Knife for Afghanistan

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I missed the part about his knife being under budget, I skipped a few words and assumed it would be over the $650 budget. Some of his (Charlie mike’s)knives would be likely to cause a belligerent to drop his rifle and surrender—not the one in the pic but some of his other blades.
 
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Multi tools are great as tools but they suck as knives. Don't let all the civilian never served types here convince you that is all you need. Look for something light with a 5 or 6-inch blade and you will be OK.
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Rangers/Long Range Patrol 68-69 Viet Nam. 82 Abn after that. All real Infantry time.
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There is just no comparison between the two conflicts.
One was in a previous century in a densely forrested country and the other a contemporary conflict in a very barren country.
In 'Nam the risk of meeting a foe nose to nose might unfortunately have been bigger
and hand to hand combat might happen in a desperate situation. I could certainly understand, why a grunt might want to carry a knife back then (though they also carried a lot of other heavy gear). Some did and knives were used to the best of my knowledge (I wasnt there).

I repeat; if the OP finds himself in a situation, where he needs a knife, somebody messed up badly.
Im not saying, it couldnt happen of course but soldiers on the move are weighed down with gear as it is.

In the case of a scout sniper, there are other factors to take into account. When/if observing in the prone position strapped to a rifle, one dont want a big ole knife on the Molle on the front of the vest or any place it might be in the way.

A person being deployed should bring what he wants, if his unit is allowed to bring/use personal knives.
Maybe a smaller knife would do though ... or an alternative to a knife.
The OP mentioned, that he was '100% open to suggestion.'
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Why do people always think they are sounding wise when they they say "if he needs a knife somebpdy messed badly." The first rule of combat is nothing goes as planned. Even Napoleon said that. Murphy rules every battle field.
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Scout Snipers aren't used to execute close quarters combat. Perhaps that's why.
 
When is the last time a Marine sniper, as a sniper, execute close quarters combat or a knife fight in SWA?
 
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leghog said:
When is the last time a Marine sniper, as a sniper, execute close quarters combat or a knife fight in SWA?
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Ideally they don't. However if you are running an operation and need overwatch in town you may have to drop a sniper team off so they can actually cover you. Nowadays they are a lot smarter about that and are better at training snipers to setup cameras and do other things. That way when 20 insurgents show up they proactively counter the threat instead of just reacting. It is less applicable to the current battlefield, but was relevant in the Iraq insurgency.
 
Gonna take a slightly different route here, and not recommend a knife. Y'all have been doing a pretty good job of that, when yer not cutting each other down or arguing about whether someone ya don't know was actually in the service, or what their MOS might have been. Whatever ya get, I'd recommend a leather sheath for field carry, rather than kydex. Much quieter to remove or replace the blade. In a desert environment, leather will simply need to be oiled occasionally to prevent drying out. Any good boot oil will do.

If I HAD to recommend a knife, the Winklers are good. The Busses are good. Can't go wrong with a Randall. Knife Center, AG Russel, etc, have many models available WITHOUT the 5 yr+ wait from the factory. Bark River MACV-SOG looks like a good choice, CPM3V and classic style. Cold Steel Recon Scout in O-1. But, as a couple of others have said, CMFTW will be a true best buy custom.
 
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Mecha said:
Get something that looks badass. Something talismanic.
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One of these would be badass. But the sheath sucks.

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My son didn't have much use for a knife in the sandbox. He did find those C-4 energy bars useful, as well as gummy-bears, Starbursts and Skittles.

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If you can find one, Crusader Forge Oberland 01 would be tough to go wrong with.
 
Speaking of deployment, keep in mind that packages can be sent. Last I knew, flat-rate USPS boxes to APO/FPO addresses.

Free USPS military kits (boxes, tape, forms and whatnot): https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/military-care-kit-P_MILITARYKIT

And more: https://store.usps.com/store/produc...ail-apofpo-flat-rate-box---milifrb-P_MILI_FRB

I would write a blurb on the customs form about containing a gift or personal effects for deployed military personnel, no value listed. I forget just how it went, but is was standard government-speak language for folks in the know. Just don't send pork products or alcohol or dope to many (Ahem) countries. Beef jerkey is fine.

I used to fill those boxes with a can of soup or two, socks, little travel-sized bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, soap and all that crap. Then I'd wedge in candy, maybe a screwdriver, needle and thread, tape, a couple plastic spoons or whatnot. Couple of face wipes. Once the box was full, I'd sprinkle in things like thumb tacks, paper clips, nails, a piece of wire or string just to fill the voids. On top, I'd include a "newsletter" I made with the latest stupid news about dumb crooks, dumb-ass drivers, outrageous Walmart shoppers and a few funny cartoons. Stuff that would hopefully make them laugh and be glad that they are in that hell-hole, not here.

I sent a lot of packages to my son in Iraq, maybe two a week or every 10 days, but stopped a few weeks before he was to return. The last 4 or so were returned ... I just gave them away.
 
rpn said:
You are and we're a good dad USMCPOP...
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Around Christmas time 2004 - rode hard and put away wet. But he was always like that ...

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Sorry for thread drift ... But we try to get our guys what they need, gear or otherwise. If someone deployed needs anything, this is a good resource: https://www.asoldierswishlist.org/ I can vouch for the founder, she's a kick-ass lady.
 
Man, tough thread...

When a Gurkha uses a kukuri to behead a dead high priority target while on the move and heading for evac everyone's like "Hell yeah, that's bad ass!".

When a Marine wants to carry a 6-7 inch knife into combat everyone's like "WTF poseur, all you need is a SAK for opening MREs".

OP is a Marine (unless some other force uses the term 'scout sniper'?), and Marines should carry KA-BARs. It'll open your MRE, it'll probe for mines (use something non ferrous preferably...), it'll kill an enemy in dire circumstances, it won't set you back an arm and a leg, and it might not even get stolen.

I agree with the sentiment of "buy a Randall, put it in your sea bag, and give it to your kids when you retire; but carry the KA-BAR (or SRK, I think they are actually a little more useful)".

What do I know, I never served. Though, I do know my buddy who was in the Army working Civil Affairs (IIRC) in Afghanistan back around 2005 definitely became a knife guy while there. Before deployment he often carried a little folder. On deployment he eventually started carrying a dagger (Applegate IIRC), some switch blade he bought in country, his normal folder, and another little boot knife. As far as I know he never had to use on in anger, but he definitely felt better carrying them (and his rifle).
 
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