Recommendations for knife for use in military

C

Cheech

Joined
Oct 4, 2004
Messages
8
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I'm an American currently serving in the Israeli military and will soon be moving up to the line. I'd like to get a decent folding knife for use in self-defense as well as modifying and fixing equipment. A good friend of mine in my company bought a $20 Gerber Paraframe I folding knife at Walmart when he visited the States and said it's supposed to be a good knife that's used by many soldiers.

I have no clue what to look for in a knife to take with me to the field let alone which manufacturer or model to look at. I'd like a knife I can fold up, is very durable, easy and comfortable to handle, and which doesn't weigh a lot or take up too much space.

I'm sorry for the general question but I don't really know where to start. I wouldn't want to spend more than $100 but if my dad brings one to me from the USA as a birthday present (he's coming later this month) maybe he would spring for more. If possible, of course, I'd like to be able to spend $20 or $30 but I fear that that is just a cheap way out.

Thanks in advance for your help and please don't simply tell me to search the forums! :)
 
I would get a Buck 110 and a Victorinox super tinker. Together they should be less than US$100. If you are limited to one knife then I would suggest the Victorinox One hander. It is not as strong as Buck but it can be opened with one hand and has the basic tools (screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener saw etc) that you would need.
 
I look at it this way. In a line of work such as yours, a good knife might be the difference between life and death. Would you trust your life to a $20 Walmart knife?

That doesn't mean you need to spend $500 on a knife, I'm just saying you shouldn't skimp and you shouldn't settle.

For around $100, look at the Benchmade AXIS knives, specifically the 710 or 805.

If you wear gloves a lot, you might want to look into an automatic knife. An auto will generally cost you more, but the ease of opening might be worth it (with gloves on, you might be fumbling with thumbstud or thumbhole opener). The only problem might be getting it back into the states if you use civilian travel. Look at the Benchmade 9050 AFO (Armed Forces Only). It's probably the most common auto found amongst soldiers...you might be able to get one discounted at the PX.

For around $50, look at the Spyderco Endura. Simple, lightweight, inexpensive, but something I'd certainly trust my life to.

In addition to a folding knife for utility and possibly self-defense, I would suggest a mutifunction knife like a Leatherman multitool or Swiss Army Knife. Something with pliars.

For both a folding knife and a multitool, expect to spend around $100-200. I realize that you might not want to spend that much, but IMO you really should. It might hurt at first, but after a short while, you'll wonder how you got along without them.

I've never served in the armed forces, but I expect many servicemen/women will say the same (I'm a civilian, and I couldn't live without my knives and multitools).
 
kamkazmoto said:
I would get a Buck 110 and a Victorinox super tinker. Together they should be less than US$100. If you are limited to one knife then I would suggest the Victorinox One hander. It is not as strong as Buck but it can be opened with one hand and has the basic tools (screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener saw etc) that you would need.
Click to expand...

Almost word-for-word what I was gonna post.

So DITTO!

You will be served just fine by this combo, or maybe a Buck 110 and Leatheman Multi-tool.

Take care, and keep yer' powder dry!
 
Alright here we go...


Camillus/Becker BK7
Any Swamprat
Cold Steel Recon Tanto
Leatherman Wave
Kabar (oldie but goldie...)
Any cold steel tanto (can be found used for around $100 mark)
Cold Steel SafeKeeper 1,2,3
Paragon Large Seal
Cold Steel Trailmaster
Spyderco Harpy
Spyderco Merlin
Spyderco Rescue
Himaylayan Imports Khukri
Benchmade Nimravus
Cold Steel SRK
SOG Seal 2000
SOG Pentagon
Camillus CQB-3
Spyderco Police
SOG PowerLock
Any CRKT Folder
Spyderco Delica
Benchmade 710
Gerber MkI or MkII
Gerber Applegate
Buck 110
Camillus Arclite
Kershaw Blackout
Kershaw Leek
SAK (don't really like SAK's but I'll put it here anyway)



Guys lemme know if I missed one...
 
Thanks for all the recommendations! Could you guys suggest some way that I could decide what's best for me? There are a few stores around here that sell knives where I suppose I could look at them and hold them in my hand, but I wouldn't really know how to decide what I'd like to carry with me every day.

I also read all sorts of marketing babble on the various sites that I don't understand in terms of real benefit like different materials, different locking mechanisms, handle styles, blade coating, etc. Could someone possibly explain that to me as well?

I'm sorry for asking so much but I'd like my first choice to be the right one. ;) I already have a cheap multi-tool with pliers which is doing a good enough job.

Thanks again.
 
