Help please- Combat Medic EDC

What about the ZT Mudd?
Sealed pivot, stainless steel, g10 slabs...

Sounds like it was built for the sandbox.
 
He will have plenty of disposable rescue shears, so don't bother with those.
I carried a spyderco endura on military and LE duty for years and highly recommend it. It is light and if he loses it is not the end of the world.
 
I like your past buys and what you are thinking of as well. Might want to plan the next knives depending where he lands...salt water and high humidity a spyderco salt serrated would be a solid buy.
 
I'm an active EMT by profession and have and sometimes carry the bm triage. I have the manual Orange version. It is a good option but will say the blade tip shape is bad, here's why. It already has a clothes cutting hook which works really well,. So any real respectful and careful medical person field or not is not gonna take a large blade towards a patient's skin. You just can't pull out a large blade and and use it on a person. So I moded my tip to b more of a drop point. So I would look at the auto version with regular tip! Just opinions. Good luck and tell him thanks for his service!
 
The Spyderco Manix 2 (or Manix 2 XL) as mentioned above would get my vote. The s30v holds a good edge and it is not as thick or heavy as an Adamas. You also wouldn't have to worry about Benchmade's current reputation for hit or miss quality control. It has a very ergonomic handle shape and plenty of traction. The blade tip is stronger than that of a PM2 and the lock is at least as strong as the Benchmade Axis lock. Plus you have the added benefit of putting a zip tie onto the Spyder hole to wave it open like an Emerson.
 
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The Leatherman Raptor is cool, but a lot of the tools would go to waste depending on the type of unit he's in. I was a medic in the Infantry, no point having an O2 wrench as I was not lugging O2 tanks around. The issue shears work just fine & are free. As another poster mentioned, there is already a lot of stuff to lug around so large, heavy knives should be reconsidered. You also don't want to be "That guy" carrying the folding sword or big combat knife. Did my whole time rotating a Spyderco Delica, Benchmade/Emerson CQC-7B, and various other folders in the 3" to 3.5" blade range. You also mention your son doesn't know steel quality. So how is his sharpening ability? No point getting him a high end steel if he can't sharpen it.

I'd suggest some of the ZT knives like the 550 or 566. Another Benchmade I highly recommend is the Benchmade/H&K 14715BK.
 
perryman said:
He will have plenty of disposable rescue shears, so don't bother with those.
I carried a spyderco endura on military and LE duty for years and highly recommend it. It is light and if he loses it is not the end of the world.
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Bearing in mind that most rescue knives are task specific and aren't usually the best choice as a standard EDC, I second the recommendation for an Endura. I think it's even more fitting now that you've mentioned he's a relative novice where knives are concerned. It's a great knife with a blade designed for a wide variety of uses and it's fairly inexpensive.
 
He may never use or even carry it
But it sure would make a fine memorable gift!
SARK-BT-1.jpg

With so many good folders out there
Some of which have been recommended here.
Perhaps a gift voucher
Might not be too bad an idea.
It surely would allow him
To pick what which truly catches his fancy.
Also be sure to thank him for his service.
 
Again, thank for the all the advice- it helped. My current position is to purchase a good standard folding knife for around town/base, since I know he believe he is at least 9-month away from deployment (another fun winter in Fairbanks). The ZT is moving up my list in this approach, then I can get the BM Triage, or similar next. At that point he should have a very well-rounded "war chest" of knives. 2-folders and 2-fixed that should take on anything and last a lifetime.

Anyone find any faults in my list:

Has:
Satin Swamp Rat Ratmandu
Essee Uzula Stainless

Future:
Standard folder- ZT?
BM Triage
 
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Dallas T said:
I'm an active EMT by profession and have and sometimes carry the bm triage. I have the manual Orange version. It is a good option but will say the blade tip shape is bad, here's why. It already has a clothes cutting hook which works really well,. So any real respectful and careful medical person field or not is not gonna take a large blade towards a patient's skin. You just can't pull out a large blade and and use it on a person. So I moded my tip to b more of a drop point. So I would look at the auto version with regular tip! Just opinions. Good luck and tell him thanks for his service!
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Excellent points- I am also in the medical profession and agree that there are safer tools than an open large blade near a patient. I was looking at the model without the blunt tip, since it already has the rescue hook for getting under layers safely. You said you "sometimes" carry the BM Triage- what do you "usually" carry?
 
mayfly-1970 said:
Again, thank for the all the advice- it helped. My current position is to purchase a good standard folding knife for around town/base, since I know he believe he is at least 9-month away from deployment (another fun winter in Fairbanks). The ZT is moving up my list in this approach, then I can get the BM Triage, or similar next. At that point he should have a very well-rounded "war chest" of knives. 2-folders and 2-fixed that should take on anything and last a lifetime.

Anyone find any faults in my list:

Has:
Satin Swamp Rat Ratmandu
Essee Uzula Stainless

Future:
Standard folder- ZT?
BM Triage
Click to expand...

I have been thinking. How about something more budget friendly? Because you are looking at an EDC, maybe a SAK Pioneer, a Utilitac 2, Zancudo or a RAT folder? All of these are dirt cheap so you son will not worry if something happens to them. You never know what type of person is standing in formation next to you. They may be a prince or a thief.

I am not saying don't get the Triage or ZT. Just get your son a budget folder to go with them. Something he does not have to worry about.

