Question for Army folks.

mymindisamob

mymindisamob

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Feb 1, 2005
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It has been years since I was in the military and I know that Spec-Ops kit can get very particular but I need some help on a choice for my son. My oldest is going to BT @ Ft. Knox in September for Reserve PSYOPS and then he hopes to go on to Airborne after AIT. I suspect he wants to go fully active but chose Reserves to get his feet wet and not totally scare the whole family. I am very proud, but hold no delusions as to where he may be sent.;)

Anyhow, do any current military folks know what is acceptable for fresh troops after graduation as far as cutlery goes? I am wanting specific suggestions here because I want it to be a Busse family product. I have my own ideas but need outside input.:thumbup: Thanks in advance, Mike
 
I think anything that is not too wild in the 6-8 inch range. I'm not in anymore either but I don't think it's too restrictive. I just got a Team Gemini and love it. It is about as military/utility as you can get and it is a tank for its size which is perfect, not too big and not too small. It would be what I would carry if I were still in.
 
I agree, something in the 6-8" range should be fine.

Not in anymore either, but when I was in the USMC most of the Army guys carried K-Bars too.
 
Thanks Guys.:thumbup: I will keep all suggestions in mind and see what he's interested in as well. I wish I a had a DSSF when I was in.;):thumbup:
 
I left active duty in 2001 and, at that time, some of the different commands had their own policies on what the troops could carry. You might want to wait until he gets to his unit and asks about it first. Also, if he is going Airborne, keep in mind that a knife sheath has to have double retention to be jump certified....at least it did when I was going knees in the breeze. Falling blades on the drop zone are frowned upon for some odd reason, lol.

Best of luck,


Jason
 
JJ RONIN said:
I left active duty in 2001 and, at that time, some of the different commands had their own policies on what the troops could carry. You might want to wait until he gets to his unit and asks about it first. Also, if he is going Airborne, keep in mind that a knife sheath has to have double retention to be jump certified....at least it did when I was going knees in the breeze. Falling blades on the drop zone are frowned upon for some odd reason, lol.

Best of luck,


Jason
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Great insight! Thanks.:thumbup:
 
The closer to 5"-6" and under a pound is best. Due to budget cuts the military usually doesn't much care what personal items you bring on a deployment up to the limit of anything illegal or that uses gunpowder unless an overly uptight command specifies otherwise. :rolleyes: When I went to Iraq for OIF1 we had a limit on the amount of total weight we were allowed to bring on the plane (but any knife was fine) and the issued gear took up a large majority of it. So something like an S5LE/SE would be perfect at under half a pound and still better than the CS SRK I carried. Heck you could send two of them with him in case he lost one and just be getting into the weight of other choices like a BATAC, BOSS Jack or SJTac would all work well and the HG55/urban grudge could work too. The heaviest I would go would be about like a Skinny ASH as you never know how long you might have to hump it if something goes wrong.

If I had to grab one knife for a deployment right now of everything I have or have held, I would grab a Jackhammer, fine ceramic rod and a firesteel to have everything I need, even without a folder/multitool to accompany it. I would also keep it closer than my issued weapon at all times. They are about an ounce lighter than the SJTac with a swedge and one heck of a great blade shape that is easy to sharpen by hand with stones/ceramic in the field. Great balance in hand too! :thumbup: I've put mine through a truck hood, broken out a car window with the tip, sliced up a tire like butter and my cheese/apple snack combo with it. I liked it so much I sent it in to get thinner slabs to be perfect for me with my extra large hands. The only change I would ever make to it would be to round the point on the pommel to make it easier on the palm to push on. It does everything well and is one of Jerry's best military models IMHO.
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After spending 20 years as a Grunt (Infantryman) in the Army, I have found that he best knife for use and carry on my gear has been the Busse Euro 4. Currently I carry the Euro 4 on my gear and keep my Natural Outlaw in my assault pack or on my rucksack. Both of these knives have served me well around the world.

While the Euro 4 is a small/medium knife by HOG standards, people in the Army still look at it as a large knife. While I could probably carry a Battle Mistress and get very little comment, a new Soldier needs to remain inconspicuous. I strongly discourage :grumpy: my Soldiers from carrying large knives.

