Overview
RARE FIND! This is an original John Ek knife, one of 12 ordered by 5th Special Forces Group in 1970.From included documentation written by Gary Boyd (collector and historian):
" According to Gary Ek (John's son) the 5th Special Forces ordered 12 S.F. engraved #3s in 1970. For some reason the order was never completed and the knives have remained in a semi-finished state ever since. [In July 1992] they were discovered at Gary's home by Howard Dorf along with a lot of other Ek knife stuff. Gary had worked on these pieces in 1970 and agreed to finish 10 of them and sell them to Howard. He managed to handle four fieces and eventually Howard lost patience with him and took all ten in their various stages of completion.
"I purchased four pieces from Howard. One is a blade only and the other three had guards and handles but needed finish grinding and polishing. I arranaged to have this expertly done.
"During the 60's and 70's, Rick's Leather Shop in Miami did a lot of Ek's sheaths under contract. Howard contracted Rick (with Gary Ek's help) and arranaged to have 6 sheaths made, patterned after an original supplied by me. They are stamped on the back with the original Ek logo stamp.
"You have one of three finished pieces."
Knife is featured on page 108 of "Knives of the United States Military in Vietnam" by M.W. Silvey. A copy of the book is included.
Blade Steel: Unknown
