I just created a YouTube video on the 3 types of knives I was issued over my 30 year career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHnaT0z_CY  This article is a more detailed account of each knife.

 Canadian Forces Clasp Knife #5: Better known as the “C5 knife”.  It's the exact same pattern of knife that Camillus made for the US military known as the Demo Knife.  It was issued to the Canadian Army from 1956 till 1998. It comes with a blade, bottle opener/screw driver, awl, and a can opener.  You know you have a Canadian one because it doesn’t have “US” on the scales.  It’s a great little utility knife.  But to be honest, due to supply issues at the time when I joined the Army in 1986,  didn't get mine issued till 1988.  As I had been using my Swiss Army Knife Climber for all that time, I just stuck with it, and didn't really carry my C5.  I do carry it now while on duty, but more as "prestige" token to show how long I have been in to my younger soldiers.

DH Russell #3 Army Knife:  It's better known as the “Jump Knife”. It’s made by Grohmann out of Nova Scotia and has been issued to CAF since 1964.  At first it was only issued to Combat Engineers, specifically Combat Engineers in Royal Canadian Airborne Regiment.  Hence the name “Jump Knife.”  Then it slowly worked its way through the system as everyone wanted it.  It’s been common issue to all soldiers since about 1998. The troops have nick named it the “steak knife” because of its size, but don’t let that fool you.  It is one of the best field knives there is.  I’m from northern Ontario, and just about anyone who goes hunting or makes their living in the bush up there has a version of this knife.   Grohmann makes 3 versions of this knife: the boat, yacht, and army.  The only difference is the sheath each one has.  Canadian army has the Jump Sheath.  My father had his Boat Knife for years and swears by it. So when I got issued mine around 1999, we spent the afternoon comparing them.

Gerber MP 600 Multi Tool: This was the replacement for the C5 knife.  As they retired the C5, everyone got issued “the Gerber” as the Troops call it.  I got mine around 2000. Great piece of kit!  Mine is the original MP 600 that came in unfinished stainless steel without locks.  It has needle nose pliers, grips, wire cutters, two blades (one is serrated, the other straight), lanyard loop, bottle and can openers, with assorted screw drivers.  It was an instant hit with the troops.  During the Afghan War, the CAF began issuing an updated version of the MP 600.  It’s black with locks.  Everything else is the same, except the straight blade is smaller and more of a pen knife.  As I’m still serving in the CAF, and have dropped kit at “Oh Dark 30” too many times to know the last thing I needs is a black knife!  I’ll never find it!  So I’m keeping my old Gerber till I retire.

Peace Target C5 Knife:  I was issued two C5 knives during my time in the Army.  I got my second when I commissioned from the ranks in the late 1990s. I had my Swiss army knife in my webbing and not my C5, and therefore failed my first inspection!  So right after my Drill Instructor had a 'melt down" on me, I was marched into stores to get issued a new C5.  And this is what they gave me.  At first glance I thought it was an America Issue Demo Knife because it has "US" on the scales! But no! It was a poorly constructed knock off of the Camillus version made by Peace Target out of China.  Not sure how the Canadian Army got them.  Maybe someone out there can enlighten me?  I figure it may have been because of the timing. It was around the time the Army was looking to get Gerber.  I can only assume that the army was out of contract with Camillus and still waiting for a new contract/shipment of the Gerber.  And in the short term bought some knock offs to hold the line. Who knows? If you do, please tell me.

So those are the knives I was issued over my 30+ years in the Canadian Armed Forces.  Let me know what you think.  

Cheers.

The 3 Things You Should Always Carry

The 3 Big Little Things You Should Always Carry

In today's world, before anyone walks out the door, they always ensure they have their wallet, keys and cellphone.  They are the modern Big 3 of items you always have with you.  You can't function in today's society without them.

But there is another Big 3 you should always carry.  They will put the odds in your favour and ensure you surviving anything the world, mother nature, or life throws at you.  They are as follows:

1. A pocket knife with some basic tools on it;
2. A small flash light; and
3. A small lighter.

Doesn't sound like much.  All three can easily be carried in your pocket or purse.  But these 3 simple items will increase your chances of coming home from any emergency by 80%.

Why?  The answer is just as simple as the items.

The Pocket Knife:  I'm talking about something like a basic Swiss army knife with a knife blade, a screw driver, scissors, awl, etc.  Nothing too fancy or more importantly, too big. The goal is to have something very handy, with basic tools you'd use every day. But easily carry in your pocket.  The key here is that you should find it handy for daily use!

If you find it as handy as your cell phone, you're going to want to carry it.  And if you want to carry it, you'll have it with you when you really need it.

The Flash Light:  you want this as small and bright as possible.  If it can fit on your key chain, or clip to you pocket knife, all the better.  The light colour doesn't matter, so goes a clear as you can. The goal is to have something that will light up the dark spaces for you and allow you to be seen! 

Like the pocket knife you should find it handy for daily use.  Simple tasks like lighting up the door lock when you come home at night.  Looking inside your purse, etc.  You need to use this regularly.  And if you use it regularly, you'll remember to carry it.

And if it's always on you, you'll have it when you need it.

The Lighter:  Of the three items, this is one item you'll have to force yourself to carry. That's because it's increasingly becoming the least handy item in our everyday world. (Unless you smoke).  That being said, it's prefect for getting rid of loose threats on your clothing. Then there is always an office birthday cake with candles that need lighting.  And that BBQ won't light itself. 

The important thing is you find practical daily uses for it and ensure you carry it.

So why did I make such a big deal about these 3 little items?  Why are they so important?  That's easy! 

You will find all three items on anyone's top 10 survival items.  (And can you really think of any scenario were you couldn't use any two of these items to help with your rescue?)

They are also very small and can be easily carried.

Finally, each one has practical daily applications that can help rereinforce why you're carrying it.

You can argue about using your cell phone's light instead of carrying a small pen light, but do you really want to waste the battery on that?  You should be saving it for that all important phone call for help.  You can also argue that fixed blade is better than a folding blade, but how long can you carry that around the office before HR wants to talk to you? 

Keep them small, easy to fit in your pockets or purse, and find uses daily uses for them.  If you do that, you'll develop a habit of carrying them just like you do with your wallet, cellphone, and keys.  And when the unexpected happens, you'll have them!

Please got to my YouTube Channel to see a follow up video I did on this subject at https://youtu.be/E5w8xgtECpQ

Be safe, and remember your army training! It will never let you down!