Recommendation? Folder for Deployments??

South paw draw said:
Yep you.win. my opinion sucks. His life is on the line. It's a little heavy is what I was getting across. More so then most. And yes it is different then most other BF washer knives. But hey. I'm 48 yrs. Army brat. What do I know about war. What's your military background? You have any skin in the game? O.P. you put you life behind what ever you want. All good. You ask for opinions. I gave mine and because some don't particularly like it you see what becomes of it. I'm out. up in till now it's been a really good experience here. But when you can't have an opinion of your own and state the truth. Because it's not popular. I'll just stick to not giving am opinion an let the " general long term collective " continue to control your thoughts. Your not looking for any opinions your asking for purchasing permission. Well it looks like they want you to buy a few bugouts and send one back every month or so to have it sharpened. Or 5 cold steel because you need that worry in your head while your out on your. Wait I got it. How about 365 gas station knives and you can just throw them in the trash can when your done everyday. Then you don't have to worry about sharpening or maintaining them. To O.P. thank you for you service we need more young men like you. God bless you and your family for your service. I'm sure whatever you take with you will serve you well and everything that people have suggested (except what I have suggested that's been clearly pointed out) is a great choice. Just remember you get what you pay for and out on tour there's nothing better the a solid piece of steel. A folder is a nice back up. Words told to me by a Marine.
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Again, rant aside, how is MKT good for sand? You can rinse/blow out almost any modern folding knife with pb washers. Also how is being heavier a good thing?

I don't question your service, Greg Medford's or the OPs, but I'd like to know if some reasoning went into your decision or if you're just a fan of Medford knives.

I'm a huge fan of Spyderco's ZDP-189 Seki knives, but I wouldn't recommend them for carry to a crab fisherman. They wouldn't make any sense in that role.

If I'm packing around a whole host of other stuff, heavy doesn't sound like a positive characteristic. Being able to rinse and dry quickly does, but there are lighter knives that can do that.

Then we come to edge retention, which I believe was one of the OPs requirements. MKT isn't bad, but they're not Rocksteads or fully serrated. If he uses it over there in the sandy environment, where things will presumably be covered in sand, it's going to get dull.

Looks to me like the guy asked for a route to 5, you shouted out "2+2 is best" and then got upset when people asked you to explain.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Again, rant aside, how is MKT good for sand? You can rinse/blow out almost any modern folding knife with pb washers. Also how is being heavier a good thing?

I don't question your service, Greg Medford's or the OPs, but I'd like to know if some reasoning went into your decision or if you're just a fan of Medford knives.

I'm a huge fan of Spyderco's ZDP-189 Seki knives, but I wouldn't recommend them for carry to a crab fisherman. They wouldn't make any sense in that role.

If I'm packing around a whole host of other stuff, heavy doesn't sound like a positive characteristic. Being able to rinse and dry quickly does, but there are lighter knives that can do that.

Then we come to edge retention, which I believe was one of the OPs requirements. MKT isn't bad, but they're not Rocksteads or fully serrated. If he uses it over there in the sandy environment, where things will presumably be covered in sand, it's going to get dull.

Looks to me like the guy asked for a route to 5, you shouted out "2+2 is best" and then got upset when people asked you to explain.
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No I gave my opinion and people ask me to explain. I didn't ask them to explain their reasoning for their opinions. I did explain. I also said I owned one and sold it because it was heavy. I didn't say it was the best choice. He didn't ask for the best Choice he ask for some opinions in the $400 range that he could not maintain for a year and do no sharpening to. I simply gave my opinion. Thick I tell you.
 
South paw draw said:
No I gave my opinion and people ask me to explain. I didn't ask them to explain their reasoning for their opinions. I did explain. I also said I owned one and sold it because it was heavy. I didn't say it was the best choice. He didn't ask for the best Choice he ask for some opinions in the $400 range that he could not maintain for a year and do no sharpening to. I simply gave my opinion. Thick I tell you.
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No, he specifically asked for recommendations and you specifically stated that MKT knives were built for sandy environments and then pitched a fit when you were questioned about it.

That guy asked for help and you answered with nonsense. Medford knives are no more made for sandy environments than they're made for space travel. They're good knives and will work fine in both of those environments, but claiming they were purpose built for it is as ridiculous as your little tantrum.
 
Lots of good folders for deployment...I like Emersons and have a Microtech ultratech I like a lot too. You can go from a spyderco endura/Rat 1 to a more gucci Hinderer if you want. Most of the ZTs are great too and bunch of benchmades.

Lots of great folders that will serve you well...minus the sharpening part...
 
Wow someone took the MKT classes and swallowed the marketing koolaid. Greg makes some good stuff that I admire but that's a whole new level of brand myopia.

For the OP, any good steel, large folder from Cold Steel, Spyderco, Benchmade, ZT and a croc stix in a turn box or a simple double sided diamond stone will meet your needs. If you learn how to put a serviceable edge on a knife without a larger system, you will not regret it. That and maybe a good multitool added in and you'll have all you need for the year.
 
It's well under $400, but how about a Spyderco Manix XL? The stock G10 itself doesn't have much texture, but the shape of the handle locks your hand in well.

I don't have any, but I've seen some aftermarket scales by Allen Putman that have pretty aggressive texture.

