Question to all active / veteran Military soldiers. What knife did and do you carry?

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I carry an ESEE 3 on my boot with a Vic electrician in a pocket when I'm in a flight suit. Spyderco Manix 2 M4 or Bayou Shooter Endura 4 when I'm in cammies. Vic Pioneer in my jacket when we wear the service uniform (every damn friday).
 
I was Navy and although my preference was fixed blades, my COs / XOs didn't think officers needed to carry knives, so I got into carrying folders so they couldn't see I had knives. I had 4 all SS no-name 3.5 inch frame locks from Target for about $6 each. I carried one in each front pocket (see last paragraph). Lasted me 20+ years. Used for skinning wires, opening boxes and packages, and whatever. By the time I left each ship, I usually had most of the other officers carrying folders because they would see me using mine all the time and they would realize a knife was just a very useful tool.

I also kept a KA-BAR and a Camillus Pilot's Knife in my stateroom in my sock drawer. Would pick up different knives that were allowed to be brought back. Couldn't bring back a lot of cool working knives from the various Asian countries due to funky customs regulations.

I think I still have the old SS lock blades lying around somewhere. Now I carry at least 2 locking Bucks (USA versions) and a fixed blade daily. When working in the barns or around the farm or out camping/hiking, I carry two fixed blades. People ask me "why 2 blades". If you're right handed and you carry a knife on the right side AND your right hand/arm gets entangled in something, you better have something on the left side.

ZZZ
 
USMC - 82-86

K-BAR (Most of the time)

Buck 110
Gerber Mark 1
Gerber Mark 2
 
While in the Navy, I carried a SAK most of the time, Climber model although I did have a 'Space Shuttle' model for a while. (Wish I hadn't lost that one!) Aboard ship I usually also carried an early model Bucklite 112 in the nylon/velcro sheath that I bought in the ship's store.

Doc
 
I have two son's that are US Marines. They are not members of this forum , so I'll reply on their behalf.
My eldest son, an Infantry Sgt, carried and lost an Emereson CQC-7, which was replaced by a Spyderco D2 Milie, which was lost somewhere between Kuwait and Al Anbar, Iraq and finally an Emereson CQC-10 (see below). He however, found his Multitools (LM Charge Ti, and Gerber) to be his most useful day to day.
CQC10KnifePhotocopy.jpg


My other son is still training as a USMC Naval Flight Officer, so has not yet been deployed, but enjoys carrying and using his OCS graduation gift, a ZT551.
 
I carried the Kabar USMC combat knife while I was in the Corps. Now a days I carry a custom fixed blade when ever out in the woods.
 
Gerber Mk 1 back in the olden days when they were still made out of L6 and eventually, on of the little Gerber brass and rosewood stainless lock backs, which I still have lying around. Later on, I carried early SOG knives when they came out. Had the big Tigershark and the Tomcat folder. I was done with my active reserve stint by the time that i started buying nicer stuff. I always wanted a Randall back then as everyone did, but I didn't get one until after I hung up my green outfit.
 
A guy I play hockey with said his sergeant had to take his Ka Bar away because he was bored on a 4-day train ride across Europe and just sat there sharpening it
 
U.S. Army, back when George Custer was a Butter Bar - only remember a Trim Trio combination tool - 3 items - little knife, finger nail file and maybe a cuticle pusher or finger nail cleaner.

The knife was sharper than a scalpel.

54 years later carry various auto knives because I can legally do so.

Best.
 
I picked up my first Benchmade at the PX on Ft Hood before going to Iraq.

Before that I carried Gerbers.

I got a 9100 AutoStryker once I got to Iraq

0C9680F1-025A-4A4D-AEC3-4327C253CD8E-1119-0000011F131B0F1A_zps1b14d2d4.jpg


What I carry today is one of these;

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Today's it's the 530, second one down from the top.
 
In my thirty plus years in the USAF starting in 1962,was issued a M-7 bayonet for a M-1 carbine,a Camco electric pocket knife,and a Kutmaster 3 bladed stockman,still have all three,but on e-bay they all show as vintage,now I carry a Sm Sebenza,and one of my 20 Leatherman multi's.


Ret Chief Smith USAF
 
Carried a gerber multitool and a gerber patriot fixed blade (PX Score).

Almost everyone in my units carried a quality multitool, everyday.
 
Main carries on deployments were Camillus Boot Knife and 90's Spydie Endura and Cold Steel Tanto Voyager...also carried Spydie Native OEF/OIF edition, Vic SwissChamp, old gravity knife, the Ka-bar, Gerber muti-tool, and CS Vietnam Tomahawk.

Most of the time now I have a new gen CS Vaquero Voyager, CS Mini Recon, or Vic Camper.

I did my real MOS about 30% of the time and anything out of a pocket would snag on trailers or objects when trying to do 3 hour builds with 1 hour to build and deliver. During chauffeur duty for officers or civie reps I had the KaBar on my vest and Benelli next to my leg or Camillus Boot Knife in waistband in civie clothes.
 
I was a Blackhawk crew chief. Always had RFI issued gerber multi tool on me. While I was in Iraq I always had my ka bar in my E&E bag. flight vest also had a small survival knife i dont remember the brand. i want to say ontario but i could be wrong. I kept a gerber gator In my pocket and it got the most edc type use. also had a 40 dollar benchmade knife from px. I think h&k makes that model now tho. I know I carried and used more but that's all I can remember off the top of my head
 
I was an aviation electrician with an A7 squadron aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) during the Vietnam era. My war experience in no way compares to that of the brave troops in country who faced the enemy in direct combat. The knife of most of us was the TL-29. It was everywhere. Now a days Spyderco PM2. With my Emerson karambit close behind.
 
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