These are pretty good values.
I buy regularly from Discount Cutlery — it is a very solid company with a lot of products.
https://www.discountcutlery.net/Featured-SALE-Items_c_5986.html?referer=mailid:83&emailmkt=f_oakes@yahoo.com
Scroll down to the 32nd item —
There is also a 10% off coupon code — ARMED19 — good until the 19th of this month.
That gets the cost of each knife down to $71.99
Best,
Fred
There was a company that made a lot of knives for the Corp back during WWII, I believe they were out of Maryland. They made the Field Kitchen Cutlery Set. Bicknell or Bickell something like that. That set sold for a couple of thousand if I recall on Ebay.
After WWII, my Dad who enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1940 — was discharged in '46.
Part of the things he brought back with him were a .45, a folding Machete, mess kit, compass, and a leather flight jacket.
These were part of his go-bag gear and also his "bail-out" kit, if he was downed over enemy territory.
KA-BAR made fighting knives under contract for the Corp. But they could not produce as many as were needed — so Case and Camillus were brought into the picture to copy and manufacture the KA-BAR's for the Army, Navy, and Marines.
I recall him cleaning his .45 on the dining room table when I was less than 3 years old. I can still see and smell the Newspapers, rags, brushes, gun oil, screwdrivers. Mom did not want it in the house, and he agreed to sell it. She didn't want it in the house, since he was at risk of being called back up during the Korean conflict — even though he was married, had 2 kids, and had already served for 6 years — but that did not happen. But she wanted it out of the house if he was called back up.
Best,
Fred
Fred, cool photo of your dad. Good looking guy. Dominick
This post got me thinking that perhaps a knives section might fit in well on this site? While personally I'd rather it were all fishing related, there already is the guns section, so why not knives.
Oh, and nice Kabars!
I still have mine, it's about thirty years old now. Think I got it for about $35.00 back then.
Cool photo,,,,,, :D what kind of plane did he fly in,,,, 8) knife section,,,,,,you got to have a knife when fishing,,,,, ;D
Fred...that photo of your Dad is too cool! 8)
Quote from: Benni3 on May 16, 2019, 04:23:18 PM
Cool photo,,,,,, :D what kind of plane did he fly in,,,, 8) knife section,,,,,,you got to have a knife when fishing,,,,, ;D
For his first 3 years in the service, he was a forward artillery observer. He would call in either coordinates for air strikes or naval barrages. He went from island to island, heading North. One time, he was in New Guinea — his driver of the Jeep hit a Coral reef when they were under enemy fire — flipping the Jeep over, and Dad landed on the Coral — on his back. The Coral infected him badly — so he spent 3 months in a hospital in the Philippines — on his stomach — until it was healed. Then went back to work, and took pilot training instead.
My uncle, who was Dad's twin brother (not identical) was a co-pilot on a B-25 Mitchell that was based in Romania. He was shot down over Germany — and went through the last (2) years of the war as a German POW.
Too few Americans realize the extent of the sacrifices made by both the "Greatest Generation" & their families back home — during WWII. Their patriotism, courage and commitment to the Freedoms we enjoy today — are nearly unimaginable. While likely nearly everyone on Alan's site do realize and are grateful for these sacrifices — there are a majority of Americans who cannot be bothered to vote a couple of times a year — or even display a flag on Memorial Day, the 4th, or Veterans Day. Incredibly sad...
Dad flew a P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter through the Pacific Theatre.
3 man crew — pilot, radar weapons operator, gunner. He was the pilot.
Here is a little history on the Black Widow —
https://youtu.be/vOgnIC1WQzM
And here is an old film short from WWII, that shows more detail about the P-61 and its systems. It was a complicated plane — but also a very effective, stable, and, maneuverable weapon.
These old training and marketing films from the War — are kind of hokey compared to all of the CG animated stuff today — but to me, they are pretty cool. Hard to imagine an American farmboy flying one of these advanced nightfighters — just 39 years after the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk.
https://youtu.be/FZxlIjQqiTk
Yes, I would vote for a knife section also.
Best,
Fred
Thanks for posting the video Fred, I love the twin-boom aircraft, sweet plane!
Great story Fred, I'm not very fond of flying, but do when there is a need, I love historical aircraft better....heck just love history in general, especially when there is a personal connection. I've always wanted a KaBar, but just have run across one at a price I was willing to pay.
Also agree a Knife section would be a great addition.....Bill
Love that video and some great history,,,,,, :D my grandfather "ed" was in Pensacola during war war 2 he was a mencanhic and had to go with the test pilots on the bombers,,,,, ??? he didn't like that to much,,,,,but that's why I where the t-shirts,,,,,keep them flying or aluminum overcast,,,,,,, ;D
Cool!
Dad served on a Destroyer class ship in the South Pacific. He always carried a picture of it in his wallet. I inherited a Japanese 6.5 mm rifle, his dress blues(can't believe how thin he was) and one of those Aviator compasses that are so common( many for sale on the Bay). Would love to have onea those knives, though. He and guys on that ship used to catch alota Tuna species by handline trolling carved plugs on what musta been some kinda parachute chord.
