Hey guys. I just had an article published in Modern Service Weapons. Basically my attempt at portraying Capstick (writing) regarding 6 months of carrying a HiTS Knife everyday. MSW - Joe Watson HiTS Knife

I hope you enjoy it.

No offense, but the current idiocy regarding "The Perfect Tactical Knife" race may just have peaked.

Any single edge fixed blade or folder with a sharp four to six inch blade that you have on you when the SHTF is the perfect one at that moment in time.

My credentials: United States Army Ranger, attached to Company G of the 75th Inf, attached to the 23rd Inf for sixteen months in RVN. Nine more attached as a member of Company 2/Company G to the 198th LIB in Danang.

I was personally present when over 100 enemy soldiers were killed over a twenty-five+ month period with either a K-Bar or a personal knife in that above mentioned range. None of them lived long to make any sound, let alone to complain about being killed with a $25 K-Bar or other blade.

Everybody with a grinder and three files is offering a five-hundred or more expensive knife these days. None of them kill any quicker, or more effectively than a now fifty-dollar K-Bar.

Anyone who actually has use for something like this, needs to get a job in a better neighborhood, and/or move to one.

I got to attend a retirement ceremony last night for a friend who retired after 32 years of service as a full-bird Colonel. Five tours in the last nine years in Sandbox I or Sandbox II. Last three as an officer commanding a battalion of the Second Regiment. Lots of men who served under him were present. The Ranger Tab was worn by most. I asked about weaponry. The common answer, an Army issue K-Bar.

As Rangers from different eras, we talked about knives. A garden variety icepick works as well as the knife you carried around.

This current fad of dressing and arming like one of the old Rangers/Green Berets/SEALS is generally a case of "Wannabe".

Grow up!

I wrote an article that was published. Capstick was a writer wasn't he? I'm not sure what I did to warrant the hostility. My credentials are listed after the article on MSW. I thought people might enjoy reading it. If you read the article you would see I listed food prep in the kitchen and cutting up cardboard boxes. Hardly dressing up like special warfare. No offense but bugger off if you have nothing constructive to say.

I guess I carried many different knifes as a LEO for 33 years I settled on a 4 inch cold steel Tanto voyager folder as the perfect patrol knife for me.

Served me well killing many card board boxes, opening envelopes, cutting string, cleaning finger nails. That list is just one of the many daily chores my knife performed.

Plenty strong and sharp to use as a fighting instrument if needed.

Hizzie, congratulations on being published! IHS has nearly 18,000 posts so you know where he spends most of his time! Having said that, a knife is a tool. The Kbar is what you use when you have run out of ammo and you will die if you don't use it. I am not sure it is a weapon of choice for daily carry. I have a folding Benchmade that goes on right after I put my pants on, and comes off right before I take my pants off. Is it the ideal weapon? For what? As a last ditch it will work fine. As a weapon in a one on one knife fight against an opponent who knows how to use a knife? Probably not. Perhaps a karambit? While taking classes in Krav Maga I attended a "defense against a knife, and using a knife" seminar. It was a real eye opener. If you watch the knife fight in "Taken" you will get some idea of the tactics used. They consist of slashing in both directions. Not many knives allow one to do that (easily). Just my 2 cents. I am not an expert (unlike IHS)!
Peter.

Hizzie, I liked your article. Nicely done. Thanks for posting it. Unlike others, I have been in only one knife fight. Fortunately I won with no major injury. My knife worked, but the one thing you emphasize was the one thing my knife did not have, strength. I managed to render my attacker's knife arm inoperable, but the blade broke in the process. I'm just glad it ended there.

Again, thanks for the write-up.

The article was well presented and the history behind the folks involved was also good.

Be that as it may Idaho Sharpshooter hit the nail on the head in his comments. This takes nothing away from your article or the knife (knives) you spoke to.

The simple fact is that if you live where you can carry a fixed blade knife, and know how to use it, just about any knife you have will work to get the job done.

When I lived in Seattle anyone could carry a gun - open carry or with a permit concealed - but a fixed blade weapon was not allowed under any circumstances. Even folding knives longer than 6" overall length when open were illegal. I began carrying when I turned 21 and it has always been a six inch Ruger Security-Six at my side. I learned a long time ago that although I could be lethal with a bladed weapon - a gun will usually trump the knife.
There are times when no defense will work but it usually means you haven't been paying attention.

