british army knife

[spiritwalker]

ive fancied getting one of these for a while but apart from the price does anyone know if the genuine one is better than the one without markings? is it a case of a cheap clone or will the cheap one be ok?

cheap one http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1879
not sure it has the marlin spike though but the sailing one does??

the genuine one
http://www.military1st.co.uk/nt-bak-ss-15-british-army-knife.html

i dont mind forking out for the genuine one if its a quality thing but not if its just for the writing on it?

 

[hiraeth]

Heinnie Haynes are doing them for 25.95 delivered

 

[spiritwalker]

cool any thoughts on the unmarked ones?

 

[aris]

Heinnie Haynes are doing them for 25.95 delivered

Can't find it - got a link?

 

[Wildgoose]

The genuine issued ones have some stamped markings, the makers mark (H in a diamond)year and "oil the joints".
The one with the engraved "British army knife" is not issued, but I think it's made by the military contractor.
The plain one is probably a copy.
The real ones can be found quite cheaply, it might be worth trying a few surplus stores to see if you can get it cheaper.
Soldier of fortune (uk store) had 1968 ones for £7 a few years back.

 

[hiraeth]

Can't find it - got a link?

On th Heinnie site just enter British army knife into the search box.

 

[spiritwalker]

heres the heinnie link
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Sheffield-Knives/Genuine-British-Army-Knife/p-92-185-1614/

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Ive got the MM clone. found it fine but tbh i use the marlin spike more than i do the blade. keeps a reasonable edge if you dont abuse it.

 

[boatman]

Much nicer version, bronze lanyard hoop was in use on British Army Jacknives for at least 65 years. My own knife has a lot of wear on blade but still sharp.Can't post pic but here is what they look like.

http://www.retonthenet.co.uk/vintag...cket-knife-wade--butcher-sheffield-1998-p.asp

 

[Thetillerman71]

I bought one but in honesty never used it

 

[widu13]

http://www.survivalaids.com/product2.php?subcat=298

 

[charliefoxtrot]

Can't see the point in the modern repros, the british army jack knife is an iconic piece of history, get a old issue one.

 

[MikeLA]

its what i use as a pocket knife dont like the opinels

 

[swotty]

I've got the new Sheffield stainless version costing £25 and an original 1950's carbon / bakerlite one that was £7.99 from here:

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/survival-accessories/pocket-and-survival-knives.html (no connection, and don't confuse with surplus and adventure!)

In my opiniion the original is a better knife, they are un used and once the grease is removed and the metal given a quick polish they look brand new, a quick strop and it was razor sharp and it holds a far better edge than the stainless version.

 

[ged]

The original army knife with black scales was my main user for well nigh thirty years. It's still going strong although it doesn't see the action that is used to. I also have a couple of the later stainless version which I always take with me when I go sailing.

Apart from being very stiff - some of them very stiff - to open there's not a lot wrong with the genuine ones. Good solid blades with plenty of meat on them. The main thing that made me change was the fact that they don't lock, although if you're sensible that shouldn't be an issue. They're relatively heavy, and the originals are a bit on the fat side which I'd consider an advantage. The stainless ones aren't very comfortable to hold.

I wouldn't bother with the cheap copies, the springs can be prone to fracturing and then the tool is useless.

 

[spiritwalker]

thanks for the feedback i may well invest come pay day, still jostling over one of these or a joker bullhorn scaled folder....

 

[NikolaTesla]

They are sold on Ray Mears' website. So presumably the ones on there are most likely genuine.

 

[21st century pict]

(Here’s my old post on clasp knives where the BAK got a real slagging off, mostly from me.)
Not only is it totally rubbish it even made it on to my top 3 list of worst kit ever.

Worst kit ever:

1Web-Tex Maya Dust .........................save your cash, it’s as good as useless...
2Vargo Titanium hexagon Stove............An exceptionally rubbish stove...
3The new British army clasp knife..........I only got the new one to replace my lost Jack knife that my brother had given me while he was in the RNavy The first time I used the new one was to open an oyster shell, the tip bent, the second time I used it was to remove willow bark for cordage the lock spring was to weak it stayed down releasing the blade in my pocket I called the supplier and no joy from them, I was so annoyed and disappointed with the knife I put the blade under my boot and tried to snap the blade IT BENT ! round to about 90 degreesl, steel that soft couldn’t ever hold an edge long. Sheffield steel just ain't what it used to be...

Originally Posted by Jacknife
Do not buy the Ibberson ones as they don't take an edge worth a damn.



Hi Jacknife,
Just found this and you certainly weren’t wrong about the edge, talk about soft, I only wish I had read your post about the Whitbe’s before I bought the knife, just a total waste of 22 Quid.......

PS.My one also had GENUINE written on the handle so be warned.

If you do still want one ( as I do ) go for a 2nd hand old oily.

 

[lostplanet]

I got 2, one I bought from a shop before knives were considered dangerous (late 80's I think), it's a sheffield steel one with the diamond logo on the back. I used it for a while for odd jobs and totally trashed it. The blades have become quite loose. The other one I cant remember where I bought it. It was bought as a genuine version, but it doesn't have the diamond logo on it and has changed slightly in design. Maybe whitby went through a bad patch. The newer one feels more robust and finished than the older one.

I still keep the newer one on a lanyard in my pocket, it serves me well. I don't expect too much from it so I am quite happy with it.

 

[spiritwalker]

thanks i look at the one on ray mears and there is no mention of the marlin spike also i read from the reviews that its a lock knife which is not what i want i want it to be EDC legal carry so i think after all thats come to light i may opt for a joker folding knife or failing that ill stick with my SAK ranger and invest in a decent sharpener (i always struggle to find a good sharpener for these kind of knives but i was thinking of getting SAK own sharpening rod)