Deployment Package

I agree with all those who said the Gerber MT is already really nice and adequate for the tasks he may need it for. They are the AK47s of the multitool world, I have had six of them, reliable and durable as tanks, easy to use and open one handed, dirt and sand will not be an issue, whereas they might damage and clog the Wave and Surge or any other high tech MT (Swisstool)

For a folder I also second the idea of getting any of the CS offerings, in newer steel, like the Recon 1, AK47 or Broken Skull.
All those great and easy to use with gloves, really strong lock and basic maintenance steel yet wear resistant and with excellent edge holding
Fixed blade, maybe a Spyderco Aqua Salt, CS SRK or GI Tanto or a KaBar Becker, something not expensive but reliable, tough and usable for most situations while still being replaceable and able to be used roughly without giving second thoughts.

Just my two cents!
 
Here's the real rub- Not expensive, unless you can easily replace it for him and he won't feel bad about losing it- because he will. Or it will be stolen. It will.

I was a Scout in the Army, and spent a year in the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad. The entire tour I had a Gerber gator in the small ankle pocket on my ACU's. I didn't know anything about knives, and that was beefy. It was also easy to access when I was sitting down in full kit.

I never carried a fixed blade, and dont think I would now. Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. Vest with front, rear and side plates. 7 fully loaded M4 mags. 3 M9 mags. M9 on my chest. Radio. Handset for radio. PVS-14's. You get the drift. It was a nightmare.

I did carry my issued Gerber multitool in a pouch by my magazines and it was unbelievably useful.

The game changer was when I acquired a Cold Steel Ti-lite. It opened when I pulled it out! I'd never heard of such a thing, and it was one less thing for me to do when I needed it. Mechanics stole it from my Humvee when it was in for service.

I'd stick with a ti-lite again, just because I know it would be stolen or lost or pulled out by some Iraqi kid when I wasn't looking. It's long enough to try and defend myself in an emergency and sharp and pointy enough to open mres, which is more than likely all he will be doing anyway. If money was no object, I might look at an Emerson, just because of the wave. I've never owned one though and have no idea how well it works.

One hand opening AND closing is HUUUUGE. I don't want to take my hand off my rifle or radio if I don't have to.

My 2c.
 
Yep...lost, stolen or expendable is something to consider. But quality tools are confidence inspiring. Instead of a folder clipped to the pocket perhaps a small fixed blade in the pocket...Spartan Enyo comes to mind. A lot bigger but good all rounder fixed blade that's not too expensive is the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. Buying a nice multitool might prove to be a magnet for unwanted actions by bad actors, just stick with the issued item.
 
Benchmade AFO II would be a nice heavy duty folder that won't break the bank and a decent Leatherman like a Wave.

I know you mentioned a fixed blade, but with a heavy duty folder and nice multi-tool he may not have a use for one.

I'd take the money you would use for the fixed blade and get him a nice heavy duty flashlight. I used a flashlight all the time while deployed, it was one of my most used gear, something like a very bright surefire.
 
I haven't used it in any sort of combat situation, but for an all purpose survival/tactical knife, the TOPS silent hero is outstanding.
 
I'd buy him 4 Streamlight Microstreams as well. And if his unit didn't issue them, a Surefire helmet light in red and white light. That, along with my issued Gerber, was priceless.

And 4 pairs of Mechanix gloves. Send him with 2 and keep the other two to mail to him when the first two disintegrate.

And make sure he has Oakleys or is signed up with the Oakley standard issue program. Gloves, lights, eyepro, and cheap knives are stuff that gets used and destroyed on a daily basis. It's very important to have good eyepro with lenses you can swap.

Thread officially derailed!
 
I have to agree, stuff will get stolen by locals and, unfortunately, his fellow soldiers, Purchase things that can be replaced easily. The gear you provide should work with what is issued, not necessarily replace it.

Weight is always an issue so I would suggest a light weight folder. If it was me, I would carry an Alox SAK (Farmer or Pioneer X) and/or a Benchmade Ritter Grip depending upon the mission. Maybe a HK 14715 and a Vic Trekker instead of the Alox if you want something a little bigger. All are easily replaceable.

I served when they first issued Gerber multi-tools. The Engineers loved them. Stick with that for your MT. Gerber offers more models now than when I was in. People with more experience and wisdom than myself can point you towards the best one.

Not really sure about a fixed blade. Maybe something light weight, with a shorter blade to keep the weight down.

Like others have said, get him a flashlight. No question.
 
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?
 
Nephron44 said:
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?
Click to expand...

My personal favorite is the Presidio, out of those options. Also take a look at the Ultra Presidio, which is an FRN handled variant of the same knife (grind is a bit different), but weighs much less than the aluminum handled Presidio. The Ultra Presidio comes in 440C, which Benchmade nails on this knife - I don't see any discernible difference between it and 154CM, and I own both versions.

That all being said, the Triage has a nice rescue hook/belt cutter integrated into the knife. I'm not certain if this would come in handy in a military environment, but I definitely think it would be nice to have in case of emergency. Those hooks are great at cutting clothes off of someone safely as well, which is an unfortunate reality that I could see happening in the midst of combat. I just think that the blade shape on the Triage is ultra fugly. It does have a glass breaker too, now that I think about it. It may be your all around choice...despite being fugly. :D
 
sabre cat said:
Maybe a HK 14715
Click to expand...

I was having trouble remembering the model number, but this would be a great folder choice. I finally bought one a couple months ago, and considering that it's a US-built Benchmade in D2 steel, it's a bargain. An Adamas 275 or something from the Hogue EX line would be a solid choice as well.

For a fixed blade, I think MOS will dictate both blade requirements and carry method, the latter being a major consideration. This info might be outdated, but at one time, at least some Army units had sheath/handle color restrictions. Unless you're springing for a custom sheath, how many otherwise excellent knives would be ruled out because they're only available with black sheaths or have black handles? Check into any such restrictions first. When digicam ACU was the standard, Benchmade and Gerber had some acceptable options available, but the Army (and presumably other branches) is in the midst of a camo pattern change. Assuming you get that factor sorted out, carry method also needs to be considered. There are a lot of manufacturers who do a good job with basic nylon sheath construction, but a kydex sheath can be a wonderful thing if done right. Obviously, some folks won't want a massive knife taking up too much real estate, be it on a vest or leg or wherever.

Depending on your friend's capacity for maintaining whatever knife you give him, include an appropriate sharpener, oil, etc.
 
Gerber MP600 Blunt nose is a beast, don't change it. Strionger than most Leathermans, period.

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As suggested, maybe a sturdy, strong folder that can be relatively easy replaced (less than $150 I guess) would eliminate the need of a fixed blade.

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If defensive oriented, I belive the Hold Out and TiLite (as good Scoutchris carried) are hard to beat, paired with a nice MT and you're set.

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They are inexpensive, and work well in dirty environments, open easily, quickly, light for the size etc.

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For a sturdier really hard use folder, almost fixed blade strength and still low profile and weight, why not take a Recon XL or a Rajah?

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Those can chop down pallets, open holes in walls, be used as a hammer, chop off a hand, open plastic gallons, ammo boxes and cut the bread for the troops while fitting in a pocket nice and concealed

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They come in dark coated versions too, if you are in night time operations or want to avoid reflections

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Someone suggested a Scrapivore for a fixed blade due to the pry bar end of the handle - nice idea, I like it. Alternatively, look into the DPX HEST fixed blades, either the ones produced by Rowen or the newer Lionsteel Models from Italy, they both are tough knives with a handy pry bar end as well as a few other doo-dads, and they come with serviceable sheaths from factory.
 
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