Cheech, that Victorinox or Leatherman will come in real handy. If you want a folder, get a Spyderco Endura, good recommendation. It'll cut everything the expensive ones will and then some. Don't pry with it. For a fixed blade, the sky is the limit. The Cold Steel's recommended above are all good. Heard great things about the Beckers and the Swamp Rats. You don't need to spend a lot of money for your application. Good Luck.
 
I have been in your situation, and so I will offer a bit of advice. I would not recommend an automatic as the status of these in Israel, whether or not you are in uniform, is not clear. You will always be ok with something like a swiss army knife. If you want something like a one-hand opener for fast deployment, then keep it to below 3.5 or better yet 3 inches. Get quality. Spyderco and Benchmade come to mind.

what with the proliferation of metal-detectors these days, your knife can prevent you from entering a number of places that you may wish to enter. This is true also for a soldier in uniform, IF you are not carrying your rifle. and although it may irritate you, there is good reason for this practice. Still, it is a pain, and I would still not let it prevent me from carrying a good knife-- it would just limit my choices.

A little more information would be helpful. NOT your unit, of course, but what type of unit are you in? Infantry, artillery, etc? Likely to get really wet?

b'hatzlacha--v'tachzor b'shalom.
 
I think a good multitool like the SOG powerlock or the Leatherman Wave would be good enough. Perfect for tinkering with all their tools and have some good blades too. Easy to carry too.
 
Cheech, welcome to Bladeforums.

Since you already have a multitool, I'll recommend a small folder, the Spyderco Native III.

It has an excellent blade, short but broad and strong, great steel. Construction is exceptionally solid, and the handle design allows a variety of secure ways to grip it. The clip can be moved to the right or left side. It is a lockback, which is a simple and reliable locking mechanism.
 
I'm serving in the Nahal infantry brigade (it's not exactly on the level of Sheldag, so no need to be secretive ;) ) and it's unlikely the knife would get wet aside from being in a sweaty pocket. I also just realized that if I get a knife to use in the army it should be non-reflective. I looked at the Spyderco Endura which looked good and reasonably priced, but they don't seem to make an all-black Endura.
 
Spyderco did make some black-blade Enduras. Do a search on google for C10PSBBK (partially serrated) or C10PBBK (plain edge). For versatility, I'd reccomend the partially serrated one. I don't know if they made a fully serrated one with the black blade, as I can't seem to find any. There's some on ebay right now for about $50, or www.newgraham.com which is a very reputable dealer. I don't know about shipping to Israel; perhaps there's someone you know in the states that could send it to you if you can't find a vendor that will.
 
I would recommend the spyderco military, very lightweight for the size, beautiful 4" s30v blade, and can be bought for around $95. Of course its also got the nice large opening hole, and easy one hand opening and closing.
 
Honestly, I would get a leatherman Charge Ti

chargeti-outertools.jpg


If you wanted a little 'sticking' knife cheaperthandirt.com have the Gerber Guardian for around $36.

72664.jpg


it seems to be out of stock but they can be had almost anyplace for $40-45.

Thats 3 Strbuck Latte's differance, I reckon my life would be worth 3 :D
 
See if you can get a chance to handle a Benchmade 520.

Those things are built like tanks, and you have the option of plain edge, part serrated and with or w/o black teflon.

The design of the handle provides a very solid grip.

On the other hand, if you anticipate crawling through a lot of dirt, mud, etc., you might opt for the Benchmade 630 with the open design frame lock (very easy to keep clean).

Ultimately you're going to be the one using the knife. Go to the store and handle a few and see if anything gets your attention!
 
yo, these guys have it (some of em).
go spyderco or benchmade.
they're the zenith of quality-meets-affordability.
spyderco endura, or benchmade 710.
the benchmade 910 is also nice, but doesn't have the nifty (yet reliable) axis lock of the 710.
good luck.
peace.
 
New Graham knives has black blade enduras and delicas both. They are under limited edition spydercos on their web site. Hope this helps. Be safe.
 
I often use my FRN Delica but I think it's too light weight, not sturdy enough for military use. Niether is the Endura. The stainless is too slippery so I wouldn't recommend them either.

The Buck 110 or 112 are very sturdy and for around $30, very replaceable. It would be very unlikey that anyone would take it away since they are not the current fashion as are the Benchmades and other fancier knives.

I recommend keeping it simple and affordable.

All the guys that recommended more expensive knives may be taking for granted that you may not be a knife nut as we are. Almost every one here has had or still has a Buck 110 or 112 and know it's one of the best values in the knife world.

It's unlikely that you actually need an all black, non-reflective knife.

Good luck and be safe,
Collecter
 
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