Military deployment fixed blades?

E

Error404

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May 19, 2016
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I'm looking to get a friend a fixed blade for his next deployment. If it's any help, he is an infantry Marine and I'm willing to pay around $150.

Characteristics of the knife I'm looking for and I believe would be suitable would be
1. Blade length between 4.5-6 inches
2. 'Lightweight' (5-8 ounces maximum preferably)
3. Fits well in hand (good grip, finger grooves perhaps such as the SOG Seal Pup)
4. Handle is big enough for large gloved hands
5. At least 1/8 inch thickness
6. Plain edge, no serrations

I would also really like it if a nice sheath was available for it. Should definitely not fall out! Needs to be sturdy and able to take a beating. It should also be able to be attached securely to his kit/gear.

Please do not recommend a multi tool or folder, anything else is very welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!
 
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"Needs to be sturdy and able to take a beating" at only 8oz? for a Marine??? :eek:

The standard 7" USMC KaBar weighs 11oz and feels very light in-hand.

Off-hand, the Kabar BK15 would work at 5.5", 6.4oz, and great handle ergos. It's been discontinued but still available.


Personally, I'd recommend something more beefy like a Kabar 7" BK7, 5.5" BK10, or 6" BK12 aka the Doug Ritter Perseverance.

The ESEE Hoffman ESEE-CM6 would be an excellent choice. 5.875", G10 handle, Kydex Molle sheath and an ounce lighter than the USMC Kabar.
esee-cm-6-tg-b-fixed-thumb.jpg
 
^^^^ Yup. Might just be pushing your weight factor but a Cold Steel SRK. Aweome blade shape and handle traction. Solid sheath with attachment options. I had one in San Mai III for a few years and that thing took a beating before I gifted to my sister who has had it for 2 years now and uses it as her go to outdoors blade.
It still comes back twice a year to me for a "spa" treatment. Great knife. :D
 
I reckon you might be able to get something custom made to spec for that.

I can't speak for them with regard to price, but a couple people who might be worth talking to are:

- Matt from Bearpaw Knives in Slovakia. He does really good work in Sleipner tool steel.

- James Terrio of Terrio Handmade Knives. James does really cool work and uses CPM3V (among other steels) which is about as good a steel as any if you want to get the most out of a thin blade.

Both are forum members and from my experience are generally excellent people.
 
First, find out what he is allowed to carry. Different units may have different restrictions.

n2s
 
Get him an Ontario K Bar. I'm a retired Army 19D and half of my friends are Marines. The K Bar is part of Marine History for a reason, they work and are accepted by all levels of command. What ever knife you choose make certain it has a Hilt. His hands will nearly always be covered with grease, sweat, blood, and anything else he touches in the field. His hands will be slippery in a way few civilians will understand. If he has to use the knife in self defense or combat (one in every 10,000) he will slip off the handle onto his own blade. Clint Smith and I were talking about that at the Shot Show 3 years ago. Personally I also carry a DPX HEST because of the simple tools it has including a very good wire stripper.
 
I second that. You need to find out if there are any restrictions as different CO's have different rules. My knife suggestion would be a Cold Steel SRK.

38ckj1.jpg


or an Esee 6
 
I'm sure that I'll be shouted down for daring to endorse anything made by Gerber, but I would take a look at the Strongarm. It's made in the USA, and I have had very good luck with Gerber's US made products over the years. The knife has been getting good reviews. It comes in a plain edge.

And it comes in at about 1/3 of your max price (which means that you could also get him a nice folder which he will probably get to use more often).

Don't forget, soldiers' knives get stolen and lost fairly regularly, sometimes the knife you don't worry about is the best knife.
 
The SRK blade is reminiscent of the WW2 USN Mark 1 blade.

I'd get him a good multitool or and Victorinox Pioneer or Farmer. He'll use either of them more than he'll use any fixed blade you get him. I know you asked not to receive multitool or folder recommendations, but they truly are tools he'll use while deployed. A fixed blade will likely never leave his hooch, or, if it does, never be drawn from its sheath if he's deploying to SWA.

My SRK was given to me for the same reason you want to give a knife (I received several knives from friends when deploying/deployed because everyone thinks you need one). I never used the SRK just as your buddy is likely not to use any fixed blade you give him. MY SRK sits in a drawer with my other fixed blade knives. One day I'll likely give it away or trade it.

