Best Fixed blade for Army Deployment

T

theyoungone

Joined
Jul 19, 2013
Messages
62
I have a nephew who is in the army national guard, he graduated boot camp and once he goes through a few weeks of some addition training they are shipping him out to the Middle East.

He is excited, his parents are worried sick. As his uncle I want to get him a fixed blade for when he goes over. Again he is just National Guard, not some Ranger, or Green Beret. There is a slight possibility he may be going to Afghanistan, but most likely its a non-combat base in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or whatever.

That said I just want to get him a sturdy fixed blade knife. Nothing cheap, but nothing too expensive that he has to worry about it getting stolen or broken. Any suggestions?
 
I'd suggest a good multitool....its something he will actually use. It's rare for people in combat to have a use for a fixed blade, even rarer for non-combat.
 
I'd choose one from the following; ESEE 3 or 4 , Becker 16 or 17, or a Rowen made HEST. There are a lot of others out there, but these few can be had at a good price and the availability of all of these are good.
 
Becker Campanion (BK2):

hqdefault_zpsdcfa1227.jpg


1/4" thick, hard to break.

Also the Becker Necker (BK11)

maxresdefault_zps87c10cb9.jpg


From what I understand, Army guys get a lot of use out of bottle openers. :D

I think a Becker of some kind is a good choice. Their knives are well made and supported by an excellent warranty department. But, they are not so expensive that it would break anybody's heart if it got lost or damaged.
 
Is he able to do a little upkeep on it? Things like general cleaning and keeping the blade oiled (if not stainless), what about sharpening? I imagine he will be able to find someone on base to sharpen for trade/money so is he the kind of kid that will be able to keep it oiled or do you need a zero mantance blade?

I would either say an ESEE Izula 1 or 2 (PE, 1095) or a spyderco jumpmaster (SE, H1). The jumpmaster may be a better knife for him as the sheepsfoot is much more of a utility blade than the Izula's drop point, the price of the jumpmaster is about twice the izula but at $150 its not a bad price for what you get, the izula on the other hand is a very decent price for what you get from it, you'll have to decide if a cord-wrapped handle is sufficient for him tho. Sorry for rambling.
 
A multitool or SAK is about the only guaranteed useful style. He may not even be allowed to carry a big fixed blade where he's going. Wait till he gets there and finds out.
 
Be aware that many units, at the whim of the CO, are not allowed to carry a fixed blade.

My own time in the army was many many years ago, but a SAK was the handiest knife item to have. More recently, our niece, who was in the Navy and served with the sandbox sailors, was issued a Leatherman multitool, and got great use out of it. Your best purchase for your nephew just may be a multitool and a good small flashlight that uses AA or AAA batteries.
 
jackknife said:
Be aware that many units, at the whim of the CO, are not allowed to carry a fixed blade.

My own time in the army was many many years ago, but a SAK was the handiest knife item to have. More recently, our niece, who was in the Navy and served with the sandbox sailors, was issued a Leatherman multitool, and got great use out of it. Your best purchase for your nephew just may be a multitool and a good small flashlight that uses AA or AAA batteries.
Click to expand...

Best advice on this topic ever.

Being a knife guy myself and living in "Military City USA" I have had several folks ask me about what knife their sons. daughters relatives should take when deployed. I decided to go to the source.

I asked the vets I see when doing my Wounded Warriors/Fisher House work and they all say the same as your post, Carl. Being in the military doesn't make you a knife guy, so many of the troopers are just pleased as can be with a multitool. And I found that it was 50/50 if you could even carry a non issue knife. Almost all the guys that actually carried and used knives relied on medium sized folders with good clips on them so they could clip it to their gear somewhere for easy reach. Moderately priced knives were the most popular as it was not uncommon to lose, misplace or have your knife/gear stolen. When that happened, the guys just bought another one.

For the guys that carried knives (I have found this to be a great conversation starter) they told me NOT ONE of them ever considered a knife a fighting weapon, but rather a tool. Although folks around here all seem to know someone that carried some kind of huge battle knife popular on this forum, but in five years of volunteering at the center I have never met a combat vet that carried one.

Guaranteed they would like the multitool and flashlight suggestion, though. :thumbup::thumbup:

Robert
 
Here is my suggestion, SEAL Pup Elite, Leatherman Wave, Surefire light. Take out the fixed blade and you still have an excellent package that covers all his needs.

 
Kabar has a proven track record and you can't go wrong with that, Also check out the cold steel SRK, I think it's called, But as others have said, a multi tool and a good mid sized folder while probably be all he would need, What is his M.O.S. I can tell you I carried an Emerson cqc-7 the whole time I was active duty, and never had any issues or need for a bigger blade.
 
My brother-in-law was issued a benchmade presidio auto folder and a bechmade nimravus fixed blade. he showed them to me and the presidio was beat to Hell and back. The nimravus was completely unused.
 
I've done three tours over, and haven't carried a fixed blade since 2007. There's just no real need. Maybe on a FOB in A'stan, but not most places. And he knows where he's going if he knows what unit he's assigned to; they all have specific orders a year out.

Multi-tools are handy, but a good folder with 3-4 blades will get carried and used where all the fancy "tactical" stuff won't. If you have to get him a folder get something with a 3"-4" blade, not skeletonized, not big and thick.
 
My nephew is Marines bound shortly and I'll be getting him an Izula 2 and Rat 1 folder. I already gave him a good weatherman as well. Think I'll get something engraved on the knives...
 
eisman said:
I've done three tours over, and haven't carried a fixed blade since 2007. There's just no real need. Maybe on a FOB in A'stan, but not most places. And he knows where he's going if he knows what unit he's assigned to; they all have specific orders a year out.

Multi-tools are handy, but a good folder with 3-4 blades will get carried and used where all the fancy "tactical" stuff won't. If you have to get him a folder get something with a 3"-4" blade, not skeletonized, not big and thick.
Click to expand...

Preemptively, allow me to suggest the Benchmade Griptilian, or anything folding by Zero Tolerance.

If you want something less expensive, I would urge you to look past Cold Steel's over the top marketing videos. I have a Mini-Recon, which gets exposed to grit, light prying, and regular edge-to-metal contact while cutting.

It needs a touch on the sharpener more often than some of the newest steels, but it's mechanicals are still in perfect working order. The pocket clip is also very secure, and I'm sure you can understand why that's important.
 
ESEE 3 & leatherman wave in black.
Cover a lot of needs. Sak always good to have as other mentioned.
 
Being an army man myself a big fixed blade uhh no. We have bayonets if really need a big blade, and the extra weight from it? Pass, leatherman, gerber, sog, vitronox multitool yes. Personally I like the leatherman (insert favourite here) with a sheath that can hold a small flashlight and extra bits.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top