Help and advice

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GeeScott4369

Joined
Feb 27, 2009
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My daughter (actually foster daughter) age 21, just completed Basic Training in the National Guard at Ft. Jackson and AIT at Ft. Gordon. After completion of AIT she returned to Gordon for the weekend and upon her return announced her engagement to a fellow soldier, Regular Army, Airborne, who is to complete training at Ft. Benning and then stationed at Ft. Bragg, and possible deployment to Afghanistan. Fortunately, her Guard unit is not too far from Bragg. I've read the "Knives for the Afghanistan Push" article, forums, etc. and I would like to get him a decent, useful knife (great wedding present, huh?)...Anyway, I'm currently looking at a RAT 5 SERE, a Ka-Bar Becker BK7, a 7' or so Ranger model' and the Grayman, anything less than about $200. Every forum or review has good, bad, and sometimes ugly info about each. RAT seems to get the best reviews. Any suggestions from the users????
 
Get her a victorinox swisstool,and a good quality folder. Something from Benchmade,Spyderco,kershaw,etc.
 
The RC-5 is probably a little heavy for EDC, he would probably prefer a RC-3 mil. or a RC-4. RAT has probably the best warranty for a knife company, they quarantee for life and if it breaks they will replace it.
 
Thanks, the Smoke Jumper looks good....the knife would be for the RA, not my Guard daughter. Mike will most likely be jumping out of a plane or helicopter at some point in time....one reason why the RAT 5 SERE looked appealing....
 
hwpaintballer said:
The RC-5 is probably a little heavy for EDC, he would probably prefer a RC-3 mil. or a RC-4. RAT has probably the best warranty for a knife company, they quarantee for life and if it breaks they will replace it.
Click to expand...

I have an Izula and RC3, and I absolutely love RAT Cutlery. Some of the best people in the business in my opinion. The RC3 has done a lot for me in the short period of time that I've had it. It's lightweight, but still sturdy and holds a razor edge for a good long while. I'm assuming the RC5 is the same way, so I would safely say that it'll stand up to a lot of hard use. Plus, with their guarantee, if somehow the knife does get broken they'll replace it free of charge.

I also have the original BK7 back when it was made my Camillus and it's one heck of a knife too. I have really abused mine, and it still comes back for more without a single complaint. Holds an edge fairly well, but because of what I use it for I don't bother putting a razor edge on it, it wouldn't be as useful to me that way. But it does stay sharp, and can cut just about anything I need it to. For more delicate work I keep a small folder in the utility pocket of the sheath anyway.

I might have missed it, but what role do you want the knife to have? Is it going to be an EDC for basic work, or something a little more heavy duty for prying, chopping, CQC, ect? That will possibly narrow down the list for you.
 
The BK7 is a good choice. So would be a Rat Cutlery RC 3, 4, or 6. RC5 would work good, but it is heavier.
 
This is almost a question you would have to ask him about. He might already have a reliable knife. He might or might not want a big knife. If I had to make the decision without asking him, I'd go for something in the range of RC-4 to Bravo-1, a tough mid-size knife that's optimized for cutting and doesn't weigh too much.
 
Good advice, all. I'm not sure exactly what type of duty he'd see if deployed. He and my daughter were in communications training together. This may simply be a case of me wanting him to have a knife that I would want to have in a given environment. I completed my Army duty in the late
'60's in Germany in Finance and the most action I saw was on Kaiserstrasse. Not much on deserts and survival and hositle environments....And there was hardly the weapons choice as now. He is between training assignments recuperating from a stress fracture and may get to spend a few days with us before reporting to Bragg. ...Gun show in Charlotte next weekend, maybe I'll take him if he's here and get some ideas...
 
From what I've heard, most knife use in the military these days is for opening MREs and small tasks. If that's truly the case, can't go wrong with just a simple little folder. I'd go for something that can be taken apart and cleaned relatively easily.
 
For anyone in a technical position of any sort, including handling weapons -- a good multitool.
 
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