Fixed blade for buddy heading to Iraq?

M

Marcus

Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
622
My best bud is shipping out to Iraq in a few weeks courtesy of the US Army. He`s looking for a good fixed blade to hang in his LBE. Something around 6"-7",good multi purpose blade,decent fighter if necessary. I suggested the Becker 7" but he doesn`t care for the chunky grip of the Becker line. He`d like to keep it under $75 too so he doesn`t have to worry about beating the crap out of it or loosing it. Cold Steel SRK is in the running as well as KaBar`s new generation 7" but he`s not too wild about it`s Marine heritage. :rolleyes: Suggestions? Marcus
 
Get him a Mora (www.ragweedforge.com) and teach him how to sharpen it with sandpaper and metal polish. Better yet, get him two, and you'll still be way under $75. With the leftover, you can get him a nice multitool from leatherman, or something.
 
He's gonna have to hang a bayonet off his belt anyway. Ask him if he really wants a second big knife. He might be better served with a good diamond sharpening stone as the 420 steel dulls quickly
 
Ah I should mention he`s already got his always present Delica and a Gerber Multi plier. He`s a Combat Engineer,a bayonet is apparently not part of his equipment (he`s never been issued one). Marcus
 
Drawbacks to the SRK include the Kraton handle, which may not be a drawback, as many people like it, even if some do not. Also the high carbon steel is subject to corrosion in conditions of high humidity :D

On the plus side, it's a light knife for its size, sharpens up easily and holds a good edge, and is a member in good standing of the sharpened prybar club, tough as they come.

You can get one with a concealex sheath for $55, almost as cheap as a factory second with what might be nylon.
 
Marcus,

Give strong consideration to a Mission MPK-10 in A2 steel. I swear by mine just as the EOD boys here swear by their issue MPK-12 in Beta-Titanium :)

I've had mine since they were introduced at the 2/99 SHOT Show and recently also picked up the same model in beta-titanium for extreme cold weather use. They're pictured here with my Camillus Talons (Talonite and 154CM):

Two_Pair.JPG


--Bob

Never to be forgotten: James Mattis, Walt "Doc" Welch, Rob Simonich
 
The Ka-Bar 1217 is a real beater. But it could be bulky to carry around. If it is flexible then I would suggest the Benchmade Nimravus. In M2 or 154CM your choice. God bless and come home safe.
 
The Cold Steel SRK is a good choice. I own one. It is a simple, basic and comfortable design with good balance, is plenty sharp out of the box, is truly an all purpose FB and has a thick coating on the blade to protect from the elements and rust. Blade is ground at about 23-25 degrees for utility. No frills but will do just about anything and for a reasonable price. Downside: despite fantasy/macho/Rambo/Segal marketing ploy, CS has an anemic warranty.
 
After being here in an Infantry Batt for the last 7 months I have the following observations: Give him $50 and have him buy a CS SRK, Kabar, or SOG Seal Pup at the PX. I would'nt really suggest anything more than that. If your friend is comming into theater either in Iraq or A'stan he will be using an IBA Molle balistic vest and not the old LBE/LBV. That means unless the knife sheath is MOLLE compatable you have to wear the knife on your pants belt. This also makes it difficult some times when driving around in the up armored vehicles (which is alot). I pesonally think shorter is better, and have yet to need anything larger than my Spyderco Police folder. I did bring my Randall #15 and a Gerber MK II with me but now they just stay locked in my foot locker and I carry the CS SRK I bought at the Ft Lewis PX.
 
Camillus CQB-3 Black Ops

~ $65, very good carbon steel, tough crinkle coating, real full tang (unlike the Ka-Bar and the SRK), grippy Micarta handle. Both a great fighter and versatile utility blade.
Comes with a rugged Nylon sheath with a Kydex inlay and an extra pocket for a multitool/flashlight/you name it.
 
I'll say the Cold Steel Recon Tanto. Not a big fan of cold steel, but I do know that this knife is tough. I owned a Recon Tanto and gave it a beating. That Carbon V seems to do its job.
 
>"After being here in an Infantry Batt for the last 7 months I have <snip> yet to need anything larger than my Spyderco Police folder."

--------------------------------------

There you have it, guys, straight from someone in the know! This really confirms something I've long suspected.

Meanwhile, on a barely related note, I recently read that less than 4 percent of the casualties in the U.S. Civil War were from edged weapons; and one would have to assume the majority of those were from swords and fixed bayonets, not knives. That says something about the role knives play in modern warfare, where they're invaluable as day-to-day tools but merit barely a blip on the radar as combat weapons. After all, modern warfare is always a gunfight and we all remember what Sean Connery said in The Untouchables about knives and gunfights. ;)
 
bell said:
The Cold Steel SRK is a good choice. I own one. It is a simple, basic and comfortable design with good balance, is plenty sharp out of the box, is truly an all purpose FB and has a thick coating on the blade to protect from the elements and rust. Blade is ground at about 23-25 degrees for utility. No frills but will do just about anything and for a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

I agree with this one. When my friend came back from Afgahnastan, he commented on how many troops carried non-issued fixed blades. Before he left to Iraq, I gave him my SRK. He really appreciated that gift.
If your your buddy jumps, then he'll like the kydex sheath, which I've been told, is ok for paratroopers to use.
 
A little more than your limit, but I'd suggest A swamp Rat. Either the Howling Rat, or Coot ~ 5", or the Camp Tramp ~7". Very tough, coated blades. I think the HR would be the most versatile, but go to the site ( www.swamprat.com ), look around, read the quarantee and see what you think. SR101 was developed for the military.

Rob
 
I'm not sure what the problem is with the "Marine Corps Heritage".., but the K-Bar (of some sort).., would do just fine IMO.
 
An italian friend (dont know him that well..) of mine is using a Extrema Ratio Golum (dont know if its the normal or the F version) there for general purpose and is VERY impressed by it. He is especially pleased with the strength of the knife. So maybe that is a knife to give consideration.
 
Since you're looking at Cold Steel, how about the AWC. I believe Ontario Knives makes the m7 and M9 bayonets that he could affix to his M-16 if the need arises. You could get a SOG Seal 200 or SOG Desert Dagger for close to your price range as well.

Wish your friend the best for me.


Mark.
 
Under $75?...The Cold Steel SRK or Recon Tanto is an excellent choice...Or you might want to try to talk him into a Camillus/Becker BK-7 (fat grip and all).
 
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