Combat knife recommendations...

L

lynaaron

Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
2
I am looking for some ideas for a good combat/fighting knife due to a possible deployment. I was considering the Boker Applegate 9" Boot Knife, anybody know much about them? Thanks...
 
Most "combat" knives are mostly used for light utility work. You should consider a fixed blade with blade seven inches or less and a locking folder for small tasks maybe a multitool instead. I recommend that you repost this over in Practical Tactical. Before posting it would be best if you determined how much you have to spend. You should also check your units regulations for personal weapons. You wouldn't want your new toy confiscated before you deploy.
 
I would check first to see what they will alow, when I was deployed in Desert Shield/Storm they confiscated anything over 3". Many times its your commander that makes the deciding vote (the military does have regulations, but many times its the commander who decides, many go for the 7" rule). Thats how it turned out for me in The AF. I ended up taking my leatherman with me,
served well!!

Once I was over their I got an ontario f/u. :)
 
It makes you wonder why we deploy to pacify the locals but we can't take "Yer average field knife" to live in the field. Still, a multitool and pocket folder will be more useful fixing camo nets, tent hardware, field commo, hummer tarps, etc. TAKE A HAMMER OR FENCE PLIERS, TOO, and a small bag of 3 1/2" nails. That and parachute cord will fix up all you and your buddies imagination can devise.
It's so darn simple to improve your comfort level you really start wondering why the locals live like they do. :confused:
 
Sorry,
To answer your question (not to be impolite), big honking commie killer head choppin macho knives, in no special order:
Ontario/Camillus Fighting Utility Combat Knife!
Randall #14 Attack
Gerber Mk 2
BM Nimravus
GI issue utility bayonet
AF Pilot Survival
14 inch GI machete
Buck camp mate
Becker Campanion (does all this date me?)

Just to mention what I've known, not dreamed. All have pro's and cons, the worst consistently being lack of use. Oh well. :(
 
the cone,

You forgot a few..:D

Buck Buckmaster (One heavy sob):D

Cold Steel Trail Master Bowie (9 1/2" Blade)

Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri (12" Blade)
 
Thanks you guys, I didn't even consider that my knife choice might be confiscated. Kind of silly don't you think? Great recommendations!
 
Don't know what it's like today but in the "Old Corps" of 1966 first new recruits were searched for knives and other weapons. Conversely the first piece of 782 gear issued was a bayonet.
 
I don't know about the rest of you but when I was in the Marines from 1982-1986 1st Batt. 8th Marines. I would have loved to have had a Cold Steel Trail Master in the field...:D

I would love to see any of you use a multi tool or folding knife to open 81mm Mortar rounds....that would be interesting to watch...a Kodak moment so to speak...;)

Those K-Bar's, SOG's and others didn't quite cut it so to speak...I went through alot of knives when I was in, broke most of them or beat them up so bad they couldn't be reground.

I guess it depends on "how" you use a knife in the field, I used mine for everything and never have seen any folding knife that would have held up for me anyway.

Just a thought..;)
 
lynaaron, what you get should depend on what you need it to do, not so much as you might think it should look like.
First talk to your CoC and see what they say, if they put a X inch limit, then your list just got smaller.
At least two knives, a good set of muli-plyers, and your choice of combat knife.
Don't go crazy and outfit yourself with 18 inches of man-killing mayhem if your going to be in a tent at a computer or toolin' around the rear in a vehicle. you'll just mail it home or put it in your duffle.I would also look at the sheath that is with the knife you want to get. A sheath that looks at all like it will be weak is sure to fail where you can't replace it.
Take a look at any of the Strider fixed blades, should have a blade type that would suit you. Or go with the Buck-Strider Solution.
Good luck. Dean
 
Length issues aside, i think it would depend where you are going, and what you do.

For a Fighting/Utility i would consider the Timberline Lightfoot Zambezi. Striders and Simonich LCC would be my first choice but they are going to run you 3x the cost of the timberline.

But if you want something that is good in the Woods (but probably over kill in the sand) i would get a Busse or a Swamp Rat.
 
I suppose it really depends on what type of unit you're in and where you're going to be deployed.
I've been in quite a few different units (Armor, Medical, Infantry, Combat Engineer, and Artillery), and in some all I needed was a Swiss Army knife, while in others I used every tool in my hummer's pioneer kit frequently (Hummers have a pioneer kit that includes a full size ax, full size pick, and a D-handle shovel).

Overall, I think a small ax will be your best bet (like a Gerber Sport Ax). It's can split skulls as well as trees!
Combine a small ax and a multi-tool and there should'nt be much you can't handle.

Semper Fi and Drive On,
Allen.
 
during deployment when I went overseas they checked our bags/person as we went through the lines to get our vacinations/records/wills taken care of right before take off.


we flew on a c-130 from AR to mcguire new jersey, then took a bus, which broke down! from there to deleware, than a 141 overseas. did I forget to mention that my leatherman fixed the bus when it broke down on the way!!! hmmmm..maybe I should'nt have let them use it?!?
 
allenC,

We didn't have Hummers when I was in, from 82-86, all we had were Jeeps and 4x4 Pickup trucks.

Those Hummers must be nice compared to the Jeeps..
 
I joined in December of 86, so it was nearly June of 87 before I got to permanent party (Ft. Lewis).
They had switched over to the hummers only recently so I never got a chance to drive the jeep--but my first vehicle was an M80 pick-up truck with a wooden shelter on the back (which I helped build).
That truck sucked compared to the hummer; Yakima was very hard on it.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
There are a lot of good choices out there.

IMHO, I'd go for at least a Busse Natural Outlaw. 6" blade, great chopper, good to pry open crates, dig, and holds the hell out of an edge.

If you want a thinner, slimmer blade, go for the 3/16" Satin Jack.

Same tough steel.
Lifetime warranty.
 
If I was going to buy a knife for the purpose of fighting I would go with a machete, bolo, or some type of sword. But as far as knives go I would look for something concealable. Try out different knives to see which feels the best in your hand. This is important especially if you ever have to use it to defend yourself.
 
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