Knives issued in the Bundeswehr

[Reibert-Austria]

Just wanted to show this knife i got with a different frog (I think that's what it's called) than the one showed earlier

IMO you´re showing us an unissued knife, maybe a commercial ?

What´s the maker ?

[Sebastian S N]

it just says rustfrei and nothing else. no numbers or anything, but it's definitely not new

[Reibert-Austria]

it just says rustfrei and nothing else. no numbers or anything, but it's definitely not new

commercial, sorry ! ...

[uscob]

Phil, maybe both opinions are correct .... depending on the timeline you are speaking of ! All my school mates entering their service in 1987 where equipped with the old knife as this was the standard type at this time. Later on, maybe from the mid 90ies on the new type was purchased. And maybe this was given to KRK units first in the same way as these where equipped with the new flecktarn items while HVK troops in the second line still wore the old moleskin - combined even with NVA surplus - and the old blunt knives...

Jens

P.S. : For all those willing to purchase the old stile pocket knife ... watch out as this item (also the old Kampfmesser) is already reproduced/copied/faked by Miltec ! According to someone dealing with this stuff these special items are of a low quality - less sharp even then the original blunt ....

Even the new Model comes as a Copy. Saw them recently.
I also sell the old Model, but only used as originals, lot's of Makers. Interesting that I also found a Miltec in a VEBEG Lot.

[uscob]

Gentlemen,

This is an area we have never discussed. I decided to do some research in this area when I received a copy of "Militarische Blankwaffen in der DDR" as it has a few pictures of BW knives in it. I don't own any BW knives so I thought I could only benefit by starting a thread on knives issued to BW soldiers before I bought any to make sure I understood them at least a little. Please feel free to add your comments if my research warrants it.

The first knife I want to post is the first issue of Kappmesser. This knife was first approved for adoption by the BW in 1956 but not issued to the troops until 1959. In the book referenced above there is a photo of four of these knives each with a slight ly different blade length that get progressively longer. It is a gravity knife which meants the blade opens with a flick of the wrist.
There was some discussion on the DDR Forum where Nico says this was not the first issue knife but one used by the Marine. While I have no doubt it may have been used my the Marine, there is enough evidence on line to corroberate the fact that this was the first Kappmesser issued to the BW.
I should mention that you can not legally buy gravity knives in Germany. Nico says he can sell the handle and the blades separately. I guess what you do with it after that is up to you. They are also illegale to own in Canada but I have seen them at Militaria Shows from time-to-time.

Regards,

Gordon

Gordon, maybe to clarify:
It was used by Falli's and is Still used on the Gorch Fock as a naval "Takelmesser" as they normally have only one Hand when working on the Mast's. A Friend of mine bought a huge Lot of them many Years ago via VEBEG and had to Pick them up directly on Base.

[Gordon Craig]

Nico,

Thanks for the additional information.

Regards,

Gordon

[Sebastian S N]

commercial, sorry ! ...

oh.. damn. well how big is the difference between the issued and the commercials? looks, quality and steel type?


I've heard that this knife was very disliked in the Bundeswehr - now, I know people hear a lot of things but is there something to it?
anyone know anything? Even some stories about it?

[Reibert-Austria]

If you can open this link:

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/bayone...-m1968-137597/

you´ll find further informations.

[Sebastian S N]

you´ll find further informations.

hey, thanks !
even though mine is not a military issued, I still love it

[Gordon Craig]

Sebastian,

One thing to look for on knives that appear to have been used by the BW is to look at the grip and see if it is marked BW. If you notice that the knives on the posted link, and those shown earlier in this thread, all have the BW on the flat spot on the grip. Yours does not. As for the knife not being liked in the BW I haven't heard anything like that but I have never used it in the field so I can not say how it performs in use. The successor, the KM2000, was/is very unpopular. The blade reportedly would bend and would not hold an edge. There have been a number of changes to the KM2000 to correct its deficencies. The KM2000 knives are also reproduced.

Regards,

Gordon

[uscob]

oh.. damn. well how big is the difference between the issued and the commercials? looks, quality and steel type?


I've heard that this knife was very disliked in the Bundeswehr - now, I know people hear a lot of things but is there something to it?
anyone know anything? Even some stories about it?

The "Repro's" I know are made by the same Factory like the Originals and are described as "Nach TL" what means they're made by the Army Specs and can be taken into Parts. On the Far East COpies, the Screws on the Handle are actually Rivets and the Knife can't be put into Parts.
Also these don't have the little Square field on the Handle where a "BW" is Printed in on the official ones.

[Sebastian S N]

A couple of days ago I didn't know anything about this knife, so i'm glad you could help me out

[uscob]

Sebastian,

One thing to look for on knives that appear to have been used by the BW is to look at the grip and see if it is marked BW. If you notice that the knives on the posted link, and those shown earlier in this thread, all have the BW on the flat spot on the grip. Yours does not. As for the knife not being liked in the BW I haven't heard anything like that but I have never used it in the field so I can not say how it performs in use. The successor, the KM2000, was/is very unpopular. The blade reportedly would bend and would not hold an edge. There have been a number of changes to the KM2000 to correct its deficencies. The KM2000 knives are also reproduced.

Regards,

Gordon

I think there is a Copyright on the design, so are they really repros or just Comercials by the same maker?

[Gordon Craig]

Nico,

Good question. I'll have to look into that. From what I can tell, BW issue knives have KM2000 lengthwise on the blade. None BW issue knives do not.

Regards,

Gordon

[Proud Kraut]

Had a little time this afternoon and searched the attic for "lost" Bw stuff. These are the Taschenmesser I could find: (f.l.t.r)
Victorinox, B&H, TSR and MilTec.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3966643739.jpg

If you are looking out for a new one, please don't forget the sawblade protector and the green plastic hull the new ones were issued with:
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6165623235.jpg

This is my Kampfmesser in rather good condition. It's marked "OFW 69". I remember seing the Feldessbesteck also marked with OFW. What's the meaning of OFW (yes, I know, Oberfeldwebel;-)?
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6237346135.jpg

If we are talking about knifes used by the Bw, we shouldn't forget the AK 74 bayonet. Not only used by units that used the AK after unification! I remember that all Batteries in my Battalion (W-Germany) received a couple of these for training purpuses after unification. We had the G3 and didn't use these as bayonets of course. They were not personal equipment but stored at the armory.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3862616639.jpg

Funny, writing about the AK 74, I also remember that we received a couple of wooden AK's that we used for obstacle course training (Hindernisbahn) but that's another story.