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Fixed blade|Military Deployment
- Thread starter n8swag
- Start date
Most of us who served started with fixed blades, but after a few extended trips in the field, we find a 3 1/2" folder does most of it. The big fixed blade stays home.
There are factors that intrude in what anyone wants to carry - weight, because the Armed Forces give you more gear than you will likely want to carry already; politics, as weapons not issued are sometimes a commanders pet peeve; carry on the web gear, as it is already overused and space is a premium. Level of activity factors in, Combat Arms drags gear thru close contact with the environment. Any shortcomings in placement and security of the sheath quickly arise. You also land on it when seeking cover, so the "jump rated" sheath is an accepted minimum for not having the blade cut thru to you.
The issue soldier's knife in Europe is a spearpoint folder with wood saw blade. They rotate the maker of the knife to the various countries, they are all pretty good and relatively inexpensive, it comes in OD, and has provision for a lanyard. More than that, it's a large sharp prybar, and the guy in the team assigned to carry it will quickly hate the extra weight. Other than that, larger fixed blades in the military are largely ceremonial.
In the day, I tried the Gerber Mk II on the pistol belt, it flops around, the butt stabs me in the ribs, the leather sheath was a fail as it softened and aged, retention was poor at best, and it quickly got cut thru. Next up was a Glock field knife, you could carry it upside down on the shoulder harness, it was nearly useless and hard to extract with the lever lock. Mounted too high it snagged the ruck straps, too low it could punch the abdomen. Later I tried the Nimravus in the vest under a mag pocket, again, it was relatively unused.
It's not that someone living in the field can't use a good fixed blade, it's that the military has so many other conflicting requirements and gear it becomes more a detriment than help. It's been like that since the Civil War - big bowie in the go to war pictures, 4" clasp knife in the kit.
There are factors that intrude in what anyone wants to carry - weight, because the Armed Forces give you more gear than you will likely want to carry already; politics, as weapons not issued are sometimes a commanders pet peeve; carry on the web gear, as it is already overused and space is a premium. Level of activity factors in, Combat Arms drags gear thru close contact with the environment. Any shortcomings in placement and security of the sheath quickly arise. You also land on it when seeking cover, so the "jump rated" sheath is an accepted minimum for not having the blade cut thru to you.
The issue soldier's knife in Europe is a spearpoint folder with wood saw blade. They rotate the maker of the knife to the various countries, they are all pretty good and relatively inexpensive, it comes in OD, and has provision for a lanyard. More than that, it's a large sharp prybar, and the guy in the team assigned to carry it will quickly hate the extra weight. Other than that, larger fixed blades in the military are largely ceremonial.
In the day, I tried the Gerber Mk II on the pistol belt, it flops around, the butt stabs me in the ribs, the leather sheath was a fail as it softened and aged, retention was poor at best, and it quickly got cut thru. Next up was a Glock field knife, you could carry it upside down on the shoulder harness, it was nearly useless and hard to extract with the lever lock. Mounted too high it snagged the ruck straps, too low it could punch the abdomen. Later I tried the Nimravus in the vest under a mag pocket, again, it was relatively unused.
It's not that someone living in the field can't use a good fixed blade, it's that the military has so many other conflicting requirements and gear it becomes more a detriment than help. It's been like that since the Civil War - big bowie in the go to war pictures, 4" clasp knife in the kit.
Green troops in the US Civil War were notorious for jettisoning extra gear they had burdened themselves with on early marches. Confederate troops are said to have left an armory of large bowie knives behind them...
Sorry: you mean that everyone carries the folder (which sounds a lot like the SAK Soldier, big surprise) and one guy is picked to carry the pry bar?
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
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any of you are vet?? if so then email me at ginrickie1@juno.com and I will send you 3 pages of discounts you get just for being a vet. do you have a cell phone?? did you know by law you get a 15% discount off your cell phone bill??
Sorry for not replying earlier, i missed it.
My military service was in my home country, but I very much appreciate the sentiment. Taking care of the veterans is something people of every nationality can get behind. Good Man! :thumbup:
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BK-17 and Vic Pioneer
The Bark River Bravo 1 was designed to be a tough as nails survival knife. It really affords more utility per inch than any other knife I've ever used.
They're beautiful as well, and right in your price range (can be found for $175).
The A2 steel holds an edge, and the convex edge is easy to sharpen anywhere with a piece of sandpaper or whatever.
You can get them with any handle material, from G10 or Micarta to colored bone to wood that looks like it is made from gemstones. The handle is designed to be smooth, using shape rather than texture for control because shape is consistent whether the handle is dry or wet, dirty or clean. The smooth shape allows hard use without wearing out your hand prematurely. I'd highly recommend canvas micarta for a user knife, it's a bit grippier than the other options and very durable.
If you want something bigger, Blackjack Knives makes really nice Randall designs (they're made by Bark River) from A2 tool steel. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a model 7 or 14, they're right in your price range. These come in many of the same handle configurations as the Bravo 1.
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- Nov 9, 2005
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- 2,714
so is was not for the usa??
In reality:
...A "tough as nails survival knife" would have strolled through these tests - similar size Bussekins have - and a reasonable quality bush knife would have at least survived encountering the 2x6s. To be fair, the reviewer does note that other BRKTs have done better when tested.
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- Jan 24, 2012
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The Bravo is thick stock but a terrible thin edge. Honestly for 200 bucks I would hook up with a custom maker and have them make you something you will love.
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- Nov 9, 2005
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I want to thank everyone that has emailed me about the discount list. all that I ask is you pass it around to all of the vey that you know or meet. thank you.