Knife and MT for Soldier

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RickG55

Joined
Nov 21, 2004
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My son is headed for Afghanistan in November and I'd like to get him a high quality fixed blade knife and multi-tool. I've pretty much settled on the Core for the MT, but I'd love suggestions for the knife (or even alternate suggestions for the MT if anyone has them).
 
I like the Charge TI for multi-tools. The titanium saves a lot of weight, and the main blade is S30V.
 
A universally highly regarded fixed blade is the Fallkniven F1, which has earned its marks as a good survival tool. Tough yet not too heavy nor too big.

Now I am not a soldier, but even so, I think I would prefer the compactness and low weight of a really good folding knife. Then the Spyderco Military is hard to beat. Strong, big blade yet surprisingly light for the size.
 
I have given several young soldiers that I know Microtech Currahee's and I agree that the Leatherman Charge is nice or the Wave, which I have used for about five years now.
 
Just about anything from RAT cutlery. They’re all of amazingly high quality with an excellent warranty. Good carry options as well. All that you have to decide is which one (how big).
 
The outside accessible blades, saw, and file are nice, but the the Charge, Wave, and Surge all have bits that could potentially fall out. It is a small chance, as the bits in my Charge TTi have been sitting in the thing for nearly two years and have yet to go astray. The nice thing about the Core and the other normal sized MTs is that the phillips and slotted drivers are all fixed in place, plus have reach to boot. Doesn't mean that the other three are poor multitools, but that might be something to consider.

I don't have much in the way of fixed blades, but I do have an RC-4 that I absolutely adore. RAT Cutlery's offerings are all top notch, and come in a variety of sizes, from the Izula neck knife up to the large RC-6. They coating on the blades makes the 1095 pretty rust resistant, and they're backed by an unlimited lifetime warranty. I can't say enough positive things about Rat Cutlery.
 
Having retired after 22 years, mobilized, etc. I would suggest the following: A three layer Swiss Army knife with scissors, a multitool chosen for the pliers, not the accessories, and a good folding knife - no fixed blades.


The Swiss Army knife scissors are great for personal grooming, and the other tools generally shaped better than most others, are durable, keep clean, and won't rust. The main blade sharpens easily, the pen blade very sharp, the little-used can opener sanitary and easy to operate (not many sealed cans in military chow these days.) The tweezers and toothpick are nearly indispensable. For a personal knife, it's actually the #1 choice.

The multitool is either a long nose or modified pliers. Each has it's exclusive strength. The long nose does well, but usually can't grip well, and eventually gets twisted. The modified short nose grips much better, but won't work with smaller objects or in tight places. The latter is much less likely around military equipment, and tightening fasteners to the proper torque with pliers problematic. It becomes a personal judgement call. Multitools with gear operated jaws seem to be a good answer until one realizes the handles spread much further on large nuts and become a two handed job. I would recommend Leatherman or Victorinox for a multitool.

The folding knife should be a flat ground drop point with G10 grips. Those specific features work well as a utility cutter and are very durable. The blade does not have to be black, matte is acceptable as the knife will be carried in a vest pocket contained with a flap. Most black blades will lose their finish rapidly in the typically abrasive field condidtions. Choice of lock is up to your perception of which is best - but many have done well without a lock at all. Few issue knives had any for decades. Avoid knives with any advertising on the blades, or prices above $100, because they get lost, broken, loaned, or stolen. I think many here would recommend the Spyderco Tenacious, Benchmade Vex, Buck Strider series (avoid the 420 steel models,) and many others similar.

Fixed blades wind up in the bottom of the duffel bag 95% of time. There is so little space on field gear, and so much weight as part of the 65 pound average combat load many leave them behind. Some team members do use them - and they do make great trade goods - but they are often primarily a sharp prybar, not the role for an expensive custom knife made from high alloy steel. Any 6" carbon steel blade with a plain handle in a hard sheath will do. Retention and a tight fit with no noise are almost more important than the shape, size, or type of blade grind. The sheath needs to be MOLLE compatible, and the overall appearance of the knife without any decoration or high speed low drag tactical styling. Low tech low speed is actually the professional standard in the regular Army because it's unpretentious and realistically frugal. Smart soldiers save their pay for more important morale devices like Ipod tune players or laptops. Good fixed blade makers include Kabar, Ranger, RAT, and those who specialize in simple hunting knives.

That's been the real choices long term among soldier who use knives in the field - as opposed to those who carry them, which few actually do. There aren't many uses for knives these days in the prepackaged and tear open logistics chain these day. Even ammo comes in twist tied crates and easy open wrap the last 30 years, although most civilians have no clue it's that way. The days of prying open crates and opening drums with a big battle blade never really existed, anyway.
 
I'd recommend ZT0100. This thing is a beast ! CPM3V blade, recurved blade, extremely comfortable handle and great sheath. You'll get plenty more than what you pay for.

Also, don't forget to equip your son field sharpener.
 
I would say probably a Charge (though a Core or Wave would be good) and maybe a RAT would be good. The Charge ALX is about $25? cheaper than the TTi but still offers aircraft aluminum and a 154cm main blade.

I think you can still get Ontario RAT-5's or a RAT RTAK II depending on what size he wants (5in vs. I believe 10.25in).
 
For fixed blade knife, take a look at Cold Steel SRK. It's not expensive ($65 street), light weight at mere 8.2 Oz, made of decent stainless steel, and comes with a tight fitting kydex-like sheath (rattle proof). It doesn't hurt that it's current issue to Navy SEAL's BUD/S training either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO298tnSeGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvTuL_v5hUM

EDIT:
For a little bit more money you can also get a Gerber LMF II (the Infantry version, not the more expensive ASEK or Survival versions).
http://www.policeone.com/police-pro...cal-Knife-Proves-Versatile-Ally-in-the-Field/
 
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You didn't mention whether your son is "headed for Afghanistan" to be an infantryman, a clerk-typist or a vehicle mechanic. If he's the former, for a fixed blade I'd recommend a Zero Tolerance 0100 or a Fallkniven A1. The knife I used the most in the Army in a variety of assignments was a SAK.
 
I would stay away from fixed blades. Having spent 4 years as a tanker I didn't come into too many situations where a fixed blade would have come in handy. Then again I had an axe in the tank's basic issue items. The chain of command tended to frown on large personal knives, even when deployed to hostile areas.

I would look into a small to medium size folder. One hand operation is probably preferable since he will likely have his hands full. Also, coming from a tanker background, it was a safety rule to maintain 3 points of contact when climbing on or off a vehicle. If he has to climb up onto a Bradley to cut some camo netting the one hand operation will be helpful.

He'll get a lot of use out of a multi-tool to service his equipment and weapons. I carried a Leatherman PST when I was in. Most soldiers at the time carried either a Leatherman PST or a Gerber Multi-plier. Whatever you get don't buy something too expensive. There is a possibility that his items may get lost, confiscated, or stolen.
 
My suggestion would be a victorinox Swisstool X ,and a couple kershaw Junkyard Dogs II. One extra as a spare. The victorinox multi tool is the best quality multi tool I've seen thus far.
 
For a good fixed blade anything from RAT or Grayman will work. Also, the Curahee us top notch.

Grayman is custom made 1 at a time. Soldiers and law enforcement get priority. Check them out at www.graymanknives.com
 
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