Well thank you gentlemen for your kind words.

Trying not to sound as if I am bragging, but I believe I have probably killed more enemy soldiers in close quarters combat with a knife than you have had fistfights since you left High School. And I am just one of thousand of Rangers alone, that can make that claim.

I stand by my comments, and that you sully the name of Peter Hathaway Capstick by even comparing your trotting around the kitchen peeling potatoes or slaughtering legions of rogue cardboard boxes to his exploits.

Your problem, and it is common these days, is that you passed up your opportunity to enlist in the Army or Marine Corps and rack up any time in a combat zone, let alone participated in any face-to-face terminal (for one of the involved parties) encounters, but now you are anxious to make a buck or two by some far-fetched fantasy you were able to have printed.

Capstick WAS a PH in Africa for a number of years, wrote several books, and faced "to the death (of one of the parties)" charges by the Dangerous Five.

The plethora of "couda/shoulda/shoulda" pulp magazines that disgrace the field of Combat Arms by the writer never having actually even served in the US about 99% to sell overpriced "Tactical" versions, is reprehensible to most of us that served. I never planned to be a hero, it just seemed like my duty to enlist in the US Army less than three months after the TET Offensive in 1968. It also seemed fitting and proper to complete Paratrooper and Ranger Schools and stand with those proud, brave young men. Get to see six months of Germany in the 10th Pathfinders, and then volunteer for Vietnam. Twenty-five months and ten days in RVN, most all of it in Co G/ Co 2G/75th Inf.

We had a term for garrision soldiers that never even got close to a firefight. REMF. Rear Echelon Mother F---ers. You're not even qualified to spit shine their boots.

Look up the initials/ phrase "CIB". It stands for Combat Infantryman's Badge. I was awarded one.

just take your silly wanna-be story somewhere you won't have combat soldiers to call you on it.


Rich
long ago, Sgt, 75th Inf (AbnRAnger)

Peter,

show me up by posting your illustrious military service record for all here to see.

I will put my service record up against anybody here on AR without fear of being shown up.

I never meant to be a hero, just serve my country proudly. I doubt you can say that.

gutless wonders...

Have a nice day.

quote:

just take your silly wanna-be story somewhere you won't have combat soldiers to call you on it.


Rich
long ago, Sgt, 75th Inf (AbnRAnger)

Rich, was that really necessary? The man made no claims, no chest thumping, no insults, etc. So what gives? I cleared mines back in the '90s, does that mean someone who hasn't but still wants to talk about it is a wannabe? I just think that there is a time and a place to put your boot in someone's backside, and this clearly wasn't one of them.

Rich Kayser,
IAIEII

Rich at his finest.

Well, both sides have said their piece, so just a bit of added comment.

Rich is right- often peddlers of fancy junk make claims of "wonder" this or that etc with little or no actual experience in the use or value thereof to the man in the filed. Warriors are known to pick up whatever they can either issue or personal purchase or battlefield pickup.

How to balance all of that is the key.

Example, I carried an M16A4had access to all the gadgets, but wore mine stripped with a light and a ACOG and a BUIS, my rifle weighed about 8 lbs. Most guys were carrying M4s with lasers, M68s and either night vision (pvs 14s or magnifyers ( never really understood a 5 MOA dot with a 3 x mag behind it- a 15MOA dot is kinda rough... and every inch of rail adapter equipped with the latest gizmo.

Anyway, I digress.

A Probius M9 bayonet is just fine for digging a hasty position, opening a can of whatever or slicing and dicing the nearest Taliban or regime loyalist....

As is the standard USA/USAF survival knife-as a matter of fact, I prefer that Camillus version for all of my big game hunting chores as well. M.ine is a 1978 edition carried since 1983

Gimmics sell for a time, then the next "advance" in design or materials renders stuff "worthless", that's marketing. Real users know what is needed and what is fluff, and most forego the fluff for utility.

Best to both, Rich, thanks for your service from a guy a generation behind....

quote:

Originally posted by HPMaster:
Well, both sides have said their piece, so just a bit of added comment.

Rich is right- often peddlers of fancy junk make claims of "wonder" this or that etc with little or no actual experience in the use or value thereof to the man in the filed. Warriors are known to pick up whatever they can either issue or personal purchase or battlefield pickup.

