Knife for Iraq

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xanderom

Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
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Hello,

I'm deploying in January to Iraq and I wanted to get some opinions on knives that I could take with me. I was thinking about a Ka-Bar or perhaps one of the Cold Steel knives. Can anyone give me an opinion? With regard to the Ka-Bar, is there much of a difference between the D2 steel and the standard Ka-Bar? I'm not a "knife guy", but I want something that will do whatever I need in the desert, in addition to my multi-tool.

Xander
 
I would like to suggest you take a look at Ranger knives. Their "ready detachment" series are affordable "virtual indestructable" knives with a fantastic warranty. Look no further ( and especially NOT at Cold steel! ;))

I wouldn't hesitate a second to carry one of Justins knife into combat.


www.rangerknives.com

geef ze er van langs Xander
 
I would take my BK&T BK-7, however, I've never felt under tooled with the Mark 2 combat knife. The regular Ka-Bar is made from 1095 steel and should be fine, especially in a dry environment.
 
A standard Ka-bar will work just fine. When I was there in '03 my multi tool was used more than my larger knives.

In all honesty there will not be a whole lot of need for a "larger" fixed blade knife but, it's alway good to have one handy.

My perfect set up was my leatherman wave, an Emerson cqc-7 for the pocket and a Ka-bar on my gear(which was rarely used). The most my Ka-bar got used was for throwing during down time.

I was an MP. Your mission may require something different. One thing you will see over there is EVERYONE carry's some type of multi tool.
 
Mongo-man said:
I would like to suggest you take a look at Ranger knives. Their "ready detachment" series are affordable "virtual indestructable" knives with a fantastic warranty. Look no further ( and especially NOT at Cold steel! ;))

I wouldn't hesitate a second to carry one of Justins knife into combat.


www.rangerknives.com

geef ze er van langs Xander
Click to expand...

God i dislike fanboys, Cold Steel knives are good, in fact a highly affordable model was tested and essentially bested a Strider knife worth 20 or so times it heres the video http://www.knifetests.com/page28.html

if you wanna see other knives brutalized including the several kabar models(including the standard) Flakniven A1, several Cold steels, SOGs, the aforementioned strider, gerbers, and much more ive forgotten http://www.knifetests.com/
 
Do a search on this sub-forum. There's quite a few lengthy threads on the subject. A lot comes down to what you can afford or what someone may give you before you leave.

The PX's seem to carry CS, CRKT, and SOGs so ultimately, that's what gets carried and used by many. Nothing wrong with them, they get used by many not deployed every day by people in trades, electricians, contractors and they all get used hard.

If I had a 4" CS Voyager and a good multi-tool which I do carry quite often, I'd feel adequately ready for just about any utility situation.

You'll get the gamut of responses to a question like this.

What do you have right now? It may be all you need.
 
I would really suggest staying in the 4-5 inch range for a fixed blade. Anything bigger probably won't get carried after your first week. A good folder is defineatly easier while you're on the FOB though, so I would take the multi-tool, a good folder, and a small fixed blade.
 
Cold Steel and Ka-Bar should do just fine. Personally, I think you could do better for the cash. I would look at:

Ranger Knives
Fallkniven
Scrap Yard Knives
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not really sure what I'll be doing over there yet, to be honest. I'm a Cav Scout, so I'll probably do a lot of patrolling or convoy security.
 
I have had a Fallkniven S1 (5in fixed blade) for a little over a year and I am very impressed. The laminated steel works well for prying in a pinch and it holds an edge very well. I have used mine for gutting fish, and skinning deer and I even broke the leg bone on a moose with it when I couldn't find my hatchet. I am heading to Afghanistan in August '08 and it will definitely be making the trip with me. It set me back about $216 CDN (before we had our mega-dollar) including tax.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The Ka-Bar Mule folder is probably the heaviest-duty folding knife you can get without breaking the bank on a semi-custom.

(I got this desert model and I was really pleased. It was much tougher than I thought it would be and even the sheath is outstanding.)

Unless you know for sure you'll need a real big fixed blade, there's always the Ka-Bar Short Version Of The USMC Fighting Knife with a 5.25" blade.
Click to expand...

if you do decide to go with the short version, i said get the short version of the Tanto (stronger point)
 
Fallkniven S-5 and a Leatherman Wave. You'll get more use out of the Wave than you will anything else, including the stuff the military issues you.
 
JNieporte is right
If you dont already have a multi-tool i suggest a Leatherman over a Gerber, I had a Gerber 600 Sporter which i thought was awesome 'til i got ahold of my brother in laws Leatherman: The locks are far more solid on the leatherman and wire cutter teeth are far stronger (didnt bend on cutting actual wire) I have a leatherman Blast and its served me well thus far
 
A Cold Steel Recon Scout for fixed, and a Kershaw Cyclone for folder...That's what I'd pack if I were heading for the sandbox.
 
Dude, I have a Ka-Bar D2 and have to say that it is the least sharp of all my knives, (excluding kitchen, and really old Bucks) but when it comes time to cut something substantial, it outperforms the other sharper Al Mar's and CUDA's and so forth. Can't tell you why, maybe it's geometry, maybe its the black finish makes it abrasion resistant. Not quite sure, but the more significant the material to be cut, the more the KABAR D2 out cuts the rest. Maybe it's the different style serrations on the blade that make the difference, I don't know. My other sharper knives that can shave hair and cut free hanging paper and stuff, can't compete with the D2 Kabar. If you got the money, a Busse or Chris Reeve, or Eric Fehrman, or Mad Dog would be awsome, you'd be the shizn...t over there with one of those high end assassinators knives!! Anyway, IMHO you aint gonna go wrong with the D2 Kabar, if you got sharpening skills, your golden. STAY SAFE "OVER THERE", PLEASE!!
 
I'd make sure I had TWO multi-tools, just in case one got lost or pilfered.

Go with the "all arounders" like the Leatherman Wave or Blast.

A folder that clipped in a pocket would be very handy as well. Best bang for the buck would likely be Spyderco (various models) or a Benchmade Griptilian.

I wouldn't expect to use my fixed blade much, but I would think that when I DID need it, it would be to pry open a window or door. Or, as I've read, punch a hole thru cinder block for a shooting port. In which case, the knife needs to stand up to that abuse. I'd go with a Busse Badger, a Swamprat Howling Rat LM, Mini Mojo or Ratmandu, or Scrapyard M-6. These run from $227 to $99. Of these, only the Mini Mojo is available NOW at their Company Store.

Take along a method of sharpening that you can use effectively.

.
 
I would go with the SOG DaggertII or SOG Bowie. I personally carried a Gerber MKII.
 
I just bought a USMC Ka Bar full size(7in Blade) in 1095 steel and I think that knife would suit you well. It may be a little large, but large might not be a bad idea. Also the Ontario RAT 5 comes to mind. I'm not an expert but I think the pommel is good for breaking glass(please correct me if I'm wrong), which may be useful. I don't own the RAT 5, but own the smaller RAT 3 and love it. These knives probably aren't the best stealth assassin knives, but you're a soldier not a ninja. Thank you for your service to our country.

:thumbup: Stay safe:thumbup:

-Cuchuga
 
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