As much as I love the BM Triage, I find it a little big for an EDC. I would love to see Benchmade offer a slightly smaller version with a full serrated blade and a standard BM pocket clip. I also find that my Spyderco Clip-it Rescue is too thin and likes to go on vacation when I want to use it. It should be around the house somewhere. I have to look for it.

I have had lots of fun reading this thread. It has brought back lots of memories from when I was a medic with the Corp of Engineers. Much of my time I had a CRKT Prowler in my pocket. It was cheap and I loved the grip. Very Emerson CQC7ish in it's shape.

Please tell you son thank you for his service.
 
mayfly-1970 said:
Excellent points- I am also in the medical profession and agree that there are safer tools than an open large blade near a patient. I was looking at the model without the blunt tip, since it already has the rescue hook for getting under layers safely. You said you "sometimes" carry the BM Triage- what do you "usually" carry?
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Most of the time I carry a plain Jane bm large griptilian, love the simplicity and tough nature of the 154cm. Plus I've found the n680 to b quite chippy.
 
Dallas T said:
Most of the time I carry a plain Jane bm large griptilian, love the simplicity and tough nature of the 154cm. Plus I've found the n680 to b quite chippy.
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I was going to say a Grip as well.


My friend in Radio Recon was actually issued a Full size grip in 154cm and a Nimravus. 154cm is an awesome "duty" steel in my experience. Its held up amazing for 2 years of high abuse on a farm. Id say its much stronger than N680. (Iv pried pretty hard with 154cm and it bent the tip insted of snapping as most stainless steels would do, and I was able to bend it right back. Very forgiving steel.) But its also not nearly as stainless as N680 (water,salt water, blood) and that rescue hook on the triage is pretty awesome for medic/emt. I might consider a triage for medic uses and a mini grip for edc uses. Or a Full size grip and a BM 7 hook :D
 
I think it would be hard to top the Endura, its light and durable with good steel that is easy to sharpen. It can be used as a defensive blade and even offers a trainer version. There are also many blade configurations from saber ground to flat ground, serrated, combo or plain edge not to mention the assortment of handle colors or the sprint run offerings.

For a ZT I would recommend the 0562, just a really awesome knife in the hand.
 
Check out the CRKT M16 ZLEK (Zytel Law Enforcement Knife) Comes in three sizes. 3", 3.4", or 3.875" AUS8 partially serrated blade. Has a rescue hook/seat belt cutter on the flipper (to be used while closed) and a tungston carbide glass breaker on the handle. Uses their patented Auto Lawks system that makes it as they say a "virtual fixed blade". Designed for and rescuers,LEO and military. Lightweight due to the skelotonized handle. ~$45
http://www.lockharttactical.com/media/com_hikashop/upload/crkt_m16-12zlek_lockhart_tactical_1.jpg

Another option to consider is the Leatherman Skelatool RX rescue tool. Great pliers/wire cutters, fully serrated 154CM locking blade, and an external bit driver which includes a glass breaker tip and contains a second double sided driver bit in the frame. Caribiner clip for belt loops and a built in pocket clip. ~$80

https://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/leatherman/images/LM832306b.jpg
 
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Congrats on your son finishing up at Sam Houston! I was a combat field medic myself, hence my screen name. At the time, I used a Gerber multitool and an oval hole 440 Grip through out my term. If I could go back and do it again, I probably wouldn't change a thing, except that I'd add that new Leatherman Raptor. Looks real handy!
 
Benchmade Triage or Cold Steel Recon Clip/Spear point or Voyager. Not a fan of frame/liner locks for knives that will take any abuse/messy use, leave them for the art knives and more casual EDC use.
 
mayfly-1970 said:
I need some help from the crowd on a Christmas present for my son, who is serving as a combat medic. I already gave him the goods in fixed blades after graduating AIT. He has a satin Swamp Rat Ratmandu with an stainless Essee Izula piggybacked to it on a MOLLE rig (me thinks dad did good).

Now I would like to set him up with a good EDC folder, for around base/town/field. Until all you knowledgeable folks educate me some more, I am considering at the Benchmade Triage Rescue (current top pick) or the Spyderco Rescue. Personally I carry either a BM Griptilian or Spyderco Salt so I may have some bias.

Thanks for your feedback. And just in case, yes I know how to use the search function.
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I was a Medic a lifetime ago. He has probably been issued scissors that will cut through boots. If not, get him a pair. As for a knife, as a Medic he has a lot of extra gear to carry, especially if he is the senior medic in the field and has to resupply his medics from his larger medical bag. So, light and strong are key. I would get him a Spyderco Salt or Pacific Salt with a serrated edge. It is super light, will not, cannot, rust, and will cut through anything. The Pacific Salt is also large enough for last ditch defense.
 
91bravo said:
Congrats on your son finishing up at Sam Houston! I was a combat field medic myself, hence my screen name. At the time, I used a Gerber multitool and an oval hole 440 Grip through out my term. If I could go back and do it again, I probably wouldn't change a thing, except that I'd add that new Leatherman Raptor. Looks real handy!
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So your the reason that I could not use 91 Bravo as my screen name! You know that medics are not 91Bs anymore, right? IRRC, they have changed it to 68W. I think 91B is now a mechanic MOS.
 
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