Good, Serious Deployment (Fixed) Blade?

[Trail Edge]

Hey brother, I went 11B-1P in the Desert Storm days and my father gave me an M-7 Onterio. I didn’t use it much, but it’s nice to know you have a bayonet at your disposal. A friend of mine had a Kukri so between us in a platoon we had a little of all the stuff. I used my Spyderco delica the most though, I would get it sharpened from the guy in front of the PX when he was there, and I always felt like I could dispose/ loose the knife and I could replace it. Engineer? Maybe a multi tool would be good too. Ive been getting into smaller knives lately.. something that you can whittle with.

Here is a link to a recent thread about an indestructible folder for infantry
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ake-on-infantry-deployment?highlight=infantry

have fun

 

[1066vik]

While I agree with the folks who say "smaller is more likely to make it into your harness" and "wait until you're through basic & AIT" -- i also appreciate your willingness to buy something appropriate now, before 3 years of inflation take the prices out of your range.
With that in mind, I second the votes for the CG Boss Jack, Ratmandu, ESEE6, and Halo Attack -- and would add to the list a Blackjack AWAK, EK #5 bowie and the recent Swamprat 511.
(and for the record, when my brother was an 11b he carried a CS SRK -- and it's still his first choice for a duty/carry knife 20 years later)

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Hi buddy. Please watch the video below. It was made by a guy who's done two tours in Iraq.

The reality is that no one actually uses those fighting knives like the one you mentioned, or the Swamp Rat mentioned above... or even the Ka-bar fighter, although they might carry them. I hope you never find yourself in a situation where you wish you had a real fighting knife like those. 99.99% of the time, you are going to need a knife for basic utility. And in the event of real crisis, you'll be more likely to need to do things like cut through a seat belt in a burning vehicle... Again, I hope you never have to. Also avoid "tactical" coatings; they look cool, but they also drag and scuff when doing any real cutting.

On to the vid, watch this video by a soldier with combat experience. He talks a lot about what he needed in a knife over there and general knife philosophy in the field in Iraq.. He's reviewing a Justin King knife he custom ordered in this video, but you can ignore that, since this post is not an endorsement of Justin King. In fact, that maker hates me because I keep asking him to make me a knife with a stabilized graham cracker handle (although he did offer to make me one for the low cost of $10,000). You don't have to go with Justin King. There are a lot of makers who can make the knife you need.... and there are a lot of factory-made knives that fit the bill, too.

Anywho, here's the vid. Watch!

[video=youtube;HU0e8jmP7zo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU0e8jmP7zo[/video]

 

[Tilley Knife]

I carried a small 3.25" fixed blade and a multi-tool. I hardly ever used the fixed blade, but it was light and unnoticeable. The mulit-tool, on the other hand, was used 100's of times a day. If you must have a fixed blade, I would recommend nothing larger than a Rodent Solution or an ESEE 3. The main factor is weight, trust me. Do yourself a favor and put that left over cash into an extra multi-tool and a pocket widgy pry bar. Just my $0.02 and good luck.

 

[Ankerson]

Depending on were one is going to be as in the Desert, The Mountains, Jungle or just the woods or city the needs could or will be different.

That also depends on what ones job really is (MOS).

The bottom line here really is in the end it will be up to the individual to decide what they really need in the end.

They won't really know that until they have really been there and see what their personal needs really are.

When I was in the USMC I had been in all of those situations over the 4 years I was in so I know for a fact that needs do change depending on the situation.

The knife I took with me most of the time was a KA-BAR and it was light enough not to weigh me down and more than strong enough to handle most of what I put it though in a variety of situations.

One really doesn't need anything special or fancy or expensive in the end.

Today given the options that are around, a lot more than back in 82-86 I would still carry a KA-BAR or if I was issued a M9 that should do the job just fine.

If I had to carry a folder it would be the CS Recon 1 or American Lawman, cheap, strong as hell and easy to maintain and sharpen.

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

I have to wonder how old you are if your father was deployed when I was and your grandfather the same age as my father...I'm not even 30 yet. I've never met any young dude who was beating up on a $1,000 worth of fixed blades like it's cool - still want to see a couple photos of the broken knives, even if it's with a crappy cell phone camera, or it seems a little like you are pulling our legs.

 

[Ankerson]

I have to wonder how old you are if your father was deployed when I was and your grandfather the same age as my father...I'm not even 30 yet. I've never met any young dude who was beating up on a $1,000 worth of fixed blades like it's cool - still want to see a couple photos of the broken knives, even if it's with a crappy cell phone camera, or it seems a little like you are pulling our legs.

Yeah really, I don't even know why one would want something like that in the 1st place or how they would be able to afford them being in the Military.

