Trying to choose the right blade

Paratrooper1989 said:
ya the PX here sux its tiny, this place has been the same since WWI. so all the buildings are old and used to be nazi barracks lol. im trying not to spend over $250
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Most of the suggestions you're going to get will impress plenty.

Where in Germany are you and how fast/reliable is shipping from the US? I ask because, if you need a knife fast, there are stores in Dortmund, Solingen, heck probably all over the country that may even sell US-made knives of high quality.
DieKlinge in Dortmund is an example.

Otherwise, if the PX carries at least the standard KaBar or the Gerber LMFII or Prodigy, those are all very good quality for the price ($60-80 here). There are better knives, but the army guys i know with LMFIIs all love them, so if you can't wait...
 
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This is what I use, its a Winkler Knives II Belt knife. This knife is very similar to the standard issue model that Mr Winkler currently provides to active duty operators within Naval Special Warfare. The 3/16" steel is 5160 with a no-glare finish. A full tapered tang means great balance. The knife measures 9" overall- blade length is 4 3/4". Handle choices are curly maple, black micarta or recycled rubber. Kydex lined leather sheath that can be worn vertically or horizontally for right or left hand draw with simple adjustments. Brown leather sheath for wooden handles, black for rubber or micarta.

I have taken mine on patrol in the jungles of Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. Its a very good knife.

P.S. Mr Winkler gives a military discount just email him. He's a very good person to deal whit; This knife is in the 3OO dollar range.

These knives are built to last, and they get an antiqued look to the blade from use that’s just beautiful, I’m going to hand down mi knife and hatchet to mi kid on day. Mr. Winkler makes his knives using a lot of fed back from professionals that actually use these knives in the field. Most of his designs are inspired in the frontier knives that people used back in the day, simple and effective.
 
What is your price range? Do you have any restrictions? What are the common tasks you would find yourself doing with it, aside from defence?
Right off the bat, the Zero Tolerance 0170 comes to mind. Tactical/utility. I'd trust my life to it. Low maintenance. Fantastic ergonomics for extended usage. Decent sheath/multiple carry options. Priced right. Immediately available.
Esse 6 comes in a close second, but only because it is not stainless, and is less "tactical" due to the coloration and lack of blade catcher guard which is an advantage the ZT has in CQB.
I would actually love to recommend an Entrek knife, but unfortunately the sheaths are not up to par.
 
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Nternal said:
I would really suggest the extrema ratio col moschin..It's was designed with fighting and combat in mind. It's heavy duty and It also can be used for utility. The main reason I'm suggesting it though is because it has the best molle compatible sheath I have ever seen.It's the highest quality sheath I ever seen on a knife. It's a solid kydex/nylon combo that's friction molded with Multiple ways to carry,snaps and buckles to your hearts desires.

http://www.pastorcuchilleria.com/ecomerce/imagenes/COL MOSCHIN_01.jpg

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=EX125

It's pricey but I do think it's worth it because of the whole package.
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For the money, I truly think that's not a good deal - N690 and a molded handle? As a collector's piece, I'm sure it's alright, but for a user I'd expect something more.

For that kind of money, you could commission a custom piece from a knifemaker here on bladeforums and get something with superior steel, handle materials, and fit and finish.
 
Apec said:
For the money, I truly think that's not a good deal - N690 and a molded handle? As a collector's piece, I'm sure it's alright, but for a user I'd expect something more.

For that kind of money, you could commission a custom piece from a knifemaker here on bladeforums and get something with superior steel, handle materials, and fit and finish.
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That may be true, You could find it cheaper though..You see I actually got it for around 250$ about a year ago and I do feel it is pricey..but It honestly has the best quality sheath I ever seen so as a package I do think it's a worthwhile one..Especially for someone that needs to attach the sheath to military gear. It's also superbly balanced and it looks like a lot of thought went into the sheath and knife design.You just have to handle it to see what I mean.
Also extrema ratio knives are definitely users as they supply to the Italian military.
 
