Infantry knife

obligatory "I'm not in the military but..."

Cold Steel SRK in SK5 or the SRK-C. Strap it to your plate carrier and do your job. If you get tired of having it, if you think you'll move faster without it, if you just want to make someone's day; give it to whoever kept asking you if they could use it.

Why the SRK? They're dependable, of a useful size and shape, not super tactical looking, not Fudd looking either, and get a lot of work done if needed.
 
I served years ago (Artillery Gunner) and the only knife I carried that wasn't issued was a Vic SAK. It was vastly superior to the crappy demo-style folder the government gave us, and I used it all the time (not necessarily for the knife, either.)

OP, if I had to do it again today and wanted to carry an extra fixed-blade, I'd stay lightweight and go with a little ESEE Izula 2 (one of my favourite outdoor blades) or a Mora Companion. Big, thick, heavy bush knives are for car-campers and hobbyists, IMO. Others have already made excellent suggestions to your specifications.

Good luck, OP!
 
If you want a useful fixed blade get a BM SOCP fixed. I had a couple of classes before I left the service and before benchmade made them. I carry one now as a civilian along with my ccw.
 
Irish, I second the opinions of those who say go for something not too expensive or that will cause you to regret the purchase if you lose the knife. Weight is also a factor. Cold Steel, SRK, Ka-Bar, Gerber Prodigy or Strong-arm, Becker BK2, BK16 or BK18, SOG Seal Pup Elite, or one of many Ontario or ESEE knives will probably work fine. I now EDC a Tops CUT 4.0 and/or a Leatherman and recommend that too. I actually traded my Ka-bar for a Leatherman during ops in Norway because I lost my Gerber multitool and wanted another one more than a fixed blade knife because of the versatility. I broke a folder in Iraq so I prefer to carry both a multitool and a 5-6" fixed blade now. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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30YRVET said:
Irish, I second the opinions of those who say go for something not too expensive or that will cause you to regret the purchase if you lose the knife. Weight is also a factor. Cold Steel SRK, Ka-Bar, Gerber Prodigy or Strong-arm, Becker BK2, BK16 or BK18, SOG Seal Pup Elite, or one of many Ontario or ESEE knives will probably work fine. I now EDC a Tops CUT 4.0 and/or a Leatherman and recommend that too. I actually traded my Ka-bar for a Leatherman during ops in Norway because I lost my Gerber multitool and wanted another one more than a fixed blade knife because of the versatility. I broke a folder in Iraq so I prefer to carry both a multitool and a 5-6" fixed blade now. Good luck and keep us posted!
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How did you break a folder and what kind was it?
 
Going to run a Gerber strongarm and see how it fits the bill. SRK was a very close second but I'm going to the a "made in the USA" knife a shot first. Thanks for all of the fantastic suggestions and input.
 
Don't laugh or discount.
Mora number 1.
It is light weight.
It is unlikely to go AWOL or walk off (at least not until others realize how effective it is in the field.)
Choice of Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, and Laminated blades.
Under $20 or so, even for the laminated blade.
The Number 1 has a 3.9 inch blade. If you want longer the Number 2 has a 4.1 inch blade. I forget the blade length of the number3. I'm not sure if the number 3 is available with a laminated blade.
Mora is a good cutter/slicer.
Easy to sharpen, holds a working edge long enough to do something.

True, they do not have a guard. However, unless you're doing something stupid, one really isn't needed.

If you're going to be taking out enemy sentries, I'd suggest the Ontario 499 or 489.
(489 is same as the KaBar, but is Mil Spec, as is the 499, but not the 499 at Walmart.) or perhaps a Cold Steel "GI Tanto" or maybe the (not Bowie) Bushman.

Any of these are well under your budget.

The Mora, 499 and 498 are all field proven by various militaries.

What can your quartermaster order in for you?
 
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My 2 cents.

Get a fixed blade , keep it strong , cheap and light.

You may never need it , but "things" have a tendency to happen very fast and in the most unexpected ways , better to have and not need , than to need and not have.

Cheers.
 
Another vote for the Cold Steel SRK SK-5 or Leatherneck-SF in D2, That is imo the best MK2 iteration ever made, it's a very good Utility/fighting knife. Both are inexpensive and the SF steel is amazing.
 
sabre cat said:
How did you break a folder and what kind was it?
Click to expand...
I broke a S&W folder by trying to make a hole in plywood. I pushed too hard while digging and severely bent the liner lock to where I couldn't get it to bend back to original and function properly.
 
Irish_Iron_Spring said:
Going to run a Gerber strongarm and see how it fits the bill. SRK was a very close second but I'm going to the a "made in the USA" knife a shot first. Thanks for all of the fantastic suggestions and input.
Click to expand...
That’s what I carry in the field because it’s easy to attach to belt, plate carrier, pack and is available in coyote brown. Stainless blade resists rust. Comfortable to use, reasonable price, USA made. Hope it works for you.
 
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30YRVET said:
I broke a S&W folder by trying to make a hole in plywood. I pushed too hard while digging and severely bent the liner lock to where I couldn't get it to bend back to original and function properly.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that would do it.
It was a complete mystery to me how you would break a folder.
Couldn’t think of a thing. Sometimes my mind does that. It sucks getting old.
 
sabre cat said:
Yeah, that would do it.
It was a complete mystery to me how you would break a folder.
Couldn’t think of a thing. Sometimes my mind does that. It sucks getting old.
Click to expand...
I used and abused a Buck 110 folder for maybe 20 years, to include hunting and fishing. When I broke the S&W folder I pretty much switched over to fixed blade knives almost exclusively. I use a Folts Minimalist for the small EDC, a Tops CUT 4.0 for bigger projects, and an axe, multi-tool or machete as required.
 
Irish_Iron_Spring said:
Going to run a Gerber strongarm and see how it fits the bill. SRK was a very close second but I'm going to the a "made in the USA" knife a shot first. Thanks for all of the fantastic suggestions and input.
Click to expand...

Thank you for letting us know what you decided to get.

So many times we offer advice and then never hear what the final decision is.
 
Irish_Iron_Spring said:
Going to run a Gerber strongarm and see how it fits the bill. SRK was a very close second but I'm going to the a "made in the USA" knife a shot first. Thanks for all of the fantastic suggestions and input.
Click to expand...
After using the Strongarm for a bit maybe you could let us know what you like or don't like about it? I've read reviews, own one but rarely use it, and am always interested in the opinion of those who use their gear. I bought my Strongarm as the blade of choice if I ever deploy again for all the reasons mentioned, plus nothing worse than losing, breaking, or having customs confiscate an expensive blade except not having a blade when needed. Good luck and best wishes!
 
eveled said:
Sad that you have to worry about your brothers in arms stealing from you. But it is a fact of life I guess.
Click to expand...

It could be one hell of lot worse....think about the reason why Spyderco "invented" the ARK neck-knife, as it's with you "even in the shower."
Our boys were "attacked" and raped in the showers by some of our "comrades" while serving in the Middle East...for those who wonder... Spyderco had several folks who designed this knife for them, and then commercialized it. I have one in full serration, and it'd be a wicked thing in action.
 
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