I'm open to other fixed blade suggestions from what I listed. I wanted to have an "other" in the poll options, but I ran out of space for choices I could add for the poll.
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Knife for an infantry soldier?
- Thread starter Gideons
- Start date
I'm open to other fixed blade suggestions from what I listed. I wanted to have an "other" in the poll options, but I ran out of space for choices I could add for the poll.
I suggest the following. Spyderco Jumpmaster 2 OR Chris Reeve Green Beret fixed blade at 5.5 inches in length with serrations. I know the Reeve over $200 but it is an excellent knife and should not be overlooked. The Jumpmaster with it's fully serrated edge will help to cut.
As for other suggestions for a suitable knife: I recently bought a Cerberus knife by Ontario.
I think it is a very good knife and worth considering. It was has 2 sheath designs depending on what you want. It was designed for military use with input from from a military group.
I think it is a very good knife and worth considering. It was has 2 sheath designs depending on what you want. It was designed for military use with input from from a military group.
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Since he already has a folder and a multi-tool (restated for those that will not read the OP) I will suggest the ESEE 3. If he has gorilla hands than an ESEE 4. Good company that stands behind their product.
I was a Medic in the Infantry and found a large fixed blade would get in my way. Most times I got by just fine with a Spyderco Delica/Benchmade CQC-7 as my folder and a SAK or Multi-tool for other tasks. The few times I carried a large fixed blade it ended up stowed in my ruck just adding weight. Later when I would carry a fixed blade it was either an Ontario Spec-plus Pilots knife or a Bob Dozier Agent.
I was a Medic in the Infantry and found a large fixed blade would get in my way. Most times I got by just fine with a Spyderco Delica/Benchmade CQC-7 as my folder and a SAK or Multi-tool for other tasks. The few times I carried a large fixed blade it ended up stowed in my ruck just adding weight. Later when I would carry a fixed blade it was either an Ontario Spec-plus Pilots knife or a Bob Dozier Agent.
Having served as a conscript, you know what the frontline infantry battalions in my country use for their training and exercises? An unbranded multitool that has a set of pliers, blades and a can opener.
And if there's anything that the multitool can't do, they reach for the standard-issue bayonet.
So i really don't think your friend needs a fixed blade unless it's there to decorate his wardrobe. Then again, I'm not an American and I have no idea on the kind of training and requirements the US Army goes through, so whatever floats your boat.
And if there's anything that the multitool can't do, they reach for the standard-issue bayonet.
So i really don't think your friend needs a fixed blade unless it's there to decorate his wardrobe. Then again, I'm not an American and I have no idea on the kind of training and requirements the US Army goes through, so whatever floats your boat.
Reminds me of the SOG NW Ranger. Will look into this knife.How about the Kabar Mark 1?
The smaller and lighter the fixed blade; the more likely it will get carried and used.
I voted for the Benchmade Nimravus. (Has it been replaced with the Protagonist? I'm not sure of the differences between the the two. The Protagonist receives excellent reviews by Gideon's Tactical among others).
I voted for the Benchmade Nimravus. (Has it been replaced with the Protagonist? I'm not sure of the differences between the the two. The Protagonist receives excellent reviews by Gideon's Tactical among others).
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Get him a Professional Soldier it light and easy to tuck away.
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Former infantry officer who was a platoon leader in Iraq (dismounted recon, 10th mountain). Stay away from SOG. Never broke one but they always felt cheap so I was hesitant to use (although I somehow acquired 3 over the years). (Loved my SOG Trident though which I used the hell out of and it still has shrapnel scars from an IED. :-D) I had a Benchmade that I preferred and it got good use. No personal experience with anything else in the list.
strategy9
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I had a cheap Gerber Multitool and a cheap regular Gerber folding knife, both Px specials. They both served me well enough, (better then having naught, 2005-09), but two things I personally would have preferred knowing what I know now, would have been 1.) A decent steel to hold an edge better, (with the means to keep it respectable, like a smith's pocket pal)
and #2.) a hooked hawkbill (like a folding karambit) for getting in nice and tight, quick and easy between zip ties...
Considering any sharp knife will handle 99.999% of the generic cutting duties like MRE's and box tape, cutting zip ties specifically would have been a real forward idea to an infantry specific field, from my 20/20 recollection...
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16 years Regular Army and Army National Guard. Infantry, Combat Engineer, and Infantry.
Started in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)... hasn't been any unit in the US designated as air mobile except for some test units in the 60 or 70s. Serviced with guys who have been paratroopers, light, mech, a few former Rangers... I have buddies who are current or former Stryker infantry, Rangers, and SF. Unlike what anyone who hasn't served thinks, a knife isn't all that useful. Good to have as a backup just in case things go really really bad.
I know a few Rangers who did carry a small fixed blade on their chest area as a last ditch close in weapon. One "knife" that surprised me that a few people rediscovered in Afghanistan was the Woodsman's Pal. Not the Gerber copy... that is crappy steel. The Woodsman's Pal is expensive, but somewhat better made.
So of course I suggest three or four that aren't on the list at all.
The Woodsman's Pal... especially in lightly wooded, more tropical or subtropical areas. Kind of a cross between a machete and almost, but not quite a light hatchet.
A couple options here too... an actual machete is great for actual jungles or areas with lots of vines.
A small hatchet, something like an Eswing is great for wooded areas.
Both are also fantastic as a weapon.
Benchmade Bushcrafter. Small, good for just about every utility task.
3.5 to 4 inch folder.
A good multitool. These are a lifesaver that will be used constantly.
Maybe a CRKT Rakassan. Designed by a former Rakassan (187th Infantry Regiment) as a blade style he would have liked when he was still in.
