Prospective combat knife

D

djbcqc

Joined
Mar 23, 2001
Messages
4
I am a soldier currently in the Special Forces training pipeline. I have been to Iraq with an infantry unit once, and will be deploying to that and other scenic places of the world shortly after graduating the Q-course. I am a believer in having a quality blade and want to buy the best I can afford (about $450). I have some very specific criteria.

I am looking for a 7" or 7.5" in bowie style blade with at least three quarters of the back back side sharpened but enough unsharpened area above the base of the primary edge for me to rest my thumb on for utility work. I would prefer that there be no choil, but if there is, it's no big deal. The blade must be made out of carbon steel. The performance characteristics I am looking for are exceptional slashing ability with the primary edge and good draw cutting and back cutting ability with the secondary edge. Edge retention should be sufficient that the knife can be used for utility tasks (rope and cord cutting, wood cutting, cutting man-made materials) all day and then slash through a heavy jacket or pants, preferably deep enough to sever the radial artery or the femoral artery. The blade should be impact resistant (minor edge or point deformation is preffered above fracture or chipping). It should be able to flex and then return to true, seeing as if and when it is used to pry I will stop when I see it flex. It is imparative that it not break under such treatment since some such abuse is likely unavoidable. It should be able stab through soft body armor. I would preffer a non-reflective finish.
The guard/handle design must keep the hand off the blade during a hard stab but not interfere with the thumb during utility work or inflict pain on the hand during a hard forward stab. It must not give me blister quickly during utility work. The grip must not freeze to my hand, absorb nasty substances, or rot on contact with deet. It should also be somewhat heat resistant, and should not fracture with hard impact in sub zero temperatures. Good grip should be maintained when covered with slimy stuff. Finally, the knife must be well balanced, lively, and fast in the hand.
So far I have considered:
-Mad Dog Voodoo hound
-Asking Busse to modify one of their existing models
-Asking Merkworx to make me a Sniper in 5160, O-1, or 1095 with a different (not micarta) handle.
-Patton Foxbat
-Asking Shiva Ki to make me something for $450 without a kraton handle.
I would welcome any and all suggestions that fit my criteria. My knowledge is pretty limitted about custom knife makers, so i would appreciate any suggestions. Anyone who would like to make something for me, or contact me off the forum, I am danblack7.62@gmail.com. Thank you for your time.

Dan
 
While your criteria is obviously thought out....I'd just ask one of your post deployment blanketheads.~ex 18B
 
Dan,
You have pretty much defined the new Marine Corps Bayonet/knife. You can always cut off the barrel hole at the top of the guard. If you graduate Ranger school then you will be issued a serialized Chris Reeve Yarborough(not sure of the spelling)but it is the same as the Green Beret 7" knife. Maybe you can call Chris Reeve and get something made with a back cut blade.

You might also get in touch with Trident Knives, but the use S30V which is a stainless. I have one of their Oberland 01's and I think it is a "TANK KILLER".

I also think the Ranger knives (made by ex-Rangers) will modify any of their line to suit serviceman.

Good luck to you....you NEED a GOOD knife!:thumbup:

Ciao
Ron Cassel
 
Get in touch with Justin Gingrich at Ranger Knives. He has deployed a number of times to sand central and is scrolled (not tabbed) and some time with S.F. He knows what you need. and he'll do what it takes to make sure you have it. There's absolutely no justification for a knife that costs 450.00. I mean no disrespect. I've carried a blade that was lost on opening shock (I was more than a tad upset) that I had spent more than I should have on. Back then, jump pay was only $75.00. There are a number of blades that will work very,very well for around 100-150.Ask around. I've never known a blankethead (Before everyone just got handed one) that didn't have a bottle of Pete and an idea how to make something out of nothing.Post deployment guys know what works and what guys use in any specific AO.As an aside, if you get through the "Q" course, please burn down "The dirty Name" for me and pat Iron Mike on his posterior anatomy.
 
I would also suggest looking into Strider knives as well. They take good care of people in the Military!
 
Hello Dan,

From what I understand troops in Iraq are opting for smaller knives because they're finding they don't need the larger blade and don't want to carry the extra weight. I'm sure all forum members have their favorite brands and makers. One of my favorite makers is Bob Dozier. Bob recently came out with a Bowie that he features, front and center, on his website, www.dozierknives.com. He willl work with you on items such as sharpening the false edge. The sheathes he provides with his knives are second to none. Dozier Knives also gives military orders top priority.

Dan, what ever you decide on your knife, I want to thank you for your service to our country. I have the deepest respect for you and your fellow soldiers and marines. If I were thirty to forty years younger, I swear to God, I'd be there with you. You guys have my complete support!

Good luck and God bless you,

Bill
 
just tell justin at ranger knives what you want and low and behold , youll have it and for alot less than 450$ too .
 
I wouldn't get anything until I found out what your unit will allow you to carry. It may just be that everyone has to tote a trusty M-9.

http://www.m9bayonet.com/

I'd rather carry a smaller lighter knife like a Spyderco Rescue or a Microtech MSE-SC auto and a couple of more M-4 ammo pouches, but that's just me.

This Benchmade model 155 is a little shorter, and not tool steel, than you specified but it is a fine fixed blade that you could depend upon for the tasks mentioned, IMHO.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=155
 
I'll bet you could do a heckuva lot with one of the newer Cam bayonets, if you reground/reshaped parts to your specs.

Good luck and Godspeed. I can't be there beside you in body (darned leg) but I march in spirit.
 
Upon graduating the Q-Course you will be given the CRK Yarborough Knife. It pretty much fits the criteria you asked. If you do not want to use your award knife in combat then you can buy the civilian version.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/greenberet.htm
 
dawg said:
I've carried a blade that was lost on opening shock (I was more than a tad upset) QUOTE]

That's why Sicily DZ was such a great place to "shop". Back in the day, chosen knives seemed to get smaller as one advanced in rank and/or experience. No need to add more equipment to the 100 pounds of lightweight gear already in the rucksack. The folks most worried about good/convenient knives were jumpmasters. AFSKs and Buck Rangers were popular and in the PX. Demo knives in a Ranger Joe's nylon sheath on every hip. A simpler time, I suppose.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah I think you should think about whether there's a possibility your knife would get lost, dropped, or stolen ... there was a thread somewhere (I forget) that was sending knives to Iraq and Beckers seemed to be really popular; they're also not that expensive and have good reviews, seem to be very durable and ergonomic.

BK7 is 7" long, but like above posts said weight might be a problem.
BK10 is shorter, 5.5", but is still very durable w/out being difficult to carry.
 
When I was with 2/187 Inf there was a SF Medic I knew who was a knife nut too. He had various high dollar knives but he rarely took them on deployment. He usually took a Ka Bar. His reasoning was that it was cheap, easily replaced, and being an American symbol he could trade it. A lot of times he ended up getting local made knives that while not by major name knife makers, were very good.

But on to a suggestion.

Ranger Knives are a good choice, and the maker is easy to work with. Another maker is Bob Dozier. While mainly known for his smaller fixed blades, he can make some nice larger knives in D2.
 
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