Leaving for Iraq soon - knives for me(?):

Cmart, I have a new Cold Steel Gunsite II, A Gerber multi-tool with sheath, Don't really have a boot knife, but I have a Buck Nighthawk - plain blade, might have a CS SRK. No charge, just shoot me your shipping address, Merry Christmas and thank you for your service to our country. Let me know if your interested.

Tom

ps. For all the folks out there, how many knives do you have that you don't use, that one of our soldiers could, think about it.
 
hi there.
You will find allot of knives in the local PX over there as well and could just wait till you are in country to see what they have, usuall a combo between Cold Steel and CRKT
 
hi there.
l would think a wise choice would be a push dagger like the ones Cold Steel makes. A push dagger is a good choice for quick deployment. lt has excellent penetration ability and is a good choice when things have gone so bad that you need to use a knife.
As a folder, the Cold Steel gunsite folder. And the best multi tool l would say is the Leatherman Super Tool. The knives l chose above are not fancy but effective and not hard on the pocket. Before you make any final decisions find out what the regulations are regarding knife sizes that your unit Commander will allow you to deploy with. Good luck mate!
 
I'd agree that a "T-handle" push dagger is one of the best choices for a boot knife. Cold Steel's "Safekeeper" series is the absolute best. I'd recommend the Safekeeper I, if you can find one online, or the slightly smaller Safekeeper II, which is still available direct from Cold Steel. If you prefer a more traditional knife, try the Mini-Culloden. All these knives feature checkered Kraton grips.

I would direct you away from the Gerber Guardian -- brittle blade, stub tang, and slippery metal grip without a guard?

Spyderco Civilian is strictly a slasher -- and not a very good one at that. It excels at it's designed and stated purpose as a "self-defense" blade, which means that you can open it one-handed and rip a few shallow, non-lethal gashes through an attacker with the hooked tip, thus encouraging them to loose their grip -- but a "deadly" folder it is not.

For "deadly", I like the 6" Zytel handled "Ti-Lite" -- thing is unruly as hell, but nearly worthless for anything but stabbing deep holes in things. On the negative side, the thumb-stud doen't work for shit, and the multi-ridged, reverse-wave guard that's designed to snap the blade open as you snag the guard on the corner of your pocket will wear through the material there in short order (about a dozen openings) -- and if you're in the midst of an adrenal dump, you might miss snagging your pocket altogether and wind up with a closed (and difficult to open) knife in your hand.

Best choices for a "deadly" folder, IMHO, are the 6" Tanto Voyager, the Vaquero Grande, or one of the Cuda MAXX folders.

Personally, I'd advise you to carry a good quality sheath knife instead -- perhaps a Busse Battle Mistress?
 
For a fixed-blade, get an Ontario RAT-3 in D-2. Outstanding knife. Comfortable, good steel, good sheath with multiple carry options, light, and not very expensive. The ATR is a good one, but I'd still go for the Military. The handles on the ATR just aren't very comfortable. Multitool? Leatherman's the only way to go. The Charge XTi is a good one, and uses better steel than most of the Leatherman tools.
 
I like the Ontario knives a lot, what with their full tangs, blackened high-carbon-steel blades, and rubberized grips -- but they do a lousy job of sharpening 'em at the factory. If you purchase one, I'd recommend taking it to a knifemaker or meatcutter and have it professionally sharpened with a belt grinder and hones -- need ta put a whole new edge on it, then it'll work fine. Ontario's "SPEC-PLUS" line is so extensive that you'll be sure to find whatever you think wil best suit your needs. For a boot knife or folder, thought, I'd go with Cold Steel.
 
I would have to agree.
Deadly would have to be the Cold Steel Safekeeper
(http://www.coldsteel.com/fixed-blades-safe-keeper.html)
Great grip that won't slip, stays in place and packs a strong punch.
All in a handy size that's easy to pack too.

If there's one Multitool I would love to try out, it would have to be the new Gerber Diesel.
(http://www.gerbertools.com/Img_L/1470.jpg)
Unfortunately, this particular model of the Gerber Evolution is out of production
(http://www.gerbertools.com/Img_L/1107.jpg)
Has all the neat heads to go with the job wouldn't you say?

A folder seems to be an after thought if you have all of the above as listed.
So I guess its going to boil down to personal preference in design taste and most probably the size of your wallet and what nots. Though, you might want to get an auto of some sort so if permitted by the powers that be.

Best of luck!
 
the reason l said that you should go for the gunsite folder by Cold steel is that when you are off duty allot of the boys there are in their Physical Training gear(Summer time) and then you are normally in shorts and a T- shirt. So if you want a knife with you it should be a light one that clips into the black shorts and it should also be out of site. Therefore go for a folder that is light and does not pull your pants down when you go for a morning run. lt is allways good to have an ace up your sleeve over there. Allthough you are allways supposed to be armed with your PPE and helmet it is a comforting feeling to have a knife at your side as well. The gunsite Cold Steel knife is light, tough and very reliable. Oh, and it is cheap compared to some other really heavy and over priced folders out there. "Experience is a teacher like no other". OH, and " be lucky!"
 
