U.S. Military Knives, 1880 to the Present

[@davidwilliam6331]

Very good concise explanation on each knife!

[@NM-eb5ej]

What a presentation, You must be ecstatic about exploring the fine collection of the museum.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I spend about 20 hours a week working on collections. I learn something new every day as I research artifacts. A donor gave us what he identified as an 1880s rifle sling. Stamped Rock Island Arsenal 1907 so I knew it was military but couldn't match it with anything. After several hours, the lights went on. What if it's NOT a rifle sling? Sure enough, it turned out to be a carrying strap for the 1874 haversack which remained in use into the 29th Century.

[@Qigate]

Love it, Sir! You may "geek-out" all you want. I look forward to Firearms Fridays.

[@harrisonmantooth7363]

Thank you Evan for sharing another informative video with us this morning. Those knives are very unique. That U.S. Airforce Survival knife was a common article at the military surplus stores back in the early 1960. I remember seeing some when I when I would visit these stores. Wish I could step back in time and buy some of them. Again, thanks. Stan

[@DF4Trap]

Enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you for sharing.

[@VRAS4570]

Interesting video and knifes. Thank you. 😊

[@richardpcrowe]

Great presentation - I saw some edged weapons that I never knew existed. I had always wondered why Civil War troops were not issued entrenching tools - now I realize that the deficiency was solved by 1880. I have read many descriptions of Civil War troops entrenching by using their bayonets or even tin cups. Heck - entrenching tools were an integral piece of equipment for the Roman Army. You missed the Kabar USMC "fighting knife" as well as the Fairbairn Dagger issued to commando type troops. Another edged tool was a switch blade folding knife issued to aircrews, at least I was issued one when I was a flying photographer with the Navy in the mid 1960's. This was a two bladed folding knife with an orange plastic handle. One was a standard cutting blade controlled by a push button while the second blade was a cutting hook, designed to be able to cut yourself loose from and parachute or aircraft retraining straps. Obviously, the designers of this knife never flew. If they had flown, they would have designed the knife so that the cutting hook would have been operated by the push button, so that you could cut yourself free of straps one handed if the other hand/arm was injured. There were times when U.S. troops in Saigon were not allowed to carry weapons in town. I always carried this push button knife in my pocket and had use for it one time.

[@dcdude81]

Awesome video! As an avid knife collector, I’d like to see more knives

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I will try to put together a video or two to address your interest. We have an interesting group of Asian knives, many from the Philippines. I researched the collection a few months ago and was glad to be done with them. They are interesting weapons but lack a Wyoming connection.

[@RexApplegate]

My great uncle on his way home from the Korean War stopped at the PI's and got a hand made aluminum handled knife, kinda sorta a bowie stiletto hybrid with a casted on aluminum handle and hand engraving. He used it as a letter opener for 50 years until I inherited it. It is certainly a prized possession and an international piece of artistic history. Knives have always been items of the world market and war trophies. Besides perhaps limited space, I don't think you guys need to offer any excuses for keeping and displaying foreign knives in your collection.

[@RexApplegate]

My great uncle on his way home from the Korean War stopped at the PI's and got a hand made aluminum handled knife, kinda sorta a bowie stiletto hybrid with a casted on aluminum handle and hand engraving. He used it as a letter opener for 50 years until I inherited it. It is certainly a prized possession and an international piece of artistic history. Knives have always been items of the world market and war trophies. Besides perhaps limited space, I don't think you guys need to offer any excuses for keeping and displaying foreign knives in your collection.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

@@RexApplegate I am planning another series of videos at the end of September, 2023. Due to scheduling the videographer, we usually do 7 or 8 in a batch. I will plan on at least showing some of the Asian knives. Lots of interesting blades come out the Philippines.

[@deathofkindness]

Nicely done video sir... thank you

[@heitorgomesmd6215]

Top vídeo Evan. Guns and Knives walk together.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Indeed they do. I love both.

[@noahcount7132]

Interesting assortment of knives, Evan. 👍 The AF survival knife in this video is the first such specimen I've ever seen. It has a somewhat similar appearance to the surplus K-Bar I had as a youngster, and I'm sure I could have had more fun with an AF survival knife than with my old K-Bar.

[@frankhinkle5772]

Thanks Evan. That was interesting.

