U.S. Soldiers in Iraq: Do They Need Fixed Blades?

I wouldn't think they absolutely need fixed blades, or any knives at all. It's not like they're likely to die or fail at their daily tasks without a knife, but one should certainly help, and be a good backup when the smelly stuff hits the rotating ventilation instrument. The good thing about the Finnish military is that fixed blades are the norm. Indeed, anyone who tries to get along with just a folder or even without any knife at all will most likely be laughed at by everyone. Knives are very useful, and a decent fixed blade isn't that heavy, and will be endlessly more reliable than any folder.
 
m_calingo said:
Man, I have to admit I got a big chuckle out of FOBBIT. That's even better than REMF! :D
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It would kill me to see a FOBBIT walking around with a M4 with ACOG or Eotech AND a M9 pistol when my guys were using battered old M16A2s.

ROCK6 said:
Another thing to consider is that some in the Iraqi culture view the knife as more significant than the AK or M4. It's similar to how we view the Native Americans with tomahawks after they were introduced, or the Gurkha with their Kukri.
ROCK6
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On several occasions, when I'd need to "negotiate" with a Sheik, Imam or village elder, that I'd leave my rifle with my gunner and only carry a Hissatsu on my chest rig and VTAC tucked into my belt. Considering the preconceptions that Iraqis have with large knives, I usually had their undivided attention.

To answer the question....Most soldiers, with most of the jobs the Army has, in most units can get the job done with a medium or large folder and a Multi tool. Personally, I say issue a fixed blade to everyone... Too bad commanders and CSMs are too PC nowadays..

Ber
 
Stiletto Raggio said:
You would be surprised how much guff some guys (mostly fobbits) will give you for carrying a fixed blade.
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Why???

You know, I wasn't surprised when the terrorists bombed the barracks in Lebanon and it was revealed that the Marine guards didn't have any loaded weapons. I've grown up around the military and I expect that kind of lunacy. I've also studied the Korean debacle and know what MacArthur was up against with the idiots in Washington. It makes me angry to see our guys welding scrap steel to their vehicles because their senior officers are too concerned about their own promotions to ask for better armored trucks.

What could these buffoons have against fixed blade knives?
 
Another question. Would any of the soldiers have any use for hidden weapons like neck knives, or boot knives? How about some of these new powerful LED tactical lights? (The incandecsents mostly in use now are more prone to damage, I would think. Many of the new Cree lights have variable power settings, too, which might be nice for reading maps, etc.)

Thanks.
 
Yes, just not some wild 12in blade bowie.

I prefer a 5in fixed blade myself. However, others might have a use for a longer blade.

I'll be taking a Randall #15 with me this trip.
 
in my first to deployments i was able to carry a good size fixed blade knife than my 3rd deployment thay told me i could not wear that i had an arguement and i lost so i had to find something smaller since i like fixed blade knives so haqd a smaller one mailed to me i was able to wear that since it could not be seen its all on the chain of command
 
Why are soldiers not being allowed to carry fixed blade knives?
What do they cite as a reason for not being able to?
I find this very strange.
 
Confederate said:
Another question. Would any of the soldiers have any use for hidden weapons like neck knives, or boot knives? How about some of these new powerful LED tactical lights? (The incandecsents mostly in use now are more prone to damage, I would think. Many of the new Cree lights have variable power settings, too, which might be nice for reading maps, etc.).
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I have seen a few boot knives, although that's not something I prefer, it really depends on what thier job is. I have several LED's I've been toying with over here...I know Surefires are popular, but they need to fully jump on the newer more powerful LED-bandwagon (I did hear they are now using Cree LED's...that's excellent). As much as I love LED's I still fall back on Surefire for a weapon's mounted light. It's just nice to know you don't have to change out a bulb, especially over here. The other nice thing about the majority of the newer LED's are the programmable features. I was fortunate enough to get a few of the Novatac's EDC120...the mil version. I still carry and use it daily...having an LED with several light levels makes it very useful as you don't always need to light up the night to look in your rucksack or read a map/book.

Confederate said:
Why are soldiers not being allowed to carry fixed blade knives?
What do they cite as a reason for not being able to?
I find this very strange.
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I started out Infantry almost 20 years ago, and have since migrated to the combat support side (Signal). There was a time where all senior officers and enlisted I dealt with had a very corporate mentality. Don't confuse this with professionalism, it was more of a focus on acting and looking more corporate than "warrior-esk". Hell, the Army's (and other services') job is to break and destroy things and kill the enemy...sure there's a lot of support misisons and even reconstruction and training that occurs, but let's not forget our true function. Our weapons are for that purpose, and the public views knives, not as tools, but as extensions of our implements of war. Remember, we're a snap shot of society, so many commanders and senior enlisted scoff at seeing a knife...no rhyme or reason, just not something considered "professional". It really makes me sick...you now have Soldiers running around with loaded rifles/pistols and grenades but you have a problem with a knife that is visible? I know it doesn't make a lot of sense.

