Infantry knife

Irish_Iron_Spring said:
Hello all,

I've looked through the page and reviewed a number of old threads and posts on the topic near as I can find it. They are all a bit dated and a bit off in what I'm personally circling around looking for.

I'm in the Army National Guard, 11B. Looking for something to work into my kit and get familiar with pre any deployment during weekend drills and annuals.

Criteria:
-$150 or under, although price isn't a major factor I want a beater workhorse, not something I have to worry about growing legs, and not things I have to struggle to replace if lost.

- 5-6 inches blade length, straight edge. Don't need a rambo knife, have a folder already that I am very happy with (Gerber 06 auto)

- More of a utility than combat focus, but not a wood processing/survival focus, if that makes sense.

- +solid durability and serviceability (i.e. not looking for a super steel, something that's easy to maintain in filed and bring back to sharp).

Contenders I've got thus far: Becker BK17 if I can find one, Esee 5/6 mil version, Esee 3 Mil (but its a little smaller than I'd prefer), CS recon scout, CS SRK, Gerber strong-arm.

I already have a multi tool I like as well, so although a great suggestion and tool, I've got that covered.

What am I missing, anything else I should take a look at?

Thanks in advance!
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With all the other gear you have to lug around, why bother with a fixed blade?
 
Things have changed some since I was in. Gear is way different.

In twenty plus years I felt I was under knifed only a couple of times when I carried a folder. Maybe three. Looking back, those were the times I need a pry bar.

If I had to do it again and wanted a fixed blade, I would probably buy a Glock field knife. They are cheap and durable.

If I have to pick something that I already own, my OKC Ranger Falcon would be my choice. I love the blade but, the grip is blocky and just a little short for my liking. I would rework the scales and switch to a Kydex case.

We had a bunch of Engineers that carried big blades (think early Rambo movies timeframe) but, after a short amount of time they stopped bringing them out in the field. Big blades can be a pain with all the other kit to carry.

Please let us know what you end up with.
 
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Swamp Rat or Scrap yard with a resiprine C handle.

Scrap Yard Regulator comes to mind.
 
Thanks for all the great input everyone! Keep it rolling my way. Some great blade suggestions I hadn’t considered.

I have been weighing is taking a fixed blade even worth it and to some extent I’m hoping drill time will give me an opportunity to give it a proof of concept, another reason I’m trying to keep the cost under $150, as well as trying to avoid “acquisitions”
 
Irish_Iron_Spring said:
...I’m hoping drill time will give me an opportunity to give it a proof of concept, another reason I’m trying to keep the cost under $150, as well as trying to avoid “acquisitions”
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Price makes no difference on “acquisitions.”

Keeping the cost down may help some but, people are going to steel no matter what the price.

I remember threatening to beat somebody to a bloody pulp with an M-16 barrel so that I could get my knife back.
 
It's been fifty years since I got out of the military, but it sounds like some things don't change. I wouldn't get anything too expensive, because things have a way of going missing sometimes.

We used to have a saying in the Marine Corps:
Lock a private in a windowless room with three anvils for an hour. When you return one anvil will be broken, one will be missing without a trace, and the other one will be pregnant.
 
You should keep watch on the fixed blades for sale thread!!! There was a Fallkniven A-1 for $140!!! Stuff pops up all the time of you are.patient and wait for a solid knife at your monetary window!! Good luck and thank you for your service!!

James
 
I wasn’t an infantryman..... I was a 19k (M1 armor crewman). We were issued Gerber and Leatherman multi tools and I carried a personal SAK. That’s all I ever needed.
I will say back in the 90’s we were the last 105mm Cannon M1s. Since NATO was still 105mm we stayed on QRF duties forever. We had to be Airborne certified and we constantly trained with 10th Mountain and 2nd Marines at JRTC and NTC. That being said I hauled around a lot of those straight-legger’s extra gear because they were sick of carrying it. It’s something to consider.
 
I was active Airborne Infantry 173rd. In reality you don't need a fixed blade anymore. A multi-tool with a knife is all you really need to stab MREs. I also carried an OTF centerline on my kit for if I got caught in a tree and had to cut myself out of the parachute cord.

If you really want a fixed keep it cheap (it will walk off) keep it light. On a 25-30k march every ounce counts. For deployment purposes a 3-4" knife is good I had an esee-3 used it more or less like a pry bar than a knife.
 
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I agree, you really don't need a fixed blade.
Get a good multi-tool and maybe a light weight one hand folder like the Spyderco Pacific Salt or Ka-Bar Dozier.
If you need something bigger for combat, just use your E-tool!
 
I don’t think anyone here is telling you not to get a fixed blade. If you want one get one and try it. Just don’t put a lot of money in it. Chances are that it won’t get used much.

A good quality, lightweight, inexpensive folder probably will see more use. So will a multi-tool.

Start paying attention to how often you or the members of your squad need a knife. I think you will find the most common thing you use a knife for is to cut open your MRE. And you don’t even have to do that.
 
Another fun one that's around $40 is the Cold Steel Kobun. Light weight and tough.

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