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What do Real Military Men/Women Carry
- Thread starter brownshoe
- Start date
Well, I'm no longer active but I did spend six years as a Soldier and I am a veteran of the 1st Gulf War.
I was a 31V Communications Specialist and ETSed as a E-5.
I mostly carried a Leatherman PST, Victorinox SAKs, and a Schrade LB-7 at various times.
When we went to Saudi we were given the Ontario Pilot's survival knife by the company 1stSgt. It was not a terrific knife but it did the job.
During my six years I spent time at various different stateside posts and did my year in Korea. I was assigned to various units also (infantry, Engineers, Armor, and Medical).
From my experience I can say this:
1) The vast majority of Soldiers don't know a whole lot about knives. Most of them could'nt even tell you what steel is used in the knife in their own hand.
Heck, you would be surprised how many of them don't know much about firearms either.
There are SOME knife-nuts that really "get in to" knives, but most military personnel don't.
2) MOST military personnel will not spend hundreds of dollars on a knife.
3) MOST Soldiers have enough weight to lug around and will not willingly carry more than they must, and that includes large knives.
BTW, I have two brothers who both retired out of the Marines and they agree with my findings.
Good luck,
Allen.
I was a 31V Communications Specialist and ETSed as a E-5.
I mostly carried a Leatherman PST, Victorinox SAKs, and a Schrade LB-7 at various times.
When we went to Saudi we were given the Ontario Pilot's survival knife by the company 1stSgt. It was not a terrific knife but it did the job.
During my six years I spent time at various different stateside posts and did my year in Korea. I was assigned to various units also (infantry, Engineers, Armor, and Medical).
From my experience I can say this:
1) The vast majority of Soldiers don't know a whole lot about knives. Most of them could'nt even tell you what steel is used in the knife in their own hand.
Heck, you would be surprised how many of them don't know much about firearms either.
There are SOME knife-nuts that really "get in to" knives, but most military personnel don't.
2) MOST military personnel will not spend hundreds of dollars on a knife.
3) MOST Soldiers have enough weight to lug around and will not willingly carry more than they must, and that includes large knives.
BTW, I have two brothers who both retired out of the Marines and they agree with my findings.
Good luck,
Allen.
Mr. Tourist, for me, I am interested in what military personnel use for a few reasons. First, it's sometimes a hard-use application, so what holds up for them, should hold up for a civilian. Second, military knives is an interesting topic for many, there are many books written on historical knives. Third, for current useage, there have been recent articles in both Blade and Tactical knives on the subject and articles on specific knives or brands that claim a lot of military use. Both of these magazines have to "pay the piper" i.e. take care of their advetisers, and its interesting to see what information is available outside of these possibly biased outlets. Finally, on this forum, there has recently been a lot of heated discussion, particularly concerning two brands (guess which ones
?) Some real information has a tendancy to either support or cut through what reads like hyperbole.
?) Some real information has a tendancy to either support or cut through what reads like hyperbole.- Joined
- Sep 8, 2002
- Messages
- 266
What do real military men carry?
Richard
BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 1,742
Ajax, my you sure are vocal about having somebody challenge somebody else. Do the Strider folks know that you are challenging folks to some kind of confrontation on thier behalf? I know, I read you comments asking Brownshoe what his major malfunction was, calling him a stain and so on. Yeah, I know all those catchy little phrases too, I have a copy of the same movie. Sure makes you sound mean though.
Anyways, despite what somebody said above, Brownshoe has not been "OOOOOOWNED", wtf ever that means.
The meat of his question is interesting though. Curiosity makes us want to know what military folks really use. Its interesting so far that there are plenty of basic things listed such as SAKs, multi-tools, Gerbers and Bucks and so on.
My guess would be that you would not see to many Striders, Busses or other high end knives like that simply due to production limitations. You are talking about several hundred thousand military personell. Assuming only 10 percent, probably even less of the soldiers are knife people, that is still beyond the production capability of small shops. You would have to turn to Victorinox or Buck or somebody like that to even come close to supplying that kind of demand.
I would think that the number of troops needing something along the lines of a Strider would be pretty small considering the number of troops. Those relatively few people probably have a need for a knife that will not break and can apparently take a phenominal amount of abuse and they are willing to put up with the extra wieght to have that.
