by DA Vance’s misinterpretation and misapplication of state law to knife retailers.”

    Judge Ellis’ opinion and order can be downloaded at: http://www.KnifeRights.org/58_Opinion_and_Order.pdf

    “District Attorney Vance’s politically motivated assault on, and continued threat to Native Leather, a small, law-abiding retailer simply trying to make a living in New York City, is unconscionable ” said Ritter. “I applaud Native Leather for joining our lawsuit and showing the courage of its convictions in standing up to DA Vance’s bullying tactics.

    “One-hand opening pocketknives are legal tools, used and carried every day by millions of law-abiding professionals, tradesmen and sportsmen for work and recreation. Shame on D.A. Vance for demonizing common tools and turning honest citizens into criminals for purely political ends.”

    Also added as a plaintiff is Knife Rights Foundation, Inc., which has provided valuable support for the lawsuit.

    The original plaintiffs remain in the case: Knife Rights, Inc. and two private citizens (John Copeland, an internationally acclaimed artist, and Pedro Perez, an artist and fine art dealer, both New York City residents). The defendants remaining are the New York County DA and the City of New York itself. Knife Rights is represented by attorney David D. Jensen, Esq. of New York.

    The Memorandum of Law in Support of the Amended Complaint and a red-lined copy of the Amended Complaint can be downloaded at: http://www.KnifeRights.org/KRvNYamendedcomplaint.pdf

For more on Knife Rights click on www.KnifeRights.org.

For the latest knives, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?lid=blss091012

Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book

Joe Kertzman

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September 7, 2012

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The success, popularity and response from the Greatest Bob Loveless Knife Designs posts has prompted me to start a “Favorites from the Knives 2013” book thread.

So, here’s the first of the “Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book.” It is a Mediterranean dirk as only Rick Eaton could fashion it, blending old styles with modern flair. It parades flare-cut engraving, Arabesque accents and banknote engraving, as well as an ancient-ivory handle and a damascus blade. The guard is sculpted and engraved, and the entire dirk intrigues.

So here’s to Rick, his Mediterranean dirk and a new thread showcasing fine knives. To order your copy of the book, go to: http://www.shopblade.com/knives-2013-33rd-ed?lid=JKblfl090712.

Knife Test: Tom Ploppert Slip Joint

Steve Shackleford

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September 7, 2012

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I was waiting for Tom Ploppert’s custom slip joint like a kid on Christmas morning. To my surprise, there were two knives in the package when it arrived. Tom had sent me a new knife for evaluation and another that had been used hard for a few years. Both still walk and talk like they are supposed to, but the older knife has a smoother action. Yes, the handle is beat up a little and the blade has been resharpened a few times, but I could tell it is a high-quality knife. This is a good sign of excellent workmanship—I have had slip joints get sloppy after a few uses. Tom used premium stag pinned on to make the knife scream, “Use me!”

EDGE TESTS

I started off with a sheet of copy paper. I held the slip joint between my thumb and index finger and let the weight of the folder do the cutting. I just kept turning the paper around to a fresh side and sliced along its entire length until I had cut all four sides. The knife has a very good feel to it and fits my hand very well.

Next up: cardboard boxes. After 30 minutes of cutting I had slivers of cardboard all over the garage floor.

I had to change out my Kydex® foam for some new stuff as I had run a large batch of sheaths and the old foam was getting too compressed. After gluing on the newly cut foam, I sliced up the older pieces by simply resting the blade edge on the foam and making a pulling cut. The slip joint sliced as fast as I could maneuver my fingers out of the way.

WOOD/ROPE/LEATHER CUTS

I had some pine 1x1s cut—they make perfect whittling sticks. Tom’s “slippy” is excellent at control and the big stag handle is very comfortable. It did not take long to produce a pile of curly-cues.

Half-inch sisal rope was next on the agenda. The knife still felt sharp but I gave it a few strops on my leather pad for good luck. It crunched through the rope like a champ until I hit 60 cuts. My index finger rode up on the blade and I found the spine to be very sharp, and the inside of the liners also were sharp. A few strokes with a fine emery board dulled the sharpness and I settled back into cutting. I noticed the edge starting to slide at 120 cuts. Not bad at all and no more hot spots. I grabbed some leather and skived around the edges. The slip joint worked great and would still shave hair.

TIP TEST

I used the tip of the blade to cut and pry the dried skin from an old deer rack that needed cleaning. I was careful of the fine tip as I did not want to pop it off if it got stuck in the rack.

I gave the tip another workout, stabbing it into a 2×4 and twisting the tip out. The tip handled a dozen stabs and twists without breaking or any loosening of the folder’s action. As long as I had the 2×4 handy, I gave it a few chops. The blade bit deeper than I thought it would and the knife was comfortable while doing it.

IF IT WERE MY KNIFE …

… I would soften every place that is sharp except the edge of the blade. I use knives hard and sharp edges where they should not be might result in a hot spot. Just a few minutes with fine sandpaper and it’s all good.

FINAL GRADE

Tom’s slip joint performed excellently. His fit and finish are very clean. This is one very well made, good-looking work knife. Great job!—By MSG Kim Breed, BLADE® field editor

For more information contact Tom Ploppert, Dept. BLADEMAG, 1407 2nd Ave. S.W., Cullman, AL 35055 256-962-4251 tomploppert3bellsouth.net.

PLOPPERT SLIPPY SPECS

Knife: One-blade slip joint

Maker: Tom Ploppert

Blade Steel: CPM-154 stainless

Blade Length: 3”

Handle: Sambar stag

Pins: Stainless steel

Liners: 416 stainless

Backspring: CPM-154

Closed Length: 4 1/16”

Maker’s List Price: $750

For info on how to subscribe to BLADE®, click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?lid=blss090712

KA-BAR Launches Military Appreciation Program

Joe Kertzman

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September 6, 2012

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KA-BAR Knives created a Military Appreciation Program to give thanks to the heroes of the U.S. Armed Forces, and will give one KA-BAR Fighting/Utility knife to an active-duty service member each month. To be considered for the drawing, military personnel should send an email to [email protected] from a .mil email address. The email should include a name, shipping address and a brief summary of how the knife will be used. Shipping addresses must be stateside.

Winners will be selected at random the last Friday of each month. The first drawing will be held September 28th. Good luck!

BLADE Magazine

A Knife for Sgt. Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor Recipient

9/11: We Will Never Forget

8 All-Time Favorite Military Knives

Judge Allows Victimized Retailer to Join NYC Lawsuit!

Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book

Knife Test: Tom Ploppert Slip Joint

KA-BAR Launches Military Appreciation Program

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