Knives, parangs, other cutting implements
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Anybody know what knives does the SAF issue? Ontario parang and what else? Navy guys got rigging knife or not? Commando get stiletto, gurkha get khukuri then anything else?
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A knife enthusiast! As far as i know is that they issue a parang to the section 2IC in an infantry section and the rather new Swiss army knife.The Swiss knife is so much more sharper than the old Jack knife.They also issue bayonets but usually very blunt can cut anything but only useful for stabbing.
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Parang as far as I know. Besides the standard Victorinox jackknife but even that is a POS. Bayonet is for CC but you're screwed if you've gotta resort to that (not considering spec. ops. of course).
My platoon is 3 to 1 parang & 1 axe. But we use that for other purposes, bashing, chopping down trees for camoflage etc.. -
Do they still issue bayonet to soldiers with SAR 21?
In my unit in NS and reservist, we were "allowed" our own kit. So there are some macho types who bought their own hunting knifes, diver knifes, Swiss knifes of all shapes and sizes. Some friends spend quite a lot. The joke was whether they will ever use them in close combat. My preference was the entrenching tool stick, if there ever was a need for close combat.
One guy got a kukri from somewhere but I think that was considered too much by the RSM or CO (can't remember) and he was told off !
Everyone was tying something extra to their SBO to try to look like Rambo (without the muscles !) . -
thats a gd one ..just image a kuhuri on the bugger's SBO ..haha ..just curious, where did he attach the kukri to ?Originally posted by specfore:Do they still issue bayonet to soldiers with SAR 21?
In my unit in NS and reservist, we were "allowed" our own kit. So there are some macho types who bought their own hunting knifes, diver knifes, Swiss knifes of all shapes and sizes. Some friends spend quite a lot. The joke was whether they will ever use them in close combat. My preference was the entrenching tool stick, if there ever was a need for close combat.
One guy got a kukri from somewhere but I think that was considered too much by the RSM or CO (can't remember) and he was told off !
Everyone was tying something extra to their SBO to try to look like Rambo (without the muscles !) . -
SAR 21 can attach bayonet one meh?Originally posted by specfore:Do they still issue bayonet to soldiers with SAR 21?
In my unit in NS and reservist, we were "allowed" our own kit. So there are some macho types who bought their own hunting knifes, diver knifes, Swiss knifes of all shapes and sizes. Some friends spend quite a lot. The joke was whether they will ever use them in close combat. My preference was the entrenching tool stick, if there ever was a need for close combat.
One guy got a kukri from somewhere but I think that was considered too much by the RSM or CO (can't remember) and he was told off !
Everyone was tying something extra to their SBO to try to look like Rambo (without the muscles !) .
Those rambo guys are ridiculous... Imagine the extra weight they are carrying. The guy with the khukuri lagi worse, try to act like gurkha...
Simple knife for cutting comscord can already what.
But then what about recce scouts? Do they have individual parangs or utility knives? -
I personally use a simple knife bought from Shears Technology and its a simple fighting knife, the guys there offered me the scabbard as well, so i took it as well, pretty handy tool, nicely weighted and its sharp and powder coated surface pretty durable.
A simple fighting knife is useful, but a kukri
reminds of those HK gang shows where the gangster go pai jui ..haha...just imagine a Kukri sticking out from the guys SBO ..sheehs .. -
Scouts? Depends on indiv preference...most of us carry a simple SOG tool...I carried a Victorinox Swiss knife. Easy to use and low maintenance. And nope, I dun remember any of us carrying machete(parang). See, the idea is to travel light and and have ur utility knife accessible to you.Originally posted by ken_nerve:SAR 21 can attach bayonet one meh?
Those rambo guys are ridiculous... Imagine the extra weight they are carrying. The guy with the khukuri lagi worse, try to act like gurkha...
Simple knife for cutting comscord can already what.
But then what about recce scouts? Do they have individual parangs or utility knives?
Most, if not all of us had our "blade" attached on our SBO harness. We usually leave our bayonets in our lockers too; most of us dun even use rifle slings...wah lau, imagine having to carry soo many things liao and then carry khukri somemore...anyway, we are not supposed to make contact with the enemy also...so the khukri might be good for line-infantry types who may have to do a banzai charge....LOL
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post pics pls/.
