Sharp Thoughts: A Marine's Perspective on Combat Knives

From the battlefield to the backwoods: a candid deep dive with former Marine Blake Norton on the knives that individuals trust with their lives. Blake brings a refreshing authenticity to this conversation, drawing from his infantry experience to explain what makes a combat knife truly effective – and it's rarely what civilians expect.

The journey begins with the iconic Ka-Bar, a piece of American military history that Blake describes as "the 1911 of knives." His knowledge of this legendary tool reveals why its design has endured through decades of warfare. But as Blake explains, modern combat has evolved, and so have the blades that accompany warriors into harm's way. The weight of full tactical gear (often exceeding 300 pounds on today's soldiers) has driven innovation toward more compact, ergonomic designs that integrate seamlessly with MOLLE systems and body armor.

Without glorification, Blake explains the grim practicality behind features like serrated edges and specific grip designs. "The rules of knife fighting?" he asks rhetorically. "You're gonna get cut." This no-nonsense perspective provides rare insight into training shapes blade selection and carrying methods. Also discussed is Blake's philosophy on gear in general. The balance between quality and practicality extends to his recommendations for bushcraft tools and everyday carry items, including multi-function tactical lights with red-light capabilities.

Whether you're a knife enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or tactical gear collector, this episode offers authentic wisdom from someone who's trusted blades in scenarios where failure wasn't an option. Blake's experience-based insights cut through marketing hype to reveal what actually matters when your life might depend on the tool in your hand.

Guest: Blake Norton

Mr. Knife Guy webpage: https://mrknifeguy.com/
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[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:00:35] Introduction to Blake Norton.
[00:06:35] The Iconic Ka-Bar Combat Knife.
[00:16:01] Combat Knife Design & Functionality. 
[00:27:15] Modern Combat Knife Evolution.
[00:37:40] MOLLE Systems & Tactical Gear.
[00:50:12] Historical Combat Knives.
[01:04:50] Bushcraft & Survival Tools.
[01:19:22] EDC Considerations & Lighting Options.
[01:40:24] Challenge Coins & Knife Community