[@timberdrifter8225]

Does the museum have a ames 1849 riflemans knife? I think only 1000 of them where made so pretty rare but they did seem to find their way out to the western frontier. At least in a few cases. Would be neat to see one if you do. Its one of my favorite military knives and there are very few close ups of originals here on KZbin.

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I reviewed our inventory of knives while preparing for this video. No 1849. those must be, as you note, fairly rare. All the examples online are replicas. We have some trade knives that might be worth a video in the future.

[@timberdrifter8225]

@wsmvolunteers8588 trade knives are of great interest to me as well. Thanks for looking

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Howdy Evan, appreciate you sir and thanks!

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Hi neighbor. Glad you like the videos.

[@k1j2f30]

Man I'd hate to get opened up by those "mini swords," and that shovel knife! That would be some bad juju! Always interesting and informative, Evan. I always look forward to Firearms Friday!! If you are ever in a bad spot and need backup in a shootout ,give me a ring! Lol

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

I hope I'm never in a shootout, and if I am, I want you to remember I said that. And thanks for the offer!

[@k1j2f30]

@@wsmvolunteers8588 Lol! Yea, shootouts are bad!!

[@mattsstuff1268]

The metal protective plate on the Air Force Survival Knife sheath is to prevent stabbing a leg upon landing after parachuting from a plane.

[@mattsstuff1268]

...also, the steel is quite a bit softer than typical outdoors knives to ensure the blade will bend rather than break under harsh use. The softer steel is prone to dull quickly, hence the little included sharpener. I believe the saw was specifically meant to cut through acrylic plane windows. I can attest that it's not good for much else.

[@Gerald-do9yg]

Thank you Mr. Evan, Very informatve history lesson!! Blsgs, gg

[@longrider42]

That triangular knife with the full hand guard. Those where used as weapons of last resort. But also used in trench raids. It would pierce even the heaviest coat. Some where still issued to US troops at the beginning of WW2

[@AnAmericanFather]

The holes in the guard of the Aircraft Survival knife were never meant to make a spear with which to hunt… They were meant for the same purpose they are today: If your chute or your gear is stuck somewhere you can’t reach, you lash it to a branch & use the tool to free your things.

[@lunarmodule6419]

Interesting thx

[@edwardmontinola2311]

How about 1861 knife during civil war

[@VashPlissken45]

This guy is good 👍🏼👍🏼🔪😎🇺🇸

[@mromanowicz72]

Nice presentation but incomplete. Mising some most famouse military knifes like: 1918 trench knife or USMC ka-bar

[@longrider42]

You forgot one, and you most likely don't have at the Museum. The 1849 Ame's Rifleman's knife. 1000 of these where made to issue to the U.S. Mounted Rifles. Who in 1848-49, where heading west to take up patrol duties in Southern Oregon and Northern California. In a nut shell, in 1849 we know the Gold Rush started in California, and many of the U.S. Mounted Rifles deserted and headed to the gold fields. Those that has been issued the knives, took them with them. There are very few originals left. And for Reference, it is in the book Firearms, Traps and Tools of the Mountain Men. Page 196-197, along with yet another picture. From what I have found through research, it was the first knife designed and created for the US Military. I can go into more detail if needed.

[@wmsollenberger8706]

A place to visit when I'm in Wyoming!

[@sixshooter3313]

👍

[@longrider42]

What, no Kabar?

[@cocoliche66]

OK Video

[@EdwinDekker71]

5:28 more likely lash it to a stick and cut vegetation with it, or reach high hanging fruit etc.

[@thebigone6969]

Hey Evan u da tru 🐐 my g I hadda run south a dat border to lay low for awhile but I still be watchin all yo vids my g !!!! U da best there is an da best there ever will be real talk 💥💥💥🙏🏿🙏🏿🐐🐐🐐

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Thanks, Bigone! Be careful and stay safe.

[@thebigone6969]

@@wsmvolunteers8588 Thanks Evan! These Mexicans peeps been very nice to me my ninja!!!

[@finoman100]

Is the "hunting" knife full tang?

[@Hammer1978]

Yousound like Walter Sorel. Uncanny

[@nobody-vp1dr]

The last knife, the airforce blade is pure trash.

[@benjaminanthony5201]

You’re right. They break so easy

[@DancingEagle]

I don’t understand your facial expressions matched with what you say. It’s like you are a little bit perturbed at everything even if it is good, or neutral.