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I'm wondering too - the SAR21 does not have bayonet attachments. But will the SAF issue fighting knives for unarmed combat? (not the small swiss army knives)
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lol swiss army knife use for combatOriginally posted by bcoy:I'm wondering too - the SAR21 does not have bayonet attachments. But will the SAF issue fighting knives for unarmed combat? (not the small swiss army knives) -
got lah. parangs are the estab of the bashers wherever we move outfield mah... although the parang is officially the equipment of the bashers, sometimes we do take turns to use also...Originally posted by Tango1:Scouts? Depends on indiv preference...most of us carry a simple SOG tool...I carried a Victorinox Swiss knife. Easy to use and low maintenance. And nope, I dun remember any of us carrying machete(parang). See, the idea is to travel light and and have ur utility knife accessible to you.
Most, if not all of us had our "blade" attached on our SBO harness. We usually leave our bayonets in our lockers too; most of us dun even use rifle slings...wah lau, imagine having to carry soo many things liao and then carry khukri somemore...anyway, we are not supposed to make contact with the enemy also...so the khukri might be good for line-infantry types who may have to do a banzai charge....LOL
i remember chopping down a whole coconut tree wif juz parangs during a course last time... haha -
Yes...for scouts/BRC every team got one Parang. BUT you are not supposed to use to parang for bashing actually. Coz it leaves a very obvious trail.
The parang is actually quite hardy - i chop down coconut tree b4 also, but not alone. Also a rambutan tree. 3-4 of us whacking the tree like mad. Its Only after chopping down these two trees that one of the parang Handles broke. The blade was still alright.
Anyway, for general soldiering use, i think the victorinox is good enough. It can cut things, clear IAs and is light.
For fighting, i would prefer the Et stick + Blade. -
I've never received a dependable blade from the SAF except for the stiletto, which was issued when I got my beret. Those, however, were individually numbered and stored in the armskote where they stayed.
Personally, I left the jack knife and the bayonet in my cupboard and carried a Victorinox and a Gerber Mark II as replacements respectively. Occasionally, I carried a Gerber Cliplock as a boot knife instead of the Mark II, and the Cliplock was a lot more compact and light than a bayonet.
I've seen some guys use a kukhri, but as a replacement for the parang instead of as a fighting knife. When you've got to chop stuff down, it's very handy. -
u mean the Stiletto knife is not issued to you when u complete your CDO training ? Thought it was like a reward, part of your rite of passage into CDO to own one of those Fairbarn Skyes knifes ?Originally posted by Gedanken:I've never received a dependable blade from the SAF except for the stiletto, which was issued when I got my beret. Those, however, were individually numbered and stored in the armskote where they stayed.
Personally, I left the jack knife and the bayonet in my cupboard and carried a Victorinox and a Gerber Mark II as replacements respectively. Occasionally, I carried a Gerber Cliplock as a boot knife instead of the Mark II, and the Cliplock was a lot more compact and light than a bayonet.
I've seen some guys use a kukhri, but as a replacement for the parang instead of as a fighting knife. When you've got to chop stuff down, it's very handy. -
Oh, it's issued all right - we wore the stiletto on our SBO shoulder strap during our red beret presentation, but the moment we got back to company line, we checked them into the armskote and never took them out again. We never actually owned it - it was as much of an issue weapon as an M16, and was registered in the armskote book. Apparently, a fellow from one of the first few batches to receive the stiletto (back in the late seventies) used it in an assault, and it's gone to the armskote ever since.Originally posted by one-niner:u mean the Stiletto knife is not issued to you when u complete your CDO training ? Thought it was like a reward, part of your rite of passage into CDO to own one of those Fairbarn Skyes knifes ? -
alright, but i went to Shears last time, and the staff there was showing me this presentation box of a CDO's Leader's Stiletto cased up nicely on the red pillow along with his airborne wings.Originally posted by Gedanken:Oh, it's issued all right - we wore the stiletto on our SBO shoulder strap during our red beret presentation, but the moment we got back to company line, we checked them into the armskote and never took them out again. We never actually owned it - it was as much of an issue weapon as an M16, and was registered in the armskote book. Apparently, a fellow from one of the first few batches to receive the stiletto (back in the late seventies) used it in an assault, and it's gone to the armskote ever since.
The knife had the engraving of your Formation.SO was that bought off market ? Kinda of lugi right ? U don't get to keep the knife.... -
Yup, the one you saw was a commercially avaialble piece. The issued stilettos only came with a scabbard - no presentation case.Originally posted by one-niner:alright, but i went to Shears last time, and the staff there was showing me this presentation box of a CDO's Leader's Stiletto cased up nicely on the red pillow along with his airborne wings.
