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If you could pick one knife to take to Afghanistan what would it be?

I took a Ka-Bar D2 fighting knife and it did everything I needed. If I were going now I'd go with a Becker 17. Whatever you choose remember, only rounds on target count, stay safe.
 
I took my KABAR USMC, a Leatherman, and a couple folders. The Leatherman will do just fine for the lighter tasks like opening MREs so you can probably omit the folder but make sure you have one with the hardened wire cutters in case you need to cut commo wire. A big fixed blade on your gear is more accessible some times but I wouldn't spend to much on it in case of loss/theft.
 
Good Multi-Tool, with the hardened wire cutters as mentioned, and a small "Get the Hell off me!" fixed blade. The American Kami Colubris would be a good choice. Strider DB or DB-L, SA or SA-L, another good choice. ESEE 3 or Izula 2 would be an inexpensive choice. I'm partial to my Ken Brock Double D.

Or you could go Old School and carry an Ontario Pilots Knife. :)
 
Id take my ESEE 3 mil. Tough enough for anything you would need a knife for even over there. Also its a amazing knife for its cost and if it gets lost its not super expensive to replace.
 
I just got back and have some insight from 10+ months of experience.

Folders- tough is good, but I carried my griptillian every day because I just needed it for slicing open MRE's and cutting cord and cardboard and food.

Fixed- tough and tough. I carried a Busse Active Duty about 60% of the time and a Scrapyard WarDog the rest. The AD is a better cutter, and the WD is a tank for prying and digging. I wore both on the front of my kit. Stay away from 6+" knives because they are hard to mount without compromising space that could carry something useful.

Multitool- use what you like, and don't skimp on quality. I like leatherman, most guys likes gerber since that's what we were issued. I saw a lot of broken Gerbers but they outnumbered me 30-1. So that's not significant statistically. Maybe just plan on a backup.
 
X_shooter said:
Hi folks. Finally getting around to my first post after lurking a long time. I would think two fixed blades would be in order. A heavy work blade and one more suited for quick and just deployment. Perhaps a bouble edged weapon.

However, I wonder how my generous tax dollars don't adequately equip our fine soldiers when sent to save the world.
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Welcome to Bladeforums.
Please keep political commentary out of this discussion. there is a political areana forum which you can participate in by upgrading your membership.
 
If I could take only one knife to Afghanistan, I'd have to choose the Buck Hoodlum. I'd want something light, strong and long. I would like to get rid of the notch, though. But one knife in a combat zone is unrealistic; and in Afghanistan it's especially so, where there's so much treachery.
 
Been there done that, if you are asking only one knife/tool it would be a heavy duty Muilti tool like a Leatherman ST300. I spent 15 months there and the MT got used 98% of the time, a Tactical folder (Spyderco Millie) got used a few times. Close Combat with a knife, chances are you would not need to defend yourself with a knife but it does happen just not likely. Thats why I had a millie on me, but again if only one it would be the ST300.A Army issue E-tool would be good if you run out of ammo.
 
Confederate said:
one knife in a combat zone is unrealistic; and in Afghanistan it's especially so, where there's so much treachery.
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That is some scary stuff. I'd wear my plate carrier backwards. And I'd attach tiny rearview mirrors to my sunglasses. Only 1/2 joking.

Just idle speculation here, but I think I'd take a mid-size "prybar" like the BM Adamas fixed or Les George VECP fixed, and also a Millie or Contego for slicing.
 
One Knife is a Bear....

I had 3 in the sand box, a mini-griptillian in a slash pocket, Leatherman always on my belt and a ESSE Izula almost center mass on my carrier, so I could grab with either hand to create space.

I used my leatherman and Mini-grip a LOT, I was on the pointy end of the stick, so one pick... I'd go with the Izula and prioritze it's purpose vs general purpose. Best thing, I wasn't limited to one. I also packed a pistol, so the knife was for close encounters with 2 weapon systems in place to be used first. My Izula was never needed, but I was glad to put both hands on it(muscle memory), before crossing the wire.
 
Take one of those two for work:
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And this one for fight:
1NHns.jpg
 
all 41 + 14 all said:
That is some scary stuff. I'd wear my plate carrier backwards. And I'd attach tiny rearview mirrors to my sunglasses. Only 1/2 joking.

Just idle speculation here, but I think I'd take a mid-size "prybar" like the BM Adamas fixed or Les George VECP fixed, and also a Millie or Contego for slicing.
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Prybars rock, but a frag and duct tape can work in a pinch!!
 
Boker Plus Vox Rold for a fixed blade. Heavy duty D2 steel, 6" blade, and a nice finger choil for choking up on. And a leatherman MUT. If you cant do the job with those two, just walk away, haha
 
Kabar D2 - Trusted and proven design. D2 steel...

Cold steel safe maker II - This would be my Oh sh$# blade - fast to deploy

Multi tool or Vitorinox - for all of the day to day. My prefernce is votorinox but I agree with the comments above stating the value of good cutters
 
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