german maker's prototype: K98 - the knife!

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Mp7

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Okay guys! This just popped up on a fb-group about handmade knives by german makers.

Stunning!!!!


Seriously, one of the greatest designs ever! I so want one.


http://www.messer-spitzl.de/aktuell.html
Here`s a link to the maker.
 

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Clever, interesting, and desirable most certainly, but "one of the greatest designs ever" is a bit of an overstatement since it is Richard Spitzl's standard Loveless knife, blued, and with the body inspired by the G98 furniture/fittings. Great knife, but greatest...?
 
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Cute, but I can't think of any chores I use a knife for that one of the pocket knives I carry wouldn't be better suited for. That "bolt" would be getting caught on clothing if you attempted to carry it as well.

As I said, cute, great design??? Matter of opinion.
It does call to question just what people do think a good or great knife design is, though. I saw this recently at my LGS, and the integrated thumb rise and finger groove made it look interesting and very usable for everyday tasks. Of course, I'd have to handle one for a while to make a determination.

http://www.amazon.com/Beretta-Bascu...&qid=1385389771&sr=8-7&keywords=beretta+knife
 
Kind of neat......I was afraid the OP had found one of those flat lock blade K98 black cat knives sold in magazines and comics through the 1960's.

I almost bought one of those old leaping panther K98 knives at junk table at a show just to have one.

This is nothing at all like it however. If I was more of a mauser nut I would have to have one. Still wouldn't mind one for Christmas......

-kBob
 
Kind of neat......I was afraid the OP had found one of those flat lock blade K98 black cat knives sold in magazines and comics through the 1960's

The K55K Mercator you mean?

472_0.jpg

http://www.otter-messer.de/product_info.php/info/p472_Mercator-10-426rg-K.html

I like those very much.

Still only cost around $20.

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/K55/
 
:)

Come on guys i didn't mean usability!
Just the idea of making a Knife to go along with the K98 look.


I think it`s brilliant.
Inquiring for the price right now.



But after all ... i`m german.

Just imagine the 1903 was looking that good,
and sum1 made a similar knife-furniture :neener:
 
Sam,

Been a while and my German has gotten very rusty (would not want to remove the rust and destroy the value) but did I understand the first line of the description to say "American GI's brought these knives home from WWII and copied them there" or words to that effect?

Yes that is the knife I meant though I would swear the one I saw and the ones in the adds said K98K on them. Wonder if that is the copying the description seems to meantion....

Oh and please do not give that knife to the garden gnomes.....

-kBob
 
Usability?

Well, i already got a Mora.



So what are the other 100 knives actually for :)
 
Just imagine the 1903 was looking that good,
and sum1 made a similar knife-furniture

Ohhh, that would be cool if it is as well done, but still not one of the greatest designs ever. Heck, the '03 is a Mauser derivative anyway.

BTW, I would have liked if he had adapted the original Mauser bayonet design for this (as well as providing the more usable Loveless blade). Wonder how that would have looked?
 
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Sam,

Thanks a heap for that link. Never knew how old that design was. You seem to be VERY well informed on knife history. Could you possibly direct me to something that might tell me what knives were available in 1860 in the US?

-kBob
 
Back to the original knife posted:

I assume the sling cut out at the butt of the grip is a lanyard hole.

Does the bolt disassembly "tool" work to tear down M98 bolts with? Does it go all the way through when the knife is open?

I agree with another poster that the blade should have been made to look like the last couple of inched of a -98 bayonet to complete the look.

-kBob
 
Heck, RC was collecting knives back even then so he's the best source.;)

Are you looking at folders, fixed, military, ???
 
K-98 Mauser + a knife to go along with it??

Why do I keep getting a mental image of one of these?? :confused:

Knife-gravity-x01.jpg


rc
 
RC ... never even thought of it,
as the Luftwaffe normally wouldnt carry k98
for airborne missions.
 
MP7,

The rifles and 'chine guns went into a special cargo container that the JU52 dropped by parachute in the midst of the Falling Spingers exit. The US used similar drop bags at Normandy. Glider troops tended to carry the G33/40 when they were available but I believe there were glider troops with K98s at Crete

I have to admit I would have preferred and FG42 over a K98 if I was struggling to break out of a crash landed glider in the midst of folks that did not like me.

RC

I found them a bit noisy and not that tight, though every one I saw or used was used ;-) Also had the Marlin spike get caught half open and stick me once.

There was another model that was flatter and had plastic scales with no marlin spike I liked better. Some say "fake" or post war but some German vets told me 1944 and later.

-kBob
 
Looked through a gazillion photos on line of "German Paratroop knife" and found only one of what I was talking about labeled post war BTW.

Had an intact one for a bit and carried one the scales had broken on and had been wrapped in old style cloth electricians tape. This was one of my back in the rear knives when a sheath knife that became visable to REMFs was frowned on. Some guys liked the Eichorn switchblades, but they were officially such a no-no that every one immediately recognized them. The FJ knife that is pictured was not normally noticed unless some 20 year old hot shot made a big show of flinging it open. Much nicer was pushing the button and fingering open the trap door in the pocket and sliding it quietly out without a sound thus already open and well gripped behind the thigh turned away from the problem that caused you to open it that way. The two I used would pass the jump test for night patrols where as the older model with marlin spike rattled.

-kBob
 

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