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

[HoosierQ]

The M95 Sissipuukko Rangers knife by Peltonen or Gerber Armorhide A475.

~Paul~

Oooooooh. Gerber Armorhide...Grail knife for me.

 

[shaving sharp]

I would go with a Busse ASH-1 .220 thick and double cut blade.

 

[Fanglekai]

Scrapyard scrapivore. SR-101 steel, lightweight, fixed blade for less maintenance, won't break the bank.

 

[HepatitisJ]

fallkniven a1, bk-7 or esee 6. all nice and light weight and bridge the gap between survival and tactical very well

 

[dogwood dan]

Under full disclosure this is one of mine but I made the pattern for couple of budys that are still active duty. 1/8" s35vn convex grind with a "forge scale" finish. Handle and liner are g-10

View attachment 306717View attachment 306718View attachment 306719View attachment 306720View attachment 306721

 

[badjujuboy]

This one!

Randall Model 14

 

[killgar]

Just a point of interest: I once read that edged weapons were responsible for less that 4% of the casualties in the Civil War.

Considering the extremely high casualty rate of the civil war, 4% would represent a lot of casualties. I don't imagine being in the minority gave those on the receiving ends of bladed weapons much comfort.

I can't help but question that number though, after all, considering the prevalance of single-shot, muzzle loading rifles, I would think that bayonets, knives, and calvary sabers would have seen a lot of use.

 

[dePaul]

Oooooooh. Gerber Armorhide...Grail knife for me.

Agreed, those are really nice. The upper one (A475) is one of my all time favo's. It's shame that the Gerber of today is not even near the Gerber of yesterday .

~Paul~

 

[bobusx]

Based of my experience in Iraq (havn't been to Afghanistan yet), my ESEE Izula would be my one (not counting a multitool, since that is a cop-out answer for this question IMO). Not bulky, easy to maintain, and agile enough for the kind of EDC tasks you have when deployed. Also pretty tough for its size.

 

[raybo]

Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade would be my choice!

 

[Dinges]

I'd go with a custom 12'' Kukri in 3V steel with a penetrator tip. About 1/4'' thick, zero edge convex. And a nasty skullcrusher.
And a small Busse for more delicate matters.

 

[Cross Bones]

One knife? Just grab some of this stuff (all) you are set for 10 years easy!
Onterio M-7 LBE/vest

Spyderco Delica FFG

Leatherman New Wave (black)

Spyderco Sharpmaker

 

[ridnovir]

I would go with BRKT S35VN Bravo 1 Full Height Convex Grind, rampless, micarta scales

 

[knifeboy14]

at the tip of my head the TEAM GEMINI LIGHT BRIGADE

 

[paranoidsentry]

Don't have a photo at the moment but I would take my Gene Martin Sixxer. It did great the first time around.

 

[Uxi]

Ka-bar or OKC-3S

 

[Joe Watson]

Having been to a variety of fun places myself....

What function will you be executing? Your environment will depend on what you need.

You do not need a giant rambo knife.

You need something that gives you a lot of function for its size and won't take up much space or weight. This is especially important if you're humping gear through the hills.

Multi-purpose is a plus, being able to perform utility and attack tasks.

I say:

-multi-tool
-economical folder (Spyderco are thin, cheap and quality)
-Fixed blade, small/medium sized with a low profile sheath.
-If it is carried externally on your kit it needs to not be a target indicator. This means not shiny, preferably not black but a neutral color. You can choose this, or take a can of Krylon camo to any knife you have.

 

[Joe Watson]

The general stats in these types of things don't often take into account specific situations dependent on mission, op, or field..

Your rifle or secondary won't need to fail for you to be forced to use something cqb.. it just takes ol' Mr. Murphy.

I was really lucky once, that training took over and I got my sidearm out while being wrestled to the ground. Even with every round in the guy, seconds were like hours and he wasn't bleeding out quickly enough. Luckily, my teammember saved me that day.

Another time, I was flat on my back.. ears popped and ringing, my vision blurry.. and no way to use my firearms, with at least 160 pounds of adrenalized madman jumping on me. No one else coherent to give me a hand.

You need a knife and it has to fit the job.

Agreed 100%, that's experience talking right there.

 

[sidewindr]

Ive been to Afghanistan twice and both times i had my trusted CRKT Ultima, simple, heavy duty, affordable and a great fighting knife. I know from experience you never carry anything expensive because it will most likely be stolen. And ive use my Ultima to cut off IBA's of wounded SOLDIERS (not pogs cuz there never in the shit), check doors for trips, used it multiple times in trees for a shooting platform and when bored threw it into trees as a throwing knife. I love it and will even tho its beat up it lasted over 2 years in afghanistan and 13 months in iraq so i say ULTIMA all the way. BTW theres really no sand in Afghanistan thats Iraq thats labeled the sand box, its more trees, mountains, snow, rock river beds, dust, dirt, and mud. Most of your engagments will be from afar in Afghanistan as well, very rarely do they get close and if they do chances youll need a knife are slim. Ive served in Kunar, kunduz, kornegal valley, and other FOBs with 11b infantry 82nd AB. I can tell you from experience being in the shit you dont need 100 different specific knives or a 1000 dollar knife to do the job. Simple is better when it comes to combat, and yes flashy will get your ass killed or your fire team. Dont be "that guy" or a gear queer either.

 

[Tasmaniac]

The Spartan Ares would be my first choice: