Recommended combat knives?

scdub said:
Hey Dude - thanks for your service!

For me, if there’s a higher than average likelihood that I’m going to need to use my knife as a weapon, (as you indicated might be your situation), especially against people wearing gear, I want a knife that’s a weapon FIRST.

To me that means two things primarily: A very substantial guard and a penetrating point. Durability is certainly a plus but wouldn’t be my first consideration unless I’m likely to be walking with a very small group.

Of the models you listed, I’d go with the SRK as it probably has the most substantial guard of the lot, but none of them really have adequate guards in my opinion.

This is the knife I’d take into urban combat (something larger in forest/jungle):
View attachment 2456075
View attachment 2456053

And this is what I’d purchase in your price range if I was in the market - Kabar Modified Tanto:
View attachment 2456076
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Have a Greco like that....was told its a "Deathwind" type blade. After looking..I agree.
 
Appreciate you! Along with all that you have, do and will sacrifice for us Brother or Sister!

Wish I had something that would fit the bill, I'd give you a screaming deal.

I bet you can find some grateful folks in the Exchange and make your budget really work for you. If it's possible to receive it.
 
MrkSRT said:
Hi again, thank you all so much for all the replies, I'm glad to find such a pleasant and supportive community!
Lots of you said to check out the knives of my fellow comrades, and I did before I wrote the first post, I tried some of them and I'll list the ones I like shortly,
It's just that they are not much of knife experts, lots of what one friend told me contradicts with what another friend said,
Some even said completely different things about the same knife!
That's why I reached out to this forum, to hopefully be able to try and make sense of all the info I'm getting.

I would like to ask you about the following knives:

- Buck Ground Combat knife
- Gerber Strong Arm
- Cold Steel SRK (the regular and the compact versions)
- Cold Steel Razor-Tec 5
- SOG Seal Pup
- SOG Recondo FX

(Currently the Buck GCK is the front runner)

If any of you have One of those knives and could share your opinion on them it would help me wonders with my decision!
once again if you can think about other models to suggest please feel free to do so

Thank you all very much for your replies!
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You are doing it backwards.

All those knives are going to knife. They will all be durable and sharp.

What they may be is too big or too small or the wrong blade shape or not sit on your gear or rust or something like that.

So you are better off breaking down what you want the knife to do. And creating a selection from there.

Otherwise I was eyeing off the civivi midwatch. That is a smaller thinner knife in stainless steel. With a tec lock that is easy to attach to gear. Let compare that to the gerber strong arm which would be as good a choice. If you wanted different things.

The midwatch has a clip point that means you can combine a bit of defensive stabbing (there is a whole clearance style of defensive knife that appeals to some military)with a bit of cord cutting and packet opening. It has a ring that theoretically means you can grab a gun with the same hand you grab the knife.(but I have never really tried this)

The gerber has a spear point. Not as precise cutting. Hard to say break in to a blister pack. It has a bigger handle and a glass breaker. And you probably can't do the gun knife thing. But you can break a window.
But you can't really pry, baton or chop with it to any great success.

The Midwatch handle and the blade are quite wide. Which is good for use but is going to take more space on your gear.

The strongarm will be a lot longer but probably as wide. Both have webbing attachments. The strongarm has a secondary retention clip. ( Which you may be required to have.)

the midwatch is a lot lighter and more nimble than a gerber strong arm. But you get less length. This means this will be easier to get to in a confined space.

The gerber seems to pass some extreme torture tests. But technically the Steel isn't great.
 
Didn't read through all the replies but as a vet myself I was always needing a knife just for cutting packaging or even prying into crates on occasion (yeah yeah right tool for the job).. anyways if I could pick a knife today for same duties I had back then, esee 3 or 4, tops silent hero 4 or one of the 4ish inch becker knives would be great. I wouldn't go long on the blade. Get something 3-4" and you'll carry it more often. A smaller knife you carry comfortably every day will outperform a longer knife you won't or can't carry everyday.
 
Thank you for serving your country sir. A salute to you. Of the ones you mentioned you were looking at these two should serve you well.

- Gerber Strong Arm
- Cold Steel SRK (the regular and the compact versions)
 
scdub said:
I’ve heard this sentiment before - and I imagine it’s been rare since the days of semi-auto firearms. However, people DO run out of ammo, and weapons DO malfunction, and it honestly seems crazy to willingly enter a battlefield without an edged weapon…

It’s a comfort because it can keep you alive. Just like a grenade or an extra magazine…
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I personally don't disagree . ;)

I'd probably want a freaking sword ! 🥷 Until I had to lug it around . :(
 
I would first start with your unit government purchase card holder and see what they can get you for no cost to you. Then delve into the myriad of options.
 
DocJD said:
I personally don't disagree . ;)

I'd probably want a freaking sword ! 🥷 Until I had to lug it around . :(
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You would be amazed at the amount of porn soldiers and Marines were lugging around in Afghanistan. Full disclosure, I had to go through all the patient's bags and gear looking for guns, ammo, explosives, and of course porn when I was part of an air expeditionary team back in 2012. 😄
 
norcalAF said:
You would be amazed at the amount of porn soldiers and Marines were lugging around in Afghanistan. Full disclosure, I had to go through all the patient's bags and gear looking for guns, ammo, explosives, and of course porn when I was part of an air expeditionary team back in 2012. 😄
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I am in full support of the aforementioned personal coping assistance materials. :)
 
MrkSRT said:
Hi again, thank you all so much for all the replies, I'm glad to find such a pleasant and supportive community!
Lots of you said to check out the knives of my fellow comrades, and I did before I wrote the first post, I tried some of them and I'll list the ones I like shortly,
It's just that they are not much of knife experts, lots of what one friend told me contradicts with what another friend said,
Some even said completely different things about the same knife!
That's why I reached out to this forum, to hopefully be able to try and make sense of all the info I'm getting.

I would like to ask you about the following knives:

- Buck Ground Combat knife
- Gerber Strong Arm
- Cold Steel SRK (the regular and the compact versions)
- Cold Steel Razor-Tec 5
- SOG Seal Pup
- SOG Recondo FX

(Currently the Buck GCK is the front runner)

If any of you have One of those knives and could share your opinion on them it would help me wonders with my decision!
once again if you can think about other models to suggest please feel free to do so

Thank you all very much for your replies!
Click to expand...
Given the number of combat type knives, most of them are styled to look like a combat knife. There was a time when I would recommend the K-Bar USMC 7" blade, but it's not the knife it once was. And it's priced too high for what it is. Fighting knives are generally a knife with a blade 7" or longer. After searching for a fighting knife for myself, I settled on the The Buck 120 with micarta handle and S35VN blade. Check it out.
 
I'm not a soldier but I have used many knives , some even for cutting things. The cold steel SRK is good enough for the navy seals buds training and they use them around saltwater daily. The Cold Steel Recon Scout is also a fine knife and bit more of a stabber with a nice fine point and a sturdy double guard. The SOG seal pup is a nice small lightweight knife and if you look around you could find a deal and be able to get the dog and the srk for under your budget. I have watched quite a few YouTube videos from former special forces guys about knives they carried and used. I find it very interesting as they are often not knife guys they just want what works and isn't too heavy. The Cold steel leatherneck is a formidable weapon and tool and not terribly heavy and I find it quite comfortable in hand. There are so many choices it can be overwhelming, handle as many as you can in person and pick what you like. Sometimes liking a knife is more important than some other qualities people will suggest is needed. Good luck finding the one and please don't get anything over $150 until you are well established in your unit , nothing sucks more than something you really like growing legs.
 
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