Most common fixed blades in use by current US military?

C

collecter

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Aug 21, 2002
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Can you guys who are active military tell me what are the most common fixed blades knives you see being/carried?

Thanks,
Collecter
 
Gerbers and Kabars I'd say just because they're readily available at the PX. I see far more multi tools and folders than fixed blades tho.

I know of a few that carry ESEE/Rat Cutlery knives (myself included).
 
Can you give me specific models. I'm must curious what is most commonly in use today.

I suppose different PX locations could have different brands + models available. I also suppose that there could be a lot of guys who aren't knife peope like most of use here.

I'm guessing that USMC Kabars would still be pretty common. How about knives such as the cold steel SRK and recon tanto's, Gerber Prodigy & LMFII?
 
I retired not too long ago and as "Marine Air" pointed out, what the PX offers is pretty much the staple for many however a few will carry some custom productions and I've see some Randall's carried as well. SOG's (Seal-Pups, asst. folders), Cold Steel (SRK's), and many of the current Gerber offerings to include some of the vintage models such as the Mark and Command I and II's. Almost forgot, the GSA system the military uses to procure many items brings in many Benchmades, in particularly the AFO and Presidio auto's but they also have a NSN for the Nimravus's as well.
 
The only fixed blades I seen was the Gerber and Kabars when I was at military clothing and sales the other day. I seen a bunch of folders , Gerber Applegate knives, SOG, Benchmade folders, Cold Steel and CRKT M16 folders. Lots of multitools too.
 
Ka-Bars and SRK's are popular, but most guys carry folders, such as the CRKT. Some Randalls are out there. Some of the Specials like their customs, like Randall, Brend, Branton, etc
 
FYI, Coast Guardsmen are not allowed to carry fixed blade knives except if you get a waiver or in certain specific conditions. There is also a list of authorized folders in one of our many manuals but actual styles range from cheapos to black and blue class Benchmades. I carry a BM AFO II but have also carried an Emerson CQC7 and even a MT Ultratech around the office. Alot of Gerber EZ Outs and Myerchins get carried by a good amount of sailors as well.
 
My son is active duty Navy. Stationed at Cherry Point, NC.

He vented to me recently that just about all they have at the NEX is CRKT knives. He did pick up a BM Torrent there which surprised me.

His fixed blade is a BRKT Gunny. I'll talk to him tomorrow and ask what the Marines are carrying. I got a feeling that MarineAir is correct with the Gerbers and KaBar's.
 
Check out the December issue of Blade. (If you can still find one)

Probably represents a small portion of the military but I found it interesting.
 
I've been out of the military for several years but I do have a couple of quick points:

1. Here is the military pay scale. Your average infantryman falls into the E1-E5 <6 years category. Note what they make annually. This is not conducive to high-end or custom knives which have a high likelihood of loss, damage and theft.

2. It has often been pointed out to me that the size of ones knife is directly proportional to their distance from the front line. Meaning: a rear echelon supply captain likely carries a 14 inch combat bowie while the grunt who has to hump his gear for days is likely to carry a neck knife.

That said, there are those who are "in to" knives as we are but I'd venture they are the minority.
 
gulliamo said:
I've been out of the military for several years but I do have a couple of quick points:

1. Here is the military pay scale. Your average infantryman falls into the E1-E5 <6 years category. Note what they make annually. This is not conducive to high-end or custom knives which have a high likelihood of loss, damage and theft.

2. It has often been pointed out to me that the size of ones knife is directly proportional to their distance from the front line. Meaning: a rear echelon supply captain likely carries a 14 inch combat bowie while the grunt who has to hump his gear for days is likely to carry a neck knife.

That said, there are those who are "in to" knives as we are but I'd venture they are the minority.
Click to expand...

You are pretty much right on. I have a friend that is a Devil Dog. He just got off active. I had given him several very nice knives before he left on a number of occasions. The only one he ever took or used was a Buck/Strider folder. It was the cheapest and smallest one I gave him. He told me the others were to big and to nice for a grunt.