Probably the best thing is that each person has a choice. If they just need a knife for routine cutting and dont want to lug around something heavy then they have all kinds of knives to choose from. If they have a need for something that they may have to depend on to save a life and they can afford something like a Strider or Busse or whaever then they can do that too. Whatever they feel they need to do thier job they should have, they know far better than we do what they need.
Also, asking here on the forums is interesting, but limited. It has been stated many times that as many members as we have, we are still a very small part of the knife world. There may very well be many soldiers who have never even heard of Bladeforums, and even if they have they may be just a bit busy right now doing thier job.
We have a kid that lives just up the road from us over in Iraq right now. My brother in law exchanges email with him. He is able to email maybe once a week, and then he has to keep it fairly short. I doubt many of them have the time we do to sit around and browse the forums.
Edited to add: The response to Ajax was made before he pulled the chicken act and edited his post.
Anyways, despite what somebody said above, Brownshoe has not been "OOOOOOWNED", wtf ever that means.
The meat of his question is interesting though. Curiosity makes us want to know what military folks really use. Its interesting so far that there are plenty of basic things listed such as SAKs, multi-tools, Gerbers and Bucks and so on.
My guess would be that you would not see to many Striders, Busses or other high end knives like that simply due to production limitations. You are talking about several hundred thousand military personell. Assuming only 10 percent, probably even less of the soldiers are knife people, that is still beyond the production capability of small shops. You would have to turn to Victorinox or Buck or somebody like that to even come close to supplying that kind of demand.
I would think that the number of troops needing something along the lines of a Strider would be pretty small considering the number of troops. Those relatively few people probably have a need for a knife that will not break and can apparently take a phenominal amount of abuse and they are willing to put up with the extra wieght to have that.
Probably the best thing is that each person has a choice. If they just need a knife for routine cutting and dont want to lug around something heavy then they have all kinds of knives to choose from. If they have a need for something that they may have to depend on to save a life and they can afford something like a Strider or Busse or whaever then they can do that too. Whatever they feel they need to do thier job they should have, they know far better than we do what they need.
Also, asking here on the forums is interesting, but limited. It has been stated many times that as many members as we have, we are still a very small part of the knife world. There may very well be many soldiers who have never even heard of Bladeforums, and even if they have they may be just a bit busy right now doing thier job.
We have a kid that lives just up the road from us over in Iraq right now. My brother in law exchanges email with him. He is able to email maybe once a week, and then he has to keep it fairly short. I doubt many of them have the time we do to sit around and browse the forums.
Edited to add: The response to Ajax was made before he pulled the chicken act and edited his post.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 1999
- Messages
- 332
I have been a GRUNT with 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Div for my full enlistment (the last 4 years!)
I am a "knife-nut" and am willing to spend big $$ on a knife, even if I never have to use it to "survive." I think it is important to have confidence in your equipment and I have never owned a knife I did not think I could stake my life on.
Over the last four years I have used, abused, and field tested the following knives on different training and real world operations:
Mad Dog ATAK-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan
Busse Variant Steel Heart-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan
Strider Buck Folder-everywhere I have been!
Emmerson Commander-everywhere I have been!
Gerber Multitools (4 different types)-Everywhere
Leatherman WAVE (2 different types)-Everywhere
ATC Brend Hatchet-Kuwait, Iraq (OIF)
If your question is "what do MOST regular Marines carry?"
The answer is whatever is cheap or free! We (Marines) are the cheapest bastards in the world! We don't want to have to pay for anything, especially something for work! There are a few (there are always exceptions) who carry what they think they should have. I fit into this group.
If your question is "What have I SEEN carried by military service members?" The answer is everything and anything. I have seen a sniper carry a tomahawk and some guys only carry cheap "three for $10.oo" knock-offs! It all depends on the personal preferance of the soldier, airmen, Marine, or sailor.
Sgt. Horse
2/1
USMC
Getting out in 22 days and a wake up!
I am a "knife-nut" and am willing to spend big $$ on a knife, even if I never have to use it to "survive." I think it is important to have confidence in your equipment and I have never owned a knife I did not think I could stake my life on.
Over the last four years I have used, abused, and field tested the following knives on different training and real world operations:
Mad Dog ATAK-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan
Busse Variant Steel Heart-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan
Strider Buck Folder-everywhere I have been!
Emmerson Commander-everywhere I have been!
Gerber Multitools (4 different types)-Everywhere
Leatherman WAVE (2 different types)-Everywhere
ATC Brend Hatchet-Kuwait, Iraq (OIF)
If your question is "what do MOST regular Marines carry?"
