Question: on Army Infantry & K5 hawk

I would put the multi-tool first on the list, especially if he doesn't have a good one already. Always useful.

I have been trying to keep pace, and work with Eddie, on variations to his hawk line. As far as the lightened full length versions, there are, uh... issues. What you gain in weight savings may not compensate for what you lose in heavy use ability. I'll leave it for Eddie to jump in if he wants to elaborate. Suffice it to say, after long debate, I changed my order back to the full weight K5 Tactical Hammer-Poll, because my chief concern is it's demolition capability.

BTW, your friend is lucky to have a friend like you.
 
Thanks, I was considering a multi tool also it might be the best and easiest to get back with him. Then when he is settled get him the K5 if he is able to take it along. I would hate to get it for him and he have to leave it at home. Imagine how sad the Hawk would be if it had to miss out on a chance for some good quality action in the hands of a soldier.

I can't wait to get my K5 hammer poll also so I can destroy something it.
 
forrest long said:
Thanks, I was considering a multi tool also it might be the best and easiest to get back with him. Then when he is settled get him the K5 if he is able to take it along. I would hate to get it for him and he have to leave it at home. Imagine how sad the Hawk would be if it had to miss out on a chance for some good quality action in the hands of a soldier.

I can't wait to get my K5 hammer poll also so I can destroy something it.
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First, I'll second what Skunked said.

And add some of my experience from Afghanistan and Iraq.

A multitool is the most important knife-item a soldier can carry. He may get more usage per ammount of time from a folder, but no soldier should ever go anywhere without a multitool, period. Check out stuff like the leatherman wave that has a thumb-opening folding blade and covers both of these bases. Just note that multi-tool blades are just for small slicing chores and are no competion for a serious liner-lock or frame-lock folder.

Next he'll need a larger fixed blade for larger cutting tasks. Seriously now, big 7" blade knives aren't as significant as they were 70 years ago. I carried a 7" CRK GB knife, and I've since replaced it with a 6" CRK Neil Roberts. He won't be killing anybody with a knife, (the anti-mall-ninja coalition will agree with me), but he will be using it for heavy duty cutting and minor demolition. Based on experience, 5-6 inch bladed knives are the most useful in theater. The SRK is a good choice, but since they are $45-$49.95 depending on what PX he goes into, and you'll pay $80-$90 here in the states, I'd say let him get his own in country. That also removes any chance his commander will make him leave it behind.

Folders come third on my priority list. A folder is for convenience only, and not a substitute for a fixed blade! He should always carry his fixed blade on missions, even if only as a sharp demolition bar. That said, he'll be spending most of his time in a camp of sorts, lounging around in PTs or half-uniform, and in that safe(r) environment it's just easier to carry a folder than a leatherman or fixed blade.

When he's been in country for 4 weeks he'll have a very good idea of what he needs. If he asks for a K-5, you'll know he needs it!
 
skunked said:
Active duty navy here. My advice: wait. Wait until he is actually in a unit and is no longer the FNG, (freaking new guy). If you really want to give him something a really nice multitool like the Swiss tool or the Leatherman Ti would be best, don't think anyone would even look twice at that. Plus, any FNG that show up with a tomahawk will likely not make the most desirable impresion on his SGT. (Holy &*^%! It's Rambo Jr..etc)
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Well said.... I often carry my VTAC around (even when not deployed). I've been around the block a few times and still get disapproving looks from commanders.... I'd go with a Multi Tool and then a 'hawk for his first deployment.
 
Ok a multi tool it is. Then when he gets set up some where I will get him a hawk. I also have alot of tactical folders that I have never used I will give him one of those also. The hard part is deciding which one to give up.
 
Hi Forrest, I also joined at a late age and I'm currently a Infantryman in the 25th I.D. (light). If your friend is a Infantryman (mos 11B) There's nothing to sat he can't carry a hawk while in the field or "outside the wire" on a deployment. The only problem with carrying such things is the weight. In a light unit like mine we tend to walk everywhere. The old saying for us legs is "ounces make pounds" Send my best to your friend and god bless. M
 
Hey, thanks for the info. I'm not sure which division he will be with because he is still in bootcamp. Also, I'm not sure he would want to carry something as heavy as the K5 hawk around. Maby something lighter. For now I'm going to get him a multi tool and a folder, but I really want to get him something cool like a tomahawk. I don't think he cares too much about the negative looks he will get, but I don't want him to get into trouble trying to sneak it into camp. :barf:

Thanks for the info and stay safe out there. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Hey Forrest, In the Infantry a multitool is almost part of the uniform. You can't go wrong with one. I carry the latest leatherman but I've also carried the gerber. A good field knife is a must, I'm sure you're a fine judge of cutlery... If you're going to get him a 'hawk you might consider one with a hammer head. It's less hazardous when on noise/light discipline and he'll get more use out of it. Later M
 
I would like to thank all the people who offered advise to me. I just bought the leatherman wave for my buddy. This is a really nice leatherman. I really like that you can access the blades without opening the whole thing up. I recently spoke with my friend and he has one more month of boot camp. Then he said that the division he is being sent to is doing time in afganistan. He said he would be over there by the end of June or July. So I think the leatherman will serve him well.
Now for the hawk question. I am waiting on a K5 hammer poll and spike, but I just got my hands on a Hays hammer poll (warrior XP). This is a nice piece. At first I thought it would be too heavy also but after handling It I feel this piece might just fit the bill. I will compare it to the K5 when it arrives. I just don't like the sheath. It's alittle unstable.

Thanks again,
forrest
 
Forrest:
Sounds like you've just got hooked on Tomahawks, be careful.........you'll be doing without lunch and that special movie because your saving pennies to get this or that one. If I might, take a look at some of the new line that Blackhawk Industries is coming out with too( as far as knives go) . You've got a K5 ordered you've done the right thing too. During my whole time on active duty I carried a wireman's tool kit. It has/had an nsn and had a handy little sheath that would fit on both webgear and I ditched the stock folder and carried my ole Buck in its place. I think I used the wire cutters more than anything else in the field. I suppose the multitool has that beat now. Seems like we were always opening something up. Also attached to the sheath was a ruptured cartridge extractor . I guess velcroe has taken it's place but we always had some "100 Mile an Hour Tape" (close to duct tape) that was used to attached odd items to the webgear. I guess the new webgear has a place for everything.
That my 2Cents

Best
Dwight
 
:D I have never really been a tomahawk fan untill recently. But for a couple of years now I have been looking for a good camp axe with all steel construction. I have the old hammer, pry bar, axe one that is about 12 inches long, but its not long enough for me. That's why when I saw the k5 in tactical knives I had to get it. I am mostly a knife fan. :thumbup: I'm always at the gun and knife shows trying to find the next knife that I can't go without. You are right about the money part. Good tomahawks are more expensive, and hard to find than good knifes. You can find a good knife that will last years for rather cheap if you look around. But buy a cheap axe or tomahawk and you will have a head ache on your next camping trip.

Thanks
forrest
 
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