- Joined
- Mar 18, 2021
- Messages
- 24
Hi All. I am not exactly sure when this occured, but Glock has now dicontinued the 78 (field knife) and the 81 (survival knife). Stocks still remain although seem to be dwindling fast, with some models, particularly coloured 78's, becomming scarcer by the days. Like many I never pulled the trigger on this knife, but I have now. Given how far North prices for the Gerber MkII have skyrocketted, and the knifes Glock association... I ordered two black 78's and a battlefield green 81 from an authorized Glock dealer. They are cheap in Poland, but be warned there are Chinese copies and they're very good copies, but as usual junk.
For me this knife is the Fairbairn Sykes Dagger and WWII German Infantry knife I could never carry for legal reasons, but made smaller, better, stronger, lighter and more practical! The best thing about this knife is, it will defend me from wild animals, but its also a descent utility blade at the same time, while being easy to carry.
IMO, this knife is a highly underrated in many respects. It seems to be one of the toughest and most practical, tactical fixed blade knives I've seen. Add to this outstanding European design and build quality, perfect fit and finish, utility ability (uncommon in a tactical knife and rare in a bayonnet style knife), great value and (in many places) it is legal as it is not double edged - it is not a dagger, but its 6.5" blade length may hamper it in some countries and jurisdictions.
After years of knife collection, usage and personal tastes, here are some of the things I like in the Glock as my primary potential defense blade, while also being a good utility blade and if necessary game processing blade,
- 6.5" blade, an adequete length for a tactcial blade, while not over doing it
- Spine being 5mm thick allows you to comfortable rest your finger on the 'preferred' 78 model
- A tip and belly that 'will' process game. I say 'will' as I prefere a thinner and broader blade for such tasks, with a steep drop or clip point.
- An FFG and SG that makes it a descent slcer for the stock thinkness for food prep and utility tasks
- A lower choil which allows the index finger to rest when choking up for fine tasks - an often forgotten or unecessarily overdone thing nowadays
- The edge just beyond the choil is unsharpened for above reason (Rob - 'The Apostle P' on YT didn't seem to know this in his review)
- Incredible blade strength for its narrow blade profile - NOSS's Knife Destrction Test proved that
- This means despite its weight it can be used for prying. A necessary tasks in a survival situation, etc.
- Sprung steel blade will flex almost 45 degrees and return true! Not many knives can do this
- Utilitarian design, not overdone like many knives or coursely coated like a Bussee which causes cutting drag
- Blade will take at least 225lbs - yes you can stand on this knife to save your life if it is fully wedged to the hilt
- Incredible tip strength (important in a tactical knife and often overlooked) - see Cold Steel Recon1 Deadliest Warrior dummy test
- Electrically insulated isolated handle for cutting live wires, ala' Gerber LMF II, but with no where near the weight
- Steel: I have spent thousands on knives of varying super-steels. Frankly I'm sick of it. When it comes down to sheer toughness high rockwell hardness is typically not whats desired. Thats why axes and machettes have softer steels. I think for the knifes intended purpose the heat-treated carbon steel is a good choice. Such steels are also easier to sharpen, including in the field (Glock does not list the steel, but some have said maybe 1055 or 1095)
- Brilliant balance and feel in the hand - it can also be thrown, apparently
- The simple form follows function European design - the proportions and design of the knife are perfect, IMO
- Lightweight and portable - 206g (or) 7.2oz (knife only). An Ontario SP-1 current USGI issue is 280g (or) 9.9oz (knives only)
- A simple scabbard with a secure, totally sexy and resonate "CLICK" - locking the knife in with no rattle sounds once inside
- No double edges to make it illegal, but it will highly likely still get the job done
- Its MIL-SPEC - it fixes to the Styre AUG assault rifle for use as a bayonnet in military applications
- I dont know if I will be sawing much with the 81, but I hope to see how the saw tooth spine does at scaling fish
- Its made in Austria by Glock
- OK there had to be some negatives, right? Well if I had to add some I would have to say reduced chopping ability. But the surprising thing is it will still do it! Its no dedicated chopper, but this is to be expected and perhaps forgiven, given the portability, nimbleness, finesse and strength this tool has to offer, and its considered primary role as a thrusting weapon.
- I'm not new to this knife. I've used a Buddy's one before many years ago, but I was always put off that the knife wasn't full tang. This is why I never pulled thr trigger. But NOSS' Knife Destruction Test videos and the Modern Survivalist's videos on You Tube put an end to that, as did the incredible balance, nimbleness and strength of the knife in general. What I am driving at here is as a knife enthusiast, it seems this was a very, very, very well thought out and purposeful design. It appears it was also made better by the fact that it is more of an evolution from the proven trench knives and bayonnets from WWI and WWII, as opposed to some new flavour of the month knife we are seeing companies churn out thesedays, with more focus on looks than from follows function design. Efficiency and practicality in use. I know, this was meant to be the negatives, right?
- Handle geometry: This is somthing we are seeing manufacturers paying more attention too. OK, this can be a moot point sometimes, but I will try to explain. During hard use focused testing, such as chopping and utility work this knife handle can and will squirm about in the hand. So can the Ontario 498 (original design KA-Bar) or any round handled knife. Thats just the nature of a round handle. I am only guessing here, but perhaps round handles are necessary in combat. Without getting too graphic, if the knife hits bone it may spin. A round handle allows for this, without jarring the hand. You could also argue it has those classic KA-Bar handle-grooves-look-too, and the hourglass shape bares hallmarks of the Fairbairn Skykes dagger from WWII. It is definetely very comfortable to hold, if not totally controllable however. My 2 cents.