The answer is whatever is cheap or free! We (Marines) are the cheapest bastards in the world! We don't want to have to pay for anything, especially something for work! There are a few (there are always exceptions) who carry what they think they should have. I fit into this group.
If your question is "What have I SEEN carried by military service members?" The answer is everything and anything. I have seen a sniper carry a tomahawk and some guys only carry cheap "three for $10.oo" knock-offs! It all depends on the personal preferance of the soldier, airmen, Marine, or sailor.
Sgt. Horse
2/1
USMC
Getting out in 22 days and a wake up!
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2002
- Messages
- 5,368
Strangely enough, I just got my discharge paper the other day (finished up with 2 years IRR).
I carried a plethora of knives while employed by the Uncle, because I'm a knife knut, and that's what I do.
The othere Marines that carried usually had a leatherman and a ka-bar. There weren't too many others that seemed to carry the more high-end knives.
I carried a plethora of knives while employed by the Uncle, because I'm a knife knut, and that's what I do.
The othere Marines that carried usually had a leatherman and a ka-bar. There weren't too many others that seemed to carry the more high-end knives.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2003
- Messages
- 49
Hey all,
I have somewhat of a different take on things. I am a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Just to give a quick break down, we are a state-supported military college (actually the oldest in the nation). All 8 semesters of your stay at VMI will include a ROTC course. Up until the late 80's or early 90's all graduates were required to commission and even now we continue to commission a good deal. With all of that being said, it is obvious that this school is packed full of hard-chargers and motivators, who just love doing FTX's and drill, along with any other form of training. The diversity of knives here is amazing. There are only 1300 cadets and the tastes run the spectrum. One of my roommates is an Army option and he owns a Kabar and a Kasper/Crawford CRKT folder. My other two roommates are motivated Marine options, yet one of them owns only a Kabar while the other has the largest assortment of Cold Steel knives I have seen short of a dealer. I myself own and use a Spyderco Endura, Cold Steel UWK (not sure why I bought it besides it fills my billet for a Kabar haha), Buck 110, and my new pride and joy a Buck Strider Mini Tanto. But my room is by far the exception in Barracks. My class as a whole went on a FTX last spring, and in my group of 9 cadets, I was the only one who brought a knife (my Buck 110). We were in the Geogre Washington National Forest for 3 days, 2 nights! So in my experience with those who about to become future officers in all of our military services, the choice of knife is completely personal. Every Marine has a Kabar, just cause. It seems that most Army guys prefer large folders. Most Navy and Air Force guys have a Leatherman and a good pocketknife. But once again these arent hard and fast rules. Well I am done rambling now. Just thought you might like to know what the future officers are doing, thinking, and carrying. Thanks.
Jonathan '06
Cadet, Virginia Military Institute
I have somewhat of a different take on things. I am a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Just to give a quick break down, we are a state-supported military college (actually the oldest in the nation). All 8 semesters of your stay at VMI will include a ROTC course. Up until the late 80's or early 90's all graduates were required to commission and even now we continue to commission a good deal. With all of that being said, it is obvious that this school is packed full of hard-chargers and motivators, who just love doing FTX's and drill, along with any other form of training. The diversity of knives here is amazing. There are only 1300 cadets and the tastes run the spectrum. One of my roommates is an Army option and he owns a Kabar and a Kasper/Crawford CRKT folder. My other two roommates are motivated Marine options, yet one of them owns only a Kabar while the other has the largest assortment of Cold Steel knives I have seen short of a dealer. I myself own and use a Spyderco Endura, Cold Steel UWK (not sure why I bought it besides it fills my billet for a Kabar haha), Buck 110, and my new pride and joy a Buck Strider Mini Tanto. But my room is by far the exception in Barracks. My class as a whole went on a FTX last spring, and in my group of 9 cadets, I was the only one who brought a knife (my Buck 110). We were in the Geogre Washington National Forest for 3 days, 2 nights! So in my experience with those who about to become future officers in all of our military services, the choice of knife is completely personal. Every Marine has a Kabar, just cause. It seems that most Army guys prefer large folders. Most Navy and Air Force guys have a Leatherman and a good pocketknife. But once again these arent hard and fast rules. Well I am done rambling now. Just thought you might like to know what the future officers are doing, thinking, and carrying. Thanks.