How to balance all of that is the key.

Example, I carried an M16A4had access to all the gadgets, but wore mine stripped with a light and a ACOG and a BUIS, my rifle weighed about 8 lbs. Most guys were carrying M4s with lasers, M68s and either night vision (pvs 14s or magnifyers ( never really understood a 5 MOA dot with a 3 x mag behind it- a 15MOA dot is kinda rough... and every inch of rail adapter equipped with the latest gizmo.

Anyway, I digress.

A Probius M9 bayonet is just fine for digging a hasty position, opening a can of whatever or slicing and dicing the nearest Taliban or regime loyalist....

As is the standard USA/USAF survival knife-as a matter of fact, I prefer that Camillus version for all of my big game hunting chores as well. M.ine is a 1978 edition carried since 1983

Gimmics sell for a time, then the next "advance" in design or materials renders stuff "worthless", that's marketing. Real users know what is needed and what is fluff, and most forego the fluff for utility.

Best to both, Rich, thanks for your service from a guy a generation behind....

HPMaster, did you bother reading the review? Perhaps my reading comprehension isn't the greatest, but going through the article once again, I cannot see a single, controversial, or nonsensical tidbit of information being presented. Nothing, nada, nil.

This article is merely a product review.

Ok. I'm just wondering how open military combat keeps being compared to civilian self defense? I was just a street cop for twelve years. Someone will need to enlighten me on how the two are the same.

For you guys suggesting Kabars, Ontario bayonets and USAF pilot survival knives: You really consider those appropriate for civilian EDC? How exactly does one discreetly carry a Kabar in business casual?


To those who actually read my article: Thank you. I hope you enjoyed it.

Nicely done, Hizzie.

Great review!

Idaho Sharpshooter--Did you use a knife or gun to take those 30 some odd Boone and Crockett elk (while meat hunting) you boast about? Maybe some pictures of them and a person could tell without asking. Over 100 enemies killed with a knife--how many thousands with guns when were you present? How could anyone ever misconstrue that you were bragging??? Idaho Sharpshooter bragging?

Whitworth, I did not use any of the terms you mention in my post. Fluff perhaps equates to some of your terms though I suppose.

I simply stated that lots of stuff is just style trying to sell over older features that still work just fine. I did read the review. Cool knife.

Regarding how a fixed blade heavy works for edged self defense- you conceal 14-45 ounces of steel, polymer and ammo, what is so hard about a 7" overall knife? Me, 6" 180lbs so it is not so hard.

Now, personally, I like my Camillus folder. I bought two and worked one over hard for performance testing, the second is carried daily in my off side pocket (LH with firearms, RH with most other tools).

Anyways,

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
Idaho Sharpshooter--Did you use a knife or gun to take those 30 some odd Boone and Crockett elk (while meat hunting) you boast about? Maybe some pictures of them and a person could tell without asking. Over 100 enemies killed with a knife--how many thousands with guns when were you present? How could anyone ever misconstrue that you were bragging??? Idaho Sharpshooter bragging?

Doin' what he does best.

Hizzie---What is a trainer?

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
Hizzie---What is a trainer?

The trainers are aluminum copies of the knife that are unground with all the edges rounded for safety. It allows safe practice drawing and sparring. Though poke somebody with a piece if aluminum hard enough it WILL hurt and cause injury.

I did not see Hizzie's reference to trainers, but for my Krav seminar I bought a rubber knife via EBay! Not good for drawing the knife, but adequate for what followed.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
I did not see Hizzie's reference to trainers, but for my Krav seminar I bought a rubber knife via EBay! Not good for drawing the knife, but adequate for what followed.
Peter.

Every steel HiTS Knife ships with an aluminum trainer as a package. It's in the article. Joe makes trainers in several styles to match his other self defense blades. Difficult to practice drawing and disarms with rubber. The hard polymer Sharkee trainers aren't bad. I like the HiTS Trainer since it perfectly mimics the live HiTS Knife and has the same sheath. Joe even wraps the handle in the same style but thinner so it is the same thickness in the handle area as the live blade.

Not to stir the shit pot again but I will add that I have seen many people killed with knives and I will say that it is a very brutal, primitive way to go. You would be surprised with how much blood a person can lose and still survive. The slashing type injuries are real nasty but survivable, however the wounds that kill the quickest are stab-type wounds that penetrate the heart and/or sever major arteries.
I don't think that I have ever seen a knife/murder weapon that would have cost over $10 bucks...any knife that can penetrate deep enough will do the job.

