Best Knife for war zone <$125

Forgot about a fixed blade reccomendation. The Cold Steel SRK is a decent choice. Fairly cheap, and pretty durable. A standard Ka-Bar is also a good choice.

I didn't like the Spyderco Military all that much. The tip is too fragile for a knife that will see some hard use. I don't buy their BS line about how they designed it so thin for fine cutting. If they did, it was a poor choice. A knife that isn't marketed to be used hard, and probably will be abused should be a little bit more durable IMO.
 
hmmm...havent checked this thread in a few. seems to have raised quite the discussion, good to see lots of input for you jack, hope you were able to come up with something cool for your friend. interesting though that lil timmy felt the need to give me negative rep points for giving my opinion. thanks bud, pretty cool of you.
 
I'm very confused reading this topic. Why are military personnel buying their own tools? Doesn't the military issue appropriate tools to troops anymore?
 
The military will often issue appropriate tools. The troops will often want the best tools, instead.
 
swamp rat howling rat $90

victorinox swiss tool spirit $50

total: $ 140

all the bases covered :D
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
Similar questions to these have almost always been answered (by people who've been over there) with the response "Get him a good multi-tool".

I am partial to the Leatherman Wave, but probably just because I've not seen the Charge in person.
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Is there a huge difference in price? I got my Charge for a $100. If you have a cost issue between them, I'd go for the Wave(I had the old Wave and now have the Charge).
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The military will often issue appropriate tools. The troops will often want the best tools, instead.
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Thanks, Esav. But now I'm curious as to specifics. Is anyone at liberty to say exactly what edged and/or multi tools the troops are given as standard issue, these days?

If I knew that, it would give me a handy reference point for my own knife buys these days. My knife collection badly needs modernizing! I'm one of those "old timers" whose knives mostly date from about the 60's, when there were no locking folders (until the "new" Buck)...there were just "pocketknives" and "sheath knives"!

Great forum here, by the way!
 
I don't disagree with what the other posters have said. I think different groups of military use different techniques which require different tools.

I'm relating what my son who is an Army Ranger Captain of a recon platoon with 1st Armored Division told me. He and his guys spent 18 months in Sadr City (Baghdad) with a few trips to other cities as needed. You must remember he wasn't out in the desert in a tent somewhere or sitting in a truck depot or airforce base. He and his men were patrolling in a major city.

What his people all used was the army issued M9 bayonet/knife. He is of the opinion that this is a great tool. He said it was superb in opening car doors when necessary and the wire cutters also came in handy.

www.M9Bayonet.Com

Some may have also carried small knves like EMT's use in the states. They carried something like the Microtech MSE-SC which is a small automatic with a setbelt cutter and window-puncher-outter (or whatever you call that button on the handle that breaks glass) or a Spyderco rescue, military, or police model.

http://www.1sks.com/store/microtech-mini-socom-elite-automatic-seatbelt-cutter.html

This was all they were allowed to carry other than their other army issued items. He said the only thing they wanted to be weighed down with was ammo.

I'm not trying to push any product or endorse and seller in this post. I'm just providing some links so you will better understand what type of tool is being discussed.
 
If you decide on a fix blade why not send Justin at Ranger Knives a line (he is over at the other forum). He was an Army Ranger and now he is still going back and forth to Iraq as a, shall we say, civillian consultant. All this and he makes some great knives.

Or you could check out some of his knives here www.rangerknives.com
 
rgc said:
If you decide on a fix blade why not send Justin at Ranger Knives a line (he is over at the other forum). He was an Army Ranger and now he is still going back and forth to Iraq as a, shall we say, civillian consultant. All this and he makes some great knives.

Or you could check out some of his knives here www.rangerknives.com
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Justin is in the process of changing his standard RD series from hollow to flat ground and there will be a small price increase with it. I'm sure for the price you couldn't get a better knife and sheath combo. Justin will also take care of you. Justin is a great guy to deal with :thumbup:
 
Leatherman charge and a Ti Pry bar. :D When I was in the Army I never needed anything more than a SAK with a wood saw. The pliars could conceivaly help with a weapon malfunction, damaged magazines or kit. Anyone that has yomped up hills with packs would never willingly add more weight.
 
Well, here's my $.02 worth -

- a multi-tool would be useful in a number of situations. A multi-tool like the Wave, with its one-hand opening blades, could substitute for a folding knife, if desired.
- a fixed blade of some sort is a tool that can also serve many applications. Standard duties it'd probably serve would be cutting and prying. Far-fetched, but certainly not impossible duties, would be digging and last-ditch weapon.
- a readily-accessible folding knife. This would probably be the go-to tool about 75% of the time. It would be used for many tasks.

Now, since weight and portability are both a concern, your best bet is probably to stick to a fixed blade with a blade length of 6" or slightly less. The Cold Steel SRK, as many have pointed out, is available for cheap - in fact, $45 at http://www.cheaperthandirt.com and is a very stout knife (I have one and have put it through some paces, in order to know what I can and can't trust the knife to do). There are several other options in this field, and some time spent researching (as you're already doing) will uncover a wealth of info and choices.

