Ah, I am sorry. I misunderstood. And I see that others have explained why they are sterile.

The prototypes aren't sterile. At least my SS4 prototype isn't.

Right now all of my Scrappers are marked. That will change when my Dog Father arrives.

I don't think there is much, if any, cost difference with putting a logo on them. They use a laser to etch the logo, it's not like midgets are carving each one by hand with tiny scrapers. I think they leave them sterile for military reasons, so if any soldier orders a knife they will get a sterile piece. Not that it matters in every case, But there are undoubtedly some that would require it. If this was not a time of war, perhaps all the knives would be logo'ed. . .

I prefer the logo, but I am Heavily Biased.

I love the logo, and in the field we could carry whatever...but when we got to Iraq.....that whole sterile thing came in....while in the field the DF would have been an outstanding blade to construct hides! Either way it doesn't affect performance so other than really liking it...I can live without it.

I do not understand the need for sterile blades unless one is Force Recon/SF/Seal. The SF troops are typically supplied their sterile MilSpec GSA ordered blade.

The average joe blow military guy like myself had plenty of markings all over us to tell the enemy where we were from. US MARINES name tapes. All the new USMC digi-camies say in small camo pattern USMC all over. 'Camelback' labels show, 'Wiley Romer' sunglasses, 'Colt' on the M16-A2. The dead give away is.......the American flag on our shoulders and flying over our base camps. If you are unmarked an caught in Afghan or Iraq, God help you unless your "Handler" is near by.

So put a damned Scrap Yard stamp on our blades :-) (Repelling off my soap box!)

Not necessarily. A lot of Special Operations forces will buy a sizeable portion of their equipment outside of standard procurement chains. And they have more latitude when it comes to selecting their own personal equipment. Yes, there's still some standardization, but not like the average soldier, or marine.


As part of the 'regular forces' you're required under the Geneva Convention to wear some type of uniform. Special Operations forces are also required to wear some type of unifrom when conduction sanctioned operations. However, Special Operations forces sometimes conduct operations 'off the books' so to speak. And it's during those 'off the book' operations that sterility comes into play.


Jerry

As part of the 'regular forces' you're required under the Geneva Convention to wear some type of uniform. Special Operations forces are also required to wear some type of unifrom when conduction sanctioned operations. However, Special Operations forces sometimes conduct operations 'off the books' so to speak. And it's during those 'off the book' operations that sterility comes into play.


Jerry [/quote]

Thanks for the clarification Jerry! I learn something new everyday.

To my limited understanding, many of the personnel that work directly on "off the books" manuevers typically acquire most of their gear (to include weapons)in theater/country from the locals to avoid all signs of traceability.

Only a country as great as the U.S. could produce such fine cutlery as Scrapyard knives and our enemies know this!! Sorry all I am xenophobic javascript:void(0)
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

WOW !!!

I am definitely more informed now.... thanks everyone for all the responses. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

It's great to get some informed people making comments and discussing this.
Maybe Dan might revisit this one day and change his position on the whole "logo debate". I'm just thankful we have this forum to discuss it.


I'll still take mine with a logo though if given the choice..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

-Tdog

Yep if you're not SAS or Delta the logo rocks..

A good quality knife is one of the few things that cannot be found "In theater".
It is more for missions like cambosia or the SAS in Aden where they don't want any proof they were there.

True, also the SAS (M.O.D really) tend to be very tight fisted anyway so won't pay for good kit! Assuming it may get lost or captured they buy the cheapest thing they can find..

That's not an uncommon occurance in the Special Operations community. While the most elite operator may scare the dickens out of your average Joe, he's no match against the dreaded bean counter.