Specialised EOD Belt Tools - Do They Exist?

[GregN]

Hi all, I've always collected military pocket knives and have Canadian issue knives from the Boar War to the Gerber multi-tool that is present issue to the Canadian Forces. I've heard that EOD personnel have a customised version of the multi-tool with unique attachments and I was hoping to confirm this rumour. Is this true and does anyone have a picture of this tool? I was also wondering if similar tools exist in other NATO forces?

Cheers,

Greg

 

[ammocat]

EOD Tools

For a while there was a SOG multi-tool that was issued to various trades that had crimpers on it. I looked at the SOG website and do not recognize any of the models there. I had one of the SOG tools, and I do not recall it having either the scissors or a V-Cut blade on it. All the models on the website seem to have one of them.

I am away from home, but when I get back, I will post a photo of my issued one.

Rumor was that these were no longer issued because the operator can not clearly see where the detonator is while crimping and thus there was a risk that he could crimp on the explosive portion of the detonator. This was just rumor though, I never heard the official reason. Apparently a substitute will be issued at some point, who knows when.

 

[US-Subs]

Back in the mid-late 80s we could get Leatherman special ordered in black and with crimpers as well. These were "discouraged" as they did not meet mil-spec, but seemed to work just fine. After the early 90s you didn't seem to see them anymore.

 

[BOMBSaway1980]

we use the Gerber DET. it's the only one that approved for demo use.

 

[Eodtek]

Back in the mid-late 80s we could get Leatherman special ordered in black and with crimpers as well. These were "discouraged" as they did not meet mil-spec, but seemed to work just fine. After the early 90s you didn't seem to see them anymore.

I was never a fan of that one as it always seemed too flimsy when I was trying to use it.

A good pair of crimpers will last 2 careers. If I need pliers it seems it's always a job that a Gerber or Leatherman won't work on anyway.

And of course the old adage holds true. If you take a common tool and engrave and EOD badge in it, EOD Techs will pay twice the price just to have it.

 

[blu97]

We use the victorinox with crimpers and the plastic rod is to puncture holes in plastic explosive.

 

[BOMBSaway1980]

I don't engrave anything that's a sure fire way of losing it. Plus a set of M2 crimpers will last forever and have less of a chance of walking off.

 

[GregN]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. On the subject of crimpers, I've seen completely unmarked examples and ones marked with a C -> (Canadian WW2 issue). Do the ones you use have any markings etc. on them?

Cheers,

Greg

 

[BOMBSaway1980]

C or M military M2 haven't changed much, about WWII

 

[Bonnex]

Leatherman

Back in the mid-late 80s we could get Leatherman special ordered in black and with crimpers as well. These were "discouraged" as they did not meet mil-spec, but seemed to work just fine. After the early 90s you didn't seem to see them anymore.

Found mine.

 

[staples57]

Sounds like you've got quite the collection there. Any chance you could post a few photos of your collection?

Cheers,
Brad

Hi all, I've always collected military pocket knives and have Canadian issue knives from the Boar War to the Gerber multi-tool that is present issue to the Canadian Forces. I've heard that EOD personnel have a customised version of the multi-tool with unique attachments and I was hoping to confirm this rumour. Is this true and does anyone have a picture of this tool? I was also wondering if similar tools exist in other NATO forces?

Cheers,

Greg

 

[ammocat]

Canadian SOG Tool

This is my issue SOG Tool. It has the crimpers, but does not have either scissors or the V-cutting blade as shown on the models on the SOG website. This is no longer authorized for crimper as far as I know, and I use it solely in the multi-tool role and only use crimpers for crimping.

 

[US-Subs]

Along the same theme, here is a piece that may not have been seen by many. As with many things its not the piece that is so interesting, its the story behind it.

EOD teams typically have about a hundred specialised tool kits. One that the US Army teams used to have was called the P08 kit, and was used for working on emergency response incidents for the Army's tactical nuclear weapons. To help identify these tools (potential contamination issues, etc) and keep them separate, many were either tagged or completely colored magenta, giving normal pieces a bizarre coloring.

When the Army was ordered to turn in its nuclear toys in the early 90s the P08 kits were turned in to property disposal, from there they were broken up and sold off or destroyed. I managed to save this flashlight (torch to those still loyal to the Queen), what I really wanted was a length of the rope - same as normal Army rappelling rope, but completely magenta.