Survivalist Pro
Photo by Karolina Grabowska Pexels Logo Photo: Karolina Grabowska

What knife did the Green Berets use in Vietnam?

The SOG Knife was designed for, and issued to, covert Studies and Observations Group personnel during the Vietnam War. It was unmarked and supposedly untraceable to country of origin or manufacture in order to maintain plausible deniability of covert operators in the event of their death or capture.

en.wikipedia.org - SOG Knife - Wikipedia
What is the most needed in life?
What is the most needed in life?

Being healthy is the single, most important part of our existence – without good health, our lives can be cut short. That said, it's important not...

Read More »
What killed the Atari?
What killed the Atari?

Faced with fierce competition and price wars in the game console and home computer markets, Atari was never able to duplicate the success of the...

Read More »

The SOG Knife was designed for, and issued to, covert Studies and Observations Group personnel during the Vietnam War. It was unmarked and supposedly untraceable to country of origin or manufacture in order to maintain plausible deniability of covert operators in the event of their death or capture.[1]

Design [ edit ]

The SOG Knife was designed by Benjamin Baker, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Counterinsurgency Support Office (CISO).[2] A chrome-moly steel known as SKS-3 was chosen for the blade and hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 55-57.[2] The blade pattern featured a convex false edge on the clip point of a Bowie knife.[1] The stacked leather handle was inspired by a Marbles Gladstone Skinning Knife made in the 1920s owned by Baker, into which finger grooves were molded.[1][2] The blade was typically parkerized or blackened to reduce glare.[1] This was done so by applying a dark gun-blue finish (similar to those used on guns) on this SK-3 carbon steel knife. The knife was carried in a leather sheath which contained a sharpening steel or whetstone.[1] The first contract was awarded to Japanese Trading Company Yogi Shokai, Okinawa for 1,300 seven-inch blades designated "Knife, indigenous, RECON, 7", w/scabbard & whetstone" at $9.85 each.[2] In 1966, SOG ordered 1,200 sterile knives with six-inch blades and black sheaths and in March of the following year an additional lot of 3,700 was ordered.[2] This second lot was serial numbered for accountability purposes and was designated "Knife, indigenous, hunting, 6", w/black sheath and whetstone".[2] Further knives were ordered from Japan Sword, Tokyo as well. The orders were actually fulfilled by a number of knifemakers and as a result, the various lots had minor differences such as blade bluing color and guard color or shape. Although the SOG office based at Kadena and Yogi Shokai were in Okinawa, it is believed that only a major knifemaking source like Seki could have fulfilled all these orders, In 1986, a company named SOG Specialty Knives based in Santa Monica, California marketed a knife manufactured in Seki City, Japan very similar to the original SOG knife. It had a blued SK5 carbon steel blade, was marked with the US Army Special Forces Crest,[1] and named the "S1 Bowie". It was a replica of the commemorative versions of the original MACV-SOG knives, rather than the actual sterile unmarked knives used in combat. SOG made a version with an Aus8 stainless steel blade and black micarta handle in commemoration of the U.S. Navy SEALs,[1] known as the "SOG S2 Trident". The other Vietnam replica knife is known as the "Recon Bowie" by SOG with a distinctive banana-shaped 7-inch blade. This type of knife was actually the first to go into service in Vietnam. The last replica knife is the "SCUBA/Demo" which was introduced in 2001, the rarest knife in this group as only one true original is reported to exist. It was created for and assigned to the USN Advisory Detachment, which operated coastal gunboats. The S1 and S2 knives were manufactured by Hattori of Seki under contract to SOG Knives USA from 1986 to 2005, after which SOG shifted to manufacturing in Taiwan. Hattori also manufactured the three commemorative SOG bowies for Boker, for sale in the European market. Replicas of the SOG knife have also been made by Al Mar Knives, Ek Knives, Tak Fukuta for Parker, and Strider Knives.[1] SOG also contracted with Kinryu Co. Ltd of Seki Japan to manufacture the Recon Bowie and the Scuba Demo until 2007. None of these knives are currently in official use by any branch of the US Military. Original models are extremely valuable collector's items among both knife and militaria collectors. The later replicas are also in high demand by collectors, especially the early ones made in Seki.

References [ edit ]

What is the fastest way to tell if a coin is valuable?
What is the fastest way to tell if a coin is valuable?

There are three primary variables that help determine the value of a coin. Initial Mintage Number. This refers to how many of the coins were...

Read More »
How do I gain confidence in myself?
How do I gain confidence in myself?

Tips for building self-confidence Look at what you've already achieved. It's easy to lose confidence if you believe you haven't achieved anything....

Read More »

a b c d e f g h 100 Legendary Knives, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, p 99. 0-87349-417-2. Pacella, Gerard (2002),, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, p 99. ISBN a b c d e f Baker, Ben (1991). "Saga of the CISO/SOG Recon Knife". Fighting Knives. 1 (3): 95–98.

en.wikipedia.org - SOG Knife - Wikipedia
What Toolbox is best?
What Toolbox is best?

Top 6 Toolboxes Best Toolbox With Wheels: DEWALT DWST17820 Toolbox With Wheels. Best for Large Tools: DEWALT DWST08204 Toolbox. Best Portable Steel...

Read More »
What is the game where you can change gravity?
What is the game where you can change gravity?

Gravity Rush is an action-adventure video game in which players take the role of Kat, a young woman who can manipulate how gravity affects her,...

Read More »
Can I finger my girl during her period?
Can I finger my girl during her period?

There is no scientific evidence to support the belief that sexual behavior must be avoided while menstruating. There is nothing “dirty” about...

Read More »
Why are female games sexualized?
Why are female games sexualized?

Video game design teams often sexualize female characters to make them look appealing to men rather than giving the female characters a more...

Read More »