For me this knife is the Fairbairn Sykes Dagger and WWII German Infantry knife I could never carry for legal reasons, but made smaller, better, stronger, lighter and more practical! The best thing about this knife is, it will defend me from wild animals, but its also a descent utility blade at the same time, while being easy to carry.
IMO, this knife is a highly underrated in many respects. It seems to be one of the toughest and most practical, tactical fixed blade knives I've seen. Add to this outstanding European design and build quality, perfect fit and finish, utility ability (uncommon in a tactical knife and rare in a bayonnet style knife), great value and (in many places) it is legal as it is not double edged - it is not a dagger, but its 6.5" blade length may hamper it in some countries and jurisdictions.
After years of knife collection, usage and personal tastes, here are some of the things I like in the Glock as my primary potential defense blade, while also being a good utility blade and if necessary game processing blade,
- 6.5" blade, an adequete length for a tactcial blade, while not over doing it
- Spine being 5mm thick allows you to comfortable rest your finger on the 'preferred' 78 model
- A tip and belly that 'will' process game. I say 'will' as I prefere a thinner and broader blade for such tasks, with a steep drop or clip point.
- An FFG and SG that makes it a descent slcer for the stock thinkness for food prep and utility tasks
- A lower choil which allows the index finger to rest when choking up for fine tasks - an often forgotten or unecessarily overdone thing nowadays
- The edge just beyond the choil is unsharpened for above reason (Rob - 'The Apostle P' on YT didn't seem to know this in his review)
- Incredible blade strength for its narrow blade profile - NOSS's Knife Destrction Test proved that
- This means despite its weight it can be used for prying. A necessary tasks in a survival situation, etc.
- Sprung steel blade will flex almost 45 degrees and return true! Not many knives can do this
- Utilitarian design, not overdone like many knives or coursely coated like a Bussee which causes cutting drag
- Blade will take at least 225lbs - yes you can stand on this knife to save your life if it is fully wedged to the hilt
- Incredible tip strength (important in a tactical knife and often overlooked) - see Cold Steel Recon1 Deadliest Warrior dummy test
- Electrically insulated isolated handle for cutting live wires, ala' Gerber LMF II, but with no where near the weight
- Steel: I have spent thousands on knives of varying super-steels. Frankly I'm sick of it. When it comes down to sheer toughness high rockwell hardness is typically not whats desired. Thats why axes and machettes have softer steels. I think for the knifes intended purpose the heat-treated carbon steel is a good choice. Such steels are also easier to sharpen, including in the field (Glock does not list the steel, but some have said maybe 1055 or 1095)
- Brilliant balance and feel in the hand - it can also be thrown, apparently
- The simple form follows function European design - the proportions and design of the knife are perfect, IMO
- Lightweight and portable - 206g (or) 7.2oz (knife only). An Ontario SP-1 current USGI issue is 280g (or) 9.9oz (knives only)
- A simple scabbard with a secure, totally sexy and resonate "CLICK" - locking the knife in with no rattle sounds once inside
- No double edges to make it illegal, but it will highly likely still get the job done
- Its MIL-SPEC - it fixes to the Styre AUG assault rifle for use as a bayonnet in military applications
- I dont know if I will be sawing much with the 81, but I hope to see how the saw tooth spine does at scaling fish
- Its made in Austria by Glock
- OK there had to be some negatives, right? Well if I had to add some I would have to say reduced chopping ability. But the surprising thing is it will still do it! Its no dedicated chopper, but this is to be expected and perhaps forgiven, given the portability, nimbleness, finesse and strength this tool has to offer, and its considered primary role as a thrusting weapon.
- I'm not new to this knife. I've used a Buddy's one before many years ago, but I was always put off that the knife wasn't full tang. This is why I never pulled thr trigger. But NOSS' Knife Destruction Test videos and the Modern Survivalist's videos on You Tube put an end to that, as did the incredible balance, nimbleness and strength of the knife in general. What I am driving at here is as a knife enthusiast, it seems this was a very, very, very well thought out and purposeful design. It appears it was also made better by the fact that it is more of an evolution from the proven trench knives and bayonnets from WWI and WWII, as opposed to some new flavour of the month knife we are seeing companies churn out thesedays, with more focus on looks than from follows function design. Efficiency and practicality in use. I know, this was meant to be the negatives, right?
- Handle geometry: This is somthing we are seeing manufacturers paying more attention too. OK, this can be a moot point sometimes, but I will try to explain. During hard use focused testing, such as chopping and utility work this knife handle can and will squirm about in the hand. So can the Ontario 498 (original design KA-Bar) or any round handled knife. Thats just the nature of a round handle. I am only guessing here, but perhaps round handles are necessary in combat. Without getting too graphic, if the knife hits bone it may spin. A round handle allows for this, without jarring the hand. You could also argue it has those classic KA-Bar handle-grooves-look-too, and the hourglass shape bares hallmarks of the Fairbairn Skykes dagger from WWII. It is definetely very comfortable to hold, if not totally controllable however. My 2 cents.
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