military knives

Elen said:
It's much more compact in size although the effective cutting edge length remains the same.
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That's EXACTLY why I'm interested in the EXACT same knife.:eek::p Well, that, and I want a knife that's ok to carry in town, but still at home as a woods knife, because I spend a good amount of time in both places. Anything with a blade longer than 4 inches becomes impractical for what I'm likely to be doing with it, and a pain to carry.
 
When my friend got back from Iraq I asked him what most of the soldiers were carrying, he said that he personally carried a fifty dollar kabar style fixed blade, something cheap that he wouldn't care if it fell out the back of a humvee or the tip got broke off while opening up a drum or it was stolen.
 
"...Who will replace the tool grade Camillus knives is going to be interesting...."
-tirod3
Ontario Knives appers to be the only US based "tool grade" contractor left.
But why suffer in silence when there is the Swiss Victorinox; anything from the generic Soldier model to the heavyduty black Swisstool.
But even Vicky's gotten into the game with its GAK tactical one-handed-opening folder for NATO forces.
Standard American would probably be sourced from China by a US contractor, if the "berets fiasco" of past is anything to go by....
 
Hello All,

My first post on this forum. Our son was in the Marines from 02 through '06 and has spent some time in Iraq. When he was deployed I gave him a Randall #16 SpecialFighter ( The #16 with the #1 blade profile), and a Chris Reeve Green Beret. Later on after he was out, he told me that he much preferred the CR-GB over the Randall. It seemed to him to be a tougher working knife than the Ranall. The Randall gave him prestige with other Marines, but the Chris Reeve gave him confidence in the field. Does this help nay?
 
Oops, there;s more...Our son also carried a CRKT M-21 and a Leatherman Wave (or similar model I forget now. He liked and used them both.Cheers.
 
If anything, the chinese beret issue was an anomaly, as gov't contract orders generally specify the maker must geographically be in the US. Same reason Beretta and Sig have factories here now.

As for military grade, very few 3-4 inch folders are even included, and even then, they went to the Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force. The Army simply has little need for one. The Gerber multipliers, TL9's, and stainless utility 4 blade cover it. In fixed, the Ontario combat knife or pilot's survival. A lot of stuff gets sold at the PX, but commanders don't want the hassles in the field with immature troops, and more experienced ones don't want to carry bigger blades because of the weight and lack of need.

The sad truth is military knives are really fantasy pieces most troops would never carry, regardless of the sincerity of design.
 
Most accurate post in the thread. There's a reason why the Camillus Paratrooper, 4 blade camp, Electricians, and such have remained "standard" for decades (before they went under) -

By and large, knives are not even a priority for ground troops. The multitool is ubiquitous and largely personnally bought. Bigger fixed blades are "covered" by the bayonet, aircrew survival, the Kabar style for Marines, or are just personally purchased. I've seen units purchase SOG SEAL 2000s, CS Recon Tantos, Beckers and more, but it was more "we have money to spend" than an actual need. Special missions get special pupose, like switchbades for swimmers; but by and large the fancy stuff is not percieved as a "need."
 
Im pretty impressed on the digital camo being used on the Zero T's, wonder if the trend will catch on with other makers this year.
 
One maker already offers blades in that.

When BDU's first came out I collected one of everything in Woodland to use in uniform. I discovered pretty quickly that cool stuff like camo Parker roller balls were pilferable, and I really didn't need them. I wound up using a Fisher refill in a black issue click pen.

In the military, the coolest stuff is issue, like kabars, or Benchmades. Civilian stuff eventually becomes pogue or even wannabe. The most popular carabiner is the issue steel with a really old date - aluminum locking 'biners or such, not so much. Same with knives, camo handles, not cool. The principle is if they could see the handle, they could hear you first, and you'd pay hell to get closer. Small stuff just needs to be subdued, not camoflaged. The maker who offers digicam blades doesn't put them on the contract knives, just the civilian ones, and wow, aren't they selling fast . . .

A lot of what the military does makes sense - but it's counter to the fantasy generated by the media. The Army doesn't sell sizzle or need make a profit, just survive on a real battlefield.
 
Mikel_24 said:
Rugershooter16 I guess that you should narrow your choices by telling us how much do you want to spend on a blade and what do you intend to use it for. If you are going to buy them just by the looks or if you plan to carry and use it hard in a regular basis.

I agree with everyone here that INFI is a great steel for military stile knives... the only problem is that Busse knives are expensive (let's say pricey... at least for me they are).
I suggest you take a look at RAT and Ranger knives... I think they are good production knives and affordable.
Mikel
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Also, Scrap Yard knives are a great bang for the buck. :)
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Also, Scrap Yard knives are a great bang for the buck. :)
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Sure they are Tyrkon! I am about to get a RAT-7 by trading... but if this chance hadn't shown up I would probably had posted a new thread asking you all what I sould be getting: ScrapYard Yard Guard, RAT-7 or RD-77. The all where pretty much within budget range. I guess that the next time I get a knife it would definitely be a Scrap Yard.
mikel
 
rugershooter16 said:
Well, I am looking for strong and beefy, very practical but not radical. Something to a tactical to a classic design.
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Fallkniven A1.

Strong and beefy,
very practical but not radical,
tactical to classic design,
razor sharp convexed edge,
tough as all get out,
virtually indestructible,
laminated VG-10 stainless,
easily available for purchase.

About $150 or so.

http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/a1_en.html

and FWIW...http://www.knifetests.com/FallknivenA1.html
 
i'am in the coast guard, and we were issued spyderco endura 4, but i have also seen benchmade griptilian and kershaw blurs issued, but if your looking for fixed blades ka-bar, onterio and rat are usually issed.
 
I just got my Emerson CQC-8 and I think it's a simple, ergonomic design that seems pretty solid (though I know many hold liner-lock folders in ill repute.) I also have an SOG trident which was a lot less money but is a pretty decent knife. Both of them are "tacticool" in aesthetics, but I like the no-nonsense, basic black of the Emerson. Nothing pretty about it except the curves, and the blade came scary sharp. The wave feature is VERY handy as well...

But as others said, it all comes down to your uses. Now...if I could figure out how to get in touch with that guy Guldan...THOSE are some crazy-looking knives.

J
 
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