Interesting stuff guys. HD especially, thanks for those pic. I imagine that even though we like to think that Busse's are "combat knives",I suspect that what most soldiers need in a knife is a multitool and something heavy that you can dig/pry with (not a cutting tool). Just look at the M9 bayonets: they have no edge, but they're cheap tools that can be destroyed and easily replaced.

My math teacher was an operator for SEAL team six back in its early days, and he basically broke it down for me like this (i'll paraphrase): In the teams, the idea of using a knife for combat is basically a joke; its a practice popularized by Hollywood. If we needed to kill someone quietly, we used silenced pistols. If you've ever gotten yourself into a situation where only thing you have to defend yourself is a knife, then you've got serious issues and you should consider a career change

I doubt that everyone shares that opinion, but I figure that if you're gonna trust somebody on combat knives, you might as well trust an ex-SEAL member

As for LMF-II, i would say this: a DMCG is about 100,000% times better, and that's putting it lightly. I had all kinds of trouble making it sharp, it can't slice, and the handle is very weak. It is about 3/4 tang and made up of three parts: the steel tang, a ABS-style plastic handle, and a Santoprene overmold. all fine, unless the hard pastic part cracks (as mine did) and then you've got a loose handle. In other words, I've started thinking of my DMDC as a "LMF-III". Oh, and the sticky rubber handle gives blisters like none other.

To be fair, there are a few good things about the LMF: the serrations are quite sharp, the glass-breaker/hammer is fairly effective, and the tip is VERY strong (but little/no penetrating power)