For multi-tools, I prefer Leatherman brand over Gerber. I like the tool options and the quality I've experienced. Many love the Leatherman Wave, with its several one-hand opening blades. I, however, prefer the Supertool 200, due to the specific tools it has and the fact that the tools are locking (whenever possible, I shun non-locking multi-tools). The Swisstools seem like good units, too, but I've never used any. IMO, the features to look for in a multi would be: pliers (obviously ;) ) Phillips and straight-headed screw drivers, a metal file, a wood saw, and an awl/punch. The metal file, in particular, could come in very handy...

For folding knives, I'd go with something mid-sized and readily accessible. I'd definitely opt for a one-handed-opening, ambidexterous knife. Throw in a good lock and pocket clip, and I think you've got a winner. The possibilities in this field are wide-open :)

Finally, if it were possible, an Atwood Prybaby would be icing on the cake :D

So, there's what I would be looking for. Does your friend have a highly-specialized MOS? If so, perhaps there is a specific tool that could prove very valuable.

* a quick break-down of one possible set-up (the one I'd probably opt for):
-SRK $45 (cheaperthandirt.com)
-Delica $41 (newgraham.com) or, opt for an Endura for $4 more
-Supertool 200 $45 (my local sporting good store's price)
total cost - about $145, after shipping and tax. Not bad for the 3 tools!

Happy hunting and let us know what you end up deciding on :)
 
In the couple of years I spent in the army on peacekeeping missions I've foudn this set-up more than enough to cover my needs:

-Medium sized fixed blade. I used a Fallkniven S-1 (a convex edge can take quite a beating) which I then replaced with a knife made to my specifications by an Argentinian knifemaker. Basically, anything with a blade between 4,5" and 5", strong design and good edge holding will do (Beckers were carried by some friends).

-SAK or Multitool. A light SAK packs a lot of useful features, the only advantage of the multitool are the pliers. 111mm Victorinox and 120mm Wenger SAKs can replace the back up folder. Leatherman Waves were popular, but I like the SwissTool a lot more (you can get the Spirit which is lighter).

-Back up folder. I carried a Spyderco (Paramilitary), but a Buck 110 would have been just as good. The one hand openning and self defense advantages of a tactical folder were not really needed because I had my rifle, my pistol and a fixed blade. The folder was purely a utility tool that saw a lot of everyday use. Basically anything you would take camping will do. In fact, if I was back in the army I would take one of the bigger locking SAKs to try to cover my multitool and folder needs with as little weight as posible.
 
I'm with the Multitool folks: the Leatherman Charge has locks on ALL the tools and all the blades have liner locks. The main cutting blade is 154CM steel and there is a locking saw and full length serrated blade too.

Get 'em on eBay for about $75 <>.
 
First, it is important to fins out what your friend is authorized to carry. Each CO is different. What one allows, another may not. The PFC cleaning the General Officer's mess better not be strapping a machete to his back. Same with those in the silent service (subs) or ona carrier. An infantryman in the filed may have much more discretion.

Assuming any knife is authorized, and $125 is the price, I would recommend a RD series from Ranger knives www.rangerknives.com

For ease of carry, with great prying ability a 6" model might be ideal. I like the flat grind.

Add a Swiss Army knife to cover the fine stuff and you are set.
 
I have 11 years in USAF Security Forces, and have never been issued anything even close to decent. I spent all of 2003 in the sand, and took a Strider TAD Alpha 01. I found that anything over a 4" blade is a waste of time. I carried a Spyderco DODO as a small pocket knife primarily for cutting rope and for ripping stuff open. I never needed one of my knives as a weapon, so thoughts of that would be worthless. If I go back I am taking a Swamp Rat with me. IMHO the best fixed blades out there for the price PERIOD! I have a Bandicoot, and Normark made me 2 sheaths that are top notch! One of thier knives and a sheath would be under 125.00. My EDC for most stuff now is a MT auto Hawk. I find that hawk bill blades are very versatile for the types of chores you will do in the sandbox. Another good choice is the Ontario/Randal designed knives. The Tac 2 is great and with a D-2 blade and under 75.00, it won't break your bank.
 
Pocketknife said:
Thanks, Esav. But now I'm curious as to specifics. Is anyone at liberty to say exactly what edged and/or multi tools the troops are given as standard issue, these days?
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Ontario M9 Bayonet
Ontario/Camillus Pilot Survival Knife
Gerber and SOG Multitools

A lucky few get Benchmade 9100 and 9050's

And a few other knives made by Camillus and Ontario are also issued.
www.ontarioknife.com/milissue.html
www.camillusknives.com
 
Lil Timmy said:
Ontario M9 Bayonet
Ontario/Camillus Pilot Survival Knife
Gerber and SOG Multitools

A lucky few get Benchmade 9100 and 9050's

And a few other knives made by Camillus and Ontario are also issued.
www.ontarioknife.com/milissue.html
www.camillusknives.com
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as a standard issue knife or tool in the U.S. Military anymore. The knife in my ruck sack right now is a Gerber Gator (a piece of crap IMHO). It was cheap for our unit to buy in bulk. It has nothing to do with actual performance. The M9 bayonet is also crap in my opinion. Pilots get Benchmade AFO's, but that is about it. I don't know where all these other "Issue" knives come from. I have never seen them. Maybe as a private requisition through individual precurement, but that is about it.
 
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