Help with knife & tool selections please.....

C

carpediem

Joined
Dec 11, 2000
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I have two friends currently in the Army, and one young man from our church is close to graduating as a Green Beret. I want to get them each a set of tools. Here is my list tell me what you think.
One each Tactical Northwest Ranger, Powerplier, & possibly a Tomcat or SAK. Your input please.

Tom
 
I would get them each a SOG PowerLock. I think that is the BEST, most useful multitool ever made.
 
...Unless you are looking to get each of them all three on your list...In THAT case, get them a PowerLock, the Tactical Northwest Ranger (or a Seal Pup), and a Tomcat (or Sogwinder II).
 
Glockman99, that was the idea, a fixed blade, multi-tool, and possibly a folder or sak. I have used and abused a standard NW Ranger hunting etc. and have found it to provide excellent utility. Most of what I have read or heard from those with practical military experience is the knife is a utility tool. That and my personal budget constraints prohibit providing the more expensive of SOG's fixed blades.
I cannot go after our enemies myself unless they visit So. Cal. but I can help those that are and that's what I'm going to do once the selections are made.

I appreciate your suggestions,

Tom
 
Tom,
I must agree with SOGman on the Powerlock, it is simply the best I have handled!
Either the NW Ranger or the Seal Pup would work. My personal preference would be for the Pup, just for the handle shape and grooves, but that is MY taste...
The Tomcat is one monster folder, very solid. If budget is a factor (and for most of us it is!:( ) you may also want to consider the Magnadot which also has the AUS6 blade, but in a Zytel handle. It is very tough (IMHO) and an under-rated knife!
I would suggest : Powerlock, SEAL Pup, Tomcat (or Magnadot)in that order.
Just my 2¢...
Rob
 
Bobby B, thanks for the input, I'll have to handle the Seal Pup and see how it compares to the Ranger. Good idea on the Magnadot too, a friend has one and I sure like them, do you know if they can still be found with a plain blade? I posted a WTB in the forum, hopefully three will magically turn up. I thing the magnadot would be a better choice, less weight in the pocket.
If the Field knife came in a dull finish I would probably just get one of those and the EOD powerlock, that would be an awesome pair for these servicemen.

Thanks again,
Tom
 
Tom,
About 2 weeks ago a plain Magnadot sold on E-Bay for about $40, if memory serves... I missed the bidding by about 10 minutes or so...:(
They are around, just rarer than the semi- serrated.

BTW, if you want a better response to your WTB thread in the Exchange, you may want to post your e-mail address...;)

However much I'd like (in my SOG moderator hat;) ) to see you buy lots of SOG knives... If you give them the EOD Powerlock and a SEAL Pup, the NEED for a big folder diminishes. IMHO, there is little the Magnadot (or Tomcat, etc) can do that the SEAL Pup cannot. If you want to give a folder, you might want to consider a smaller one for finer cutting (i.e. slicing...)
The Field Knife could easily be blasted to a dull finish, and is an EXCELLENT knife. Though it (BG42) holds an edge better than the Pup or Ranger (AUS6), it is a fair bit harder to sharpen (or so I am told - I'm terrible at it to begin with) especially "in the field".
Just some thoughts, for what they're worth.:)
Best of luck to them,
Rob
 
Bobby B,
Your right about the need for a folder, but now that you have me thinking about it I want one. If I purchase three of the Field knives is the bead blasting something that SOG can do?
Since you and Glockman99 push the Seal Pup, how would it compare in the field with the Field Knife. Keep in mind these would be going to active military on or going on deployment. I don't want to be picky I just want a good user for these guys in the field. In the field the sharpening issue could be very relevant.
By the way, do you plan on using that Tigershark or is it for your collection? I have wanted one of those for a while, let me know how it works out. God I love this stuff.

Tom
 
Your right about the need for a folder, but now that you have me thinking about it I want one.
Click to expand...
Now you've crossed a dangerous line between want and need:D ... Welcome to my nightmare!!!:p

Pushing the SEAL Pup? Not so much that, but it is a small version of the SEAL 2000, and an "intended" military knife... it will be easier to sharpen in the field. BG42

someone who actually knows how to sharpen, step in at any time...

is very hard and will take longer (or diamonds) to sharpen. AUS6 can be sharpened much more readily.

I really like the Field Knife, but don't look forward to sharpening it; but it will need it less often.

The sheathing for the SEAL Pup is more "military" suited, I especially like the new nylon sheath. I think it will hold the Powerlock in the pouch... [what a combo!!!]

Also, if it will see "combat" my guess is the Pup has the better shape...

Aaaaaaaaahhh the Tigershark... That is my new "bump in the night" knife. There was an armed (2 men with handguns!:eek:) home invasion just down the street [literally] from us last week... a rarity in Canada, and London in particular. While it probably wouldn't help much, it makes me feel better:mad: ...

Besides, I wanted rather than needed one:D ... ACtually, now I want a Pup with the nylon sheath too!!!

pssst Ron? For my Moderators' Christmas bonus...;) :p ...???
 
I've had my Paratool for 6+ years now and have found it a wonderful tool. I've had a Powerlock for a bit over a year and it's even better, mostly because of it's larger size.

Any of the SOG multitools will serve your friends great.

I should also add that my father in-law usually HATES any gadget type tools or products. He is a dairy farmer(300 head) that also farms 60 acres of apples and 20 acres of blueberries. I gave him a Paratool a few years ago and he absolutely loves it. He is a tough, extremely hard working man that needs his equipment to be reliable. He uses his Paratool on a daily basis and often tells me what a great gift it was. Your buddies need the same calibre of equipment.
 
Based on your selection, and my own preference, I would go with the Seal Pup. The bead blast finish will stand up to long stints in the field fairly well and the AUS-6 is easy to sharpen.

Actually, any SOG cutlery would do fine :)
 
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