Military Service

M

McCleaven

Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
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Hi all! I am new to ESEE/R.A.T Knives, and I am wanting to get something that will stand up to tough, everyday, military use. I am just about to head off to basic, and when i get back, i want to get a nice new knife to carry with me while i am out serving. I have done about 5 days or so worth of research, reading posts here, watching youtube videos, going to websites, and i have narrowed down my choices to a RT-4 or 5. I am a kershaw/benchmade guy, so this ESEE stuff is really new to me, but neither of those two companies had anything that seemed to be able to stand up to what these beautiful ESEE's can. I was just wondering what you guys thought (and if any of you active or prior service guys know if an MP can carry something like this anyway) Thanks in advance!
 
on post stateside duty i doubt you will be able to carry, overseas depends on your commanding officer. for me i carried a longer fixed blade, but now with all the other crap you carry i'd just use the esee3 mil version. big enough to do anything you need not so big its in the way and weighs alot.

take it easy
cricket
 
Thanks cricket! and i had heard that it depends on your CO, which i thought was bull honky! I should be able to carry what I want, but i guess, w/e. would you recommend getting a MOLLE back for it, or just keeping it simple?
 
When I am back in the rear in garrison i carry either an Izula or and Rc3 in my pocket, when i am deployed like now i carry an RC5 on my kit because of its strength and versatility i actually use the 5 alot over here
 
@syndergaard: so on top of the m9 bayonet you carry an RC-5? or do you not have to carry the m9 if you don't want to. I am just trying to get a good idea of what i can and can't do once i'm in. My recruiter doesn't know and really could care less, he carries a cheap Chinese blade. so i just don't want to buy yet another unnecessary knife (to add to my already unnecessary 15 including benchmades, kershaws, spydercos, and CRKT's). I want to make sure i get something i can use, will use, and will be able to continue using throughout my military career.
 
I dont think i have seen anyone even carry a bayonet since i was in afghanistan in 2003 ever since usually people carry whatever they own and keep the bayonet in the arms room. Most of my guys carry an rc5 on their kit. I reccomend carrying 2 things: a good multitool, which most units issue with RFI before you deploy, and a good fixed blade knife. The fixed blade is more than likely not going to be used as a weapon but as a utility knife to pry open ammo crates, open mre's cut boxes, 550 cord ect.... There is always the possibility that you may have to use it, if your weapon goes down when entering a room but i have only heard of that happening a few times since i have been in the Army. I reccomend an Rc5 because of its strength and versatillity i have most of the knives that ESEE carries and that is the one that i brought with me over here. If you buy one it will last you your whole career unless you lose it. The last thing is you may want to wait till you get to your first unit and see what they allow some units do not allow you to carry a big knife, I am in an infantry battalion so we are allowed but you may not depending on your units Sop's
 
Well from what I heard from ppl that serve, you might also want to think about having a combo blade since most of the tasks are cutting trough things rather than in actual combat situations
 
H.E.S.T.
ESEE 3 Mil
ESEE 4
Would be my choice's if I was a MP
Also a Izlua with the handle's and diff the H.E.S.T Folder coming out.

Also a good multi tool. U will probaly get issued a gerber but me personally I don't like the gerbers.
 
I would take an Izula and an ESEE-6 if I were in your shoes. In fact, that's exactly what is in my emergency kit now.

The RC-4 grip is too small for me to use when wearing gloves. It also feels as thick as it is wide. The '6 is the best balanced "big" knife I"ve ever handled, from the handle to the blade.

I can't recommend the ESEE-6 strongly enough for big knife chores. The Izula works for everything else, including as a backup survival knife if you lose your primary.

Picture073.jpg
 
I second the 5 because its one sturdy knife. Last deployment i broke a few kabars prying on doors and whatnot but thats mainly what the fixed knife is used for now like already stated. Not sure if you need it being an MP but thats up to you. I does weigh about a pound so keep that in mind. I would say wait till you get to your unit before you buy anything
 
intheshaw said:
I second the 5 because its one sturdy knife. Last deployment i broke a few kabars prying on doors and whatnot but thats mainly what the fixed knife is used for now like already stated. Not sure if you need it being an MP but thats up to you. I does weigh about a pound so keep that in mind. I would say wait till you get to your unit before you buy anything
Click to expand...

