Friend in the Marines, Needs a knife

[Dinkum]

Fallkniven F1 or BRK&T Bravo 1 if he must have a fixed blade.

Leatherman Charge if its just for opening stuff and little bits in the field repair.

Big knives are a pain in the ass when your gear weighs a ton already!

 

[Smash05]

Let's get some more info, how long has he been in the Marines? Did he just get to boot, did he just get out? Has he been assigned to a unit yet, does he have a more specific rating than rifleman?

 

[Jake Bauer]

+1 for the Buck Nighthawk

I would probably rather have a Ka-Bar and a multi tool, but for under $40, the Nighthawk is fantastic. Thick 420HC stainless steel blade is easy to sharpen, great on corrosion resistance and compared to other 420 stainless blades, Buck's 420HC (High Carbon) hardened to 58-60 will stay suprisingly sharp. www.knifetests.com has done a good test on it. You can watch the videos and see for yourself. Plus, I've seen a review from a Marine that had a Nighthawk while in combat, and he highly recomended it.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

Leatherman Fuse multi-tool and a Spyderco Endura plain edge folder. You can get the pair of them for under $100 bucks at knifeworks.com..

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I second H2H907, and not just in case of capture. Everyone should have a small folder on them all the time, just like people always used to carry a slipjoint. It's the best for the multitude of small knife tasks that pop up during the day. So much so, most all of us carry one and don't even think about it.

We've mentioned multitools without much guidance on what they can provide. I recommend one with file, saw, and scissors, like a Victorinox Ranger. Given those 3 blades, it will have all the other basics already. And for a Swisstool, none better than the Spirit with its lighter weight.

Let's get back to basics on our Marine, also, as Smash05 asks:

Let's get some more info, how long has he been in the Marines? Did he just get to boot, did he just get out? Has he been assigned to a unit yet, does he have a more specific rating than rifleman?

Some of what we're thinking could be turned completely around depending on answers to those questions. Recommending a high-dollar high-end fixed blade for a new recruit is only buying a keepsake to leave at home.

We really need to know where he's being assigned and what he'll be doing. Marines are remarkably versatile. What if he's a medic? What if he's a pilot?

 

[Halbie]

I second H2H907, and not just in case of capture. Everyone should have a small folder on them all the time, just like people always used to carry a slipjoint. It's the best for the multitude of small knife tasks that pop up during the day. So much so, most all of us carry one and don't even think about it.

We've mentioned multitools without much guidance on what they can provide. I recommend one with file, saw, and scissors, like a Victorinox Ranger. Given those 3 blades, it will have all the other basics already. And for a Swisstool, none better than the Spirit with its lighter weight.

Let's get back to basics on our Marine, also, as Smash05 asks:



Some of what we're thinking could be turned completely around depending on answers to those questions. Recommending a high-dollar high-end fixed blade for a new recruit is only buying a keepsake to leave at home.

We really need to know where he's being assigned and what he'll be doing. Marines are remarkably versatile. What if he's a medic? What if he's a pilot?

If he's a pilot, he may need an E&E - probably an even bigger fixed-blade knife than I'd recommend for survival and defense. However, for survival and defense, I'd want the best fixed blade I could get. It might be best to carry the biggest sharpest and lightest fixed blade with backup, like a multi-tool or a boot-knife.

I'd recommend the Mission MPK Ti and Leatherman Wave. Expensive, yes, but life is worth a lot.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

What if he's a clerk? What if he's on his way to boot camp and has no idea what he's going to end up doing? The better the question, the better the answer. Too little information and this is what we get: answers all over the place.

 

[nodh]

My answer, to add on to the confusion would be as follows:
A good LM or Gerber multitool with a blade that is easy to open.
A Fallkniven F1 for cutting stuff that you dont want to cut with the multi. Light and easy to bring along, really strong when needed and not too intimidating to the sergeant
A very nice and small flashlight, like the Fenix P3D, P2D, L1D with a red filter.

Why not a big macho knife to stab into the hadjis? Well, if you let the bad guys that close you are probably toast anyway

You probably get issued Kabars or M9 bayonets. use them for things that destroys the knife and keep the F1 and multi for things that needs a good edge.

You might even be able to put the F1 in front of your M9 holster on the thigh. There it will be very useful but still out of the way.

In the six episodes so far of "Generation Kill" I have seen almost everyone having a folder dangling from their chest, together with pens, MRE spoons, chem lights and whatnot. I have seen one or two kabars, a lot of multitools and that nutcase with a CS Kukri
I dont know if GK is the ultimate guide to knives in the Marines, but it might give you a clue.

 

[Lobo103]

I don't recall seeing a Kukri In Generation Kill?

Not that any TV show is going to be the be all and end all of accurate information but based on my own time in the military that one is pretty accurate.

I carried a Cold Steel SRK on my LBE but it was used far less than the Benchmade in my pocket or my Gerber Multi-Plier (this was from 99 to 04)

If I was back on deployment today I would probably take my RC-4.

 

[Bfusmc03117]

SEMPER FI

Is it the Marines or the Army becasue those are two different worlds.

I am in the Corps myself. Well if he is sent over seas he will be issued a ontario bayonet. I myself carried a MOD CQD MARK 1 . But when i leave again this year im going to bring both the MOD and try out my new ZT0300 . He needs heavy duty. The MOD i had got beat. Really used it alot and it did what it was supposed to do. But i ended up loosing it in Camp Lejune. So if he finds one there its mine.. lol. But yea heavy duty and 2 folders is good . Wish i had brought another one with me. The bayonet will serve the purpose as a fixed blade and he prob wont be able to carry a large fixed blade on him becasue its not part of the uniform only unless he is actualyy going to the "Sh*T" as they call it. But a folder would be good . Also the MARK 1 can get a kydex sheath to carry like a fixed blade.

