Choice of "back-up" knife for deployed soldier

i think a push dagger is a better option, since ur primary blade is prob gonna be ur combat / utility blade.
as a last ditch knife, i think the only time u will use it is when u are on the ground duking it out with an enemy....so i think u want a knife that can naturally rest very securely in ur hand, and be able to use it with ur most basic motor skills (punching).

so my vote goes to a push dagger.

thats just my 2cent =)
 
The Afghan tribes have a gun culture 2X older than the United States has been in existence. Afghans have been shooting at invaders for the past 400+ years, and before that, they were shooting people with arrows.


True, but couldn't that be said the same like china, UK, and any other country older than us (235 years old)? And using your same logic, the same could be said about blades as well since they are an older culture. We are really a baby or teenager the most when comparing us to the world scope of things....
I meant to say that there is an inherant respect for the blade in the mid east...
Thanks, Chris
 
christopherm903 said:
The Afghan tribes have a gun culture 2X older than the United States has been in existence. Afghans have been shooting at invaders for the past 400+ years, and before that, they were shooting people with arrows.


True, but couldn't that be said the same like china, UK, and any other country older than us (235 years old)? And using your same logic, the same could be said about blades as well since they are an older culture. We are really a baby or teenager the most when comparing us to the world scope of things....
I meant to say that there is an inherant respect for the blade in the mid east...
Thanks, Chris
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I'd pay attention to anyone walking down the trail with a blade strapped to him, but I'd pay more attention to the M4 in his hands.

The tribes of Afghanistan (and Pakistan) have had integral warrior cultures going back to before Alexander the Great, and have fought every single invading army since before that.

btw, the answer is "no". China, the UK and most other countries with histories older than 200 years don't have gun or even sword cultures (not even Japan). In these countries, firearms were possessed only for acts of war, hunting was not a big part of the culture/economy and edged weapons were reserved for the nobility and soldiers, with death penalties the typical punishment for offenders. You need to travel more, web-surf less.
 
Strange....

China and guns have a long history.

The country invented gunpower and developed one of the world's first guns, known as the "fire spear". Rifles played a major role in China's modern history, from the fight against the Japanese army to the communists' victory over the Nationalists. In 1938, Mao Zedong famously said that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun".

That comment perhaps foreshadowed the gun control laws later implemented by Mao and the Communist Party - some of the most severe firearms laws in the world. China has imposed a blanket ban on gun ownership, including replicas. Since 1966, the



government has prohibited the private manufacture, sale, transport, possession and import or export of bullets and guns.

Possessing a single gun can yield a three-year prison sentence, while perpetrators of gun crimes are often executed.

As to the travel more web surf less, not everyone has the means to, either finacially or physically, me being the second, as recently my avascular necrosis of the hip recently jumped to my other hip....
 
CWL said:
You need to travel more, web-surf less.
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CWL - What's up with the snipes? Perhaps you're hot shit on this board. I don't know, I'm new here. Nonetheless, I don't get why you feel it necessary to be an asshole. If you've got a point, make it. I don't see the necessity for your little jabs.

I've been on the web for some time. Perhaps you're just "that guy" that's on every board, or maybe you're just having a bad day. Either way, maybe you could consider excising those parts from your otherwise obviously learned points.
 
CWL said:
I'd pay attention to anyone walking down the trail with a blade strapped to him, but I'd pay more attention to the M4 in his hands.


.
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If you've been there it's ok to make that point otherwise you are just talking poop. The discussion was on how to give a soldier the maximum personal defense capabilities within reason. Not the culture of the Afgans. Lets stick to the topic
 
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I was a combat vet in Nam. Never carried a knife. Never needed one. Get your buddy a Spyderco Military. It's thin and light -- which means a whole lot -- and extremely effective as an EDC. Sal knows what's he's doing. It's called the Military for a reason.
 
x2 on the Spyderco Millie.
I just returned a few months ago from Afghan, I patrolled everyday in one of the worst areas in the country. I carried a Spyderco Military clipped in my pocket and an Esee 4 on my gear. I reccomend something similiar for your friend. If he was ever to be in a situation where he needed to use a knife against an enemy combatant, he would be pretty much screwed anyways. Meaning he would most likely be out of ammo, alone, and surrounded, the latter two will almost never happen.