Yup how many ppl pry with knives?? I would get the 5
 
The 5 should certainly be at the top of your list. It is thick making it great for prying open doors, hatches, you name it. It is also thick and strong for light digging (this is one thing I wouldnt do with really any knife unless it was absolutely necessary). The pommel is excellent and well designed but designed around a purpose. It is meant glass breaking mostly. The RC5 was designed as an SERE knife, downed pilots and so on. It is heavy but is the toughest knife in the entire ESEE line. It would be the hardest to break. At 1/4" thick I couldnt imagine that happening ever! The finish is nice being all black for sheathy operations, the finish is also very durable compared to others, so it will not come off very easily. And the knife has a bowdrill divot in the handle if you need to start a fire. The only short coming I had with this knife is it is not as good at bushcraft. It is heavy and thick plus the handle is not optimal for chopping (somewhat of a big part of bushcraft)...it will slide out of your hand during heavy chopping. Get the Molle Back sheath for the 5, it is jump proof and a far more versatile sheath for someone in the service. I has a significant amount of mounting options as well...once again excellent for someone in the service. I think this could be a great fit...but remember it is heavy. If weight is an issue which it can be when you are carrying a heavy sack you might want to look for another option. Also remember this blade is only 5 inches. This is purely preference. Some like shorter some like longer. I also like the A1 as well.
 
McCleaven,
Thanks for stepping up to serve. Please wait until you get to your unit before deciding which knife you "need." I didn't serve as an MP, but currently work with a number of guys who were. In fact, MP's were the natural enemies of the unit I served with:)
As an MP, you'll have garrison duty, which will be similar to a civilian police officer on patrol. You'll have time in the field, doing "Army stuff" and you may have a chance to do both of those things and more, if your unit goes to the desert somewhere.
The type of mission drives the gear and the knife you may want now, may not serve your needs then. A whole lot of gear, including multi-tools as has been stated, as well as knives, are being issued to troops that are about to go to Iraq or Astan.
Find yourself a simple, but quality folder and take that to basic if you can. Most of the time I was in, I carried either a simple Buck folder or a smaller, Swiss Army knife. Something that if lost or stolen, won't upset you too much or break the bank to replace it. Good luck.
 
all good suggestions, really the main thing is going to be what is your job what are you going to be doing day in and day out. believe me your going to be looking at just how much crap do i have to carry. weight will be an issue. the hest is an excellent tool perfect for opening crates cuting cord and opening mres and other field tasks. the 3 is a great cutter and very light. the 5 is a huge do it all sere knife. the 6 is also my favorite to carry.

its all going to come down to you in the end, we can recommend and advise.
but you are the one who is going to be using it, you need to define for yourself just what are you going to be doing and will it help or hinder your performance of your duties.

take care
cricket
 
You have 15 knives already. I'd bet money that one or a couple of them will fill the role you'd need them to for garrison duty. I see a lot of MPs with a beefy folder clipped onto their drop leg holster platform.
 
Hey guys! thanks for all of your comments! it's been really helpful! and most of the 15 i have are kershaw(storm II, blur, leek) and benchmade. I am toying with taking for sure either my kershaw storm II, kershaw blur (the black tanto-serrated one they carry at wally's) or my benchmade griptillian. I was more or less just wanting to get something that would be a little beefier and something i can use and not worry about it breaking under the pressure hard use. I think i am going more to the RC-5 side...but man...at almost a pound, i'll be feeling that every day!
@Rich275: I don't think my basic will let me take anything. I am going to be going to Fort Leonardwood in Missouri, and from their website, i am thinking that taking anything sharper than a black pin would get me in trouble!
Also, anyone with a H.E.S.T, tell me your thoughts on taking either the fixed or the folder. pro's/con's. again! thank you all for your input!
 
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