Best knife for soldier; do you really need a 7inch fixed blade!?

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Pietje010

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Dec 30, 2005
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Is a 7inch (or bigger) fixed blade really what a soldier needs and wants to carry? Or do they/you like to carry something smaller, lets say 3 or 4 inch!? Of course next to a multitool, so the fixed blade will be uses for everything ells then that kind of job’s.

After a few days spending outdoors I realized that a fixed blade on your belt can become heavy and in your way. Even though it was a BK7 (made as light weight combat/survival knife!) A few times I even thought about leaving it at camp, don’t get me wrong I love using that knife a having it on me!

How about soldier’s; with al the equipment, gear, vest, water and other supplies…do you want to carry a big knife?! IMO a big chopper only serves it purpose for jungle/forest survival but for urban/dessert warfare it will be almost unnecessary.

7inch or 3 inch; does size matter?! (sorry couldn’t resist:D) Preference in brand/model is also welcome as is a small task description.
 
This subject has been discussed to death. I am not a soldier, but most soldiers I know would rather carry more bullets than a big knife, even one touted as a "combat" knife. I think the general consensus is a good multitool is first and foremost, followed by a good quality, easily replaceable folder like an Endura or possibly a small fixed blade like a Rat-3. Please note these are only examples of these types of knives, not the ONLY possibilities.
 
Like someone mentioned in another thread, soldiers have enough crap to carry without adding a big knife.
I would say a good 4-5' fixed and a multi or SAK would do. Something like a Grohmann #3, a Camillus Pilot Survival knife or a Becker crewman.

cheers!
 
Depends on the soldier and what he feels is neccesary. In most cases 7 inches is the most anyone is going to need. IMO (and many others) 5 inches is the minimum blade length. Weight-wise, most folks should pick a knife of descent weight but think more about how they're going to mount it as that makes a big difference in "felt weight" as compared to "actual weight." I also prefer fixed blades. Why? No matter how strong or quick your folder is a fixed blade will always be stronger and is always quicker to pull out if carried correctly. That's not to say a multi-tool is unnecsasary. Its an extremely valuable piece of gear but should be brought for the tools instead of the blade.
 
Before I start this let me say I am a total knife nerd and have been since age 6. I tell all the new guys that ask me to get a 4.5 to 6 in fixed blade the RAT-5 may be perfect in this role or a benchmade nimvarus. A multi-tool I myself swear by sogs, most guys carry gerbers, and finally a 3 to 4in locking folder , there is a plethora of good ones out there. To me thats minimal especially if you are not issued a sidearm. I personally have a rat-3 attached to the top strap of my thigh holster. A fixed blade on my left side that rotates regularly.
A 4 inch folder in my right pocket that also rotates. in a pouch on my gear is a spyderco assist. My SOG multitool is in a custom kydex sheath on my gear and finally loose in my left pocket is a SAK with alox scales. The extra weight is worth the piece of mind and the convenience IMO.
 
I'm a former soldier and currently in the Guard - we carry around so much crap, that the "weight" of a knife doesn't really make a difference. Just stick it somewhere on your IBV. I carried a Cold Steel Voyager and abused it - I didn't need a real "high end" knife just to cut camo netting and commo wire and open MRE's. A 30lb IBV (ballistic vest) and a 10lb kevlar helmet, along with 2 quarts of water and 6 30rnd mags, plus your weapon and any other crap you might be carrying (GPS, flashlight, etc)... If you've got a Ruck, there's another 30+ lbs... add a 1 or 2 lb knife to the mix? - no big deal. It all comes down to preferance, not so much weight...
 
Ah, yeah. So like everyone else already said, a multitool is invaluable. Never leave home without it. As for a knife, the selection is endless. It helps to have more than one. One might get lost or broke. Your buddy might need a knife. Whatever. A good, sturdy, small to medium sized fixed blade in some kind of kydex sheath secured to the front of your IBA will come in handy. If you have to cut something real quick all you have to do is grab at your chest and you have a blade in hand. And a folder of some kind, because you're not always wearing your vest.
 
diceman said:
I'm a former soldier and currently in the Guard - we carry around so much crap, that the "weight" of a knife doesn't really make a difference. Just stick it somewhere on your IBV. I carried a Cold Steel Voyager and abused it - I didn't need a real "high end" knife just to cut camo netting and commo wire and open MRE's. A 30lb IBV (ballistic vest) and a 10lb kevlar helmet, along with 2 quarts of water and 6 30rnd mags, plus your weapon and any other crap you might be carrying (GPS, flashlight, etc)... If you've got a Ruck, there's another 30+ lbs... add a 1 or 2 lb knife to the mix? - no big deal. It all comes down to preferance, not so much weight...
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Good post.
I carried a Large Sebenza, a 5.5 inch Shadow IV and a small clip point Voyager on my first go round.
Second time over I carried the same but switched the Shadow IV for a Fehrman Peacemaker.
Big knives are nice and have their use, but you won't see them being used too often over there anymore.