Just my 2 Cents

The few knife killings I have seen and investigated were done with cheap knifes also.

Mostly from the kitchen.

While I agree with the above comments I don't think we should confuse domestic stabbings and crimes of passion with premeditated attacks with a knife, and the defense against such. I am not an expert but I would want something better than a kitchen knife in such a situation.
Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
While I agree with the above comments I don't think we should confuse domestic stabbings and crimes of passion with premeditated attacks with a knife, and the defense against such. I am not an expert but I would want something better than a kitchen knife in such a situation.
Peter

I absolutely agree with you Peter and I hope that my comments were not perceived as a slight against Hizzie's article which I enjoyed reading very much....my comments are based on my observations made over the years as a police officer here in New York.

I enjoyed the article and I like knives. And, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Idaho Sharpshooter and the other veterans who have served our country so well. If you served (and we are all grateful for that) and have an affinity to what you were issued or carried, that's great.

But, I don't think IS is saying these knives are any less functional; I think he is saying they are no more functional than the old K-Bar, and he regards them as a waste of money -- and he's right, obviously. The old Ontarios and K-Bars were, and still are, great knives that will do anything you need them to do.

However, the arguments that a cheaper priced knife would suffice is like telling us we should all shoot our game with Remington 700's because that is "good enough".

If I would prefer to carry something I think is a little prettier, who is anyone to judge? After all, whether it's a knife or a firearm, 99% of your time with it is carrying it, not using it.

Now I will say this, I don't think a lot of the "tactical" blades are "pretty" in my eyes. I'd prefer Ivory, bone, or some nice wood grips, maybe Damascus, or at least a nice looking (not mirror) steel/finish, etc.

Like IS said, the knife in your hand is the one that matters, I'd just prefer it to be something that's pretty.

Lacava, that's a great post.

Lavaca-

You would EDC a KaBar in normal civilian attire? In non permissive environments?

All this comparing a military field knife to a small fixed blade intended for EDC just baffles me. Apples to oranges.

I was dressed very different when standing outside of crack houses with search warrant and battering ram than walking around off duty. Never been involved in open military combat but I cannot imagine that it is the same as civilian self defense. Wildly different circumstances and equipment carried.

As for old KaBars versus fancy expensive contemporary knives? Metallurgy has vastly improved. Current offerings are stronger, more corrosion resistant and hold an edge longer. Sheaths have greatly improved as well.

Again, for those of you that took the time to read my article, thank you. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it.

Hizzie,

I understand all you are saying. I like the new steels. Do you understand that I am trying to bring relative peace to the situation? You are not helping.

The thread is peaceful. If we cannot debate like adults, then there really is no point to these forums. I appreciate it when cool heads prevail.

I agree about the new steels wrt to corrosion resistance, ability to keep an edge etc. I am also not sure that I need to carry a 6-7" straight edge around with me for 'self defence". That is why I like the lock folders.
While I am at it, would someone explain the purpose and usefulness of "neck knives"? I have one and have no idea what to do with it!!!
Peter.

Peter,

Not sure how you are confused about a neck knife. Neck is just where it's carried. Like a pocket, belt or boot knife. Usefulness? You use it for whatever you carry a knife for based on your training and experience.

It is an imperfect carry method. No method is perfect for every circumstance. It does have some things going for it. Usually accessible by either hand. No need for belt, boots or pockets. The HiTS Ti Compact for example is all but invisible under a tshirt.

Hizzie, I figured out how to carry it! My problem was how to use it if needed. Are they supposed to release easily from the carrying cord? Without that it is of no use! I guess I am thinking of it's utility if someone is sitting on my chest or something.
Peter.

Like I said, no single carry method is perfect for every possibility.

I suggest you seek out training. Steve Tarani, James Williams, Michael Janich (martial blade craft) or John Benner (tactical defense institute) would be my top tier suggestions. South Narc (shiv works) also has a good system.

Real practice is where the aluminum trainers shine. They feel like your live blade and allow realistic practice of draws and drills.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Rich at his finest.

it is what he does best- brag. at least he didn't threaten to kill the poster like he has to several others here.