Perfect Sandbox Knife

G

godot

Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
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I've read any number of threads here and elsewhere, that started something like "I (or a relative) are going to war & what would you suggest as the best knife?". Today I had the thought "Why doesn't the army just issue these guys knives?. Well I checked and they do get a bayonet called the M-9 MPBS which seems to be a really well thought out survival knife. Unlike earlier bayonets it will take an edge, comes with a sharpening stone and can be used as a screwdriver or wire cutter and has a saw toothed top edge.
Unless I'm missing something, this looks to be a pretty good knife.
 
First of all, this is BLADEforums, so we all like talking about something better than issue. :)

Also, the military doesn't issue the same knives to everyone.
 
If I had to carry 50-100 pounds of equipment and part of that equipment was a pretty good knife (that I had to carry). no way am I going to be looking to add another knife. After the first day or two, I think I'd be looking to reduce the weight.
 
Many soldiers going off to war are not headed out to a combat assignment. A SAK or mutitool would be an appropriate tool for them. A small fixed blade would do fine for others.
 
From what I understand, they can buy multools much cheaper than civilians. I'm thinking the Pentagon has the average soldiers cutlery needs well in hand.:)
 
I have been to the desert, and I always take more than one knife with me. Not that I carry a bunch all at once, but I keep a few in the hooch just incase. My unit is not a a dedicated combat unit, we are Seabees, but we do tend to find ourselves in the face of danger from time to time. We do not get a knife or bayonet issued to us. I tend to think of my knife as more of a tool. Afew things to think about while you are picking out this knife. Keep it simple, for a folding knife I wouldn't recomend an auto or AO because the sand gets into the workings and might keep you from accessing the blade. I like folders that have one hand opening and an open design that are easy to clean out with water. For me the Para is my go to folder. For a fixed blade, while I have larger knives, I find that my 3-5" knives see the most carry. My favorite being my RAT 3. Besides this being the perfect size for me, I also like the multiple carry options that the sheath provides. I did pick up a few extra sheaths so that I can more easily transfer my blade when I need to. On a side note, no matter which knife you choose, I would also take the time to include a good multitool on your gear. I love the SOG powerlock and powerassist. Here in the states I carry my PA, however when I head back across the pond I will take my powerlock because it is very open in construction, easy to clean and easy to replace parts on. You have no idea how many times my multi has saved my ass over there, where you can't just run to the garage and get the right tool.
 
Anyone who knows better, please correct me.
I was led to believe that a bayonet is considered a "weapons system". So if you lose/break/damage said system, there is a lot of grief coming your way. Which is why the EOD M-11 set up, which is the exact same blade and handle with a different crosspiece, is considered a tool.
Plus, the M-9 bayonet is a heavy chunk of steel for what it can actually do as a knife.
 
Our arms room ditched our bayonets before our last deployment. Why, I have no idea. Personaly I would have had no use for the things, really large, heavy, and dull as shit. As an 11B, other than the many multi tools I have been issued, it was up to me to provide anything else in the knife department. My choice this last time was my strider SMF, love that knife. Used it everyday on my patrols, rock solid, still good as new:thumbup:
 
gunfiter said:
Anyone who knows better, please correct me.
I was led to believe that a bayonet is considered a "weapons system". So if you lose/break/damage said system, there is a lot of grief coming your way. Which is why the EOD M-11 set up, which is the exact same blade and handle with a different crosspiece, is considered a tool.
Plus, the M-9 bayonet is a heavy chunk of steel for what it can actually do as a knife.
Click to expand...

Spot on.
 
Tobin said:
Our arms room ditched our bayonets before our last deployment. Why, I have no idea. Personaly I would have had no use for the things, really large, heavy, and dull as shit. As an 11B, other than the many multi tools I have been issued, it was up to me to provide anything else in the knife department. My choice this last time was my strider SMF, love that knife. Used it everyday on my patrols, rock solid, still good as new:thumbup:
Click to expand...

What he said. I kept a MT D/A Socom in my pocket or on my IBA most of the tour. I was 11c that was shoehorned into 11b.
 
if it were I, my choices would be as follows

1. BRKT Bravo 1
2. ZT 0500, SMF, and an XM-18
3. Leatherman Charge Ti Multi tool

Numbers 1, and 3 would be on me at all times and then I would most likely use the ZT the most and have to option to use the Strider or Hinder and have the comfort that I have some quality backups if need be.

IMO the perfect sandbox knife is the one the person/soldier has on them when the need arises!
 
Good ol Kabar... impersonal, relatively cheap, and a quality steel that will rise to the occasion for almost any combat utility requirement. Other than that a small EDC fixed blade like a HEST, Izula, Packlite or BK11 would be perfect for behind-the-wire companion carry.
 