I would recommend a smaller knife like an Active Duty, Game Warden, or SAR3 and a high end multi-tool. A smaller knife such as these will be more than adequate for day to day Soldier tasks both stateside and in the Sandbox, and keep your young Soldier out of trouble with higher ups.

Just two cents worth from an old Grunt and former Infantry Platoon Sergeant.:D
 
Im not in the army, but gathering from what you are saying, i would go with a tank buster, weighs under a pound, solid, just 6 inches, fits in a spec ops sheath....thats what id be carrying.

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I bought my son a Scrapper 5 CG. He is in the Marine Corps. It is not too big, non reflective, and not too expensive (things do turn up missing from time to time).
 
Since a few DOGs have been mentioned...I'll throw out a Dumpster Mutt (there's a few on the exchange). Thicker than an S5, and will take a hell of a beating. I'd trade up to a B-5 or Euro-4 over the Dumpster Mutt...but those are less available and more expensive.
 
He will get far more use out of a good quality multitool and smaller folder or SAK than anything else, according to those I have spoken with in the military. Those two options are also less likely to draw attention from the higher ups.

Making sure of what the unit actually allows before buying anything is sound advice as well since every unit is different. That is again according to the people I have talked with.
 
I would echo the advice that you wait to see where he is assigned / deployed as each individual command / post has it's own rules. You wouldn't want to get him something he wasn't allowed to carry and unfortunately there are posts where you can't carry a blade. :(
 
Sounds like I will be in a holding pattern until he's in his unit, but the suggestions are still appreciated as well as the warnings. Thanks!
 
No military here. But I would think the Scrapyard Regulator, or Deregulator would be just about ideal. Thick enough to be super stout. The handle is big enough that even with great big mits and wearing gloves you still have plenty of grab room. The point is nice and stabby, but the overall weight will be well under what any of the G10 or Micarta handled knives of comparable size will weigh!

My only concern would be overall length. what are they? 6 1/2?? or 7 inches?

Very cost effective, and the steel is SR101, which should have much better edge retention than the Sr77, and still be just as tough. At the price they are going right now, heck you could get two with sheaths for the same price as the cheapest infi with sheath, possible you could even swing three.
 
I've sent several blade styles to units in different areas and by far the greatest use/feedback has been for the 4-5 inch blade sizes. I've not heard of any unit commanders with problems with this size blade but HAVE heard of some issues with larger blades. A batch of Scrapper 5 CGs I shipped to some folks has been an overwhelming success to those who have sent feedback to me.--"They are not heavy, they are very functional and tough as heck with a functional blade profile". Also, smaller blades are lower profile and don't draw attention. They are not so expensive that if they are lost or stolen (none have been broken) that they can't be replaced if the desire is to do so. They are happy to have a knife they will use rather one to show off from the locker. I would love to send them some INFI blades in those sizes but I can't afford to.
 
ksjumpmd said:
I've sent several blade styles to units in different areas and by far the greatest use/feedback has been for the 4-5 inch blade sizes. I've not heard of any unit commanders with problems with this size blade but HAVE heard of some issues with larger blades. A batch of Scrapper 5 CGs I shipped to some folks has been an overwhelming success to those who have sent feedback to me.--"They are not heavy, they are very functional and tough as heck with a functional blade profile". Also, smaller blades are lower profile and don't draw attention. They are not so expensive that if they are lost or stolen (none have been broken) that they can't be replaced if the desire is to do so. They are happy to have a knife they will use rather one to show off from the locker. I would love to send them some INFI blades in those sizes but I can't afford to.
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Yeah, what jumpmd said!

I would also think of gifting my bandicoot to a deplying loved one...even lighter and more compact that the S5- still tough as nails and a nasty blade.
 
He needs to check with his future unit on carry policy and ownership in the barracks. I saw several Shirts over the years that didnt allow troops to keep fixed blade knives or other weapons in the barracks.
 
Here is what my son took with him to Iraq. (The Satin Jack)... Since this knife is not readily available now the Boss Jack is very similar. Good Luck to your son!

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