Combat dagger (custom?) Suggestions?

[Silent H]

I will specify again, I will NOT be carrying this knife at any point during my training, no. 1 because it isn't even allowed, no. 2 because I wouldn't trust any other boot in the barracks to keep their sticky fingers off of it. If I end up getting a dagger, it will sit in a safe with my family until after I hit the fleet. And believe you me, I'm dead-set on making the cut.

So you think you're going to be walking around with a utility knife AND a huge dagger on your plate carrier? After your first field op, you're going to take that dagger off and replace it with another mag pouch, because that's way more useful weight to be carrying around (even if you just stuff it with clif bars). That's if your Gunny doesn't tell you to take it off beforehand. And you realize the fingers are only going to get stickier after you hit the fleet right? You'll still be living in barracks, and you're not going to be carrying that thing 24/7.

As others have said, your entire outlook on everything is going to change while you're in training. There's a lot of us who have been there, done that, in various services. We're not telling you to hold off on buying a huge dagger because we want to be assholes to you, it's because we all had similar fantasies before reality hit us, and we learned what works and what doesn't. Save the weight you're carrying for water and ammo.

I'm not a ground pounder, but my suggestion would be stick with the utility knife you're already planning on carrying (there's a reason the Marines call the KaBar a fighting/utility knife, it can do both), get a good leatherman, and if you really want a SHTF dagger, get something small and light like the Benchmade SOCP, with the trainer, and learn how to use it.

 

[Danke42]

Save the $$$$ for one of them new F150s! Dealerships around bases will go belly up otherwise.

 

[Asher Sympson]

So you think you're going to be walking around with a utility knife AND a huge dagger on your plate carrier? After your first field op, you're going to take that dagger off and replace it with another mag pouch, because that's way more useful weight to be carrying around (even if you just stuff it with clif bars). That's if your Gunny doesn't tell you to take it off beforehand. And you realize the fingers are only going to get stickier after you hit the fleet right? You'll still be living in barracks, and you're not going to be carrying that thing 24/7.

As others have said, your entire outlook on everything is going to change while you're in training. There's a lot of us who have been there, done that, in various services. We're not telling you to hold off on buying a huge dagger because we want to be assholes to you, it's because we all had similar fantasies before reality hit us, and we learned what works and what doesn't. Save the weight you're carrying for water and ammo.

I'm not a ground pounder, but my suggestion would be stick with the utility knife you're already planning on carrying (there's a reason the Marines call the KaBar a fighting/utility knife, it can do both), get a good leatherman, and if you really want a SHTF dagger, get something small and light like the Benchmade SOCP, with the trainer, and learn how to use it.

I have a SOCP. And I've had a leatherman since I was 6. It doesn't have to be massive. I just like the aesthetic and toughness of the fmv8. If there is somebody who offers a similar knife in a smaller size (say 5"-7" blade) I'm all ears.

 

[Stickgunner]

What would you recommend then? I see it as an investment as well, seeing the way the economy is going. I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself for boot camp. I don't see the harm in wanting to purchase a good blade.

Its not a question of purchasing a good quality blade, its a matter of choosing the right blade.

What field are you going into with the USMC?

 

[Asher Sympson]

Its not a question of purchasing a good quality blade, its a matter of choosing the right blade.

What field are you going into with the USMC?

0321 Recon

 

[000Robert]

0321 Recon

I was fixing to say that there was a Carothers DEK1 for sale but it was gone in five minutes - I was too slow.

 

[Asher Sympson]

Does anyone know of a custom maker who makes blades out of beta alloy titanium? Preferably one who uses laser/water jet or cnc machining? That would take care of the strength and greatly reduce weight.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

?

 

[TC]

maybe I'd consider a Glock knife 81

...which was never adopted by any armed forces because the rasp (it's not a saw) is against the Geneva Conventions. (Hey, stabbing the other guy is OK, but nasty-stabbing him is not, right?) So it would not be a good choice for actual military carry.

Go for the 78 instead. Happens I just got one two weeks ago, and while it came with a decently sharp edge, the narrow blade and saber grind make for a pretty wedgy blade - it'll cut, but it's not a slicer by any means. (I plan to use some also recently acquired DMT plates (x-coarse to xx-fine) to reprofile the blade to maybe full flat.)

Still, for <40 bucks, there's no reason not to get one, even if you just end up chucking it in a tool box or the trunk of your car for rough use.

 

[Steven65]

Preface: My answer is simply about knives. I've never been in the military nor do I have any knowledge about what is permitted, practical or even sensible in the service. The OP asked about knives, I'm answering that question only............

So in answer to the knife question....."dagger recommendation?"......here is mine.