Jonathan '06
Cadet, Virginia Military Institute
Although Brownshoe and I have had our differences in the past, I too support his right to start this thread. Even though he did mention Striders, I don't feel he intended to foment an argument here. It seemed an innocent question. In fact, I think he purposely went out of his way to keep it from becoming a Strider bashing thread. I guess some are just too thin skinned to see that.
Even though I spent 23 years in the Army, I too am interested in what others in my own service, not to mention the other services, used in the way of cutlery. As a logistics officer, I commanded a unit in support of Special Forces, Artillery, Armor, and a bunch of non-divisional units (signal, maintenance, engineers, etc.) but almost never any regular infantry (mech, leg, light, or airborne), ADA, etc. I just like to know what the rest of the "Green Machine" used. The Army is so large that one doesn't get to see the whole thing in a career! Let's keep the information flowing, with grace.
Bruce Woodbury
Even though I spent 23 years in the Army, I too am interested in what others in my own service, not to mention the other services, used in the way of cutlery. As a logistics officer, I commanded a unit in support of Special Forces, Artillery, Armor, and a bunch of non-divisional units (signal, maintenance, engineers, etc.) but almost never any regular infantry (mech, leg, light, or airborne), ADA, etc. I just like to know what the rest of the "Green Machine" used. The Army is so large that one doesn't get to see the whole thing in a career! Let's keep the information flowing, with grace.
Bruce Woodbury
"First, it's sometimes a hard-use application, so what holds up for them, should hold up for a civilian."
I would think that cheap and replaceable if lost or broke would trump sheer toughness. And how much 'hard-use' would really occur with knives in general with the Military?
I would think that cheap and replaceable if lost or broke would trump sheer toughness. And how much 'hard-use' would really occur with knives in general with the Military?
I also support Brownshoes right to start this thread. However, he did not simply "mention Striders". He stated, in this thread, that Striders are "overpriced" and "ugly". And he intended to say that they are "overpriced" and "ugly". I also support his right to say what he feels. But lets not disguise this as "innocent" and going "out of his way to keep it from becoming a Strider bashing thread." Also lets not act surprised if some folks don't like their favorite knives being called "ugly" and "overpriced".
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2001
- Messages
- 292
Navy-17 1/2 yrs., all of it has been active duty.
paygrade: E-6
avionics / electrician tech, plus some general duty thrown in for good measure.
NEC's: 9527 / 8331 / 7136 / 7175 / 8343. Not earned in this order.
Previous homeports: Whidbey Island, Wa. (twice)
Moffett Field, Ca.
Corpus Christi, Tx.
San Diego, Ca.
Oklahoma (present duty).
Normal, everyday carry:
1. SAK Swiss tool, either on belt, or clipped to alice pack.
2. Small CRK Sebbie, right front pocket.
Alternate carry:
1. Strider sng (all black). It is a must when in bdu's on duty, or when I think it'll be cold, wet, or slippery working conditions.
2. Buck / Mayo, Replaces the Sebbie in right front pocket.
Other stuff: always have the surefire e-2, bring along the kl-1 bezel for fun. Watch: Marathon SAR (if it matters).
paygrade: E-6
avionics / electrician tech, plus some general duty thrown in for good measure.
NEC's: 9527 / 8331 / 7136 / 7175 / 8343. Not earned in this order.
Previous homeports: Whidbey Island, Wa. (twice)
Moffett Field, Ca.
Corpus Christi, Tx.
San Diego, Ca.
Oklahoma (present duty).
Normal, everyday carry:
1. SAK Swiss tool, either on belt, or clipped to alice pack.
2. Small CRK Sebbie, right front pocket.
Alternate carry:
1. Strider sng (all black). It is a must when in bdu's on duty, or when I think it'll be cold, wet, or slippery working conditions.
2. Buck / Mayo, Replaces the Sebbie in right front pocket.
Other stuff: always have the surefire e-2, bring along the kl-1 bezel for fun. Watch: Marathon SAR (if it matters).
Since this seems to be the thread for MI wennies to check in, thought I'd join the fray. I'm gonna have to agree with Roadrunner (I know Ft Gordon well, spent 4 years with the 513th), there's not a whole lot of folks in the greater MI community that carry on a daily basis other that a multi-tool of some description. The office I'm in now is kindof an exception to both assumptions tho, there are 4 of us (out of 12) who carry and EDC knife, all of us have been issued Leatherman's (supertools) but I'm the only one who carries it daily (well, my Wave, don't really care for the supertool all that much). One guy always has a CQC7, another usually has a BM9050, the third has a Gerber, I rotate between a couple of BM's; 710HS, 733, and an 806.