OOH-RAH!

 

[JediKnight86]

I'd say if you're a soldier you have a main fixed blade and a backup folder right? I'd say a Busse or Swamprat fixed blade in the 6" range and then a Spyderco or Benchmade folder like a Paramilitary or Griptilian.

The USMC Kabar is an obsolete mass production bare minimum knife with poor quality steel and a grind that won't take a very sharp edge (hate me if you want). There are much better combat/utility blades out there at the same price.

 

[D R E]

I'd say if you're a soldier you have a main fixed blade and a backup folder right? I'd say a Busse or Swamprat fixed blade in the 6" range and then a Spyderco or Benchmade folder like a Paramilitary or Griptilian.

The USMC Kabar is an obsolete mass production bare minimum knife with poor quality steel and a grind that won't take a very sharp edge (hate me if you want). There are much better combat/utility blades out there at the same price.

Hum . . . if shaving hair off my arm isn't a sharp edge and 1095 isn't a good steel, what have I been doing all these years? My Randall Model 14's were mass produced, my Bark Rivers mass produced. I don't hate you for your opinion, just haven't had the same results evidently.

 

[JediKnight86]

Hum . . . if shaving hair off my arm isn't a sharp edge and 1095 isn't a good steel, what have I been doing all these years? My Randall Model 14's were mass produced, my Bark Rivers mass produced. I don't hate you for your opinion, just haven't had the same results evidently.

I didn't know it's 1095. Would be nice if it were hand forged. I'm basing this on my friends Kabar that is not well maintained, almost falling apart, dull as CSPAN, and I've never tried to put a new edge on it. I'm not saying it's a bad knife, just obsolete design. I don't like how it's not a full tang design (from what I know) and the handle/cross guard can become loose, just too many put together parts. I wouldn't hate to have one in a combat situation, just would not be my first choice. I prefer wide flat ground blades.

 

[D R E]

A little more on the construction:

The Marine FU knife has a full tang in the sense that the tang runs the full length of the handle and is held in place by a pin through the pommel. True, the tang is not the same width as the blade but is no where near a "rat tail" tang.

The rat tail typically is very narrow often with a welded on section of threaded steel to accept a butt cap. Often the whole rat tail tang is welded onto the blade - very weak.

Concerning the weaknesses of the kabar design, yes there are many. The guard will loosen because it is compressed by the washers. When the washers shrink, the guard will move. Yah, that annoys me to. I wouldn't say the design is necessarily obsolete just "old fashioned". It still makes for a very servicable, general use, cutting tool.

Yes, there are much better constructed and designed knives around but the kabar is an affordable jack of all trades. When used for cutting and medium chopping, it will last a lifetime.

 

[Hammer27]

SEMPER FI

Is it the Marines or the Army becasue those are two different worlds.

I am in the Corps myself. Well if he is sent over seas he will be issued a ontario bayonet. I myself carried a MOD CQD MARK 1 . But when i leave again this year im going to bring both the MOD and try out my new ZT0300 . He needs heavy duty. The MOD i had got beat. Really used it alot and it did what it was supposed to do. But i ended up loosing it in Camp Lejune. So if he finds one there its mine.. lol. But yea heavy duty and 2 folders is good . Wish i had brought another one with me. The bayonet will serve the purpose as a fixed blade and he prob wont be able to carry a large fixed blade on him becasue its not part of the uniform only unless he is actualyy going to the "Sh*T" as they call it. But a folder would be good . Also the MARK 1 can get a kydex sheath to carry like a fixed blade.

OOH-RAH!

X2 on just about everything...I didn't lose a knife in Lejune

The MOD will probably satisfy his urge for a b@dass "combat" knife (if that's what he's going for) but be just as serviceable, if not more, and discreet as its a folder. The rescue hook and glass breaker won't hurt to have either. Also, if he wants his own fixed blade, you have that accesory sheath. The Ontario USMC bayonet is a pretty damn good knife except for that bayonet lug. MOD CQD Mk1, Ontario USMC bayonet (free), and a multitool is what I'd recommend.

 

[Masteroffajitas]

Leatherman TTi, and then get him a RAT-5.

 

[PG5768]

+1 on the multi-tool:thumbup:

If you're in the "s..t" and down to using knives, then I vote for the shingle hammer or ball peen hammer (or maybe a pistol). Or sharpened e-tool, a fav during the siege of Stalingrad.

 

[shakedown0331]

As a former grunt and NCO, be careful with some wicked bada$$ fixed blade. You get a crotchety SNCO hellbent on room inspcetions and you have a lot of explaining to do. You don't want to go to pricey either, lost a couple of pricey benchmades while on patrol to figure that one out. A healthy multitool (not cast) with a bomb proof sheath (read that as no Gerber) and a stout folder is what this guy/gal really needs. The folders lock needs to be able to sruvive armegeddon as well. As a machine gunner I used every blade and screwdriver for every pry, prod, and non-knife need that arose. If your friend is into the secret squirrel missions then thats something to reconsider. The general devil dog won't need much more.

 

[mnyshrpknvs]

Check out Ranger Knives as well. Well made, tough and priced right in the fixed blade dept. Folders I would suggest as many did a Leatherman Multi-Tool.

 

[Flatlander1963]

I spent a couple of years in a Armored Cav. Regiment on the Fulda Gap. We spent 7-9 months a year in the field. I managed the entire tour with a Buck 110 and a mini-maglight. Skip the big ole fixed blade for a tough folder...add the maglight.