Spartan-George V-14 Dagger

Experience the pinnacle of knife craftsmanship with the Spartan-George V-14 Dagger, a collaborative masterpiece by Spartan Blades and renowned knifemaker Les George. Winner of the BLADE 2014 Collaboration Knife of the Year award, this dagger blends traditional design with innovative features...

spartanbladesusa.com

Spartan Harsey Dagger

Shop now for Spartan Blades knives made in the USA. Our custom knives are crafted with the highest quality materials available. Browse our selection of handmade custom tactical, survival, combat, and military knives.

spartanbladesusa.com

Either one of these will serve you well. They are both made to the finest standards and with the finest materials money can buy.
Spartan is a fantastic company, USA veteran owned. Here is the bio of the Spartan guys......https://spartanbladesusa.com/about-us-2/

If you want to go full custom a Les George would also be a fantastic choice but expect to pay almost 3 times more than a Spartan.........http://georgeknives.net/about.html

 

[Asher Sympson]

I have an 81, it's a good, solid blade. But right now I'm looking exclusively for a double edged dagger. Google a busse fmv8 and a melita-k shaitan. I'm looking for either a more compact production model with a similar look, or a custom maker who can work with beta titanium who can make something like along those lines.

 

[000Robert]

I have an 81, it's a good, solid blade. But right now I'm looking exclusively for a double edged dagger. Google a busse fmv8 and a melita-k shaitan. I'm looking for either a more compact production model with a similar look, or a custom maker who can work with beta titanium who can make something like along those lines.

I would recommend the Carothers Boot Dagger but they are as scarce as hens teeth.

 

[Nemo1775]

I have an 81, it's a good, solid blade. But right now I'm looking exclusively for a double edged dagger. Google a busse fmv8 and a melita-k shaitan. I'm looking for either a more compact production model with a similar look, or a custom maker who can work with beta titanium who can make something like along those lines.

What state are you in?

 

[Nemo1775]

Preface: My answer is simply about knives. I've never been in the military nor do I have any knowledge about what is permitted, practical or even sensible in the service. The OP asked about knives, I'm answering that question only............

So in answer to the knife question....."dagger recommendation?"......here is mine.

Spartan-George V-14 Dagger

Experience the pinnacle of knife craftsmanship with the Spartan-George V-14 Dagger, a collaborative masterpiece by Spartan Blades and renowned knifemaker Les George. Winner of the BLADE 2014 Collaboration Knife of the Year award, this dagger blends traditional design with innovative features...

spartanbladesusa.com

Spartan Harsey Dagger

Shop now for Spartan Blades knives made in the USA. Our custom knives are crafted with the highest quality materials available. Browse our selection of handmade custom tactical, survival, combat, and military knives.

spartanbladesusa.com

Either one of these will serve you well. They are both made to the finest standards and with the finest materials money can buy.
Spartan is a fantastic company, USA veteran owned. Here is the bio of the Spartan guys......https://spartanbladesusa.com/about-us-2/

If you want to go full custom a Les George would also be a fantastic choice but expect to pay almost 3 times more than a Spartan.........http://georgeknives.net/about.html

Les George is a Marine if I remember correctly. I love his V14 dagger.

 

[Asher Sympson]

What state are you in?

Southwestern Washington.

 

[madcap_magician]

I would recommend the Carothers Boot Dagger but they are as scarce as hens teeth.

I will always recommend the Carothers Boot Dagger! This will initiate the OP in a sacred military tradition - the snipe hunt!

 

[Danke42]

I will always recommend the Carothers Boot Dagger! This will initiate the OP in a sacred military tradition - the snipe hunt!

We called it a box of Grid Squares.

 

[madcap_magician]

We called it a box of Grid Squares.

HMMWV spark plugs and cleaning tool here, here, as well as a 100-meter spool of flight line.

 

[Asher Sympson]

I come from a military family and my community has a ton of vets. I've heard about plenty of hazings, pranks, etc...

 

[killgar]

...which was never adopted by any armed forces because the rasp (it's not a saw) is against the Geneva Conventions. (Hey, stabbing the other guy is OK, but nasty-stabbing him is not, right?) So it would not be a good choice for actual military carry.

Go for the 78 instead. Happens I just got one two weeks ago, and while it came with a decently sharp edge, the narrow blade and saber grind make for a pretty wedgy blade - it'll cut, but it's not a slicer by any means. (I plan to use some also recently acquired DMT plates (x-coarse to xx-fine) to reprofile the blade to maybe full flat.)

Still, for <40 bucks, there's no reason not to get one, even if you just end up chucking it in a tool box or the trunk of your car for rough use.

I'm curious if that Geneva Convention rule still applies, or if the US abandoned it long ago.

The current US issue 3S bayonet is partially serrated. The M9 bayonet that it replaced had a saw back. And the old pilot survival knife, carried as far back as Vietnam (maybe farther) had a saw back (though not a bayonet, still usable as a stabbing weapon).