Features of the Navy SEAL Survival Knife

The U.S. Navy's SEAL teams have a fearsome reputation in the Special Forces community. Part of the reason for this is their willingness to embrace the idea of custom-designed ordnance and weaponry, adapting their equipment to their needs rather than working around any problems with it. This is particularly true of the SOG 2000, a knife developed for the SEALs by SOG Specialty Knives. The SOG 2000 is designed for stealth, durability and versatility, allowing the SEALs to use it for countless different tasks.

  1. Blade

    • The SOG 2000's blade is made of powder-coated stainless steel and is treated to be dark gray in color. This is designed to minimize the amount of light the knife blade reflects, helping the SEAL remain hidden in the field. The blade is 7 inches long by 1/4 inch thick. The knife weighs 12.8 ounces and its overall length is 12 1/4 inches.

    Hilt

    • The hilt is 5 1/4 inches long and is made of Zytel, a nylon and fiberglass derived material. Zytel is extremely hard-wearing and resistant to cuts, dents, scratches, burns, warping, shrinking and weather effects. The grip is also sculpted to ensure it can be held firmly which is particularly important given the multiple uses a survival knife must be put to, including hammering, prying and opening cans and containers.

    Uses

    • Survival knives are a vital part of a Navy SEAL's arsenal in the field, and the SOG 2000 has been tailored to meet the countless demands placed upon it in the field, both in combat and in daily use. SEALs use the knife to cut and saw through wood, build shelters, pry open doors and boxes, and open cans, among other uses. The SEAL survival knife is also expected to hold up and perform in extreme weather conditions and environments.

    Evaluation

    • In order to be selected for use by the Navy SEALs, the SOG 2000 was put through an exhaustive range of tests. These included being submerged for two weeks in salt water (a test the knife passed with minimal corrosion), being used to cut through six different types of rope and nylon cord, and resistance to being heated through both gasoline and acetylene torch exposure. The SOG 2000 passed all of these tests with flying colors.