MSgt. Kevin Holland is no stranger to the harsh conditions of combat. As a former member of both the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) with over 1,500 missions under his belt including the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Holland’s combat experience speaks for itself. Holland also appreciates the craftsmanship and the precision that it takes to make the tools for today’s soldiers, which included the P226 while he was a Navy SEAL. In collaboration with master bladesmith Daniel Winkler, Holland and SIG SAUER have developed the limited edition LEGION Operator Knife. 

Holland’s connection with Winkler began in 1992. At the time, Holland was operating with DEVGRU and had been tasked to procure hatchets for his squadron. Not knowing where to go, it was an unlikely viewing of the movie “Last of the Mohicans” that sparked his interest. In the credits of the movie, Daniel Winkler’s name scrolls by as the hatchet designer. Holland immediately reached out to Winkler who, as it turned out, lived close by in the mountains of North Carolina. The two exchanged ideas on a hatchet and Winkler fabricated a hand-forged ax exclusively for Holland, the first of many that the two would develop together. 

Fast forward nearly 30 years to the SIG SAUER Hunter Games in Wyoming. It was here, against a backdrop of sprawling hills and distant peaks where Holland teamed up with Navy SEAL (retired) and author Jack Carr as well as UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko and professional guide Brian Sanders in an exhausting three-day challenge against other professional hunters and athletes. This is where the idea for a new LEGION knife was born and Holland knew Winkler was the man for the job.

Winkler starting making knives in 1970 while still in high school. Many of his knives were included as prizes at local shooting matches and in 1988 he dove head-first into the custom knife business full time. His early work was heavily influenced by Native American culture which is what helped land him the role of hatchet maker in “Last of the Mohican.” After Winker initially teamed up with Holland for the custom hatchet, demand for his work took off. Now, along with an 18,000 square-foot manufacturing space in Boone, North Carolina, Winkler has become one of the premier custom knife manufacturers in the industry. 

“I’m not open to designs that aren’t well thought out,” says Winkler. “Design a knife with a primary purpose and if you can incorporate a secondary purpose without taking away from the primary, go for it.”

The LEGION Operator Knife is made with the highest quality tool-grade steel and is built for a lifetime of reliability in the harshest conditions. The blade profile is thin, making it ideal as a carry knife for personal protection as well as combat. The knife is designed to prevent printing because it follows the contours of your body but isn’t so large that you can’t conceal it. 

For Holland, the LEGION Operator Knife also served him well while working abroad. “I was recently overseas and carried it every day,” he says, “because there were times when I couldn’t carry a gun. You can carry it open or concealed.” The knife features a no-glare finish, a thin profile for concealment, and a sharp durable edge. It includes a custom sheath that allows the knife to be carried in a vertical or horizontal configuration on the belt. The knife is in line with the thumb in a standard grip, and in a reverse grip, the blade is perpendicular to the user's body.

For more information and to purchase this knife, visit the product page. 

For more information on Winkler Knives, visit winklerknives.com.