Recommended combat knives?

1911bphil said:
Thanks for your service. I was in the U.S. Navy from 1983-1987. We had a problem with things walking off. I would hate for you to spend a lot of your hard earned money, just for someone to steal it. That being said, I will recommend either a Buck 119, a Cold Steel SRK, or a Leatherman tool. The knives are cool but probably won't be used much. The Leatherman will probably be used quite frequently. Good luck and let us know what you decide to get. Thanks again for your service.
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Thank you for your reply! I do have a Leatherman super tool for general trench work if you will, but it's not quite the knife I need for stabbing an enemy, the Buck 119 seems a bit too shiny for my line of work but I will be sure to consider it again!
And thank you sir for your service!
 
MrkSRT said:
Thank you very much for the reply! I did not think about the isolating grip, I heard very good things about the SRK but I am worried about its tang, from what I understand it's a full tang but not very wide, if you have good experience with it I will consider getting this one
Once again thank you for your reply
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The carbon steel srk is a beast and you would have to try for days to break that knife for free and it certainly wouldn't happen in a fight. It's a hidden full tang but that doesn't cause any problems with its durability. There are guys on the internet who put this knife through some very serious tests. I've done a lot of batoning with mine and I've never had a problem. Even if you buy a regular size and a small version, you still won't pay half as much as the knives you wrote about.

Edit: By the way, insulation sounds like an exaggeration, but electricity is a very insidious danger.
 
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MrkSRT said:
I saw the cold steel SRK as an option, also I have been looking at gerbers (strongarm) and SOG (seal pup) knives but I have learned that the knives community does not recommend those companies.
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Who cares? The "knives community" is a bunch of retired men who are knife-nerds. That includes me. What matters is what works in the field. Ask your buddies. I just saw a video where a former navy seal raves about his SOG Seal and SOG Seal pup. He knows more than most people here do (I bet). Do you want something fashionable or something that will get the job done?

It's more important that it feels good when you use it. Make sure you consider maintenance as well. How will you keep it sharp?

I'd ask my buddies rather than asking here.

Anyway that's my take, good luck whatever you do.
 
Something that won't cause you too much grief WHEN it gets stolen.
Other than that light weight, a blade that would bend rather than break, has a lanyard hole, full tang, non slippery scales and easy to sharpen.
 
MrkSRT said:
Thank you very much for the reply! I did not think about the isolating grip, I heard very good things about the SRK but I am worried about its tang, from what I understand it's a full tang but not very wide, if you have good experience with it I will consider getting this one
Once again thank you for your reply
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I've seen some crazy videos where guys were trying to break the SRK, and while they may wreck the handle (trying to pound it into a log with another log), the blade was still good. I have the SRK in 3V steel.
The SOG Seal Pup seems like a good knife at a pretty low price. I'd look at that too. I don't have one though.
 
jayjaygee said:
Who cares? The "knives community" is a bunch of retired men who are knife-nerds. That includes me. What matters is what works in the field. Ask your buddies. I just saw a video where a former navy seal raves about his SOG Seal and SOG Seal pup. He knows more than most people here do (I bet). Do you want something fashionable or something that will get the job done?

It's more important that it feels good when you use it. Make sure you consider maintenance as well. How will you keep it sharp?

I'd ask my buddies rather than asking here.

Anyway that's my take, good luck whatever you do.
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Thank you for your reply!
As I mentioned before, my comrades gave me mixed opinions on the same knife model.
Of course I'm looking for something to get the job done, but I would like to make sure that the knife I'm getting won't not break on me and will be comfortable enough to not tire me while I'm using it
Nonetheless I understand your take and appreciate your answer!
 
A couple things here.....
MrkSRT said:
I have not considered this knife, the blade looks a bit too long but I'll look into it anyway
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You are in the military and you don't know what a Kabar is? Its been a military standard since WW2.....
MrkSRT said:
Thank you for your reply! I do have a Leatherman super tool for general trench work if you will, but it's not quite the knife I need for stabbing an enemy, the Buck 119 seems a bit too shiny for my line of work but I will be sure to consider it again!
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Stabbing an enemy? When and where would this happen, really? You are more apt to be stabbing a can of beans.....

You really need to consider what your needs actually are when it comes to a knife. You don't want to be carrying around that extra weight if you don't have to. You also should also look into what you are actually allowed to have vs what you would like to have....
 
