David Beer
About
The story behind the encyclopedia of ČSLA and ACR military knives.
The story behind the encyclopedia
IT STARTED WITH A CRATE FULL OF UTONS
My name is David Beer and I come from Brno. The UTON.cz project was born in 2009 from a deep passion for Czech military history — a passion that gradually grew into long-term and systematic work.
Like many others, I started with classic Mikov knives. Military UTONs I then viewed with a certain distance. The turning point came unexpectedly at a Brno shooting range, where I came across a crate full of old military UTONs. That is where the story of my collection began.
Through perseverance and determination, I managed over several years to build one of the most extensive collections of its kind in the Czech Republic. A crucial role was played by collaboration with Maj. Ing. Roman Hippík — author of most of the ACR combat knives — as well as direct contacts with manufacturer Mikov and Veterans Airborne Club Jan Kubiš Brno.
Few people are lucky enough to live right across from a place where history is made. I am. Thanks to my proximity to the Brno Zbrojovka, I was able to closely observe the mastery of Lubomír Maďarič. Hours spent photographing his knives and in consultation gave me experience I now use to help others identify treasures they have at home and preserve them for future generations. This also led to collaboration with Brno saddler Petr Hess, who makes leather sheaths for his knives.
These connections gave me access to archives, detailed information and personal experience that is not found in commonly available literature. It is on these foundations that the content of the entire encyclopedia stands today.
Publications & Recognition
- —Zbraně (Arms Magazine), issue 2/2014 — published article on ČSLA military knives. One of the few expert texts on this subject in Czech specialist press. View article →
- —Mikov — UTON knife manufacturer — references UTON.cz in the official PDF instruction manual for UTON knives, available on the manufacturer's website. View PDF →
- —Veterans Airborne Club Jan Kubiš Brno — lists UTON.cz as a reference source directly on their homepage. kvvbrno.cz →
“I document the history of our steel before it is lost in time.”
Collaboration
If you are a journalist, historian, museum professional or collector and are looking for expert information on Czechoslovak and Czech military knives, do not hesitate to contact me. Over 17 years I have built an extensive network of contacts in military history, knife-making and collecting — and I am happy to help where it makes sense. I also welcome any new information, photographs or stories that would help expand this encyclopedia.
