ABS master smith Daniel Winkler has been producing various “Breaching/Combat Axes” for several US units since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom but the genesis of the project was actually in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. A member of the US Navy contacted him and asked him to develop an axe for his team based on some of the traditional American designs he had been doing. Daniel produced a prototype and the requester purchased it himself. The team approved the axe but due to finance restrictions placed on their funding there was no money to finance the purchase for the rest of the Unit. Daniel’s client carried the prototype axe during the first Gulf war and later retired from military service. In an odd twist, after 9/11 he reentered military service, but this time with the US Army. During his training and deployment other members of his team saw the effectiveness of the axe and wanted one too. Daniel made several more at the same 15-year-old price (actual cost) and the guys were lining up to purchase them with their own funds. These photos taken at Blade Show are of two examples of Winkler Axes produced for that very Operator.
Tags: Winkler Knives
And I thought RMJ’s hawks were expensive that’ll show me
Expensive? Yes. But well worth the money, and unbreakable. Daniel makes some of the nicest cutlery I’ve handled.
I’m lucky enough to own one of his combat axes and it’s beautiful. But built so tough that I have no qualms with actually using it.
And the carrier of both of those axes is about as solid a performer and person as anyone can find. That dude took it to the enemy and made them pay.
Daniel is also a phenonmenal artisan. He is worthy of the success that he has.
The blade must last forever on these things based on the cost?
Pretty much dude. That is the allure of his work. You can use it and still pass it down from generation to generation.
Buy once cry once.