I got some stunning news today - seems that Marine Special Operations likes my Fighters and would like to a hand them out as awards! I only know of that being done by the Green Berets with Chris Reeve knives. I am in shock to say the least - I mean I like my own knives, but never ever put this kind of meaning on them. This is came about because my "big" customer who wanted me to make a platoon worth of knives for First Force Recon, which he was in. Well there is no more First Force - it was disbanded 2 years ago. He also wants knives sent to guys already IN the desert, because he feels they will get "taken" by officers or sold by supply or whatever if I send them to Camp Pendleton. So I do not think he will finance this but I have to find a way. Someway, anyway I want to make knives for these guys!
Don, the only way to prevent the knives from getting "lost" en route is to engrave them with the recipient's name. For that, a stock will have to be maintained and an engraver (or etcher) on board that can turn them out in short order and ship them to the responsible officer or noncom that is authorized by MARSOC command. Without the personalization, it is just another award is that, no more. As you know, some of these award things get handed out like candy. With the name on it, there is real meaning. Thus spake me, and me only. Man, oh man, what a kudo for you that they think that much of your work. That IS a big deal. One glass hoisted, to you.
I would really like to engrave names - I don't know if they will give them out to me though. Good one.
Well this may not be what I first thought. After talking to 2 knifemakers who have dealt quite a bit with the military I think probably they will accept just about anything if it's free. As predicted my benefactor wants no part of this and it won't happen until/if we can get a APO address and send knives directly to guys in the sandbox. I really want to make knives for these guys but it's real iffy right now. If MARSOC wanted to buy my knives I'd be more impressed but from what I've heard they are long on ordering and short on paying. So we'll see.