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South paw draw said:
Yep you.win. my opinion sucks. His life is on the line. It's a little heavy is what I was getting across. More so then most. And yes it is different then most other BF washer knives. But hey. I'm 48 yrs. Army brat. What do I know about war. What's your military background? You have any skin in the game? O.P. you put you life behind what ever you want. All good. You ask for opinions. I gave mine and because some don't particularly like it you see what becomes of it. I'm out. up in till now it's been a really good experience here. But when you can't have an opinion of your own and state the truth. Because it's not popular. I'll just stick to not giving am opinion an let the " general long term collective " continue to control your thoughts. Your not looking for any opinions your asking for purchasing permission. Well it looks like they want you to buy a few bugouts and send one back every month or so to have it sharpened. Or 5 cold steel because you need that worry in your head while your out on your. Wait I got it. How about 365 gas station knives and you can just throw them in the trash can when your done everyday. Then you don't have to worry about sharpening or maintaining them. To O.P. thank you for you service we need more young men like you. God bless you and your family for your service. I'm sure whatever you take with you will serve you well and everything that people have suggested (except what I have suggested that's been clearly pointed out) is a great choice. Just remember you get what you pay for and out on tour there's nothing better the a solid piece of steel. A folder is a nice back up. Words told to me by a Marine.
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This is funny.
 
Agree with the others, you're going to need to sharpen. The idea of having a disposable blade or multiple knives is not a bad idea if you can't sharpen. A couple of serrated edges with good steel could last a year, depending on what you're cutting.

I think the point of the Medford recommendation was something that is easy to get cleaned out without taking it apart. I think any open back frame or liner lock would be good if the knife will be exposed to a lot of grit (like dust or sand storms). Anything without a mechanism to get clogged up with grime or sand that's hard to remove.

I would suggest getting your hands on some knives. Regardless of the specs, some knives work in my hand and some don't.

Is a small fixed blade an option, or does it have to be a folder?
 
David Richardson said:
Agree with the others, you're going to need to sharpen. The idea of having a disposable blade or multiple knives is not a bad idea if you can't sharpen. A couple of serrated edges with good steel could last a year, depending on what you're cutting.

I think the point of the Medford recommendation was something that is easy to get cleaned out without taking it apart. I think any open back frame or liner lock would be good if the knife will be exposed to a lot of grit (like dust or sand storms). Anything without a mechanism to get clogged up with grime or sand that's hard to remove.

I would suggest getting your hands on some knives. Regardless of the specs, some knives work in my hand and some don't.

Is a small fixed blade an option, or does it have to be a folder?
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Yet I carried a Benchmade AFO through three tours in Afghanistan and CMFTW carried and OTF through his tour in Iraq..
 
A few years back I asked my cousins if the carried a folding knife while they were overseas. Both said no, and that they rarely used their fixed. 99% it was the issued multi-tool. One was a captain in the army rangers, the other captain of radio communications. They both did several tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I think you are over thinking it. Truthfully, though I would appreciate it, having an expensive knife on me while over there would not be a priority. Plus, with a folder, it's just one more thing to maintain.

I don't think the Manix 2 would be a good choice, I'd worry sand would get in and mess up the lock.

Something easily replaceable, with a very open construction would be my suggestion.

While my previous suggestion, the TSF Beast, was designed for military use, I don't think I could in good conscience carry a $300 knife into that kind of situation.
 
Thank you for your service!

As others have said you will have a really hard time going a whole year with out resharpening unfortunately.

I would second a recommendation for the Spyderco Manix 2 XL. I have carried one for about a year using it almost every day and I am pretty happy with it. The steel is a little chippy though. Cold steel seems to make very good products as well. If you have space, spend a few bucks on a fallkniven dc4 sharpening stone and a strop of some sort. Stropping is a very easy method to learn, and will easily sharpen most knives that are not super dull or chipped up. Stay safe and good luck!
 
Frailer said:
I always deployed with a Swiss Army Knife in my pocket...and would do so again.

If I felt the need for a high-dollar item to keep in my pocket during a deployment, I’d spend it on the best flashlight I could find.
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This!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I have zero experience with the mideast, but my war was in Southeast Asia. A SAK and a Buck 301 stockman was all I needed in my tour. Served U.S. Army 39th Combat Engineers.

If I was doing it again, I'd have a Leatherman or Victorinox multitool with me.

Buy two very good small flashlights that can be carried in your pocket. One for use, and a spare in your pack. Good small AAA flashlights are gold at night in tents and barracks. Hang it around your neck under your shirt to be available.
 
What are the regulations/orders of your company/company commander?
Is a non-issued knife or tool even allowed?
It would not surprise me in the least if non-issued knives be they a folder or fixed blade is against orders/regulations.

What is your budget?
Why a folder?
A fixed blade is stronger than any folder, regardless of the blade lock.
What are your anticipated uses?
"Won't need sharpened in a year ..."
That knife does not and will not exist until the Star Wars "Light Sabers" become real.

A Leatherman or SAK Multi-tool of some sort would be a more practical choice; presuming the regulations allow you carry and use anything that wasn't issued to you while you are on duty or on post.
 
Dpx gear heft folder t3 if possible or an older zero tolerance 300 series folder.
Two knives that won't let you down.
James
 
115Italian said:
Buy 3 Spyderco enduras fully serrated. When one dulls put it aside and use the next one.
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If we're sticking with the "moderate to heavy use, but no sharpening for a year" requirement; ^^^^that probably makes the most sense. While I was in the Marines & was deployed, it was 50 years ago & a different environment. Just about all of us carried a fixed blade & there were some GI type Swiss Army knockoffs around too. They all got used pretty hard, sometimes even for actual knife stuff. I know everyone there would have given anything for a Leatherman. I doubt that I'd take anything on deployment that I'd really miss if it got lost or broken.

We had a saying way back then: If you lock a Marine private in an otherwise empty bank vault with three anvils, and come back in a couple hours; one anvil will be broken beyond repair, one will be pregnant, and the third one will have gone missing.
 
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