Recommendations for Iraq carry

kwackster said:
Spyderco Chinook I or II comes to mind, as does the Manix.
Very rugged, can be opened right or left handed, your choice of clip placement, excellent steel, good grip in all conditions, and under 200 dollars.
Also no problems with malfunctioning assisted openers or automatics due to dirt or sand, not to mention legal issues.:)
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NO!

Back-locks are proven in my own non-scientific but eminently repeatable experiments (Actual Use Around Sand and Dirt) to get a bit of sand or a wad of dirt lodged in the locking notch of the blade. Then the blade does not open up all the way or lock.


The only folder I would try around a sandy environment is also the only folder I would try in any other environment - a framelock folder. Chris Reeve Sebenza, Strider SNG, Bradley Alias, find the flavor you like and get a framelock.

Also take the knife apart, clean it with naptha or similar, let it dry and coat the pivot pit and bearing with MD Labs' XF-7, which is a perfect anticorrosive as well as a non-running lube under anything you or the desert will give it in terms of heat, cold, whatever. Available at MDtactical.com


Now if it's me, I get a small fixed blade and forget about the folder. If it fits your hand, a RAT-3, or look at a number of Bark River Knife and Tool designs, the Fieldsman is a great start, as is the Mini North Star. Hell, look for a CRKT Polkowski which you can find online for $30.

If you really see it as a backup weapon, don't bet on a folder or your ability to operate it while Hadji is crawling up your frame. See that piece of advice about not letting anyone get close to you as well.
 
a framelock folder. Chris Reeve Sebenza, Strider SNG, Bradley Alias, find the flavor you like and get a framelock.
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My spyderco lil temp has been filled with sand and grim before and still worked, so the compression lock is reliable in this environment. There are many other reliable lock than the framelock.
 
I just bought a Colt Combat Commander boot knife for my buddy who's probably headed to Iraq soon. Haven't seen him to give it to him yet, but it seems like a good Army-man's knife.
 
If the military didn't see it fit to issued one, then there must be a valid reason not to. Other than that, after having picked out one here; it would be great fun picking up some local momentos there?
 
Jump Jar -

Welcome to the party! Glad to have you here and good luck in the upcoming tour.
 
Parker said:
Back-locks are proven in my own non-scientific but eminently repeatable experiments (Actual Use Around Sand and Dirt) to get a bit of sand or a wad of dirt lodged in the locking notch of the blade. Then the blade does not open up all the way or lock.
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I have seen this as well but it can be addressed by just rapping the blade to drive out dirt and rinsing occasionally :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/endura_pe.html#lock

-Cliff
 
There are so many great knives out there. I would definitley stay away form anything made of 420, 440A (440C is good though), or AUS6. AUS8 would be my bottom line for steel quality. VG10, S30V, or 154CM would do nicely. D2 is also great but a bit hard to sharpen.

I just read about a guy that was in Desert Storm and also did a tour in Iraq. He said he carreid the SOG Pentagon Elite 2 (AUS8 steel). He had nothing but praise for the knife and really liked it's larger size. The blade is 5" and the new model (SOG Spec Elite 2) has assisted opening. The new drop point blade is more practical then the older "shark tooth dagger" blade.

I have one of these knive and while I find it a bit big to carry in my jeans pocket, in a pack or large pocket (such as on a uniform) it would be nice to have along. This knife can be purchase off the web for about $80.

While more expensive, the Lone Wold Harsey T3 (S30v blade steel) in camo would be a good choice. It's blade length is 4.8" and a great knife. Price is about $190.

This dealer has very good prices:

http://www.savsonswordsandknives.com/index.html

Then you can add a Leatherman for those specialized chores.
 
I bought my Marine son an Emerson CQC-7 with the Wave - that he LOVES.
He doesn't have to worry as much about "Auto" or "Assisted" laws when he carries it on leave or off base, though the tad over 3" length may give him problems in some locales. It is not the "Do All" knife, but a very tough, and functional knife to use for every thing from cutting open MREs and letters from home, to recue operations or last resort defense.
DD
 
yeah ive used ekis for years and i bet this guy would absolutely love the socfk. hell, it was made for jar heads.
 
Confederate said:
I would consider CRKT's Desert Cruiser. Very rugged knife with some combat characteristics. Snaps open in a flash.

dcruisermd.jpg
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Looks like there's a "waved" version of this selling on eBaY for CHEAP. Desert color.
 
I'm a left myself...the knife industry isn't too supportive at large, so I've taught myself how to draw right-handed...but if you're lookin for a good knife that's capable of doing either, and is built like a tank for EDC, check out the Spyderco Chinook II---I have one and absolutely love it. Try out the Military--I warn you, though, that the pocket clip isnt reversible for lefties on that one though. Put some cord through the handle, put it in your pocket, and use the cord to pull it out---old school. Both are awesome, and from www.1sks.com, they're $125 and $105 respective (good deal :D). The Cold Steel Recon 1 is my personal favorite, $90 from Cold Steel and virtually bulletproof. Hey, I have one of those too...it's survived the test of everything...it worked well on my trip to sandy New Mexico too, so rest assured it won't fail on you. Good luck and stay safe. God bless.
 
Stay away from Auto's! You lose a lot of mobility with them. Manual knives and fixed blades are the way to go. I am sure you are just looking for a utility pocket knife. I don’t know of a knife that is more effective then a fixed bayonet. I would suggest you keep it simple. The SPYDERCO MANIX is a good knife and highly functional. I carry one, and have no complaints. You probably want to get the partially serrated blade just in case you do ever have to use it as a weapon. I know you will not have time to keep it sharp at all times. The serration will compensate for that, and it will help you rip in a little deeper if you have to use it.
 
What about an ALRT from TOPS knives.Not a folder but an"Anywhere last resort tool' as you said you needed!!!
 
Parker said:
Now if it's me, I get a small fixed blade and forget about the folder. If it fits your hand, a RAT-3, or look at a number of Bark River Knife and Tool designs, the Fieldsman is a great start, as is the Mini North Star. Hell, look for a CRKT Polkowski which you can find online for $30.
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I second that about a small fixed blade vs. the folder.

If you like the wave function, I personally prefer the larger spyderco waves; they are fairly cheap, so I think they're good to have and carry --- you don't have to worry about losing them or getting them purloined, and it's totally manual action.
 
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