Cold%2520Steel%2520CV%2520SRK.jpg

PAL%2520RH-35%2520USN%2520Mark%2520%21%2520Tang%2520Stamp%2520side.jpg

PAL%2520RH-35%2520USN%2520Mark%2520%21%2520PAL%2520Stamp%2520Side.jpg
 
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I carried the Camillus made Marine combat/utility knife 7" blade (Ka-Bar) back in 1970-72 while serving in the U.S.M.C. as a 0311, I purchased it new at the Base Exchange for $7. back then.

If I were to do it again today.... I would probably pick a BK-7 and a Leatherman Wave.

The Ka-Bar 1217 U.S.M.C. fighting/utility knife is still a good choice to gift a Marine because of tradition, history, and... it's a darn good knife!
 
TravisH said:
"Needs to be sturdy and able to take a beating" at only 8oz? for a Marine??? :eek:

The standard 7" USMC KaBar weighs 11oz and feels very light in-hand.

Off-hand, the Kabar BK15 would work at 5.5", 6.4oz, and great handle ergos. It's been discontinued but still available.


Personally, I'd recommend something more beefy like a Kabar 7" BK7, 5.5" BK10, or 6" BK12 aka the Doug Ritter Perseverance.

The ESEE Hoffman ESEE-CM6 would be an excellent choice. 5.875", G10 handle, Kydex Molle sheath and an ounce lighter than the USMC Kabar.
esee-cm-6-tg-b-fixed-thumb.jpg
Click to expand...


KA1217: Full-size USMC KA-BAR, Straight Edge
Ka-Bar Knives

The most famous fixed blade knife in the World - "the KA-BAR" - was designed to serve our troops during World War II and is still doing its job, with honors, more than 50 years later.

Specifications
Weight: 0.68 lbs
Blade length 7"
Overall length 11-7/8"
Grind: Flat
Shape: Clip
Handle Material: Leather
Stamp: USMC
HRC: 56-58
Edge Angle: 20 Degrees
Butt Cap /Guard: Powdered Metal / 1095 Carbon
Steel: 1095 Carbon
Sheath: Leather
 
I suggest buying a blade 5 inch max. Something that has a little serration on it. The sheath needs to be secure but as narrow as possible. Gerber yari 2 or cfb would be good options. Dpx makes some nice fixd blades.
 
abbydaddy said:
Don't forget, soldiers' knives get stolen and lost fairly regularly, sometimes the knife you don't worry about is the best knife.
Click to expand...
Barracks thieves don't survive long. It's not as common as you apparently think it is. Neither is losing knives or other personal individual equipment, particularly fixed blades.
 
not2sharp said:
First, find out what he is allowed to carry. Different units may have different restrictions.

n2s
Click to expand...

I agree with this one. What good is it if it has to stay in his footlocker? As "romantic" as these Kabars sound, I suspect that most knife uses are for opening mail and MRE's. Multi-bladed small knives seem to be very popular. Yes, they ARE cheap.
Not a lot of hand-to-hand combat any more that might push for a Kabar. Several deployed guys used (carried) neck knives and/or automatic (switchblades) folders. SAK's are very useful and popular, AFAIK.
You might wish to ask him for some suggestions once he's steady in his unit and knows what he wants/needs.
 
The modern military is a sophisticated machine requiring different elements working together. A Marine is part of a huge team that make up this machine. For personal protection he is issued an assault rifle and maybe a handgun. A classic fixed blade "combat" knife hasn't the use it once had. Its been superseded by the multitool, for a multitool has far more utility to keep the sophisticated machine working.

The Cold Steel SRK is a great knife, so is the Kar Bar; I carried something similar when I served on my battle webbing. It was the least used tool I carried. Unbelievably they just aren't much use at all in a modern army. Now a multitool, a pick, a shovel, and a crowbar are. In the jungle a much bigger machete/knife is, but not a "combat" knife. Frankly if I did it all again I wouldn't bother and carry a handgun instead (a little 9mm Glock).
The Combat knife for crowd control and prisoner processing they are a liability as a bad guy might grab it. In vehicles they get hung up on anything. Frankly they are more trouble than they are worth.

Just buy the guy a Leatherman Charge TTi.


A pair of these too, as they are good (or something similar):
http://www.felco.com/felco/pages/product.page?name=FELCO C7
 
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