Started in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)... hasn't been any unit in the US designated as air mobile except for some test units in the 60 or 70s. Serviced with guys who have been paratroopers, light, mech, a few former Rangers... I have buddies who are current or former Stryker infantry, Rangers, and SF. Unlike what anyone who hasn't served thinks, a knife isn't all that useful. Good to have as a backup just in case things go really really bad.
I know a few Rangers who did carry a small fixed blade on their chest area as a last ditch close in weapon. One "knife" that surprised me that a few people rediscovered in Afghanistan was the Woodsman's Pal. Not the Gerber copy... that is crappy steel. The Woodsman's Pal is expensive, but somewhat better made.
So of course I suggest three or four that aren't on the list at all.
The Woodsman's Pal... especially in lightly wooded, more tropical or subtropical areas. Kind of a cross between a machete and almost, but not quite a light hatchet.
A couple options here too... an actual machete is great for actual jungles or areas with lots of vines.
A small hatchet, something like an Eswing is great for wooded areas.
Both are also fantastic as a weapon.
Benchmade Bushcrafter. Small, good for just about every utility task.
3.5 to 4 inch folder.
A good multitool. These are a lifesaver that will be used constantly.
Maybe a CRKT Rakassan. Designed by a former Rakassan (187th Infantry Regiment) as a blade style he would have liked when he was still in.
fishface5
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I gave my buddy a nice Newt Livesay fixed blade, and he did 2 tours in Afghanistan & Iraq spent a lot of time in the field but never used it. He loved the Kershaw Shallot I gave him though.
But your pal has said he wants a fixed blade. There are a few issues: how often will it get used, for what, and will it grow legs and vanish. My thoughts are the Cold Steel Kobun. It is light enough to actually be carried but strong enough for prying, long enough to meet his specs but thin enough to slice ok, easy to sharpen if it does get used, and I have found it to be pretty useful as long as you aren't needing to do a lot of chopping. A decent sheath is probably around $50 and you could have one made to his specs. And it's not so fancy that he will despair if it gets lost, stolen or damaged in use - and he won't be worried about beating on it. Then If it survives you can put a nice handle on it as the second half if the gift when he returns!
But your pal has said he wants a fixed blade. There are a few issues: how often will it get used, for what, and will it grow legs and vanish. My thoughts are the Cold Steel Kobun. It is light enough to actually be carried but strong enough for prying, long enough to meet his specs but thin enough to slice ok, easy to sharpen if it does get used, and I have found it to be pretty useful as long as you aren't needing to do a lot of chopping. A decent sheath is probably around $50 and you could have one made to his specs. And it's not so fancy that he will despair if it gets lost, stolen or damaged in use - and he won't be worried about beating on it. Then If it survives you can put a nice handle on it as the second half if the gift when he returns!
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Since I didn't bother reading the complete post before babbling...
Benchmade Buschrafter. A nice thick slab of 154CM that is very tough.
Think about pairing it up with a small sharpener. The double sided diamond/ceramic by Fallkniven is cheap and good for field use.
Benchmade Buschrafter. A nice thick slab of 154CM that is very tough.
Think about pairing it up with a small sharpener. The double sided diamond/ceramic by Fallkniven is cheap and good for field use.
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The esee 4 in 440c seems like it would fit his requirements, except for the dlc part; 4.5” blade, molded plastic sheath, tough as nails. Or the entrek bravo 18 s.e.r.e., kydex sheath and a little less than 6” blade, but with a lifetime guarantee he’ll never need to use.
stabman
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People always overthink this one...
Picking a knife for a soldier is pretty much the same as picking a knife for anyone else.
Guy in an office doesn't have a whole bunch of space in his dress pants for tons of knives; soldier is loaded down with crap and doesn't have much space for tons of knives. For most office or retail workers, and soldiers, a regular EDC knife is going to work for their cutting tasks and not take up too much space.
Now I am not a soldier (never have been, never claimed to be), but I can say for certain I'd be carrying way more knives than most of the other soldiers if I were...because I am a total knife fanatic.
I have two knives with me while lifting weights at the gym.
I carry the huge knives in the woods that others say are too big and heavy, where no one would carry them...and that's in addition to the 2 or three knives in my pockets...and the loaded backpack...and the many liters of water I'm carrying...and the food...
My point is that barring unit restrictions on what can be carried, knowing what that individual soldier is like will be a better guide than any thread about "What knife should I get for a soldier?"
If you do go with a "What knife should I get for a soldier?" thread, then the safest generic answer to be given is to get a regular EDC knife or multi-tool.
Picking a knife for a soldier is pretty much the same as picking a knife for anyone else.
Guy in an office doesn't have a whole bunch of space in his dress pants for tons of knives; soldier is loaded down with crap and doesn't have much space for tons of knives. For most office or retail workers, and soldiers, a regular EDC knife is going to work for their cutting tasks and not take up too much space.
Now I am not a soldier (never have been, never claimed to be), but I can say for certain I'd be carrying way more knives than most of the other soldiers if I were...because I am a total knife fanatic.
I have two knives with me while lifting weights at the gym.
I carry the huge knives in the woods that others say are too big and heavy, where no one would carry them...and that's in addition to the 2 or three knives in my pockets...and the loaded backpack...and the many liters of water I'm carrying...and the food...
My point is that barring unit restrictions on what can be carried, knowing what that individual soldier is like will be a better guide than any thread about "What knife should I get for a soldier?"
If you do go with a "What knife should I get for a soldier?" thread, then the safest generic answer to be given is to get a regular EDC knife or multi-tool.
What they could afford and what was available in the PX. Just not that many geardos in the combat arms anyway.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.