As soon as I read your post SteelFan I went and uploaded this photo.
It is a couple WW2 Canadian snipers with some very high quality kit for the 1940's. So good that the High Powers ,Enfield sniper rifles and kukuris were still in use at the Falklands. Heck that Browning could very well be on some canadians hip in Afghanistan right now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
That sniper in the photo uses his kukuris for constructing hides.
I just got a SA-80 and C7 bayo today as part of a trade to a soldier for a knife that would be perfect for constructing hides.
Either of these knives would be as good as you can get.
If you need a knife or kukuri for military use PM me and I may be able to help? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />