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Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:42 pm
by Maddogfl
I am a history fanatic; especially when it comes to WWII. I remember the first book I read on the Second World War, I was in the 4th grade and it was a historical fiction based on the attack on Pearl Harbor for kids. (We Were There at The Battle of Pearl Harbor.) Since that time, I have read hundreds, perhaps nearing a thousand books on the subject. I am of the age that the men in my community, when I was growing up, were WWII veterans and some of them were bonified WWII heroes, but I did not know it at the time. These men were a tight-lipped bunch when it came to their war experience.
My love of history has caused me to collect artifacts from the period. I really don't give a damn about shiny, unissued pristine condition blades, in fact I prefer a beat up blade with some personalization added to the knife or sheath to a perfect specimen. While my WWII knives would not raise any eyebrows to hardcore collectors, they mean a lot to me. Here are some of my favorites, including a couple of wartime era, non-issue knives.
As to the knives themselves, as tools or weapons, I just don't think that the patterns have been improved on in the years since they were made. I think that an RH 35 or 36 nears perfection in a general purpose fixed blade knife (although I personally like the "Quartermaster" knife better.") If a man buys a good condition RH 36 with a decent sheath for around $50.00 (which is about what they go for on eBay) he or she will own a great fixed blade knife that will last many lifetimes, and have a little history to go along with the fine blade.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:25 pm
by Madmarco
Maddogfl wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:42 pm
I am a history fanatic; especially when it comes to WWII. I remember the first book I read on the Second World War, I was in the 4th grade and it was a historical fiction based on the attack on Pearl Harbor for kids. (
We Were There at The Battle of Pearl Harbor.) Since that time, I have read hundreds, perhaps nearing a thousand books on the subject. I am of the age that the men in my community, when I was growing up, were WWII veterans and some of them were bonified WWII heroes, but I did not know it at the time. These men were a tight-lipped bunch when it came to their war experience.
My love of history has caused me to collect artifacts from the period. I really don't give a damn about shiny, unissued pristine condition blades, in fact I prefer a beat up blade with some personalization added to the knife or sheath to a perfect specimen. While my WWII knives would not raise any eyebrows to hardcore collectors, they mean a lot to me. Here are some of my favorites, including a couple of wartime era, non-issue knives.
As to the knives themselves, as tools or weapons, I just don't think that the patterns have been improved on in the years since they were made. I think that an RH 35 or 36 nears perfection in a general purpose fixed blade knife (although I personally like the "Quartermaster" knife better.") If a man buys a good condition RH 36 with a decent sheath for around $50.00 (which is about what they go for on eBay) he or she will own a great fixed blade knife that will last many lifetimes, and have a little history to go along with the fine blade.
Great lookin' group M.D.!
I really enjoyed reading the history behind them as well, thanks!
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:46 pm
by 1967redrider
That's an awesome baker's dozen of fixed blades.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:48 pm
by edge213
I think you have a fine collection.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:38 pm
by Maddogfl
I just want to be prepared if the Nazis come back.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:48 pm
by treefarmer
Steve, would you mind identifying your knives as they are laid out in the picture? I would like to know the manufacturers of these military knives. I have a Camillus pilot's knife that I ended up with somehow, while I was in the Marine Corps, which is from a different era than your collection. Military knives are an interesting study.
Treefarmer
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:31 pm
by 1967redrider
mdfl, you might find this forum useful in verifying military used knives in general, and how to spot counterfeits and reproductions-
https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums ... d-weapons/
If you haven't found it already.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:57 pm
by Rdubya21
That’s a really nice collection
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:02 pm
by Maddogfl
treefarmer wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:48 pm
Steve, would you mind identifying your knives as they are laid out in the picture? I would like to know the manufacturers of these military knives. I have a Camillus pilot's knife that I ended up with somehow, while I was in the Marine Corps, which is from a different era than your collection. Military knives are an interesting study.
Treefarmer
Sure, I should have done it in the OP.
The knife you had while you were in the Corps is probably what is commonly referred to a JPK or Jet Pilot's knife. That is another great blade.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:23 pm
by treefarmer
Thanks, Steve.
I notice half of those were made by PAL! I have a thing for PAL folders but never got too deep in fixed blades of any brand or style.
Treefarmer
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:10 pm
by Maddogfl
treefarmer wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:23 pm
Thanks, Steve.
I notice half of those were made by PAL! I have a thing for PAL folders but never got too deep in fixed blades of any brand or style.
Treefarmer
I think that PAL RH 35 and 36 models are the most prevalent WWII service knives available. A couple of years ago they were going for about half of what they sell for now. That is why I have several of each.
Re: Some of my favorites.
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2021 6:32 am
by ken98k
Nice collection!