What about the SOG PowerLock multi-tool? It has the ability to be taken apart for cleaning/maintenance or to replace/change various components for customization by you, the owner. It also has the compound leverage system to get more squeeze out of the pliers.
 
Salutations!

Choosing a knife and a tool is as personal as choosing underwear. It all comes down to your taste and what you feel comfortable with. The issue about not carrying a decent size blade 'cuz of the "civilians"; well, once you get there is all out the door, trust me. Personnally the civilians are the ones that you should worry about. Remember, is all about your safety so f@#$ what the "civillians" think.

That out of the way, I too advise you to stay away from S&W knives, fine revolvers, crappy knives, go figure! About the models, well, is all up to you and your budget. But if you are going to buy a knife that might save your bacon, remember, you get what you paid for. Spyderco, Benchmade, Cold Steel, etc are good brands, trust them. The advise given by the other posters is good. The boot knife? Choose from one of these fine brands and you'll be fine. The folder? The same. I carry a CRKT M-21 at all times and I like it. Good quality large folder. As for the milti-tool? Stay away from Gerber. Back in the early 90s their tools where really tough. But in the late 90s the quality has gone way down. I, myself have broken a couple of those just by squeezing too hard on the handles. I an a Leatherman man now, the Surge to be exact.

In the end is all up to you, take your time and do your homework. Be safe brother.

Yours in the Spirit of the Warrior-Scholar,

C. Roman, Head Instructor, American Kenpo
 
My personal picks for multi tool, fixed blade and folder are:

1. Leatherman Wave (tried and true, you can count on it)
2. Trident, Oberland 01 by: Maciej Szczerbiak
3. Blade-Tech, Wegner Professional Hunters Knife Extreme

I have trained in knife fighting and JuJitsu (among other martial arts) for over 15 years, currently active duty, have enjoyed camping and hiking most of my life, and as part of my training and as a hobby practice survival skills. The above have served me well. My personal preference is for no frills/gadgets, blades made for cutting (not chopping or prying), solid construction, good workmanship and excellent steel. I think most would agree that the above fit the criteria.

Good luck, stay sharp and come home.

Here are some links to the knives:
http://www.blade-tech.com/product.ph...cat=279&page=1
http://www.tridentknives.com/oberlan...stom-knife.htm

PS Trident offers a 20% discount for us active duty types...

Off topic...

Do yourself a favor and pick up a Gerber infinity ultra, LED Flashlight. I bought the red LED so it would not blow my night vision. I cannot count the number of times that I have used it... very handy! It uses a simple AA battery, it doesn't put out the most light but enough to allow you to find your way or find your gear without drawing any undue attention and the battery lasts forever!
 
I have had bad luck with leatherman blades breaking, I would go for the gerber. You shouldnt have any problems with carrying a fixed blade I would suggest an M-9 if you get into troubble because it has an available accessory called the M-16 that can be connected for punching holes in things.

DC1
 
Hey Bro first of all good luck and stay safe. The Leatherman Wave is a great choice. Well you need to think about what they are going to be used for and how often, as well as what your budget is. Remember size plays a big part in how comfortable it is to carry and that is important to me personally. On a budget something from cold steel for both fixed and folding blade. Not on a budget, which if my life was going to depend on a blade it would not be, the Fallkniven and maybe an Emerson Commander.
 
Cmart,
I had visited the USN CB base in Port Hueneme, California as a boy. I had attended college down the road from there. Some of my instructors and classmates were sailors.
Since I could not contact you off the forum, I can only recommend that you contact this TOPS Knives Dealer who had served in the 101st Airborne Division. I am certain that he would be able to recommend some knives which would meet your needs.
I had talked with him yesterday, and he said that he gladly gives a discount to military personnel. He said that he would be glad to talk with you.
This is his website, but please refer to the TOPS Knives website for the entire product line which is over 150 knives currently, and contact him directly to get the discount. He can get any knife on the corporate website for you. I will defer to him for recommending knives which would suit your needs. IMHO, A good alternative to the folder would be the SAW which he said that could be made with a Micarta handle as well.
The ONLY multi-plier tool that I recommend is the Victorinox Swiss Tool(click Multitools, Swisstool.). It is designed better than the Leatherman Super Tool(I own both). Leatherman has a few new models, e.g., Surge, Wave, Core, etc., which I do not own, so I cannot comment about them. I have heard repeatedly by former Gerber Multi-Pliers owners that Gerbers(pliers) break.
Take care.
 
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