The knife had the engraving of your Formation.SO was that bought off market ? Kinda of lugi right ? U don't get to keep the knife.... -
Ah! A Gerber Mark II, a very good fighting knife & you've got good taste.Originally posted by Gedanken:I've never received a dependable blade from the SAF except for the stiletto, which was issued when I got my beret. Those, however, were individually numbered and stored in the armskote where they stayed.
Personally, I left the jack knife and the bayonet in my cupboard and carried a Victorinox and a Gerber Mark II as replacements respectively. Occasionally, I carried a Gerber Cliplock as a boot knife instead of the Mark II, and the Cliplock was a lot more compact and light than a bayonet.
I've seen some guys use a kukhri, but as a replacement for the parang instead of as a fighting knife. When you've got to chop stuff down, it's very handy.
The weight is just nice & the length is just right to stab deep into a target if required to or oppotunity arises. For slashing, it may not exactly be the best but its good enough to get the job done nicely.
Hmm! Victorinox. Are you a fan of MacGyver tv series? Not really a reliable tool kit in combat unless you're a pilot. -
i am still using jack knife to cut my cords...
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certain SPF unit also got stiletto-type blade, not only cdoOriginally posted by ken_nerve:Anybody know what knives does the SAF issue? Ontario parang and what else? Navy guys got rigging knife or not? Commando get stiletto, gurkha get khukuri then anything else? -
Why, thank you! I'm rather fond of it myself. It sure scared the hell out of more than a few Guardsmen on BTEC exercises.Originally posted by John Ching:Ah! A Gerber Mark II, a very good fighting knife & you've got good taste.
The weight is just nice & the length is just right to stab deep into a target if required to or oppotunity arises. For slashing, it may not exactly be the best but its good enough to get the job done nicely.
Hmm! Victorinox. Are you a fan of MacGyver tv series? Not really a reliable tool kit in combat unless you're a pilot. You're right about the sharpness - it's designed to be sharpened along the direction of the blade instead of perpendicular to it, and that detracts from its cutting ability. You're right about the weight too - I decided against the Buck 120 because it was too light.
As for the Victorinox, hey, I wouldn't knock it. During survival training, my platoon mates were suffering with their Jungle Kings and such, but my trusty little Vic saw did the job without any fuss whatsoever. Funny you should mention McGyver - I once had to repair a signal set in the middle of nowhere(some dolt had pulled the receiver cord out) with my Vic and a cigarette lighter. -
Yea.. The parang is very useful.. Actually cut down several trees (about 2 min per tree) using one during my course. Also used it for cutting down a few trees to hide our recce jeep. Didn't even need camo-net to hide the jeep. hehe..Originally posted by lwflee:Yes...for scouts/BRC every team got one Parang. BUT you are not supposed to use to parang for bashing actually. Coz it leaves a very obvious trail.
The parang is actually quite hardy - i chop down coconut tree b4 also, but not alone. Also a rambutan tree. 3-4 of us whacking the tree like mad. Its Only after chopping down these two trees that one of the parang Handles broke. The blade was still alright.
Anyway, for general soldiering use, i think the victorinox is good enough. It can cut things, clear IAs and is light.
For fighting, i would prefer the Et stick + Blade. -
Well, I'm not claiming that the Victorinox is crap. But I've personally encounter problems with it so, I'm not a fan of it. I would rather carry separated tool parts if necessary.Originally posted by Gedanken:Why, thank you! I'm rather fond of it myself. It sure scared the hell out of more than a few Guardsmen on BTEC exercises. You're right about the sharpness - it's designed to be sharpened along the direction of the blade instead of perpendicular to it, and that detracts from its cutting ability. You're right about the weight too - I decided against the Buck 120 because it was too light.
As for the Victorinox, hey, I wouldn't knock it. During survival training, my platoon mates were suffering with their Jungle Kings and such, but my trusty little Vic saw did the job without any fuss whatsoever. Funny you should mention McGyver - I once had to repair a signal set in the middle of nowhere(some dolt had pulled the receiver cord out) with my Vic and a cigarette lighter.
So, do Singapore army train its soldier to the importants of a good knife? Remember, a knife will never run out of ammo, jam up when you need it most or weight more then a quater of your own body mass. As long as you maintain it properly, you can do just about any survival needs with a knife. -
My only complaint about the Vics is with the leaf spring on the scissors - the Wenger spring doesn't have the tendency to get twisted or pop out.
Unfortuantely, it looks like the SAF works upon the assumption that if you're out of ammo, the war's as good as over for you. That said, we did have some limited training in knife fighting in the unarmed combat program, and jungle survival did teach us the value of a good knife.