If you were to go to war today, which knife would you take with you?

In addition to the CS Warcraft Tanto 13TL and a Leatherman Wave, depending on my assignment, I might add a CS Thompson Saber to boot. :cool:

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Same thing I carried the past few times...solid folder (Spyderco Endura, Emerson SOCFK...something like that) and a Multi tool (I like the SOG Powerplier). Maybe a small (<3" blade) fixed blade for S&G as I have found them to be useful, but more of a nice to have than a need to have.
 
I'd take a SAK Pioneer X or something similar and a Spyderco Manix 2 Backlock. If I could have a fixed blade in my unit I'd take a Cold Steel SRK.
 
Most likely I wouldn't be infantry and CQB is even less likely even if I were so a fixed "combat" or "fighting" blade doesn't really make much sense. Carrying something expensive also doesn't make sense either because if you were to fall or get captured you don't want the enemy to end up with your nice blade now, do you? And there is the more likely issue of your gear being stolen by your fellow soldiers. So I'd be carrying a good but unexpensive locking folder perhaps with added tools or even a multi-tool. Maybe something by Cold Steel with the tri-ad lock.
 
Alox SA, or other demo knife, cheaper Douk Douk, and maybe Esee 3 or 4 with TKC handle extension.
 
Ka-bar USMC F/U of course! I'd have an Eickhorn S.E.K. M as backup, and bc I'm feeling rebellious, why not smuggle a leatherman Wave + as well? :)
 
It would be job dependent of course but if I went back in I would have nearly the same setup but different named blades.

Much to the chagrin of my Plt Cmdr, CO and just about everyone else with shiny stuff on his collar I did (and would always) carry a fixed blade, my choice now would be a CS SRK or a Grohmann #3 Army. I would also have a Leatherman Wave or EOD and would have a canoe or medium stockman in my pocket. Back in the day I also carried a boot knife that I sometimes attached to my vest.
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They only thing I would add to my old kit is that I would sew a CS Gurkha Kukri into my pack. I haven’t left home without one for the last decade. It’s truly one of my favorite things in the world.
 
My Guardian Tactical OTF. I am that confident in this knife. Quality followed by quality.
 
Gerber Mark II Survival Knife I bought back in 1978. Would be the first time I had an actual need of it.
 
Planterz said:
Victorinox Classic. Gotta keep them fingernails clean and trimmed. You can always count on the grooming standard.
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This was posted as a joke, I assume. BUT, if you think about it, taking good care of your toenails and feet IS quite important. An ingrown toenail, blisters, etc. can seriously hamper mobility. Gotta keep those dogs running smoothly!
 
If I had to do it all over again knowing what I know now as a knife enthusiast, I’d still take a standard USMC Kabar that I carried both times I deployed as my fixed blade. 99.999% of the time it won’t even be removed from the sheath so no need to spend a ton of money on a fixed blade. As far as a folder, definitely a Strider SMF. It’s stout enough to handle some abuse but still ground thin enough to actually be useful. Also it’s easily disassembled, has minimal parts, and is mostly corrosion resistant.

I’d also agree that a multitool is probably one of the most useful things a serviceman can have on their person. However, when I was in Iraq you could find one for free in the HESCO barrier kits so there’s no need to buy one. It’s a cheap Gerber, but it has decent pliers and screwdrivers and that’s really all you need.
 
Machineknife,
preferably Gatlingknife, some big blade model ...
maybe GAU-8bladder
 
SanLuisObispo said:
No, no pre-conceived notions, just curious. I've read where individuals who actually see combat often carry two instruments. A larger fixed blade of some sort, and some type of folder or multi-tool.


There are a lot of practical issues to consider. From having your fancy/expensive knife stolen, to having to use it as a pry bar or as a screwdriver


I've also long been interested about how many bring/buy their knives for war, and how they are allowed to do so. I particularly appreciate this photo of this SAS Trooper and his CS Kobun. So much for fixed blades never being carried in combat.
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SanLuisObispo said:
I love thinking about this photo of retired SGM William "Billy" Waugh, when some suggest that warriors would likely leave large blades behind when facing combat, due to weight concerns. SGM Waugn - a legendary Special Forces veteran who served with the 187th Parachute Regiment in Korea, MACV-SOG in Vietnam and later contracted with the CIA, chose a CS Trail Master (with homemade camo) while taking care of business in Afghanistan.




This photo of the ratty-looking SF Cowboy with a difficult-to-see staghorn-handled CS Trail Master, and at least one large folder for good measure.
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S SanLuisObispo , I don't mind your pulling content from my Cold Steel Knives In Combat thread. But if you're going to do so (repeatedly), please at least have the courtesy to acknowledge what you're doing and link to the original. I've put a lot of research and effort into that thread over the years. Thanks.


As for which knife I'd take into combat, my answer hasn't changed since I said this back in 2016:

The Whip said:
[snip]

Seriousbladeno1, you are correct about fixed blades. They are faster to draw, more intuitive to manipulate, and safer to use than folders. If I were to enter a combat zone now, I'd strap one of these to my vest.

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If I was cramped for space or in and out of vehicles a lot, I'd opt for one of these two.

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[snip]
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Another fixed blade I might add to my consideration list would be a Recon Scout.


-Steve
 
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