A good Utility Belt Knife for a Warfighter Today?

[Ruari]

One Word. Soot

I say that as soot is not very good at sticking on. Unless I have completely mistook your remark and didn't see the sarcasm...

 

[Danke42]

I say that as soot is not very good at sticking on. Unless I have completely mistook your remark and didn't see the sarcasm...

You have to use the right kind of scented candle.

 

[Drop bear]

I say that as soot is not very good at sticking on. Unless I have completely mistook your remark and didn't see the sarcasm...

If it came off a heximine tab it should work. That stuff sticks to everything.

 

[afishhunter]

The issue Bayonet (do they still issue a bayonet?) and multitool or Demo Knife?

Is there room on the cargo belt for a second knife with everything else they have to carry, and do they want the added weight?

We had suspenders to attach to our cargo belts due to the weight of everything we had to carry (ammo, (1911 if issued), canteen, mess kit, first aid kit, bayonet, gas mask, folding entrenching shovel ...) , in the late '70s. There wasn't a lot of Real Estate left on our cargo belts after all the required items were on.

I think most of the infantry guys I knew would choose additional ammo over a knife, given the choice.
Unlike in the movies, hand to hand combat on the modern battlefield is very rare in real life, and even when clearing a building.

Don't forget each Company Commander has the final say on what non-issue items a trooper can carry and use.
He or she may have to follow orders from his or her boss in that regard as well, forcing them to be more lenient or strict, as the case may be.

The company I was in, in the Reserves was issue gear only.

(I couldn't pass the physical for regular Army/Navy/Air Force. The Marine recruiter told me (quote) "You go to hell!" (end quote) when I entered his recruiting office, and never said another word to me.
The Army Recruiter told me to try the reserves, "They have their own doctor. You won't have to go through AFIES again. While in Basic you can transfer to regular Army." Reserve's physical was if your fever was above ambient temperature, you had a pulse and respiration; You Passed.
(After passing me, the Reserves recruits have to go to AFIES. Can't use their own doctor anymore.)

I was sent to Basic after 3 months, where they sent me to the Orthopedic Specialist, the second morning after I arrived. He took 18 x-rays, looked at 4, and told me (quote) "Boy, Yer goin' HOME!!!" (end quote) I wanted 20 ~ 30 years. I got the 12 days it took to process me out. Never got past the reception center.
They gave me a during this lifetime honorable discharge, changed my draft classification from "1-A" to "E-4-F": "Even if we're attacked, STAY HOME!!" (S'not a problem. I got guns & bows 'n arrows and could do sabotage if necessary.)
I suspect that if I had tried to join a year before I graduated Highschool while we were still in Vietnam, I might have been able to get in ... and likely discharged in the following military downsizing ... provided I wasn't KIA...)

 

[veeteetee]

Five practical warfighter knives (left to right):
1) Fällkniven F1
2) Varusteleka Skrama
3) J-P Peltonen Sissipuukko
4) TRC Knives K-1
5) Benchmade Puukko (convexed) in Finnish custom sheath by Vegvisir Creation

All of these are basic sturdy TOOLS w/o any tactiLOL factor; warfighters seldom actually fight with edged weapons but do need a cutting edge every day.

For heavier cutting chores I´d carry a small axe/hatchet.

 

[Houlahound]

Cold Steel SRK or Recon Tanto. We want sharpness, reliability, ease of maintenance. Aesthetics won’t be of much use in the field.

Lol, I bought the recon tanto purely for aesthetic value. I only use it to look at.

 

[scdub]

All of these are basic sturdy TOOLS w/o any tactiLOL factor; warfighters seldom actually fight with edged weapons but do need a cutting edge every day.

Not picking on you specifically as I’ve seen this sentiment in many posts here and around the forum, but I am curious about posts like this.

Using the term tactiLOL implies that you think it’s stupid for a “warfighter” to carry a tactical/fighting knife.

So I’m curious if you think ANYONE has a legitimate reason to carry a tactical knife.

Does someone need to be in Delta or Seals to be legit, or would you also scoff at those warfighters carrying pointy knives with guards?

I sorta get people that don’t like the idea of civilians carrying knives as weapons, but I really don’t understand why anyone would make fun of a COMBAT SOLDIER for carrying a fighting knife.

 

[Ruari]

Not picking on you specifically as I’ve seen this sentiment in many posts here and around the forum, but I am curious about posts like this.

Using the term tactiLOL implies that you think it’s stupid for a “warfighter” to carry a tactical/fighting knife.

So I’m curious if you think ANYONE has a legitimate reason to carry a tactical knife.

Does someone need to be in Delta or Seals to be legit, or would you also scoff at those warfighters carrying pointy knives with guards?

I sorta get people that don’t like the idea of civilians carrying knives as weapons, but I really don’t understand why anyone would make fun of a COMBAT SOLDIER for carrying a fighting knife.

I agree with this sentiment. It annous me when guys carry some really cheap bushcraft type knives thinking they will stand up to field use.

 

[Monofletch]

It depends on that SOLDIERS MOS. I was a 19K M1 tank crewman. I had no need for a big fixed blade. My Army Issued Leatherman was absolutely PERFECT for our job.

 

[snuffle]

Using the term tactiLOL implies that you think it’s stupid for a “warfighter” to carry a tactical/fighting knife.

So, there's "tactical" and there's... Tacticlol. I am not the person you're replying to, but I don't think many people here equate those two.

I have plenty of "tactical" knives. It frequently just means a normal tool with a black-coated blade.



I also have some tacticlol knives, because they amuse me. They tend to be comically aggressive, frequently to the point where they have features that would actively interfere with actual use, combat-related or otherwise. I don't think many seasoned warriors would willingly choose one of these.

You can find many, many examples here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/tacticlol-knives-ii-the-return-of-ridiculous.1390046/

So I’m curious if you think ANYONE has a legitimate reason to carry a tactical knife.

From my perspective, you should carry what you want. Be aware of how people will react, but otherwise,let your freak flag fly!

I really don’t understand why anyone would make fun of a COMBAT SOLDIER for carrying a fighting knife.

I don't get the impression anyone is mocking soldiers. It is more directed at mall ninjas and those who supply them with things like this:

 

[Sooner99]

Things can change quickly in today's world. Soon we may again be "surging" young men into harm's way somewhere in the wide world.

What would you recommend as a utility belt knife for a trooper in any combat role in our military today?

First assume that some rich uncle is buying with price not an issue.

Then assume that the warfighter is buying it himself from what he gets paid.

I am now seeing Randall knives at or near a grand or immediate delivery online. Chris Reeve knives are not much less.

Next consider the same two purchase parameters but for a pocket folder, then a multi-tool.

Winkler Belt Knife

 

[The Grendels]

A lot of it depends on your trade. In the infantry, you mostly have more than enough gear to hump around without adding a big knife to your webbing. The knife I used the most was a little Spyderco Walker, half-serrated with AUS-8 steel (I really wasn't as into knives then as I am now). I already had a bayonet issued to me, so I didn't really feel the need for another medium sized fixed blade. They also issued a Leatherman Surge that was handy but heavy, so a lot of guys were always leaving it out of their kit, because someone else would have one or they were just afraid of losing it.

If you've got a big fixed blade prominently displayed on your webbing get used to everyone and their dog asking to borrow it all the time and some of those people shouldn't handle sharp crayons, let alone an expensive knife. Even though my little Spyderco was out of sight, everyone who knew me knew I had it, so I was often cutting paracord or gun tape for someone in the rifle company. I wasn't the only guy to carry their own knife, but the majority of people were adverse to carrying half the stuff they were issued let alone bringing extra kit along for the ride on their hips and shoulders. Most guys who carried knives kept them out of sight to keep from catching the interest of thieves or being hassled to borrow them all the time.

 

[Drop bear]

Not picking on you specifically as I’ve seen this sentiment in many posts here and around the forum, but I am curious about posts like this.

Using the term tactiLOL implies that you think it’s stupid for a “warfighter” to carry a tactical/fighting knife.

So I’m curious if you think ANYONE has a legitimate reason to carry a tactical knife.

Does someone need to be in Delta or Seals to be legit, or would you also scoff at those warfighters carrying pointy knives with guards?

I sorta get people that don’t like the idea of civilians carrying knives as weapons, but I really don’t understand why anyone would make fun of a COMBAT SOLDIER for carrying a fighting knife.

Cos they have guns. Basically.

The murder knife has always had the stigma attached that the soldier is a bit too interested in the fantasy of war and not the profession of it.

 

[xmascritters]

Ok so I’m going to mix things up just a tad.
Well start with the multi tool because thats easiest Leatherman OHT. One hand opening, spring loaded pliers, changeable cutters.
2nd instead of a folder id say a smaller fixed blade and that would be a TOPS C.A.T whatever one you like or maybe 2. The one with no handles would also make a nice neck knife.
Now for the full size knife and heres where the rich uncle comes in play. Medford The Fighter to me this is the perfect military combat knife.

 

[Bob Denman]

I won’t buy a knife unless i can absolutely be certain it can and will be utilized in a post apocalyptic scenario.

I know what you mean...

 

[mg357]

k-bar knife

Or a bayonet since it is double edged if one edge becomes dull the user can just flip it over and use the other edge of the blade.

Also because it is double edged in a hand to hand combat situation it will do more damage to the enemy that is attacking you. Than a single edged knife blade

 

[Billy The Hungry]

I'm on a tight budget, so a Cold Steel SRK fits this roll for me.

Edit: I think I may have misunderstood the idea behind this thread. I'm still keeping to my post though just because I love this knife.

 

[Fred1950]

I have a Buck 120 that a now passed friend carried, not one, but three tours in Vietnam. It is still in excellent condition, except for the sheath. I also have a new Buck 120 Pro. I'm sure either one of those would do just fine..

 

[Houlahound]

I'm on a tight budget, so a Cold Steel SRK fits this roll for me.

Edit: I think I may have misunderstood the idea behind this thread. I'm still keeping to my post though just because I love this knife.

Apology accepted because pic.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

Bark River Knives Bravo 1 3v steel and full convex Grind.

https://imgur.com/a/yWe8eAf