Joining the military. Is this knife a good choice?

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Doogoon

Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
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I'm joining the Canadian Land Forces, and perhaps later the British military, and to my understanding, they do not issue a combat knife and that I should buy one on my own if I want one. Being into knives and not minding the assist of a nice blade, I want to bring my own knife.

So I had my mind set on This nice toy from Ka-Bar. (not from that site, it just has a good picture and description) Forgive me if it's outright a stupid idea, I'm just entranced by its size, tanto point and Ka-bar's military reputation. I would really like to know whether it is a good or a bad idea to bring this knife into the military, or if this knife will fall apart on me when I need to use it. I'd also like to see some opinions on the style of knife and if I'd be better off with the classic style of the Ka-bar. (the USMC knife)

If you have a much better suggestion (The cold steel tanto isn't as appealing to me) I'd like to hear it. But don't just suggest a knife because you like it's style better personally or something like that.

(( Changed link to Ka-Bar. Manufacturer links or paid Bladeforum Dealer links are OK. Links to dealers who do not support BF are not OK. ))



I'm new to this site and it's forums, so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong section or anything else of the sort.
 
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Congrats to you on joining the military. I dont know how it's done in Canada, but I would not show up to basic training with any kind of knife...unless you have some sort of documentation that requested you to bring one. Leave it at home and pick it up after training or have it mailed to you later.

Ka-Bars are great knives for the money.
 
Welcome! I'd go with the standard USMC fighter myself. I'm a former Marine and also it doesn't have any serration on the blade. Also a good multi-tool is what most old hands around here will tell you you'll get more use out of. I agree but there's nothing like a USMC Fighting knife with leather stacked handle for being nostalgic, classy, battle proven and all that.
 
BadgerCat said:
Congrats to you on joining the military. I dont know how it's done in Canada, but I would not show up to basic training with any kind of knife...unless you have some sort of documentation that requested you to bring one. Leave it at home and pick it up after training or have it mailed to you later.

Ka-Bars are great knives for the money.
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I'll talk to my recruiter about it, but thanks for the advice!

@cziv: yea I got a nice Leatherman Supertool. I guess I'll see what I can do with that then too. I don't want to bring too many things with me though :P
 
I'd rather show up wearing a tiara than with that particular knife. If an instructor found than knife in your kit, you'd be "that guy" they make an example of. If you're going to bring a knife, bring a non-tactical pocket knife that you can actually use for something, not a dork-slayer from a fantasy sword web site.
 
The Canadian Military has a particularly strict policy in regards to bringing your own sharp instruments, even for deployed infantry and other members of the combat arms team. You might get away with a small pocket knife but personal fixed blades of any sort seem to be a no go. They issue a m9-style bayonet for this purpose that mounts vertically on your tacvest just below your sternum. You will also be issued a Gerber with a blade on it that will handle most small cutting tasks.
 
Hello Doogoon and welcome to the Forums!

You will be issued a fixed-blade/bayonet that is part of your combat webbing. Stay away from anything that is not issued until you at least finish boot camp. After your QL-1 and 2 training, you may have more latitude to modify your kit; until then, stick with everything standard issue. You don't even want to carry your personal wallet in your combats unless you're told to (and even then you may want to 'sterilize' your wallet contents--take out any unnecessary cards/photos/personal items--trust me on this.)

Anyway, I think you would get far better mileage with something like a SAK or multi-tool.
 
Fultron said:
The Canadian Military has a particularly strict policy in regards to bringing your own sharp instruments, even for deployed infantry and other members of the combat arms team. You might get away with a small pocket knife but personal fixed blades of any sort seem to be a no go. They issue a m9-style bayonet for this purpose that mounts vertically on your tacvest just below your sternum. You will also be issued a Gerber with a blade on it that will handle most small cutting tasks.
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I thought they stopped issuing the bayonet?

@timberweasel: Ok, that's good advice. Thanks. Maybe the Ka-bar will do nice just being my new favourite camping toy.
 
