The knife in the Ranger logo?
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The knife in the Ranger logo?
I'm new to this board, so I ask that you please bear with me for wondering about this.
For the record, I am not a Ranger, nor a combat vet.. I am a Recondo.... for whatever that's worth.
Anyway, on the top of the forum opening page is the Ranger logo, a set of wings, a scull, a beret, and a knife. The knife is pointing up, rather than down. There was a member of the small dojo I belonged to that had been a commando in the South African Army, who had his patch sewn into his gee, it was a down pointing knife. I asked him about it and he explained that just about all elite units that used a knife in their logo had it point down to signify death from the sky.
So that makes me curious, what is the significance of the up pointing knife?
-JoBa
For the record, I am not a Ranger, nor a combat vet.. I am a Recondo.... for whatever that's worth.
Anyway, on the top of the forum opening page is the Ranger logo, a set of wings, a scull, a beret, and a knife. The knife is pointing up, rather than down. There was a member of the small dojo I belonged to that had been a commando in the South African Army, who had his patch sewn into his gee, it was a down pointing knife. I asked him about it and he explained that just about all elite units that used a knife in their logo had it point down to signify death from the sky.
So that makes me curious, what is the significance of the up pointing knife?
-JoBa
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
Actually, I think Peter Neves designed that logo. Pete was web host here until he passed away a couple of years ago. The dagger pointing up instead of down was probably a consideration of aesthetics rather than symbolism.
L Company Ranger
RVN 70/71
75th RRA Life Member
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. -Albert Einstein
RVN 70/71
75th RRA Life Member
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. -Albert Einstein
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
I think you are right.hobbit wrote:Actually, I think Peter Neves designed that logo. Pete was web host here until he passed away a couple of years ago. The dagger pointing up instead of down was probably a consideration of aesthetics rather than symbolism.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando is vertical just about anywhere it's used by US Army Rangers....it's vertical at the Ranger Memorial too.
I never wore a cape, but I still have my dog tags.
Experienced Peek Freak!!
173rd Abn LRRP...'66/'67
C/1/506 101st Abn
B/2/325 82nd Abn
Experienced Peek Freak!!
173rd Abn LRRP...'66/'67
C/1/506 101st Abn
B/2/325 82nd Abn
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
And the Brits use it tip up as far as I know.
We have it as a tie to the WWII Rangers training and fighting early in the war with the Brit commandos.
We have it as a tie to the WWII Rangers training and fighting early in the war with the Brit commandos.
A Co & HHC 3/75 '93-'98.
RS 10-94.
200 meters of green shit next to a river in the desert does not qualify as a "Crescent of Fertility" -me
"The meek shall inherit the earth, one meter wide and two meters long" -Lazarus Long
RS 10-94.
200 meters of green shit next to a river in the desert does not qualify as a "Crescent of Fertility" -me
"The meek shall inherit the earth, one meter wide and two meters long" -Lazarus Long
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
And if you really want, and have the money, there is a retired CWO who has that design as a pin in either black or tan beret.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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- US Army Veteran
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Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
While I obviously can't speak for the designer of the logo (may he rest in peace), in military heraldry, an up-turned dagger represents self-sacrifice.
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
So far, I'm voting for this as a plausible reason, however, I'm siding with Patton, let the bad guys do the sacrificing.CloakAndDagger wrote:While I obviously can't speak for the designer of the logo (may he rest in peace), in military heraldry, an up-turned dagger represents self-sacrifice.
-JoBa
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
By no means am I calling them elite, but the last Sigact for the SADF was the airborne op against the PLAN at Cassinga in the 70's.
A/3/505 PIR, 82nd 96-98
B/2/121 Inf, 48th BCT Iraq 05-06
B/1/118 Inf, 218th BCT Afghan 07
I'm not stupid, I'm crazy...there is a difference.
B/2/121 Inf, 48th BCT Iraq 05-06
B/1/118 Inf, 218th BCT Afghan 07
I'm not stupid, I'm crazy...there is a difference.
Re: The knife in the Ranger logo?
Go post an intro you....snipe4fun wrote:Last I checked, the South African Army aren't in and didn't write the book on elite military units, they are not even a footnote. The last time they did anything significant was when the Zulus beat the Brits two centuries ago.
C Co 3/75 88-90 (Just Cause)
124 MI(LRSD) 90-91 (Desert Storm)
Repeal the 16th, enforce the 10th.
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124 MI(LRSD) 90-91 (Desert Storm)
Repeal the 16th, enforce the 10th.
ΜΩΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all." Gen. James Mattis
Panem Et Circenses
My safe space