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If you're willing to spend up to $250, you've got a great selection to choose from. Definitely check out Swamp Rat, they make awesome blades. You might even be able to find a second hand Busse on this forum. And if that were the case, I'm sure whatever member you bought it from would ship it to you with haste considering your circumstances.

Glad you're getting into blades!

Come home safe and then start buying more and more knives :)
 
I carry my blade scout style while just in uniform not with all my gear on, way to much lol. Im just sayin id like the sheath to be able to be carried like that also, or in a way to customize it and, maybe rivet leather to the back to let slide through my belt.
 
I'd ideally go for a Timberline/Emerson Specwar if those were still being made. All the suggestions are pretty squared away. While your pooping and snooping, you'll learn what you want in a extended carry fixed blade. I found mine last year on the maker's for sale fixed blade forum here for $150 and made my own sheath. A forged and 3x hardened 5160 combat capable for $150 is not bad at all.
 
Paratrooper1989 said:
Hey guys,


Im new to this website. Im a U.S. Army Paratrooper, and is deploying to afghanistan soon, and also other missions i cant state. Ive really started gettin into knives and is looking for a great fixed blade that will do everything i need. Some companies ive been looking at are,

Esse Knives
Tops Knives
Spartan Blades
Grayman Knives

Id like the knife to be 4"-6" blade length, i need a full-tang knife so doesnt break or chip. i also need it to be tactical, and need the sheath either to be molle or good kydex. i prefer to carry my blade on my back horizontally with right hand deploy (scout style) Im not sure what is better a thick or thinner knife. If you guys could help me out with some input, id greatly appreciate it.
or if you know of any other type of knife or company.

"AIRBORNE-SKY SOLDIERS"
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Paratrooper1989,

I wish you good luck with finding the right knife for you. It's my experience, at least from my years in the USMC, that you will be told "exactly" what your gear load-out will be or "can be." What outfit are you with if I may ask being a U.S. Army Paratrooper deployed to Germany? Rangers? Green Beret? 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, Airborne Engineer, what?

You should already be highly skilled or at least educated in these matters and know what knife if any to carry from your training, by orders or conversation with other Army Paratroopers. I'm sure a conversation with your peers, sguad leader or other of your elite soldiers should yield anything you need to know. Your Company C.O. should have orders on this info.

I'm not calling BS yet, but I'm starting to doubt your credentials young man and if they're so top secret that you can't even tell us a little bit, then you're indeed too elite to mention them and thus even more open to a raised eylelid. :confused:
 
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CVIZ,

First off im in the 173rd Airborne Division. Second i never said they were TS, i just said i wouldnt talk about them, Thats my choice i dont know all of you. Third, im just looking for a good knife, that other people get into that not all Soldiers might know about. Because i havnt heard of alot of these choices ive been getting. So before you even try and, call BS get your facts. What did you do as a Marine?
 
Paratrooper1989 said:
CVIZ,

First off im in the 173rd Airborne Division. Second i never said they were TS, i just said i wouldnt talk about them, Thats my choice i dont know all of you. Third, im just looking for a good knife, that other people get into that not all Soldiers might know about. Because i havnt heard of alot of these choices ive been getting. So before you even try and, call BS get your facts. What did you do as a Marine?
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I never called BS dude. I just didn't understand how you could get through jump school and possibly Ranger school or more w/o knowing what knives were being used, if any and why. Also, most Commands have gear lists etc.. We get so many teenies in here wasting our time that I thought I'd "check you" with that post. No foul. :)

In the Marines we killed people, what else would you think man? :D
 
CVIZ,

Jump school yes, Ranger not yet. Im trying to get SERE right now. No im just getting into knives recently and, have been doing research. Im just looking for a good knife, and my wife yells at me cuz i cant make up my mind so i figured id join this forum and ask for help. And out Batallion Commander sucks, so no, no list. i cant wait for the Lt. Col to leave.
 
