Best knife for Army Ranger

Lapedog said:
Spring the extra few bucks and get him a Leatherman MUT. It is a tool specifically made for maintaining ar-15 pattern rifles.
MUT looks like it might be tough to beat!
l-mu032.jpg
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I think smaller and lighter with a decent blade thickness...like Bradford Guardian G3 in Vanadis 4E or M390. Can be carried in various ways; I enjoy the cross-draw leather sheath, but doubt that a Ranger would. Multi-tools seem to be well loved and used by our military.
Perhaps you're rushing things a bit, but I appreciate your helping out a serviceman.
 
As a Marine, I was always partial to Leathermans- the Leatherman Wave in particular is a nice design as you can pull out the individual tools without having to open up the handle which enclose the pliers jaws. They are compact, well made and relatively lightweight. Many of us also carried a fixed blade, with Kabars and Randalls being among the most prevalent. Fortunately I never had to use my Kabar for anything other than opening MRE's and boxes. A multitool is really better for most tasks in the field other than fighting. I purchased a Randall #1 while in Iraq as they ship knives quickly to deployed troops from a small stock of ready made knives they keep in stock for that purchase. It is a practice that they have maintained for a number of years. Otherwise you have to wait years or pay a retailer a high mark up. Good company and solid product with a storied history.
 
While I agree that a multi-tool is very handy and most guys carry them, me included, I must also say that there is no multi-tool or folder that will take the place of a well made fixed blade in hard use settings. To each their own, but I wouldn't be without a good solid blade. This ESEE is in your price range and is very good knife for the money, is light, strong, and guaranteed for life. If you damage or destroy it, ESEE will replace it for free no questions asked.
https://www.theknifeconnection.net/...as-micarta-handle-od-green-sheath-clip-plate/
 
Smaug said:
Victorinox Soldier. It does a bit of everything and is a lot lighter than a Leatherman.

2/3 serrated blade (toward the tip) makes an excellent makeshift weapon, but also works great on food. Locking large flat head screwdriver, a proper saw, awl.

Here's a pic:
https://goo.gl/images/usmmPk
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That looks very handy indeed with a perfect choice of tools and not overdone. I have tried EDC Leatherman's at work and on rides but found them to be on the heavy,bulky side. When I feel that I need more the one blade type or tools I reach for my Victorinox, lightweight and built to last. BTW I've never seen the Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier before. Looks like a handy multi tool that I would use often.
 
ESEE 3 with extended handle, or ESEE 4. If the Wave is too heavy, how about one f the smaller multitools? Wish him well for us.
 
To clarify, if he is going to ranger school he will not be a ranger. It is a leadership course. He will not be a ranger in the 75th ranger regiment. If that is what he is doing then get him a knife that he can use as an Intel guy at his unit.

If he is going to RASP then he is trying out to join the 75th. He will then be a ranger if he makes it all the way through and gets a tan beret. In that case a good fixed blade would do him well. Something between 4-6" with a good sheath and a good steel that won't rust easily and keep a good edge. Maybe a swamprat ratmandu
 
In my units, everybody and their brother has a multi tool and folder. I haven't deployed, but if I do I'll bring a fixed blade in the 4" range...swamp rat bandicoot, maybe Emerson Kwaiken neck knife or maybe something else.

Nothing wrong with an izula 2 also...gave one to my nephew when he was in the marines...
 
erhodes said:
To clarify, if he is going to ranger school he will not be a ranger. It is a leadership course. He will not be a ranger in the 75th ranger regiment. If that is what he is doing then get him a knife that he can use as an Intel guy at his unit.

If he is going to RASP then he is trying out to join the 75th. He will then be a ranger if he makes it all the way through and gets a tan beret. In that case a good fixed blade would do him well. Something between 4-6" with a good sheath and a good steel that won't rust easily and keep a good edge. Maybe a swamprat ratmandu
Click to expand...

I was going to bring that up but decided to let it go.
 
So I reached out to my cousin. He said he recently picked up a Gerber multitool, but of course it's nothing special. I got a line on a lightly used BM mini boost $80 or a zt 0909 $125. The small light bm might be better for him. I want to make sure the knife closes easily w/ one hand. We grew up in Jersey and haven't been flipping knives around like many ppl on here. If i do go w/ the flipper, i want to make sure it's not a pain in the ass to close. Thanks
 
Ok, ok, upon further pressing, he's back onto a fixed blade. I may get him the leatherman too, bir according to him "I need a blade ro kill with when my primary and secondary go down in a CQB" Close Quarters Battle
 
Give him a gift certificate and let him determine from his army group what the best knife would be for his particular task as a Ranger.

My son liked this one when he was deployed.


AK47 bayonet knife

 
Saw my first Leatherman tool after I got out of the military way back when. First thing I thought was that I really would have liked to have one of those when I was in.

I had a Cold Steel Recon Tanto then too. I never carried it because it was a bit heavy and bulky for something I rarely used. But I had a great time beating on it when I got out of the military and came home. Very tough and easy to sharpen. Later on, I picked up a Cold Steel Kobun, and had just as much fun.

If I were to pick a fixed blade for a young soldier today, I might pick the Cold Steel Kobun.

AUS-8 is tough, easy to sharpen to a razor edge, and inexpensive. At less than 40 bucks, if it gets lost or stolen (yes, stolen) you're not out a pile of cash or heirloom piece. The tanto tip is damn near indestructible, and the sheath is adequate.

It weighs only 4 ounces and is slim to carry. Perhaps this would be a good choice for a gift. And if he's worried about having to resort to a knife in CQB after losing primary/secondary... well tell him to buy a lotto ticket too, as the odds are about the same.
 
I would get him some good boots now so he can break his feet into them before he gets there. Some merino wool socks to go with the boots. Then a headlamp/spare headlamp. Then a watch; a simple G-shock that's digital and has normal hands but does not have a compass. If he doesn't have one a SAK with tweezers and pliers and nice paracord lanyard to tie it off (and some spare paracord).

Then when he has his tab worry about a fixed blade.
 
No experience here but....

Fixed blade: Cold Steel SRK.

Folder: CS Recon1 with a spear point.

MT: Leatherman Rebar.
 
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