I've spent a fair amount of time downrange, have used bargin PX blades as well as my various Benchmades and Spyderco's. I've never had a problem with a knife failing me, even some of the $20-$30 dollar knives. The biggest problem I had with some of the cheaper stuff was the poor quality of the steel; some rusting, lack of edge holding, not taking an edge.
I've spent a fair amount of time downrange, have used bargin PX blades as well as my various Benchmades and Spyderco's. I've never had a problem with a knife failing me, even some of the $20-$30 dollar knives. The biggest problem I had with some of the cheaper stuff was the poor quality of the steel; some rusting, lack of edge holding, not taking an edge.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 15,232
Breaking down our orders to military personnel & units, by far we get more orders for Benchmade 9050SBT's than any other knife. That is followed by the Beckers (mostly 7's), then Kabars. We also sell a distressing number of bayonets to troops (?!?!?) but that's another story.
It's EXTREMELY rare for any soldier to order anything more than $100 unless it's an auto. Soldiers seem much more willing to buy autos than expensive fixed blades in general.
Thats just me.
It's EXTREMELY rare for any soldier to order anything more than $100 unless it's an auto. Soldiers seem much more willing to buy autos than expensive fixed blades in general.
Thats just me.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 15,232
Oh, by the way....
I did some IP tracking, and it turns out that Spartan_Ajax & Gary Swenson have something in common. Matching IP addresses.
Isn't that interesting? I mean, if they are two different people, why would both of them log in using the same IP addresses, especially when one appears to be a college, and one would appear to be home.
Heck, the home address seems to have several user names attached to it, most of which are banned:
* Gary Swenson'
* GS06077
* jb2003
* Leathal Edge
* MercMAN
* spartan_ajax
* specLO
* swenson45
and many many more.
But what I find the most interesting is that in this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=274094
in which he says he got an AR from Matt D.
So, if that's the case, someone covered their tracks poorly.
Nice try at misdirection though. :footinmou
Oh yes, before I forget - OWWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDD
I did some IP tracking, and it turns out that Spartan_Ajax & Gary Swenson have something in common. Matching IP addresses.
Isn't that interesting? I mean, if they are two different people, why would both of them log in using the same IP addresses, especially when one appears to be a college, and one would appear to be home.
Heck, the home address seems to have several user names attached to it, most of which are banned:
* Gary Swenson'
* GS06077
* jb2003
* Leathal Edge
* MercMAN
* spartan_ajax
* specLO
* swenson45
and many many more.
But what I find the most interesting is that in this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=274094
in which he says he got an AR from Matt D.
So, if that's the case, someone covered their tracks poorly.
Nice try at misdirection though. :footinmou
Oh yes, before I forget - OWWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDD
- Joined
- May 31, 2001
- Messages
- 4,379
"I did some IP tracking, and it turns out that Spartan_Ajax & Gary Swenson have something in common. Matching IP addresses. Isn't that interesting? I mean, if they are two different people, why would both of them log in using the same IP addresses, especially when one appears to be a college, and one would appear to be home."ù
Man, that is strange. Can you say "schizophrenia", boys and girls?
Man, that is strange. Can you say "schizophrenia", boys and girls?
jayharley, it appears to me that you are the agressor here. I reread brownshoe's first post, and yours. When a man comes up to me and says "are you picking a fight?", I figure "he" is the one picking the fight. In his first post Brownshoe mentioned Strider, Cold Steel, Benchmade, Emerson, Camillus, Kabar, Gerber, SAK, and Schrade but you only see Strider! Yes, Brownshoe has shown his disdain for Striders in the past but I don't know how he could have phrased his honest question any more innocently. How about giving the guy a break, maybe he'll change? He'll never stop being a strider combatant when there is always someone out there to do combat with.
...but now that you mention it, there are plenty of high quality combat knives available that are more "asthetically pleasing", in fact I've carried a few!
Bruce
...but now that you mention it, there are plenty of high quality combat knives available that are more "asthetically pleasing", in fact I've carried a few!
Bruce
- Joined
- Jun 9, 1999
- Messages
- 4,729
Duck and cover man! 