My recommendation is something like a Mora Companion HD stainless. It is a solid starting point. It doesn't look super cool, but inexpensive (which is important when you go around with other unit, like the other say, they have legs), light, enclosed rubber handle, low maintenance and surprisingly durable, but a little bit small. It was made as a Scandinavian survival/adventure knife after all. Many guys I know are using or have used it, so do I. You can branch out to other options once you know what you need more from a cutting tool.

Also, exposed tang is overrated. It is cheaper to make handle and has "durable aesthetic". In most Youtube video, these knives barely break at the tang. Check the Mora Companion videos, a knife not even full length tang, if you don't believe me.
 
Though I always approach this kind of thread with skepticism (Lots of guys out there playing pretend on the forums, and to be perfectly honest I believe that to be the case here) a Leatherman Rebar and a Ka-Bar 1217 carried together will accomplish any task you might ask of them.

For something beefier look at a Leatherman Surge and a Becker BK-7.

For a deployment, and not just playing around in field exercises, look at getting a cheap Leatherman and a small fixed blade like an ESEE Izula or Bradford Guardian 3.
 
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Arathol said:
A couple things here.....

You are in the military and you don't know what a Kabar is? Its been a military standard since WW2.....

Stabbing an enemy? When and where would this happen, really? You are more apt to be stabbing a can of beans.....

You really need to consider what your needs actually are when it comes to a knife. You don't want to be carrying around that extra weight if you don't have to. You also should also look into what you are actually allowed to have vs what you would like to have....
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Thanks for the reply!
About the Ka-Bar, I wrote that I have not considered it as an option, not that I don't know what it is.
I understand your opinion about the use of the knife and you are correct, It's more realistic that I'll stab a can of beans rather than stabbing an enemy, and I have my trusty Leatherman for that.
But for that slim chance of confronting an enemy I would want to carry those extra few pounds
Once again, thank you for your suggestion!
 
mcswood said:
Something that won't cause you too much grief WHEN it gets stolen.
Other than that light weight, a blade that would bend rather than break, has a lanyard hole, full tang, non slippery scales and easy to sharpen.
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Thank you very much for your reply! It seems that the SRK fits all of those criteria, I believe I will get this one, once again thank you very much!
 
Hello again everyone!
It's hard to keep up with all those who reply,
It seems that the Cold Steel SRK is the front runner (also the Buck GCK is currently out of stock) and after your suggestions I believe it will be the chosen knife!
Once again I would like to thank you all for your help and support!
 
I find it very strange that a member of the military on active duty would join a knife forum this morning to get advice on how to outfit himself. I would think he would be surrounded with experts to help him. Then again, maybe those experts are telling him a "combat knife" is the last thing he should be thinking of right now.
 
No such thing as the perfect knife. So many great options but I agree with others to ask your platoon to narrow it down. I prefer a larger blade so I would recommend a cold steel recon scout in 3v also look at similar styles in magna cut.
 
Arathol said:
A couple things here.....

You are in the military and you don't know what a Kabar is? Its been a military standard since WW2.....

Stabbing an enemy? When and where would this happen, really? You are more apt to be stabbing a can of beans.....

You really need to consider what your needs actually are when it comes to a knife. You don't want to be carrying around that extra weight if you don't have to. You also should also look into what you are actually allowed to have vs what you would like to have....
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I think you’re quite disrespectful how you’re talking to someone protecting our freedoms!

He carries guns to shoot people he should probably carry a knife that can stab. If anyone needs a knife for the sole purpose of self defense, it’s those serving in the military.

Check yourself!
 
mitchnola said:
I think you’re quite disrespectful how you’re talking to someone protecting our freedoms!

He carries guns to shoot people he should probably carry a knife that can stab. If anyone needs a knife for the sole purpose of self defense, it’s those serving in the military.

Check yourself!
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Sir please, I really appreciate your will to come to my aid, but I did not wish for people to argue on a thread that is meant only to help.
May all of you have a great time here!
 
mitchnola said:
I think you’re quite disrespectful how you’re talking to someone protecting our freedoms!

He carries guns to shoot people he should probably carry a knife that can stab. If anyone needs a knife for the sole purpose of self defense, it’s those serving in the military.

Check yourself!
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How do you know this person is protecting your freedoms? Do you know without any doubt that you're both in same country?

How do you know they carry a gun? Armies have file clerks and cooks too who'll never see combat (Casey Ryback not withstanding).

Most armies are not enamoured with private soldiers tooling up with samurai swords and the like in case it all goes sideways. They like the uniform to be for lack of a better word uniform.

OP; put up some details on what army this is, where you are stationed and just what your job is. You can share all that without compromising any operational or personal security.
 
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