A Special Knife Design Celebrating A Legend

Billy Waugh (1929-2023) Is The Inspiration for This Special Knife Design

"Why the hell would anyone want my name on their knife?" were Billy’s exact words, when Robert Young Pelton wanted to originally put his name on the Parang- esque jungle knife, the DPx HEFT CHOP.  When it came to the DEMO, RYP disobeyed orders and recruited legendary Special Forces knife designer, William Harsey to make Billy proud. They collaborated on a design only a warrior of Billy Waugh's level could sign off on. 

Billy Waugh of Bastrop, Texas hitchhiked and signed up for World War II but was sent home for being too young.  He finally signed up for the Army and very quickly chose the most dangerous tasks our nation demanded: U.S. Army Special Forces.  

Robert Young Pelton (founder/designer of RYP Design) first met Billy when he was writing his book Licensed to Kill, Hired Guns in The War on Terror.  Driving his cop Harley across the country during the winter,  Billy graciously took out time from his wedding day to meet at the local Waffle House.

The two men - one an author, and one an operator, both veterans of numerous hot spots often at the same time - hit it off immediately. They have been fast friends ever since. 

Pelton, a knife designer with two dozen patents, asked Billy,  "which knives did you use and what did you wish you have?"  Thus, was born a design obsession that started with the CHOP (based on Billy’s love of the Parang) and now is honored with the Billy Waugh Demo and will continue.

To celebrate Billy passing the 90 mark, comes the release the DEMO, a folder that says everything you need to say about the life of special operations behind the lines. 

If you don’t know about Billy, then you are in for a treat. See the links to books below. Billy is exceedingly modest, but once in trusted company, the stories flow. Billy is the recipient of eight Purple Hearts and has a lifetime of incredible feats.

Billy Waugh continued his special forces career to dedicate another 20 years to the CIA post retirement.  

Billy is featured in the book Licensed to Kill - Hired Guns on the War on Terror and wrote a book called Hunting The Jackal. 

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