I would get him a strong fixed blade that is designed more towards utility rather than a knife designed for just combat. I used my esee 4 for everything from cutting c-4 to digging in the ground for IEDs, and after hitting the tip on rocks and just plain mistreating it, the point nor the edge has never chipped. It is one tough knife. I used the crap out of my millie on a daily basis and I still carry it, it is my favorite edc knife. I also brought with me an Esee 5, Esee Izula, Spyderco Tenacious, and a Emerson commander.

I usually carried my Izula in my backpocket, I used it for chores when I didnt want to abuse my Millie. The tenacious was my loaner knife and I eventually gave to a good friend after he pretty much refused to give it back. The Esse 5 is one beast of a knife, I took it with me on a few ops attached to my pack. But it didnt really see much action, it was just too heavy for me but still a sweet blade. I just couldnt keep the Emerson Commander in my pocket, my Millie wouldnt let it, but I still love the Commander.

I hope this helps. Good luck on your seach, and good luck to your friend.

Kenny.
 
We shouldn't underestimate the intimidation power of even a small blade. Remember that part of the reason guys like SuperGlued's friend are overseas is because a handfull of terrorist managed to kill thousands of people armed with nothing more than boxcutters. Yes, things would really have to go wrong in order for him to have a need for it, and even if found himself in that situation he is pretty much screwed, but I would rather be pretty much screwed with a small knife than pretty much screwed without one.
 
I completely agree. I wasn't trying to imply that there is no point in carrying a knife to defend yourself with. I carried my Esse 4 attached to my chest on my plate carrier. I could access it very quickly if needed, even though it is not a fighting knife at all. Its still sharp and pointy and could take a life just as easy as any other knife. But in my eyes if hes going to carry a knife for defense, might as well be a full size fighting knife. I would hate to have to fight with just a knife, let alone a small concealed knife that i could barely get a grip on. Everything is personal preference though, if he wants to carry 5 different knives hidden all over his kit, thats up to him. We had guys carry everything from machetes to a home made meat cleaver that we found that looked like something from lord of the rings. Lol. We could talk all day about whats best, but in the end its up to him and how much weight he wants to carry or how safe a small "just in case" knife tucked away makes him feel.
 
Papp71, I hope I didn't come across as criticizing your post, it was more of a comment for the thread as a whole. A larger knife is a more effective weapon, no questions asked.
 
I skipped past a lot of the banter in this thread, so if these were already suggested then sorry. If you want a concealable back up/last ditch blade, I would go with a cold steel safe maker or a KBAR TDI, or comparable knives. They are last ditch, small, concealable, and of good quality. Hope he never see's the need for it, but it's a good gift from a friend.
 
Gents,

Excellent points all around. Thank you very much. I appreciate everyone's advice and feel a great deal of gratitude to those of you who have served; your advice is informed and that means a lot.

Papp71 - That's an enviable load-out. Thank you for your perspective. Solid advice.

CoyotePhysics - You said it man. That has more or less been my mindset.


Well, I went ahead and bought my friend a Cold Steel Safe Maker II. If it's not his game I figure he could always trade it for something or leave it state-side. That said guys, you've convinced me to get him another knife(there goes my next toy), namely something more practical. He's incommunicado for the next few weeks (in training) so I don't know what, if any knife he carries in the field. Once I find out I'll either spring for the practical blade or a good bottle of scotch.

Seriously, thank you guys for your help.
 
SuperGlued said:
...I'll either spring for the practical blade or a good bottle of scotch...
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Here is a question for you Afghan vets, are there any things (like good scotch) that are more valuable over there because they are a bit of home? I've lived overseas for a while, and there were just some things that carried a value beyond the price, and that was doing something pretty safe. I imagine that those reminders of home are even more important when you are putting you life on the line in a foreign wasteland to keep the rest of us feeling safe in our air conditioned homes watching "reality" tv.
 
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