Deployment knife

borage123

borage123

Joined
Sep 29, 2015
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501
Hey all, this is a question specificly for people in the military who have been deployed. What makes a very good deployment knife? Prefer fixed but open to folders if ya can and my price limit is $100-500. Thanks for your time
 
borage123 said:
Hey all, this is a question specificly for people in the military who have been deployed. What makes a very good deployment knife? Prefer fixed but open to folders if ya can and my price limit is $100-500. Thanks for your time
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Assuming you mean military deployment. This comes up periodically and a lot of the answers center around utility: SAKs, Leathermans, small Cold Steels and the like. I'll bow out now.

Zieg
 
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My answer to this question (with over 21 years Navy experience and deployments) is always.....it depends. I usually recommend a good folder, one that can take abuse but you won't be too concerned if it were to break or be confiscated, yes that does happen. This is in addition to a multi-tool (gerber, leatherman, SOG...).

For the price you can't go wrong with a good ol' Spyderco Endura. I have had one riding in my kit for many many years. I also carried an Emerson SOCFK-B.

Leave the fixed blade at home.
 
I would suggest something that you could loose or have stolen that you wouldn't care about if it disappeared. Such as a Cold Steel SRK or something. If you didn't care because you actually keep track of your gear then I would try a

-Halfface Blades Crow Scout "production" blade with micarta handles and in s35vn (just because I've been eyeing them)
-CRK Professional Soldier
-Hinderer FXM
-Bradford Guardian 3, 4 or 5
-a Leatherman
 
Alot of people who ask this question have it in their mind that they will be potentially using the knife for self defense. Usually though this never happens and it turns out a utility knife would have made the better choice.

That said you might as well get a knife that has some defensive capability. Also considering all the other stuff you will have to carry I would opt for something lightweight and strong. I recommend you get a waved Spyderco Endura and learn to use the wave.
qQcVGy9.jpg

While you are at it learn to reverse wave into reverse grip. Bonus you will have something to do to in order to ward off boredom. Plus you can annoy your comrades with it.
 
Lapedog said:
Alot of people who ask this question have it in their mind that they will be potentially using the knife for self defense. Usually though this never happens and it turns out a utility knife would have made the better choice.

That said you might as well get a knife that has some defensive capability. Also considering all the other stuff you will have to carry I would opt for something lightweight and strong. I recommend you get a waved Spyderco Endura and learn to use the wave.
qQcVGy9.jpg

While you are at it learn to reverse wave into reverse grip. Bonus you will have something to do to in order to ward off boredom. Plus you can annoy your comrades with it.
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Thank you for the input but I actually have a zt 0630 waved. Love it and even took some classes on how to effectively use it
 
Guardian 3 is on me when not on the tank. Ratmandu goes with me on the tank. At all times I carry a leatherman wave.
 
borage123 said:
Thank you for the input but I actually have a zt 0630 waved. Love it and even took some classes on how to effectively use it
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My man! *Thumbs up* 630 is too heavy? That's why you're not taking it?

If you don't mind a folder then why not take the waved Endura. It is not so expensive or rare that you will be upset if you lose it. 4 inch blade that works good for fighting in all grips. Also the Spyderco Endura while not having an MBC (Martial Blades Concept) rated lock still has a heavy duty rated lock which is likelu more than strong enough.

Many blade instructors recommend the Endura and Delica as self defense knives. At the same time not even a Spyderco hater can say that the Endura isn't an ideal utility knife. You'd be getting the best of both worlds.

But be honest, you are looking for something more expensive and rare, aren't you? ;)
 
borage123 said:
Hmm, interesting idea but why a LUDT? Honestly my units deployments are in the middle East and I'd be worried about sand getting in the mechanism and failing on me.
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I carried a D/A Socom in Mosul. Sand wasn't an issue, probably due to pocket carry.
 
Monofletch said:
7 years of deployments and I used a SAK and my issued Gerber multi tool the most.
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This.

Did 3 OCONUS tours a few years back and used my Case Stockman and Leatherman so much my FB stuff was at the bottom of my duffle. I could probably have got away with just a Boy Scout knife if it wasn't for the fact I used the smaller blades more than anything else.
 
I'm not a soldier. I've worked with several military units from different countries in UN missions (peace keeping, humanitarian aid and so on). So perhaps my opinion is not useful since it's not based on combat experience.

Multitools and SAKs were greatly appreciated. I brought a big tub of SAKs I bought wholesale (had a shop back then) and gave them out as gifts. Everybody liked them.

Fixed blades (at least large ones) didn't see much use and some of the designs I saw were very impractical. Plus some units (like those in contact with civilians) discouraged or just prohibited fixed blades.

Things get lost, broken and stolen. I'd rather have two or three good tools instead of a single amazing one.

With that in mind, I'd recommend a sturdy folder that doesn't cost too much and some sort of multitool. Something like a CS Recon 1 or Voyager; a Spyderco Endura or similar. Pair it with a Leatherman Rebar (I'd avoid the models with removable bits, easy to lose) or a SAK and you're set.

If you prefer a fixed blade, go for something compact like an ESEE 3.
 
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