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

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USMC 1984-92

While we were not issued any knives I had a cheap [$20] Chinese fixed blade with the "popular at the time" saw tooth top. I still have it to this day and it will still dig, pound slice and dice with the best of them. And yes the compass in the handle still works! I went from that to the new Buckmaster but that was quickly deemed too big and heavy to actually carry.

I also had the obligitory USMC Ka-Bar, a leatherman (which was recently invented) and for when the Lieutenant had his panties all bunched up about us openly carrying knives, a boot dagger. It wasn't so much that they hated knives, it was more their fanatical uniform regulations that allowed absolutely no deviation to the picture in the book. So if it showed it was bad...

I wish some of today's knives were available back then, I would have died to have something like a BK2, Bravo-1 or CS SRK!
 
I did my time for our country in the Coast Guard. When I carried a knife it was a Case 6265 with carbon steel. Cost about $12.00 with leather sheath new from a local hardware store. Might give you all an idea about how long ago that was.
 
Knives: CRKT M16, Gerber 06 Auto, SOG Flash II, Cold Steel Recon Tanto, Buck Vantage Pro.
Multitool: Gerber 400, Leatherman Wave.

Which ones lasted the longest?

Cold Steel Recon Tanto, Buck Vantage Pro and Leatherman Wave.
 
In my pocket was an older style Benchmade Stryker and on my Vest webbing a Gerber BMF(we called it a Big Mother******), and a Gerber Multitool. Still have the Stryker and the Multitool and my brother wanted the Gerber. Man that was along time ago. I hate getting old. LOL
 
U.S.A.F 1968-1972

It was quite a while ago, but I believe it was an pilot survival knife, Camillus I think. Like I said, a long time ago!
 
To add to the repetition, I too carried a Gerber MT and Benchmade AFO (both issue) in the USN from 1996-2006. The Gerber now rides in my glove box and the abused Benchmade is in a box in the closet. I'd like to shadowbox it with other memorabilia some day.
 
MM1(SS) 02-10 Gerber multi, Benchmade 550+940+rescue hook, and a paring knife from the galley for scraping paint.
 
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For the most part a Ka-Bar...

USMC 82-86
 
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USMC 1970-72, Infantry 0341
I bought my own Camillus Marine fighting and utility knife (everyone called it a Ka-Bar) and carried it for about 18 months.
I gave the knife to a friend of mine's son who is in the U.S. Army and he has taken it on four different deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
I also have bought a Ka-Bar and gifted it to a friend at work who was deployed to Iraq with his Army National Guard unit, I got him the version that had USA stamped on it.
 
Senior Sargent
Israeli Army
Emergency Call Out SAR Unit
(12 years)

Camillus Demo and a small water Pump plier
 
I was in the Army mid to late 80's and I carried a Bucklite, Opinel #8, Vic Tinker, and a Gerber EZ Out, not at the same time but those are the ones I remember owning while on active duty.
A knife is a very useful tool when dealing with MRE's.
 
A leatherman wave always.A gerber applegate fairborn covert and MOD tempest auto in garrison. Cold steel srk carbon v when in middle east on web gear.
 
Latest deployment i carried a leatherman supertool, benchmade seat belt cutter, and a blackhawk nightedge every day. Recently broke the blackhawk now on the hunt for a new fixed edge
2010 to current US infantry sniper
 
I was in while (Army '87-'12) and it changed some over the years;
Cold Steel tanto folder
Benchmade Emerson and SOG Pentagon as a boot knife (didn't work well)
Also tried the Gerber MkI and MkII's but didn't care for them.
Swiss Army knife (Tinker which I prefer) and an early Leatherman on my belt (with the Emerson and others) Sadly, lost the orginal Leatherman and SAK in OEF, Leatherman was then replaced by an SOG tool
Moved to a Buck 110 on belt with the others above on the other side, Randall #15 on my armor.
Also carried a large Russell toothpick in my boot when deployed and an AG Russell Woodswalker in my ACU ankle pocket for food use.

Didn't carry all of the above at all times and I'm sure I left some off the list. Good bit changed in knives, me, and preferences those 25yrs.
 
Army 89-96. Carried an original leatherman always. Also, carried an original Ochs black auto knife in my flight suit. My buddy and I each bought one from an LEO down in Naples FL back in '89 (I think). Still have it but it just sits in my safe now.
 
Active Duty Navy Helo Crewman 14 years, Emerson Commander since purchased new in '02 and a few Chris Reeves when not flying. The fixed blade on my flight gear that was issued is an Ontario bowie style. I also have a Leatherman TI Charge on me.
 
I carried a Kershaw Boa and a gerber multitool while in the military. Now I usually carry a spyderco military or zt 0561.
 
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