As somebody already mentioned the infamous FOBbit; most over here operate on or from a FOB (there are a lot though truly in "Indian" country in smaller secure areas). Not everybody heads out the gate. Most of my traveling is done via helo, so I kind of consider myself a mobile-FOBBIT:D A lot of senior folks that are not combat arms (again, from my experience), have issues with holes in uniforms, dirty apprearances, the dreaded "confederate rolled" patrol cap, sunglasses hanging from the neck, neck rags/bandanas...and visible knives, especially big ones. Fortunately my FOB is far enough away from the idiot-flagpole, that common sense still rules the day. My most famous quote is "We've gone to War and Garrsion broke out!".

We still have a rank structure, so when some grumpy, crusty'ol SGM that hasn't taken an APFT or qualified with his weapon in the last 15 years sees a Joe carrying a Ka-Bar strapped to his leg, he spouts off policies that don't exist or SOP's from 1975 and tells the Joe to get rid of the knife. Luckily, most of the younger shooters (Inf, Armor, Eng, Aviation, MP, FA), just say "roger SGM", and when he gets back to his helo or armored vehicle, re-don's his gear and drives on with the mission. Can you say Politics?

Luckily, I'm in a position that not too many are going to dispute what I carry, how and when. I also get to sit down at chow and chat with another knife-wielding Joe and admire the blades we carry:D It's all about mindset, and I think the "warrior" mentality is slowly creeping back into the ranks...which is a good thing in the long run.

ROCK6
 
Rock, thanks for your perspective. As a fixed blade carrier for 22 years in the USAR, I certainly agree - the corporate suit mentality among officers is not justifiable in the field, and (my words) potentially dangerous. I speak as one who refrat the last 6.

And then I got sent to a lovely tropical island to sit in the wire on night shift. No weapons, ink pens, lanyards, heck, salt packets were counted out and searched for.

No, not everybody needs a fixed blade, the remfs may hurt themselves. The warriors find need for them frequently. My Nimravus carried well behind a mag pocket on the vest (1 Gen kydex.) I still carry a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp in a kydex sheath even fishing - great for digging up expedient worms on the banks.

Just not the thing to carry on the duty belt guarding the front gate CONUS. In that setting a G2 Surefire gave more use. But if I was called up, I would take a fixed blade - just don't let the suits see it.

They get so paranoid about their bosses perception of their "leadership."
 
When a soldier is told he can't wear a knife, what is the reason that his superior gives? Whether it's an implement of war is immaterial given that it is a war. I have a friend in Iraq who wants a MOD CQD Mark V ATAC fixed knife that goes for almost three hundred dollars. I don't think any fixed knife is worth that much. Also, how good is A-2 tool steel?

Does anyone have this knife? Why the high cost? It looks like a Klingon fantasy knife.

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Our son is on his second tour in Iraq and I just sent him a Busse N/O. A friend of his has one and it is used every day.
 
I would be really pissed off if a friend or relative of mine got killed in Iraq or Afghanistan because his gun jammed and all he had left to defend himself with was a nail clipper.
 
Why not? What happens if one of our troops engage in hand-to-hand combat and his rifle is slung behind his back? Sure would be nice to grab a fixed blade from your vest.

Intimidating? How is a knife in a sheath more intimidating then a fully decked out assault rifle?

The bottom line is: Support Our Troops!
 
We have 3 guys in iraq right now and all of them are not able to carry any knives. It all depends on your commander.

I dont belive in guns, I hate them.
 
I put together approx. 20 knives (all fixed blades) and sent them over via AG Russell. I have not heard back from the troops yet (gave them my email address), but have been told that the knives are there.

I will let you know what/if I hear anything.
 
If I missed it,my apolegies. Having been in VN in 1967 I know REMF but what is FOBBit? At least what you can print. I'm guesing "Fixed Operiation Base" ...
 
A friend of mine's son flew MedEvac choppers over there (two tours) and he carried a BM 710 for "field use." (He's the guy that talked me into buying my BM 710:))

He also carried a very large Randall "Bowie" on his belt for "other purposes.":thumbup:

Fortunately, he never needed the Randall.
 
a fobbit is some support personel who never leaves the fob but they continue to talk the talk and walk the walk and also still complain how bad they have it
 
From Double-Tongued Dictionary:

fobbitn. a soldier or other person stationed at a secure forward operating base; (hence) a person who is reluctant or afraid to leave a military base. Subjects: English, Iraq, Military

A forward operating base hobbit.
 
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