Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Harsey
OK, has anyone seen any soldier in the United States Big Army wearing any fixed blade in the field?
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Aviators still use the Knife, Hunting, 5 inch blade but are being replaced by the new ASEK system. Just an updated version with modern materials and new sheath fixtures for multiple mounting. The flight suit and harness / chaps still have the built in pockets for these knives. There is also a new pouch that fits the MOLLE system for mounting on a vest.
EOD uses several depending on circumstances from the non sparking / non mag copper beryllium utility knives to the large M11 that is nothing more then an M9 without the bayonet fittings. Titanium is replacing the Beryllium slowly but all the non mag EOD tools in general are still beryllium.
There is a strong drive towards the smaller strap cutter knives. Billed as non offensive and life saving these are working their ways through the systems. The USMC just let a contract for their first batch from Ontario. It is a no frills version (read cheap) of the one that is standard in the Army ASEK knife system.
What are you planning...?
All the best
Frank Trzaska