Knife for an infantry soldier?

[Gideons]

Hey BF,

A mate of mine just became a officer of a light infantry airmobile unit. He already has a Leatherman wave, and many premium folders at his disposal. So for a graduation gift I'm looking to get him a fixed blade. How much of an issue of rubbery handles getting eaten up by kydex sheaths? If the fix blade you would recommend isn't listed in the poll, just post it down below. Thank you for your input!

The specs he is looking for are:
Length: 4.5"-6"
Weight: sub 9.5oz
Sheath: kydex(could buy custom)
Bladecoating: yes(preferred DLC)
Price: $200 or less.

Thanks you,

Gideons

 

[91bravo]

There's no option for a Becker on your poll!

 

[b00n]

Cold Steel or Esee get my vote.

 

[shinyedges]

This question has been asked 900,000 times. The search function is your friend. I recommend folder/multitool that will actually get used.

I realize this isn't the answer you want but it's true.

 

[shinyedges]

But screw it, get him an ulu.

 

[A.L.]

Am I evil if I read it first ”for infant soldier”?

 

[91bravo]

I did my tour in the Army with an oval hole Griptilian and a Gerber MP600 bluntnose. I used them both pretty often in the field.

 

[katanas]

The kydex/rubber issue should not be much of a problem since, as an officer, he probably won't be taking the knife out many, many times. (Spoken from experience ) SRK all day! Multi tools are handy, but they do not replace a fixed blade knife when a knife is what is needed, and it may well be in airborne type units.

 

[Gideons]

Cold Steel or Esee get my vote.

What about the srk handle getting eaten up by a kydex sheath that I've heard about? Is this a major issue or only happen after years of use? Can handles get replaced?

 

[marcinek]

There's no option for a Becker on your poll!

Or Leatherman. Which over and over again is the "knife" suggested by people who have served.

 

[91bravo]

A multitool does serve its purpose and I liked carrying a folding blade too, just for ease of deployment and not having to open up the arms of the multitool to access the blade. I was a medic too, so I was cutting a lot more stuff than your average grunt was.

 

[shinyedges]

I did my tour in the Army with an oval hole Griptilian and a Gerber MP600 bluntnose. I used them both pretty often in the field.

I still have my issued blunt nose Gerber mp600. It's beat to hell and the carbide inserts are broken and gone.

 

[91bravo]

I still have my issued blunt nose Gerber mp600. It's beat to hell and the carbide inserts are broken and gone.

Mine were the old school ones before they came out with the carbide inserts. I like the quick deployment of the MP600, one hand open and close.

 

[Gideons]

Or Leatherman. Which over and over again is the "knife" suggested by people who have served.

A multitool does serve its purpose and I liked carrying a folding blade too, just for ease of deployment and not having to open up the arms of the multitool to access the blade. I was a medic too, so I was cutting a lot more stuff than your average grunt was.

He does have and carries a Leatherman wave.

 

[DocJD]

Cold Steel SRK is a classic , proven military field knife and in 3V should be very tough . That doesn't preclude a multitool or small slicey folder in addition .

 

[strategy9]

Since he already carries a Leatherman, and you want to get him a fixed blade that will get used, I'd suggest a Kabar/Becker BK16

Would not rule out the Buck 822 sentry either.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

This question has been asked 900,000 times. The search function is your friend. I recommend folder/multitool that will actually get used.

I realize this isn't the answer you want but it's true.

I have an old acquantance who was in Afghanistan. All he used was a cheap gerber folder. I don't even remember which one but one of the cheap ones that he " bought at the PX for 30 dollars". Which he "didn't use much except to cut 550 paracord and open MRE's".

 

[katanas]

No offence to you or your acquaintance, but, if that is ALL the knife he had, I doubt he was in a front line airborne/ranger/spec ops type unit. Sorry; still grateful for his service.

 

[Lapedog]

What about the srk handle getting eaten up by a kydex sheath that I've heard about? Is this a major issue or only happen after years of use? Can handles get replaced?

If you insist on getting him a fixed blade Of the ones on your list I would say Esee 3. He is not going to be doing much chopping and likely what will be important is lighter weight if he is going to actually carry it. I would check out an Izula 2 aswell.

The problem with the SRK sheath is more that it dulls the edge very badly.

 

[Minnesota Man]

I'm NOT A VETERAN, but the lack of votes for SOG is most likely for a reason.
I'm not the most experienced but do consider Becker.
I voted for cold steel and always will but I'm a so called "fan boy". Consider the Cold Steel SRK as well. If you go CS I'd recommend a custom sheath. CS sheaths do kill the edge very quickly! A CS Recon1 would make for a great folder as well!