Knife for Iraq

Noss4 your link http://knifetests.com/Aboutratings.html and my posts are conveying the same thing. I very much respect the fact you list this information about your test. The problem is (as im sure you know or you would not have made that page) that young or uninformed consumers will only watch your videos and see them as the "end all" test for knives.

I am only trying to point out the same information you linked. I hope you have not taken my post as a personal attack. Maybe I am just overly attached to the scientific method :D
 
Can't go wrong with the BM Nimravus. Not too big, but big enough, not too heavy, but strong enough for most tasks. Looks pretty cool too, and made in the US of A.:thumbup:

Not too ridiculously expensive either.
 
Given what your Likely going to be doing with a fixed blade knife the Scrapyard knives are your best bet. Price to performance ratio can not be beat period. They are the best knives for the money.

There knives are both tough and strong. Edge holding is better than average. Some people put edge holding above all else I say learn to sharpen your knife it's really not that hard (for most people).

Toughness and strength are far more important after all what good is a sharp broken knife?

Also pick up a good multi tool like a leatherman life will suck without it. Don't forget a good sharpening stone.

If sharpness is a Issue I suggest picking up a small folder with high edge retention to round things out.

The key thing to remember is that "NO" knife has it all that is Strength, Toughness and Hardness. Your best bet is balance with different knives rather than looking for that "one" knife (which you won't find).
 
Mongo-man said:
I am not saying the Carbon V blades are bad. They were made from ball bearing steel 52100 similar to SR101 IRC. This was a high Carbon steel.
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no, Carbon V was 50100B, and SR101 is not like 52100, it is 52100. Non-stainless CS knives are now 1055 or SK5/1085.

Bkultra said:
I also find it hard to believe that a single knife was BOTH the strongest and the toughest. The knifemaker will be making a tradeoff of strength versus toughness. Generally speaking, within the hardness range that the steel performs well at, as hardness increases, strength also increases, but toughness decreases.
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well, toughness can decrease when it starts at 3-5 times that of many other cutlery steels at low Rc. Geometry is also critically important.
 
I purchased some used gear from a former G.I. who just completed two tours in Iraq. I got his SOG Seal 2000 which he said was the the preferred "big" knife in his unit, which carried on his LBE, a standard fixed Kabar on his shoulder strap, a SOG Powerlock and an Emerson CQC12.

Matador-
 
Bark River (check out the Sandstorm or the Bravo-1); Falkniven A1. Both supberb....good luck, Godspeed, tell us what you get, after you wade through all this!:thumbup:
 
sharp-k said:
Get a Cold Steel Peace Keeper 7", strong dubble razor sharp dagger ... I used it when was in the paratroopers (Belgium) can also be used in survival situation.
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I've got a couple of Peace Keepers, but I never knew that they were strong, as I've never tested them or, in fact, used them. They've always struck me as strictly survival type knives that leaned towards self defense. They are razor sharp, and I'm glad to hear that they're stronger than I imagined!
 
I have been in and out of the middle east (Iraq and Afghanistan) as a contractor. I had two multi-tools a leatherman wave and a SOG powerlock. My folder was a Emerson CQC-7 P/S it was tuff as nails and never let me down. I had a fixed blade (Ontario RAT 5)that I packed in my bag when traveling from FOB to FOB didn't get a lot of use but, it was good to know it was there just in case.
 
Confederate said:
I've got a couple of Peace Keepers, but I never knew that they were strong, as I've never tested them or, in fact, used them. They've always struck me as strictly survival type knives that leaned towards self defense. They are razor sharp, and I'm glad to hear that they're stronger than I imagined!
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What steel are your peace keepers? I'm wondering if the ones in krupp stainless are any good
 
Confederate said:
I've got a couple of Peace Keepers, but I never knew that they were strong, as I've never tested them or, in fact, used them. They've always struck me as strictly survival type knives that leaned towards self defense. They are razor sharp, and I'm glad to hear that they're stronger than I imagined!
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This knife as the other dagger is developped for fighting but the blade is really strong and I use mine during twoo years for all the task a military need to do in the field. My Peace keeper never failed ! I've also a Taipan, a great dagger too but I prefer the Peace Keeper, a better knife for chopping, the blade of the Peace Keeper is heavier especially on the top.

Stay safe !
 
xanderom said:
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.
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I found it interesting that, at this page about the lowly Camillus TL-29 electrician's knife (has a 2.5-inch slipjoint blade and a locking combination screwdriver/scraper), a Jeremy commented:

"I Had one of these while in Iraq. Personaly as a knife collector and a soldier this one was the best and got more use out of it than my K-bar. I am kicking my self now for turning it back in with my issue of R&U tools."
 
Bkultra said:
Quote: Mike Stewart

Do you want to see a knife that can be the hands down winner of that crap?

Here is all you need to do.

Look at the things he does.

You take a bar of spring steel--Heat treat it and temper it--like a stiff spring--Not a knife.

That would be about 38-40 RC.

Grind and sharpen it to a heavy but sharp edge.

Attach a Micarta or G-10 handle with Epoxy and Corby-Bolts so it can't come off.

Leave the handle Scales shorter than the Butt end of your Spring Knife.)
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you mean to tell me that Cold Steel and Strider knives are HArdenned as high as 40 RC? Wow, man, I have been using Copper knives maybe I should switch over

get a leatherman wave, it will do all you need in iraq.
 
Will you be issued a Bayonet? If so then you do not need an additional Fixed bladed knife. No use in carrying two of them. The issue bayonets will do a pretty good job.

Next it all depends on what your specific task will be. If you are an 11B, some of the Forced Entry tools (with the knives or smaller axes) could come in very handy.

One very useful peice of equipment I would definately buy, is one of the Benchmade (or other makers) small Seat Belt cutters. Keep this readily accessible on your gear.

If you are set on getting fixed bladed knife, do not get one bigger than 5.5 inches or will be a pain in the ass to carry on your gear. If you can afford it, Chris Reeve makes some very nice and rugged blades. Or you can follow 65 years of tradition and get a Randall (go with a #15 Airman in my opinion).

You will find out that the knife you use the most will be your Leatherman (or other multi tool knife), and again GET THE SEAT BELT CUTTER. DO NOT GO ON A CONVOY WITHOUT ONE!
 
Leopardprey,
it sure is nice listening to advice from a real soldier.

And thanks again for saving me $400.
You know what I mean;)
 
My Choices:

1. Victorinox Spirit Multitool
2. CRKT M21-14SFG
3. CS Recon Tanto
4. Becker BK9

The right tool for the right job... You probably wouldn't need them all at the same time, but it's good to have options.
 
ctg1231 said:
My Choices:

1. Victorinox Spirit Multitool
2. CRKT M21-14SFG
3. CS Recon Tanto
4. Becker BK9

The right tool for the right job... You probably wouldn't need them all at the same time, but it's good to have options.
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thanks, I'm sure he totally appreciates your advice now.
 
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