Sometimes less is more, as is the case with Navy SEALs who use hatchets and blades made by “The Last of the Mohicans” master craftsman Daniel Winkler.
Navy SEAL veteran and former SEAL Team 6 member Dom Raso told The New York Times that his teammates received a hatchet by the North Carolina craftsman after their first year on the squad. His claim was confirmed by another teammate.
“The weapons were not just wall ornaments. Several former Team 6 members said that some men carried the hatchets on missions, and at least one killed an enemy fighter with the weapon,” the newspaper reported on June 6.
Mr. Raso said weapons made by Mr. Winkler could be used for “breaching, getting into doors, manipulating small locks, hand-to-hand combat and other things.”
The former SEAL Team 6 member said members of the elite team simply used whatever tool could efficiently help accomplish the mission.
“Whatever tool you need to protect yourself and your brothers, whether it is a blade or a gun, you are going to use,” said Mr. Raso, The New York Times reported.
PHOTOS: Elite U.S. Navy SEALs in action
Another veteran SEAL echoed his sentiment.
“It’s a dirty business. What’s the difference between shooting them as I was told and pulling out a knife and stabbing them or hatcheting them?” he said, the newspaper reported.
Mr. Winkler declined to go into specific details about his business transactions with the elite fighting group when contacted for the story. He told The New York Times that many of the weapons were purchased by private donors.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.