Paratrooper1989 said:
CVIZ,

Jump school yes, Ranger not yet. Im trying to get SERE right now. No im just getting into knives recently and, have been doing research. Im just looking for a good knife, and my wife yells at me cuz i cant make up my mind so i figured id join this forum and ask for help. And out Batallion Commander sucks, so no, no list. i cant wait for the Lt. Col to leave.
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Good luck then and I hope you find a blade that you really like. We always used our issued bayonets and Ka-bars (I know you don't like them), so I recommended the ESEE RC-4, which has a 4" blade and has a jump sheath set-up. It sounds like you're looking for something else though.

Again, best of luck and keep your head down if you get to Afghanistan, pretty rough terrain from what I've seen and those buggers know their area and are dug in like ticks! :thumbup: :)
 
Your wife sounds tough. I say let her choose one for you, I'll bet it would be something very dependable considering the fact that she is emotionally invested in the success of her choice. Be safe.
 
Paratrooper1989 said:
Hey guys,


Im new to this website. Im a U.S. Army Paratrooper, and is deploying to afghanistan soon, and also other missions i cant state. Ive really started gettin into knives and is looking for a great fixed blade that will do everything i need. Some companies ive been looking at are,

Esse Knives
Tops Knives
Spartan Blades
Grayman Knives

Id like the knife to be 4"-6" blade length, i need a full-tang knife so doesnt break or chip. i also need it to be tactical, and need the sheath either to be molle or good kydex. i prefer to carry my blade on my back horizontally with right hand deploy (scout style) Im not sure what is better a thick or thinner knife. If you guys could help me out with some input, id greatly appreciate it.
or if you know of any other type of knife or company.

"AIRBORNE-SKY SOLDIERS"
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Fallkniven Military Knives
 
i like falkniven but i don't like that they slim down to reduce tang. i wanna see it all the way around. i think Ive narrowed down my choices from,

Esee Knives, Esee-5
Swamp-Rat Knives, Rat Man Du
Scrapyard Knives, Dumpster Mutt LE
 
Paratrooper1989 said:
Hey guys,


Im new to this website. Im a U.S. Army Paratrooper, and is deploying to afghanistan soon, and also other missions i cant state. Ive really started gettin into knives and is looking for a great fixed blade that will do everything i need. Some companies ive been looking at are,

Esse Knives
Tops Knives
Spartan Blades
Grayman Knives

Id like the knife to be 4"-6" blade length, i need a full-tang knife so doesnt break or chip. i also need it to be tactical, and need the sheath either to be molle or good kydex. i prefer to carry my blade on my back horizontally with right hand deploy (scout style) Im not sure what is better a thick or thinner knife. If you guys could help me out with some input, id greatly appreciate it.
or if you know of any other type of knife or company.

"AIRBORNE-SKY SOLDIERS"
Click to expand...
Hy I'm new to this site but I got an early education in what not to buy. i make the mistake of purchasing an elk ridge fixed blade large hunter bowie knife.
There were a couple of good reviews on the net about them so I decided to try one.
At first it felt like a decent quality stainless steel knife with a sharp blade.then I used it in the woods to cut a few small 1/2" branches from some fire wood. it cut great for 4 or 5 chops then it broke at the handle.It had snapped the tang in two, about 1/2" into
the handle. Mind you this is the first time I used it. So I called Master Cutlery and they
did nothing but make out like they were concernd and said sorry but there was nothing they could do. So they will keep making this cheap communist crap!
Please learn from my mistake. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM ELK RIDGE OR MASTER CULTLERY!!!!!!!! They Suck on ICE!!!
I have since purchased a USA Buck 119 that is working well and the blade is quite sharp. I want a USMC Ka-Bar Now. I hope whoever reads this will pass it on.
DO NOT BUY ELK RIDGE OR MASTER CUTLERY PRODUCTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUY USA ALL THE WAY!!!
 
I agree. Plenty of US makers who need the money. Way better than anything foreign made.
 
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