Hi Danny,
Well, Outdoors use:Look at this way
.240 blade stock.
Decent point-thickness
7 in. blade (can certainly chop, 9 is better for chopping)
Hollow-Flat Grind (Can always take an edge)
Combination edge
Aus-8A steel--Good combination of strength, toughness, edge-retention, etc.
(It is by no means equal to s30v, D2, etc, but it is MUCH more affordable, and
for the price of the higher-end steel, you can often get two of the lesser).
Rasped spine (multi-tasker)
Exposed tang (you can SEE for yourself the thickness) (Hammering, glass-breaking, etc)
A large, broad blade.
Handle material is fiber-glass reinforced and without any rivets (which loosen, and if you
find yourself with no means to tighten then, rivets are a problem)
Stainless with a hardcased TiNi coating
Cryo/Heat-Treat--excellent.
A blade of that size and weight, yes, I've chopped, battoned, shaved wood more than effectively with a seven in. blade (one smaller, and less well-made than the Seal Team),
infact, I came to prefer it over a handax or ax. (the knife I used was also lighter, especially in the blade). The Seal-Team, as far as my experience goes, should make an excellent all-around knife (survival included, especially). Infact, Danny, I've chopped and battoned with 3, 4, and 5 in. blades (7 to 9 in. is best) effectively.
Military-use
To be completely honest, Danny, I've known several soldiers in my life-time, and not one has ever had a CQB (Close-Quarter-Battle). In military life, I was told, all they had ever
needed a knife for was cutting ropes, cords, opening MRE's, cleaning out dust or sand or mud. Also, as simple as it might seem to use a knife in such a fashion, it is not. I've trained in MMA for four years now, and I still find my hands, knees, elbows, forearms, and feet are more useful than a knife. Now, the Sog Seal Team Elite (and Pup Elite, AND
the Tigershark Elite) in my own humble opinion, Danny, are all excellent, well-made knives. They are tough, built for tough use, possibly overbuilt (lol) (which is a good thing), as far as SERE, utility, combat-chores--oh, yes, they would probably meet your needs and then some. (Now, if you feel the need for a back-up defense, I'd not recommend a knife. If the military offers a martial-arts-program, Danny, THAT is a good,
reliable back-up. A man cannot be disarmed of his skills.)
Survival Situations:
In all honesty, Danny, the 'best' knife in a survival-situation is the knife you HAVE WITH YOU at that time. (I became lost once, all I had was a buck 110 folding-hunter, and my
clothes. The knife got me through it.) Now, the Seal Team Elite ( and the other Seals) are obviously made for outdoors and survival-type use. That rasped-spine--notching, good for making a bow-drill notch, possibly getting pinewood dust. The blade, as I see it, has three to four cutting surfaces--you have a straight whittling edge, an incising edge, and a chopping edge. You also (serrations) have a slashing, shearing edge. The point of the knife could be used (I'd presume, won't test it) for drilling holes, poking holes
(eggs, for instance). That extended, exposed tang--hammer, prying, glass-breaking (I've
managed to knap glass with the knife I've written here about. I won't identify the knife),
possibly glass or flint-knapping, cracking (possibly coconuts, egg shells, bones for marrow).
Sheath:
A knife's sheath should be AS well-made as the knife itself. A sheath should be useful for more than just housing the blade. The sheaths that come with the Seal series, especially
the nylon (which come with both a protective insert, and an external pocket) which is also molle-compatible. (The tigershark has a different sheath, but you could likely have one custom-made). The nylon sheath would be your best bet--silent, utility, multi-purpose, has a pocket which you can carry a multi or other goodies inside.
Well, Danny, I hope my post has helped you. But keep in mind, Danny, an untested-knife is just that, if you get a knife to take with you in your military-service, I'd give it a little light testing first. If you change your mind about the Sog Seal series, have a look at the Beckers--Bk 2, 7, 9, and 11. If you are looking for a good multi-tool, Sog makes those too. If you are looking for a good, heavy-use field folding-knife, look at the Ka-bar Mule.
Good luck, stay safe, stay frosty, and I hope you choose a good knife--always research before you buy.
Dark Seraphane