Do not show up to basic training with a knife. I imagine it's not to different than our military in the States, meaning all personal items are handed over upon arrival. I have only drank with some Canadian SAR-TECS so my knowledge of your military is a little blurry. :D
 
Doogoon said:
I thought they stopped issuing the bayonet?
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Depends on the unit. All that I have seen have been issued the bayonets recently. Once you join you will find that the CF never really stops issuing anything as long as the QM can get his hands on it. Even if the gear is junk and everyone hates it. :grumpy:
 
If you really want your own knife I recommend a Glock Field knife. They are tough, inexpensive, serviceable, and you won't miss it too much if its lost, stolen, confiscated etc. They only run about $30 but are a great value.
 
OldSarSwmr said:
Do not show up to basic training with a knife. I imagine it's not to different than our military in the States, meaning all personal items are handed over upon arrival. I have only drank with some Canadian SAR-TECS so my knowledge of your military is a little blurry. :D
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Well it's a good thing I came here, as I would have tried to bring a knife and embarrassed myself :P
 
"Use whatever equipment the others make use of. Do whatever everyone else does. Blend in. Be a reliable teamplayer."
Not to offend you or your choice of equipment but bringing your plastic handled black Japanese styled US made KaBar with tactical serrations is very off.
You will be happy on every ounce of equipment you "won't" have to carry so go with your issued stuff you "have" to carry.

Also, +1 for timberweasels and sutured posts
 
I was | | this close to joining the Australian Army at the end of last year (failed the medical by the slimmest of margins) and on the official joining pack it specifically said to not bring a knife of any sort, or it would be confiscated so that sounds like a standard thing. I asked around some military forums and the general consensus was use what you are given until you have 'graduated' and served a while, and that a good multi-tool was the most used item beyond that (Leatherman Wave and Charge ALX being the two most nominated).

That said, I just took delivery yesterday of a Ka-bar USMC, and even as an Aussie I can just see and feel the history of this knife when I hold it. I love it and think it will make an excellent addition to my camping/general purpose rotation.
 
Watch this video. The point is basically to take something light with a finger guard, more like a good utility knife. Don't take a "fighting" knife. You will never need it, and it will stop being cool very quickly when you're also humping 60 pounds of gear and have never taken the "destructinator" out of its sheath in months. What you will need a good knife for is to cut cord, rope, etc. And maybe save someone's life by cutting them out of a seatbelt in a burning vehicle.

[video=youtube;HU0e8jmP7zo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU0e8jmP7zo[/video]
 
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Doogoon said:
I thought they stopped issuing the bayonet?

@timberweasel: Ok, that's good advice. Thanks. Maybe the Ka-bar will do nice just being my new favourite camping toy.
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Welcome to BF! As others have suggested....get a nice multitool. As far as functionality - both while serving AND while camping - it will spank that serrated tanto.

At the very least get the multitool first. Then get the serrated tanto and bring it camping with you, along with the multitool. You can play with the tanto and use the multitool! :D
 
I agree with the others. You don't want to be the guy who shows up with his own gear. The service will issue most of what you need once you get there. Pretty much everything else will be available at your PX (or CANEX for Canadian service members, IIRC). I flew support for Princess Patricia's Light Infantry and Lord Strathcona's Horse during some joint ops in the last few months of my service and they were fine soldiers all.

And, as stated above, a multi-tool will be infinitely more useful than any tanto you have with you.
 
Much thanks for the advice! It was very helpful and I you've helped me avoid looking like an idiot. :)

I already have this Leatherman Supertool. How's it fair?
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Sorry for the bad quality, I took the picture with my phone.
 
To echo what others have said, a multi-tool will be a far better decision. My bother-in-law was part of the Canadian military and I picked up a Leatherman Wave for him during Basic training which he couldn't stop thanking me for. But once he was deployed and was issued his Gerber mulittool, he carried both around. The Gerber in case there was an inspection and the Leatherman in case he actually needed a multi-tool.
 
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