*Edit*

I also carried a SwissTool both times out.
 
I'm in the army and currently deployed right now. I think the benchmade nimravus is the perfect size. It could be thicker but thats about it its a real good slicer and I find it easy to sharpen (and I suck at sharpening).Also sog seal pup a lot of guys have those it's a real good size. Really whats great about those to knives in my opinion is they have a really good sheath. Very versital I really hate shitty sheaths just my opinion.
 
A few years back I purchased a SOG SEAL Pup while in the Balkans because some friends recommended it. I was very dissapointed!

It must have been designed for childlike hands since the handle is simply too short and thin to get a good secure grip, it's also hard plastic(insert fancy plastic name here but it's crappy plastic nontheless...) and that does not help the grip issue, the fingergrooves don't work with gloves too well. If I can't trust the grip what use is a knife as a tool to me?

It is compact and light but the kydex sheath also had issues. It is secure but slow to get a knife out of. The handle and the sheath needs a redesign in my opinion. Well actually while the SOG is at it how about redesign the blade too.. It was all but useless to me.

The SEAL Pup may work for some but I was not impressed :thumbdn:

Best part about it was the low price...


joebobx said:
I'm in the army and currently deployed right now. I think the benchmade nimravus is the perfect size. It could be thicker but thats about it its a real good slicer and I find it easy to sharpen (and I suck at sharpening).Also sog seal pup a lot of guys have those it's a real good size. Really whats great about those to knives in my opinion is they have a really good sheath. Very versital I really hate shitty sheaths just my opinion.
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Something like a Rat-3 is perfect for a soldier (if a little on the pricey side for Joe).

I have carried an HI kukuri, but only with the permission of my team sergeant, and carrying instead of an e-tool...and on a mortar team with an issue machete. I just preferred the kukuri to the machete.

All the ODA guys here carry Benchmades. I use a Spyderco Native and a 5" fixed blade made for me by Shane Justice- and a multitool, of course.

John

PS: carrying huge bowie knives to war was something a lot of Southern boys did in the Civil War. The small museum at Stone Mountain is filled with such bowies that were discarded on the side of the road as the boys marched. Some things don't change.
 
Scott at Tanguay custom knives makes some real nice smaller models with 3-4 inch blades all sporting 0-1 steel and prices well under 100 bucks.

I love my Little Prick and for 70 bucks you can't go wrong:thumbup:
 
Large blades are very much usable. A hefty 7 - 10 inch blade is much more useful as an idividual entry and destructive tool than a small blade. Leverage and momentum helps when heavy work needs to be done. You don't have to put the blade in your 1st line, rig it to your patrol pack.

That's not to say that an entry hawk isn't the bees knees...
 
It depends on your mission. I am also a former soldier, and like others have said, carried so much weight that another pound or two was completely unnoticeable. Plus, with all the training we did, the weight just didn't bother us that much.

This was 20 years ago, and carrying a large bowie didn't even warrant a second glance, what with all the weapons we had. Lots of guys carried them, along with Kabars. Nobody gave it a second thought or glance.
 
That would depend on your mission and what your team does. You tell me.

Look, many don't need a big blade. My reply was aimed at the question: is a big blade needed and what is it good for.

Spectre said:
Yeah...but how many do you need per team? :rolleyes:
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I think that it would depend on your MOS and where you are deployed to.
I was in from 87-91,I did not have to deploy to Iraq the first time but I have spent time in the field.I was a 76Y Unit Supply/Armorer.When I was in the field my KaBar came in handy when clearing brush or other items to set up for an FTX.
I used my Vic Champion more than anything.I never saw that much weight difference between a Pilots Survival,which was another popular Goin to the Field knife and my Kabar.
I did notice that the Kabar was alot better at hacking and chopping than the Pilots Survival.
I think that each soldier needs to look at their individual situation and needs.
My KaBar served as a knife,and a hatchet,and whatever else I needed it to be.I feel that the 7in blade allowed it to accomplish what needed to be done.


PullinSets
 
Here is my fixed blade after a fire mission earlier this week, when I used the knife to pry rounds out of crates.

I'm a mortarman, and was in a light infantry unit...and I felt every damn pound. Tends to happen when you carry a cannon. :eek:

As you can see, my current FB ain't so large (might look larger in pic because it's in the foreground- about 5" blade)...and I still take some ribbing when I wear it.

John
 

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