What do I know! lol
 
Sargent 666 said:
You are pretty much right on. I have a friend that is a Devil Dog. He just got off active. I had given him several very nice knives before he left on a number of occasions. The only one he ever took or used was a Buck/Strider folder. It was the cheapest and smallest one I gave him. He told me the others were to big and to nice for a grunt.

What do I know! lol
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Yep, in the field I used to carry a 13 dollar kabar folder. Light and I wouldnt care too much if i lost it.
 
My best friend, who recently got out of the military, carried a BM Griptilian with a full plain edge.
 
Here is what I have seen in the couple of NEXs I have been to:
Gerber and SOG multitools
Kabar fixed and folders
SOG Tridents
SOG Pentagon folders
SOG Seal Pups
Various Gerbers
I once saw BM Grips but have seen them there in a while
That pretty much covers it in SD; Hawaii had dive knives as well.
 
My son is currently serving in Afghanistan. Based on recommendations I received here about a year ago, I bought him a Spyderco Military, and he told me it's the most useful knife he could have had over there. He's currently a quartermaster, so he hasn't seen a whole lot of front line action. I also gave him my SOG multitool, which also sees a lot of use.
 
RickG55 said:
My son is currently serving in Afghanistan. Based on recommendations I received here about a year ago, I bought him a Spyderco Military, and he told me it's the most useful knife he could have had over there. He's currently a quartermaster, so he hasn't seen a whole lot of front line action. I also gave him my SOG multitool, which also sees a lot of use.
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When I think "rear echelon" I think CONUS so those are very appropriate gifts; perfect for what most troupes need. Given the lack of "front line" over there I hope he stays safe!

People always seem to associate the combat knives touted by Special Ops units with the military in general. I've found the opposite to be true (there are exceptions of course) and it seems many here concur.
 
Just a thought. Can we Sticky this thread because it is asked so many times. Maybe dig back through and get some good post on the subject, it seems to be a very active thought by blade o' files out there.
 
gulliamo said:
When I think "rear echelon" I think CONUS so those are very appropriate gifts; perfect for what most troupes need. Given the lack of "front line" over there I hope he stays safe!

People always seem to associate the combat knives touted by Special Ops units with the military in general. I've found the opposite to be true (there are exceptions of course) and it seems many here concur.
Click to expand...

The most common suggestion I got was some sort of folder, and the Spyderco Military got very high marks. Between that and the SOG, I felt he was well-equipped. One of the other reasons I chose those two was I was envisioning a nightmare scenario where he only had the use of one hand, and I wanted the tools to be something he could open and use with either hand (I've been in law enforcement for over 30 years; those types of unsettling situations come to mind, and I plan accordingly).
 
Georgia Guy said:
Just a thought. Can we Sticky this thread because it is asked so many times. Maybe dig back through and get some good post on the subject, it seems to be a very active thought by blade o' files out there.
Click to expand...

I don't think that this is important enough to warrant a sticky, if people would search before they asked, I think it would eliminate any further threads like this.

OP: I went to Fort Lewis-McChord in Washington on Thursday and a majority of the fixed blades they had were Gerbers and a Cold Steel Tanto.
 
MarineAir said:
Gerbers and Kabars I'd say just because they're readily available at the PX. I see far more multi tools and folders than fixed blades tho.

I know of a few that carry ESEE/Rat Cutlery knives (myself included).
Click to expand...

This was my experience as well. Most of the guys I served with were not knife enthusiasts. They mostly went with what was redily available at the PX or the mall. The PX was also selling SOG seal knives like the pup, and cold steel tanto's which were also pretty popular. I knew one guy that carried a Randal, but I could never carry a knife that expensive or nice into the field. My KA BAR was a work horse for a fair price. I still take that knife camping, had the thing for like 9 yrs. now.
 
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