Deployment Package

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Nephron44

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Aug 20, 2015
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I just found out today that my buddy in the Army is being deployed. I want him to have all the best tools available, so I am throwing together a kit for him to handle anything that might come his way. I am going to get him a fixed blade, a folder, and a multitool. Right now he has the issued equipment (Gerber multitool, not sure on the others) and I want to get him better gear. My budget is 500 USD total. I want one of each, so please don't suggest I spend more money on one and skip another. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

EDIT:
For a multitool, I got a MUT. For a folder, I think I may go with a Benchmade Axis Stryker, a Presidio, or a triage, all manual. Thoughts?
 
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Protech or Benchmade folder. If he's in infantry, you don't want to compromise on quality. These are superb quality folding knives. My 2 cents.
Fixed and multi-tool I'll leave to others.
Tell him thank you as we are grateful for his service.
btw, you are a great friend 👍
 
Leatherman Surge
ZT 630
Chris Reeve Professional Soldier

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Multitool - The most useful tool a Soldier could have. I like the Victorinox Swisstool, but I have had, loved, and lost a fantastic Leatherman Wave.

Fixed Blade - A great fixed blade made of a tough steel helps with light chopping for plastic binding, prying wire seals off ammo cans and pallets, and other tough use. I have a Swamprat Ratmandu that I love, and Rowan's 1095 is great in something like the ESEE 4. Both companies have nice warranties, too.

Folder - Oh man, this is where opinions will vary. I feel a folder is best for smaller, more ordinary tasks, so I like thinner stock (by which I mean under .187) stainless steels. I like something Delica or Minigrip sized. Maybe the Minigrip in 20cv.
 
MT- Leatherman Wave, Rebar, SuperTool 300, MUT (Designed for use with guns)


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Victorinox Swisstool, ESEE 4, Spyderco Military or Paramilitary 2, DMT Diafold Coarse/Fine, Spyderco Sharpmaker
 
Believe it or not that issue Gerber is pretty good stuff and I's take it over any Leatherman any day because you can wrist flick open the pliers. Don't buy a big pig sticker they're just not practical so something smallish and stainless if you must and I carried an AFO.
 
As a former USMC ground pounder who chewed his share of dirt, I preferred rugged reliable and easily replaceable tools. If it were me shipping out as a grunt pvt. today I would pick up a 5-7" bladed Becker or EESE of some flavor for a big fixed blade, a SAK for the pocket, and a Swiss Tool, all rugged reliable and easily replaceable on a privates pay. If I was being deployed behind a desk I would change the Becker to a Randall Made.
 
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I still have my Army issue Gerber multi tool. I use the hell out of that thing. It was new in the 90's!! I can't answer to the infantry- I was a tanker. We didn't use knives other than opening MRE's, T rats, mail, and scraping carbon off the m240 gas pistons. :D We did have a S.O.G. Seal something or other strapped to the grenade launcher. We used it to pry and cut unwanted crap out of the track. It was never re-sharpened, just used and abused.
 
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SAK and a CS SRK. They should be practical tools that will be no big loss should they go missing. He'll probably never even use the fixed blade anyway. Let him use the issue multitool as it's replaceable at the unit.
 
Nephron44:

Lots of good choices offered here. The pool of talent is wide and deep.

But what is your buddie's MOS, that is—what is hisA rmy job description? Where is he being deployed to (if he can say)?

Our son was deployed to Iraq in 2004-05 in Light Armored Reconesance. They spent 75% of their time outside the wire. There was real fighting and his unit was in a good bit of it. The next deployment for him was to Okinawa where they did some training, played poker and had air-conditioned quarters!

His needs were completely different each time. So before you can get any really relavent advice, we all need to know what your buddie's Army job is and where he will be doing it.
 
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Another thought: While we are all thinking of hardware such as tools, knives etc . . and depending on what he is doing and where he is . . .think also about other items that might improve his quality of life. The government will give him plenty of stuff that kills or cuts.

While the desert is hot, I can also be cold. When our Marine went off to Iraq, I sent him a poncho liner that had a thin layer of insulation. He said it saved his life (perhaps an exaggeration on his part). Your buddy may need/want a set of helmet pads. In 2004 these were an up-grade the USMC didn't have in stock. Maybe things are different now . . .so ASK.
 
VorpelSword said:
Nephron44:
So before you can get any really relavent advice, we all need to know what your buddie's Army job is and where he will be doing it.
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+1

As someone who deployed to Iraq in 2006-2007 this is good advice. A fixed blade may just sit with the rest of his gear he never touches.

You're heart is in the right place but why demand he has to have things he may not need and might not even take with him? There may be other things he'd appreciate more.

Maybe wait until he's there and ask what he needs.
 
Those issued multi tools are great, as someone else said they can be opened and closed one handed with a wrist flick. Similar to the SOG Powerlock, also a great choice.

Fixed Blade: Cold Steel SRK or ESEE 4.

Folder: Infinite Choices... I'd grab a Cold Steel (or two) in whatever variety he prefers. The Recon 1 or AK47 are great choices.

These choices will bring you well below $500. Save the rest or buy him doubles, or look into aftermarket sheaths that will work better for his gear setup.
 
My son was a Combat Engineer in a Sapper unit. I got him an ESEE 4. I dont recall his folders but the were inexpensive as the sandpit and risk of theft discourage worrying about a pricy folder.
Nothing wrong with the Gerber Multitool. Ive had a few and love the lightning fast deployment.
 
Yeah . . .the folder I sent our son was a CRKT M21: Durable and hefty with a solid lock-up, but with an AUS-8 blade. It was well under $50 back then. When he lost it I sent him another one.
 
Leatherman wave (MUT if he is infantry), Scrapivore for the blade and pry function and CS Recon 1 tanto for any puncturing. This ensemble will be way under budget and allow you extra cash for future care packages or phone cards. Those can be much more important morale wise.
 
Mike Perrin, one of the co-owners of ESEE, recommends that you buy Busse.

I like Jerry Busse by the way. Buy that next time Mike
Click to expand...

Yep, stick with Busse. Ya'll have a nice day, Mike
Click to expand...

I wouldn't buy an ESEE knife just on the general principle that Perrin was a total jerk to an active serviceman in this BF thread here.
 
The Gerber multitool issued is a good one I've still got mine and its going strong. My daughter has one on her gear as well. Folders Benchmade, Cold Steel with the new CTS XHP in whatever flavor strike you best, Fixed blade the Cold Steel SRK is a good one and won't give him a stroke if it goes missing. Really things that will make him feel great when he's deployed are care boxes. Fill one every month or so with coffee, jerky, popcorn, tons of baby wipes, hard candy, gum, books or magazines. Those will make a huge difference in comfort to him.
 
Former army infantry here with two deployments. I would highly recommend the leatherman MUT. This was key for many things, especially cleaning my weapon.

Folder I would second a Benchmade. Not too expensive, but holds up very well.
 
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