Knife for buddy heading to Afghanistan

budthachud said:
I'm not in the Army, and I know they do things a little different, but if he'll be carrying it in his luggage, it needs to be >6" blade. Customs (Al Udeid) has imposed this limit, some time between '06 and '10.
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You probably mean "less than" 6 inches right? :)
 
Esee 5 and a Spyderco Pacific salt in black - it's what I want to this day, except for my personal use I'd like the pacific salt serrated (non black). Just tell him he owes you 50 bucks. I had an Onterio M-7 bayonet and a Delica when I was in.

My thoughts - trail edge
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I think a multi-tool is the most appropriate suggestion in this thread. Modern soldiers rarely have to build shelters, baton wood, go at it hand-to-hand or any other scenario that calls for more than a multi-tool can deliver. He'll thank you down the road - while he's not lugging an ESEE Junglas strapped to his gear - if his squad leader even allows it.
 
I`ll go with the others and recommend ESEE 4, I use mine during my service-periods as well as every day in between at work. (construction/carpenter.)
This little beauty has yet to fail me, and the weight of the knife is hardly noticeable when carried.
 
For a folder, a Bench Made Griptilian is nice. I have the full sized Ritter version and love it.
 
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hang anyone Said anything about a CRKT M16
I have a Titanium handled one and it handles every thing I throw at it.
 
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hang anyone Said anything about a CRKT M16
I have a Titanium handled one and it handles every thing I throw at it.
 
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Leatherman wave multi tool, crkt hissatsu assisted folder, the Buck csar-t is definitely heavy duty, not serrated though. For fixed blade Ka-Bar Mark 1, Cold Steel GI tanto, Cold Steel Kobun. Anything ESEE is good also BUSSE but not cheap.
 
Will a lockback like a Recon 1 get sticky with all the sand and junk flying around? Wouldnt a linerlock or framelock be easier to maintain? Perhaps a Spydie Tenacious in combo blade. Comes in well under budget and its tough. I had a friends son who went to afganistan and he wanted a folder not a fixed. I offered to set him up with a tricked out and sick sharp BK2 but he said its over the top heavy. Whatever you decide to do for him I am sure he will appreciate. Godspeed on his tour!!
 
Leatherman or gerber multi tool

There is nothing to baton, no bad guys to knife fight, and less weight is better.

A good multi tool is all you need.
 
A Buck 119 and a Leatherman Fuse or Blast.

Or like others have said a nice $60 multi-tool.
 
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Honestly I owuld not spend much. The knife most likely will be used to cut open M.R.E boxes. I have been in the Marine for 7+ years and have spent plenty of time in Afghanistan and Iraq. I carried a emerson SOCFK, and was issued a benchmadenimvarus. I also carried my rat-7 and it was way to big. I would deffinatly get him something under a 5" inch blade. I say get something cheap because it is likely to get either lost or stolen. He will be keeping up with $$$ exspensive gear and keeping track of that knife will be the last thing on his mind.
 
midnight flyer said:
I agree. I work a fair amount with vets, many having come back from the Iraq and Afghanistan. NONE of them wanted a big knife. Geared up, they told me that their total patrol gear hit about 80 - 100 pounds depending on where they were going and how long they would be out. A larger knife was out. A fixed knife was out (although they did see some that carried them) as it took up too much room and was too heavy.

All of them favored smaller folders (say, 3" blades) they could clip within easy reach of their dominate hand. Although they appreciated a good knife, they weren't knife guys and didn't know how to sharpen one well. So they weren't concerned with steel, brand, style, name or anything else besides bottom line utility.

I asked them and they all told me they like a medium folder with a serrated blade to cut strapping, cordage, cloth and open packages. Almost all carried a multitool with their folder.

Not one carried a large knife, not one carried anything that would be considered a zombie killer or other such nonsense. Not one had any ideas of being in knife fight. The place for a fighting knife was taken up by an additional clip of ammo.

Ask your buddy what he wants. Ask other vets.

Godspeed to your friend and I hope he has a safe rotation.
Robert
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Beautifully written!
 
This thread is a month old so I don't know if you're still looking, but if you are; cs recon 1.
 
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