I've been confused about what blades are actually used by the MIL vs. marketing ploys by Suppliers. Now it sounds like few, if any, soldiers actually used what is issued anyways. I've heard about the Gerber, SOG, KABAR (of Course easily verified) fixed blades, and I'm sure many others I'm not aware of, and who knows what folders and multi tools (except maybe the Gerber 600?). Why would there not be standardized knifery for at least the basics all soldiers need? OR, am i just thinking too civilian?

Help me understand what, if any, standards decide if you will or even can carry a certain knife.

It would seem the gov't would want to control this weapon type as tightly as others.





Maybe I'm asking too big a question...
 
I was out in the sand box about a year ago in primarily combat/patrol unit. The stuff that they gave us was too heavy and wouldn't take an edge. Some of the guys from other units had a couple Benchmades that were issued to them, I met one other guy who's unit gave him a spydie endura. A few others I saw were issued some sog multitools. I was not in any of those units. I ended up taking an Emerson FB (I cant remember the specific model ill try and find it) a Delica, and a Sog paratrooper EOD Multitool (great tool BTW). I almost didn't need the FB at all I barely used it, for the most part it just sat there on my drop leg. What I can say is that even in a patrol/combat unit a good reliable multitool is your best friend. If/when I go back I am going to be taking that same SOG multi, replacing the emerson with my new RC-4 and replacing the Delica with and izula.

It was my first tour when I went, and the one thing that I learned is that sand gets freakin everywhere, so folders need to be looked after well so that they don't gum up.

I don't know if that answers your question much but I hope it helps.
 
I know Im no one to say anything on this subject, but since you are soldier, I would carry fixed blade. It doesn't have moving parts that could fail and it's easier and faster to deploy generally speaking. In addition to that a good multitool for all sorts of utility needs.
 
Personally I would carry a fixed blade and forget the folders., just attach it to your gear and forget about it until you need it.
That what I did when I was in the USMC.
 
Recently my nephew got back from Iraq (Army), and my best bud's son returned from Afghanistan (in the Marines).
While they were over there, I sent each of them a RAT RC-4. They used the blades hard for a year, and brought them back. Both blades were still in great shape, and both young lads just raved about the RAT performance.
They particularly liked the options they had with the sheath system to attach it to their belt or pack.
 
jimh0220 said:
I've been confused about what blades are actually used by the MIL vs. marketing ploys by Suppliers. Now it sounds like few, if any, soldiers actually used what is issued anyways. I've heard about the Gerber, SOG, KABAR (of Course easily verified) fixed blades, and I'm sure many others I'm not aware of, and who knows what folders and multi tools (except maybe the Gerber 600?). Why would there not be standardized knifery for at least the basics all soldiers need? OR, am i just thinking too civilian?

Help me understand what, if any, standards decide if you will or even can carry a certain knife.

It would seem the gov't would want to control this weapon type as tightly as others.





Maybe I'm asking too big a question...
Click to expand...

Not sure about these days, but 25 years ago we could carry anything we wanted in the USMC. We didn't have any knives issued to us so we supplied our own. Most of us carried K-Bars from what I saw, never saw anyone carry a folding knife in the field. (One exception to that was while in Turkey we couldn't carry our fixed blades so I carried my Buck 110 for that week)

Multitools????? Not even sure what good it would even do other than just add more dead weight, not good for much else.
 
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jimh0220 said:
It would seem the gov't would want to control this weapon type as tightly as others.
Click to expand...

Like Ankerson, I served over 25 years ago in the Army. We had no regs at all regarding knives, except that you were expected to provide your own. They are viewed as tools. I usually carried an Uncle Henry Schrade folder, basically a Buck 110 knockoff.

When you are in a unit surrounded by guns, grenades, and all sorts of devices like that, knives - if viewed as weapons - seem pretty insignificant. I ran a DS/GS repair shop for missile and gun systems, and one day one of my soldiers asked if it would be all right to bring in a very expensive pistol to show off to his buddies. He paid a LOT of money for it, so I knew he would take care of it and secure it - he was very responsible. We both looked around at all the tanks, vulcans, tows, dragons, M2's, and lots of other armament and just laughed. Yeah, with all the guns around, I didn't think another pistol would be anything to worry about.

That was all the hoops that he had to jump through - a verbal yes from me. When he brought it in, our CSM was coming through with our First Sergeant, and they both checked it out also. Neither one asked him if he asked for permission, as I was right there.

Unfortunately, times have changed and common sense seems to be in short supply these days, from some of the stories I have heard.
 
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