I agree 100%!!!! Been there done that. Mult tool is the way to go.
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Most indestructible folder you can think of to take on infantry deployment?
- Thread starter SnowCrash
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HTM Gunhammer
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I see people forget about the Gerber 06 auto, which I think is about $150-200, also Grayman's Satu but its $375, several models from H&K which are made by Benchmade, and the Dpx HEST folder. Actually Gerber has alot of tough assisted openers that are even cheaper-the swagger, answer, and the S.A.H. are all well under $100. You should check out some SOG stuff too.
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It's not an either/or decision. Everybody will have a multi-tool over there anyway. It's an issued item.
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- Oct 27, 2003
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Hah! I would hope not... as I type I have a my ZT0551 in one front pocket, and my old Leatherman Charge Ti in the other- and I'm a freakin' civilian computer programmer. For MY life to depend on them it has to be a pretty spectacularly bad day.
Still, IMHO, most multi-tools don't have enough blade for serious general-purpose work.
Which ones get issued, other than to EOD? Just curious.
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Gerber was the most popular when I was in, 2001-2005, and ended up getting issued to my unit right as I was taking off.
People would always ask "do you have a Gerber?" if they needed to borrow a multi-tool. Nobody liked Leatherman but some liked SOG - people paying their own $60-100.
They definitely don't replace a real knife.
People would always ask "do you have a Gerber?" if they needed to borrow a multi-tool. Nobody liked Leatherman but some liked SOG - people paying their own $60-100.
They definitely don't replace a real knife.
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You will see more Gerber (specifically the one with the pliers that slide up) than anything now... But my unit was issued them so it's not saying much. Guys that buy their own tend to buy the SOG Zilla or the Leatherman MUT. I'm a leatherman guy, as I've never had a Gerber NOT break something. Their steel is weak, IMO, and the design of the one we're issued requires two hands to open.
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That sucks bro, I figured if their knives became crap it's probably happened to their multi-tools too - I had hoped it wasn't the case :grumpy:
I still have mine that I bought out of pocket in 2002 and love it, it helped design a lot of Iraqi landscape.
I still have mine that I bought out of pocket in 2002 and love it, it helped design a lot of Iraqi landscape.
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I suggest a leatherman Surge or Supertool, and a sturdy fixed blade with a 4-5 inch blade.
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I haven't paid much attention to Gerber since their knives went downhill. I do have one of their multi-tools in my motorcycle's underseat toolkit, but obviously that's not intended for EDC use. It was on sale, heavily discounted.
Mixed feelings about SOG. WAAYYY back in the 80's, when thumbstuds were new, liner locks unusual and pocket clips unheard-of, I bought an early SOG folder, heavy, heavy lockback thing, stainless bolsters in all four corners, rubber scales and strangely, brass thumbstuds. Seemed built like a tank but pretty much unpocketable. Very stiff new, it slowly got slicker and easier... and easier... and easier... and the backspring fell out.
A few years ago I let reviews convince me to try a SOG Aegis. Quick, very light, sorta liked the belly but was never comfortable with the very thin tip. Carried it for six months or so, and one of the skinny rubber inserts in the handle fell out. Okay, not critical, just glued it back in, but... still. Not carrying that anymore.
Seems to me that SOG spent a long time trying to build credibility, get name recognition up there to where they were often mentioned along with Benchmade, then in the last year or so I've seen a surprising amount of what looks like junk with the name on it. Seems like they just sort of threw it all away...
Mixed feelings about SOG. WAAYYY back in the 80's, when thumbstuds were new, liner locks unusual and pocket clips unheard-of, I bought an early SOG folder, heavy, heavy lockback thing, stainless bolsters in all four corners, rubber scales and strangely, brass thumbstuds. Seemed built like a tank but pretty much unpocketable. Very stiff new, it slowly got slicker and easier... and easier... and easier... and the backspring fell out.
A few years ago I let reviews convince me to try a SOG Aegis. Quick, very light, sorta liked the belly but was never comfortable with the very thin tip. Carried it for six months or so, and one of the skinny rubber inserts in the handle fell out. Okay, not critical, just glued it back in, but... still. Not carrying that anymore.
Seems to me that SOG spent a long time trying to build credibility, get name recognition up there to where they were often mentioned along with Benchmade, then in the last year or so I've seen a surprising amount of what looks like junk with the name on it. Seems like they just sort of threw it all away...
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i had a zero tolerance 302 and i currently have a 551 (although its currently a safe queen) and i can say they are both top notch rock solid knives and i can't really say enough about how solid they are.
For benchmade folders I agree the presidio is an awesome choice. My unit got them for a deployment and everyone loves them for their strength and blade shape, the only downside is they're a little heavy with the aluminum handle scales. For a primary deployment folder I would probably go for 154CM blade steel or better for edge retention reasons especially if your budget is up to 300. A lot of guys in my unit got issued gerber automatics in S30V and many do not carry them on a regular basis, they're just to heavy and bulky. I would look strongly at emerson knives if you're looking for strength as a requirement, but you might want to consider how difficult they can be to sharpen if you're not used to the chisel grind.
Another guy I know was issued a benchmade nitrous auto-stryker in 154CM which he loves. It's pretty darn light too. Personally I'd probably get a nitrous stryker in D2 steel and keep an eye on corrosion resistance. A buddy of mine got a benchmade 950 auto-rift and he preferred it over any other knife he had including a micro-tech he bought. It's definitely on my want to buy list, and it's lighter than the presidio because it has G-10 scales. Also as an aside any knife I take down range I make sure has a non-reflective finish on the blade. It's usually not an issue but there's been plenty of situations where I don't want to highlight my position with a shiny blade when I go to cut something.
Another guy I know was issued a benchmade nitrous auto-stryker in 154CM which he loves. It's pretty darn light too. Personally I'd probably get a nitrous stryker in D2 steel and keep an eye on corrosion resistance. A buddy of mine got a benchmade 950 auto-rift and he preferred it over any other knife he had including a micro-tech he bought. It's definitely on my want to buy list, and it's lighter than the presidio because it has G-10 scales. Also as an aside any knife I take down range I make sure has a non-reflective finish on the blade. It's usually not an issue but there's been plenty of situations where I don't want to highlight my position with a shiny blade when I go to cut something.
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The auto rift is sweet. In all honesty, having a good slicer is important to me more than "toughness". I have a Busse and a Scrapyard that I can pry with. My pocket knife? Not so much.
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Both the ones you mentioned in the original post will be more than adequate.
Personally, I like Emerson knives as well, even though many folks here have mixed feelings about them. They're totally bomb-proof, have an awesome lifetime warranty, you can disassemble them without voiding said warranty (!!!), and you can take them apart with standard screwdrivers. The 154CM steel is more than adequate, and is tougher than all the S30V-type steels, which tend to chip when 154CM would just roll. I think a 13 or an 8 would serve you VERY well for years to come.
Or, you know, just get a Buck 110 for $35 and make the old vets grin.
Personally, I like Emerson knives as well, even though many folks here have mixed feelings about them. They're totally bomb-proof, have an awesome lifetime warranty, you can disassemble them without voiding said warranty (!!!), and you can take them apart with standard screwdrivers. The 154CM steel is more than adequate, and is tougher than all the S30V-type steels, which tend to chip when 154CM would just roll. I think a 13 or an 8 would serve you VERY well for years to come.
Or, you know, just get a Buck 110 for $35 and make the old vets grin.