 

[knives-n-stuff]

First and foremost, get whatever knife or knives you like.

Moving on, don't bother buying a knife you expect to carry in combat before you're even through with boot camp. If nothing else, your unit may decide everyone will carry an M9 Bayonet and nothing else will be allowed.



I carried a Strider BN-SS and SMF and a Benchmade 5000 Auto Presidio.

How did you like your SMF? I was thinking about getting one, but didn't yet. Is it worth it?

 

[knives-n-stuff]

In your size range I'd go this route. ESEE-4 might be my choice.

I also have a 4, and it will be one of the blades I bring along... I LOVE ESEE!

 

[knives-n-stuff]

Hey brother, I went 11B-1P in the Desert Storm days and my father gave me an M-7 Onterio. I didn’t use it much, but it’s nice to know you have a bayonet at your disposal. A friend of mine had a Kukri so between us in a platoon we had a little of all the stuff. I used my Spyderco delica the most though, I would get it sharpened from the guy in front of the PX when he was there, and I always felt like I could dispose/ loose the knife and I could replace it. Engineer? Maybe a multi tool would be good too. Ive been getting into smaller knives lately.. something that you can whittle with.

Here is a link to a recent thread about an indestructible folder for infantry
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ake-on-infantry-deployment?highlight=infantry

have fun

I have a Leatherman MUT (with an EOD spike, and standard AR punch), that I'll use for the bulk of the work. :thumbup:

 

[knives-n-stuff]

While I agree with the folks who say "smaller is more likely to make it into your harness" and "wait until you're through basic & AIT" -- i also appreciate your willingness to buy something appropriate now, before 3 years of inflation take the prices out of your range.
With that in mind, I second the votes for the CG Boss Jack, Ratmandu, ESEE6, and Halo Attack -- and would add to the list a Blackjack AWAK, EK #5 bowie and the recent Swamprat 511.
(and for the record, when my brother was an 11b he carried a CS SRK -- and it's still his first choice for a duty/carry knife 20 years later)

Thanks for the support. I too feel the same about "small vs. large" knives. Although, I am taking an ESEE-4, but still would like a larger blade. I took a look at that Bowie, and it is really a nice looking blade. I guess the worst part is that a guy has to choose between one of them.

 

[knives-n-stuff]

I have to wonder how old you are if your father was deployed when I was and your grandfather the same age as my father...I'm not even 30 yet. I've never met any young dude who was beating up on a $1,000 worth of fixed blades like it's cool - still want to see a couple photos of the broken knives, even if it's with a crappy cell phone camera, or it seems a little like you are pulling our legs.

I'm 16. I'm joining early summer on my birthday. And while some people my age spend their money on video games, new phones, designer clothes, and drugs; I buy knives, paracord, hunting gear, and bushcraft stuff. (( rules violation )) I don't beat up on my knives usually. The only reason I broke my Recon Scout, is my $17 Truper axe didn't have a handle, and it was the middle of winter, and we only had 1/2 of a face-cord of wood left to burn (my Dad had just gotton out from surgery on his back). And I was only using my SRK for light, Bushcraft carving about a week later when the handle split. So in other words, the product was crap. And all of my other knives are either hunting knives, or collectors knives. Ill put up some pictures on Thursday.

 

[knives-n-stuff]

Yeah really, I don't even know why one would want something like that in the 1st place or how they would be able to afford them being in the Military.

I have a job.

 

[Ankerson]

I have a job.

In the end you have a long way to go before the Military is a reality and then you have to get through Boot Camp and the rest of your training before anything real happens.

Things can and will change during that time and even after.

At this point you really don't know what you will be doing really and or if you will be doing it or were for that matter.

So it's best to wait and see what happens and what your own thoughts are once it's time.

Don't put the cart before the horse and you will have to learn to walk before you can run.

Enjoy what you are doing NOW because once you sign those papers and take that oath and get on that bus, plane ect your life will change and change big time.

Most people don't know what that really means, you will though once or if you go that route.

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

I think Ankerson's advice is solid.

I don't think there is anything wrong with being 16, it's great what you are interested in and if you really do already have all those knives, multi-tools, etc. that is awesome.

If you remember "it's the Indian, not the arrow" and get some good training before you even join you'll be ok with pretty much anything you already have. It's a very small percentage of people in the military who actually get good, thorough knife training.

 

[marcinek]

I'm 16.

Maybe it's time for you to step back and do a quick reality check. I applaud your desire to enlist, but do you really think that you are going to use a large fighting knife or tomahawk while serving? Like you are going to be running around deanimating sentries and lopping the heads off bad guys? You are joining up as a sapper/engineer correct? Not Special Forces?

Listen to the guys in this thread who served. They are all saying they had that awesome, "tactical" stuff but they never used it.

