REVIEW: Glock Field Knife FM78

This thing is 40 years old. You can't tell by looking at it: Feldmesser 78 (FM78) is the name of the Glock Field Knife after the introduction date in the Austrian Armed Forces. So, it's been four decades already. And even though it has spread worldwide, for us, it's simply the Bundesheermesser. Happy birthday, Glock Field Knife! It feels good in the hand, it looks stylish for sure. Even though there are mean people who think it's a "cheap plastic copy of a Ka-Bar." We don't listen to that. We can only respond to this hate with factual arguments:

– Overall length: 29.0 cm

– Blade length: 16.5 cm

– Weight: 249.0 g

– Blade thickness: 5.0 mm

– Blade shape: Clip Point (sometimes with serrated back)

– Sheath: Polymer with integrated belt loop and drainage eyelet

– Blade steel: Spring steel (55 HRC)

– Blade coating: Bluing

55 HRC it is. During our service, ambitious attempts to sharpen this blade were forbidden because they regularly ended with very little or the most cruelly sharpened remains of the blade steel. On the other hand, we recently met someone who had his Glock Field Knife sharpened by a professional sharpener. He uses it unbelievably as a tool to gut fish. We wouldn't have thought FM78 with 55 HRC could do that.

Here you can see the original markings of a knife from the inventory of the Austrian Armed Forces. We got this classic at a flea market for a good price. It's the blade shape without serrations (that would be FM81). Plus, a good dose of nostalgia that made us grab it.

On the other side, there are no markings. The bluing has worn off from inserting and removing. The hook on the crossguard was what we used most often. One can use it to open the cap of a beer bottle.

The handle, which strangely does somewhat resemble a military Ka-Bar - see here - fits very nicely in the hand. We know modernists who stippled it to have better grip. The original Glock logo still adorns the polymer.

Here it rests in its sheath. Glock has always had a good eye for design, everything is cohesive and even after 40 years, FM78 still looks modern.

The integrated safety secures the knife in place. Those who wear it on their belt have no need to fear losing it. There are units and times when the knife was worn hanging from the shoulder upside down. Looks more sharp. Sometimes it's secured with paracord to prevent loss. Downside: the knife hanging on the armor in a martial way cannot be quickly drawn. Upside: no need for a platoon to search the woods for the knife.

The employer reacted very allergic to loss. That's why the traditional advice from the trainers to recruits who have "lost" their knives was: "Go to the store and buy yourself one." Private procurement and replacement. Saves a lot of pointless discussions with superiors ... and search operations in the woods.

Glock's simple and sensible wire solution. Bend sideways, open. Push together, closed.

The back of the good piece. At the bottom of the sheath, the drainage eyelet, and above that, another eyelet to be able to tie the knife to the leg when it's attached to the belt.

CONCLUSION: A classic. Originally a by-product of Glock, but - like the Glock Folding Shovel - a great solution. Elegant, efficient, at the same time a working knife that forgives a lot. It has to, considering the many young men who are given it with plenty of time on their hands.

For those who want to know more about the history of FM78, the STRATEGY & TECHNOLOGY Blog has published a great article about it.

Glock Field Knives are available in all variations (with and without serrations) and in all colors (Black, Coyote, and Olive Green) in all stores that carry Glock.

GLOCK on the Internet: www.glock.at

Glock itself is celebrating the anniversary with a special edition of 780 pieces. This collector's knife is available wherever Glocks are sold.