Great subject matter Fred. One more vote for knife section!
Ya know, he had a nice set of K-9's just like your dad's. Used to try and sacre us with 'em when we were little.
I've had my Navy model K-BAR (the sheath says USN Mark 2) since the late 1960's. Got while I was at Camp Delmar by Oceanside, CA from someone that needed money.
Thanks for the post, Fred. And for your father's service. It remineded me of my uncles' Kabars. They were part of the 442nd "Go For Broke" RCT, many who volunteered out of America's concentration camps during WWII. My uncle was part of the 522nd Field Artillery that help open Dachau. They motivated me to join the Air Force and I have a Kabar 1209 with a wooden handle. Still have it.
Quote from: smnaguwa on May 17, 2019, 02:51:38 PM
Thanks for the post, Fred. And for your father's service. It remineded me of my uncles' Kabars. They were part of the 442nd "Go For Broke" RCT, many who volunteered out of America's concentration camps during WWII. My uncle was part of the 522nd Field Artillery that help open Dachau. They motivated me to join the Air Force and I have a Kabar 1209 with a wooden handle. Still have it.
The 442nd was part of the 36th Infantry Division and were the unit that rescued the "Lost Battalion of the 142nd Infantry Regiment which was surrounded by the Nazi's. The 442nd, lost more members than the 142nd did. My unit the 3/133rd Field Artillery is part of the 36th, and am familiar with the history of the Four-Four-Deuce.
Both sides of my family were involved heavily in WWII
Mom's side:
Grandfather worked at Quonset as a civilian who repaired aircraft that went out sub hunting
Uncle flew in the 8th Airforce on bombers. He flew a couple of missions with Glenn Miller (no one knew till his funeral and we got to see images of him with Miller)
Uncle in Pacific Fleet on Destroyers and a Cruiser (his greatest claim was his ship held the record for sinking the most subs in one day, 8 captured subs, I can't confirm this is real record or not, and captured most likely doesn't count)
Fathers side:
Step Brother: Marine at Guadalcanal
Step Brother: Army African and Italian Campaigns
Step Brother: Army Europe
In addition
Father: WWI
Uncle: WWI
Gram had three husbands in her lifetime, my father was from her third marriage, and his step brothers were old enough to have been his father easily 18 years or more between them.
This was the norm for WWII, many families had multiple members serving. The gravity of the situation after Pearl Harbor was almost desperate as the news daily reported losses for the US and the allies. For the Allies the US entering the war changed the outcome as I doubt the Brits and the rest of the Commonwealth nations would of prevailed on their own. Logistically the Brits and Russians were being stretched thin.
Since Memorial Day weekend is coming up I am reflecting on losing an uncle and cousin during the landing at Anzio Beach, one of the big fiascoes of WW ll. Both my uncle and cousin were named Pasquale (different sides of the family). They each wrote home that they met each other in North Africa before the attack at Anzio. Sadly notice from the US Army that they had been killed reached their parents before their letters arrived home.
I also had several uncles and cousins who returned but were changed by what they saw in combat. One of my uncles was with Patton's army and was one of the first of the GIs to reach the concentration camps. He would not talk about it. My thanks to all those who served and are serving today. Dominick
Thanks for bringing this up, Dominick —
I too, was thinking about my Dad and his Brother who served in WWII.
We lost Dad in '84, and Uncle Ralph in '98.
They were twins born on May 21st, 1919.
They would have been a 100 years old, day before yesterday.
Here is my uncle Ralph at a forward Air Base in Romania. He was a co-pilot on a B-25 flying missions into Germany. He was shot down, parachuted out, and spent the last 2 years of the War in a Stalag as a POW.
Many, many more, did not make it back. The chances of not being shot down were 1 in 5, according to flight records — yet their Patriotism, Responsibility to their families, and Courage — are inspiring examples for all peoples, everywhere.
In many of the operations, such as Anzio — the odds of surviving were just as low — yet, they served — and succeeded in their Mission to combat Tyrants.
In a few days, we will commemorate the sacrifices made by all who have served and are serving now.
We owe them so much more than we can ever repay...
Best,
Fred
Huh? And here I thought Memorial Day was about the best car sale event of the year!!! Buy, buy, buy!!!
But seriously, it's disgusting how on the media it's all about pushing product instead of remembering our heros. I've never known what it's like to have my life turned upside down and find myself in a battlefield. I can only watch in awe at the documentaries (usually on PBS) that tell the stories.
Quote from: nelz on May 23, 2019, 09:18:19 PM
Huh? And here I thought Memorial Day was about the best car sale event of the year!!! Buy, buy, buy!!!
But seriously, it's disgusting how on the media it's all about pushing product instead of remembering our heros. I've never known what it's like to have my life turned upside down and find myself in a battlefield. I can only watch in awe at the documentaries (usually on PBS) that tell the stories.
The most profound Memorial Day I ever recall when I was stationed in the Netherlands. The folks of the Netherlands at exactly 6:00 PM stop everything they are doing, turn off radios, televisions, stop on highways, and for the next 5 minutes they remember. I can recall hearing nothing but nature, and nothing else. Very solemn.