Buy the BlackJack. Its a good knife. Have fun with it now and when you are on leave.

 

[scouter27]

How did you like your SMF? I was thinking about getting one, but didn't yet. Is it worth it?

Did you read the rest of my post?

The SMF is a great knife, but probably a little big to be carrying around in a High School :thumbdn: Yes, it's worth it, if you like it or want it or need it.


My advice is buy the Blackjack if you want it, they are well made and you shouldn't be disappointed. Just don't do it with the expectation that you will be fighting anything more aggressive than MRE #22 with it. The best advice I have ever heard given on combat knives is "If you expect that you will run out of ammo, leave that big knife and take more ammo instead."

We don't recall ever being more than half a mile from my truck (doing convoy security and route recon) and had 10+ mags in my pack in the truck in addition to what was on my body (never more than 4 mags).


No matter how fit and strong you are, you will always be "better" with less gear/weight. That's simple physiology, there's no way around it.

 

[Jason.Lee740]

I'm 16. I'm joining early summer on my birthday.

I think that sums it up.

You're 16.

Wait until you're 18.

And I'm not to sure what you mean by joining cause you can't unless you are of age.

You can start the paperwork.

And take the asvab but I think that's it.

Also strive to be more than infantry.

Hell if you are that motivated then get a high gt score and join the air force to become a para jumper or go special forces, rangers, force recon in the marines, OSI in the air force or anything but the infantry.

Basically don't be infantry unless you know what you're getting yourself into.

It sucks. A lot.

But it's a fun job nonetheless.

Edit:

Also to echo what the members been saying: less is more.

You realize it more than ever when you ruck 26 miles with 55lbs.

 

[jackknife]

I think that sums it up.

You're 16.

Wait until you're 18.

And I'm not to sure what you mean by joining cause you can't unless you are of age.

You can start the paperwork.

And take the asvab but I think that's it.

Also strive to be more than infantry.

Hell if you are that motivated then get a high gt score and join the air force to become a para jumper or go special forces, rangers, force recon in the marines, OSI in the air force or anything but the infantry.

Basically don't be infantry unless you know what you're getting yourself into.

It sucks. A lot.

But it's a fun job nonetheless.

Edit:

Also to echo what the members been saying: less is more.

You realize it more than ever when you ruck 26 miles with 55lbs.

Absolutly the best advise in this whole post!:thumbup:

Not to mention a few other things the recruiter probably left out.

Before you make plans on spending this money on fancy knives, think about the fact that many CO's don't even permit the carrying of non issue knives. Fixed blades can be out and out banned.

Also, having something higher end or fancier than the PX sellection of knives, means it may very well get stolen before you outlive your newby status. Some of your fellow soldiers will be less than nice people. They are transferring in and out all the time, and a high dollar or attractive knife or other item will tend to disappear. As much as barracks thieves are despised, they do exist. If you get hurt and end up in the field hospital, half your gear will vanish like the morning mist. Go on leave and stuff will go missing.

I know this because I spent 10 years and 4 months in the army engineers before being medically discharged for active duty injuries. They shipped me to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. for physical therapy and learn to walk on a right leg that was not the same again, and half of my stuff never got to me from my last duty station where I was injured. Including a Randall model 15. The irony of the stolen Randall was, it had never been carried. With all the other stuff we had to pack, it was too heavy and too big to be useful. In 10 years of duty with the engineers, I needed a fixed blade knife like I needed a hole in the head. What I and my fellow soldiers used most was a good utility pocket knife. That included my tour with the 39th Combat Engineer bat. in Vietnam.

Forget what you see on TV or in video games, and forget half of what your recruiter tells you. Just have a good folder/multitool on you, and that's it. It's not gonna be the glorious TV movie that you think. I'm sure the recruiter has painted a very nice picture for you, but you are going to find military life not quite like it has been painted.

Wait till your 18 or 19.

Carl.

 

[knives-n-stuff]

I think that sums it up.

You're 16.

Wait until you're 18.

And I'm not to sure what you mean by joining cause you can't unless you are of age.

You can start the paperwork.

And take the asvab but I think that's it.

Also strive to be more than infantry.

Hell if you are that motivated then get a high gt score and join the air force to become a para jumper or go special forces, rangers, force recon in the marines, OSI in the air force or anything but the infantry.

Basically don't be infantry unless you know what you're getting yourself into.

It sucks. A lot.

But it's a fun job nonetheless.

Edit:

Also to echo what the members been saying: less is more.

You realize it more than ever when you ruck 26 miles with 55lbs.

I can join, and go through basic before I'm a Senior (this summer). And after hearing this, I'm not gonna get the Blackjack. Instead, I'll get a SOG Tech Bowie, or something like it. :thumbup: