What fixed blade for Marine Infantryman heading to Afghanistan under $200

A fixed blade, flat ground....honestly the ranger brand of knives from Justin gingrich threw Ontario knife company. There is a4,5,9 inch blade. There .250 thick, they are super sharp, I have used mine as a foot peddle to boost me up, and it held 340 pounds. I'm 6'4 also it didn't bend it didn't break and it hasn't Quit on me......
Here's a link for for the rangerknives...

Instead of a knife, what about a T-hawk? Lot of great hawks out there.... Spike hawk

Doesn't the military still issue bayonets?
 
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I have an ESEE 4 and I love it, great blade, tough coating, tough construction, comes with a kydex sheath that will be MOLLE compatible for him. The 3 is probably a good way to go for him because with all of the stuff he'll be carrying cutting down on size weight just a bit could make a big difference. Another suggestion would be the Becker BK-17; nice clip point, tough coating, good sheath, will within budget with extra left over for goodies to send with him.

Once again, thank him for his service for us. It is truly appreciated.
 
Thanks for all of the great replies. I think I am narrowing it down to the esee 3 mil or 4 mil. I like the sheath options so he can choose how he wants to carry. So, now the question is which one? The 3 or 4?
 
Based on experience, I would only get him something that he will not mind getting lost/broken/stolen/abused... Also, in Afghanistan, if he is going to be doing lots of patrols or on foot in the mountains, weight is at a premium and almost all fixed blades get left back at base after a couple of missions. In truth, the only thing people consistently carry is a decent multi-tool but not one that is so expensive that you don't mind if it becomes lost/stolen/broken/abused... notice a trend?

There is a reason almost everyone just carries a Gerber multi-tool. Its cheap, strong, readily available, and easy to carry.
 
My son tells me and my wife that as a mortarman he will spend his time in Afghanistan sitting around the base. I think he is only saying that to try to make us feel better.
 
I was a mortarman as well. In Iraq, we never used our tubes. Did lots of foot patrols. This was in a major city though so his experience will be different.
 
retzius said:
There is a reason almost everyone just carries a Gerber multi-tool. Its cheap, strong, readily available, and easy to carry.
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It's also issued as part of the RFI (Rapid Fielding Initiative) for all deploying Army Soldiers....uncertain what the Marines program is called (or if they have one?)
 
tobii3 said:
It's also issued as part of the RFI (Rapid Fielding Initiative) for all deploying Army Soldiers....uncertain what the Marines program is called (or if they have one?)
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I will also add we never carried fix blade because they get dangle around and tend to get hung up on everything; doors, vehicles, helos, branches, you name it they tend to be a pain in the ass unless they are secured down tight at which point they become a slow draw and tend to be pointless for self defense anyway. Some smaller light fixed blades that can be tucked behind mag pouches did get carried but thats about it.
 
My assumption was he could carry a small fixed blade knife upside down on his vest. I'm sure I saw that in a movie somewhere. Not real life?
 
I would take the ESEE 3 over the 4 no matter what I had planned on doing with either knife. The 3 is just as tough and over 2 ozs lighter plus comes with a ton of ways to carry it if you get the mil version.
 
I was an 0331 in the corps and also spent time in afghanistan. IMHO I would say not to worry about getting him a fixed blade knife. They issue bayonets that will take care of his needs from a fixed blade. All another fixed blade would do is add weight to his gear that he does not need. If you got him a good folder your good, he will get alot more use out of that than any fixed blade.
Semper FI
 
rob_engineer said:
My assumption was he could carry a small fixed blade knife upside down on his vest. I'm sure I saw that in a movie somewhere. Not real life?
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Sure. If he wants to lose it.

Right side up on non-shooting side so it doesn't get hung up on your rifle. Quite often, the multi-tool attached horizontally below it with zipties.
 
Topcat- even mortarman gets issued a bayonet? In any event, I also want my gift to hopefully be something he treasures forever, such as the Glock 40 cal I got for his Parris Island graduation. So I figure $100-$150 on a knife is a cool gift. If he can use it, fine. If not, he can keep it forever. Based on all inputs I am thinking about the esee 3-mil plus a decent multi-tool. I carry the spyderco paramilitary in CPM d2 as well as a leathermen every day. I agree the multi tool should find multi uses on deployment for him. Your advice is appreciated. First impression is to get a big Rambo size knife, but its great to hear from actual people who have had to carry in real world patrol conditions.
 
RogueBowie said:
(...)Another suggestion would be the Becker BK-17; nice clip point, tough coating, good sheath, will within budget with extra left over for goodies to send with him.
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+1 :thumbup:

bk1701.jpg


Size comparison pic:

patina01.jpg

Emerson Horseman, BK-17, Spyderco Para-Military 2
 
It depends if he is issued a m16 or a pistol. M16 gets bayonette and pistol got a kabar so unless its changed yes.I would ask him. Because they really do carry alot of weight unless he is in a weapons company and they have humvees. They look walking rummage sales. A mulitool is definitley useful too.
 
The BK-17 really does look like a nice knife, but I just prefer the flat grind. I think it is a more efficient use of geometry. That's why my every day carry knife in the mean cubicles of my office is the paramilitary. My son will be with a weapons company and my understanding is that no Marines get side arms unless they are officers, so he will have an M16.
 
I like the esee 4 idea...could go even smaller if you want with the izula II- cool little blade and the handle is comfortable.
 
Marines do get sidearms I was a machinegun team leader the actual gunner that had the 240G got to carry a pistol but the rest of the team had 16s. So either way he will have a fixed blade. But if you insist on getting him a fixed blade get him something smaller like the esee 3 or fallkniven f1. But I was happy to just carry a quality folder and a gerber mulitool. And the bayonette you get is armory issue so you have to keep it on you or near you for accountabilty. But at the end of the day if your son likes knives he will still appreciate the knife anyway.
 
After talking to my buddy today! His advise is the same as the few vets who posted.....a good quality folder is what's needed.. He carried a gerber multi-tool and a crk&t m16-04g. He used it more than his rifle.. Opening crates, cuttin open his mre's mail and 1 occasion used it to kill those HUGE!! Spiders they have over there. Took a picture of it....there bigger than my head.... I have the m16-04z and it has been with me for 5 years.with the lawks saftey you really do have a fixed blade.... An there only like$40. So really u can send him 2 for when he breaks it, and I know if he uses it like a pry bar like me than he'll really appreciate a back up..... Plus all the theft and crimes within the base it's nice to no he'll have a second one. I love mine...... Thre is actually a "cheap" knife I bought only to find out its a friggin tank... It's 9oz has a huge flipper,for help with gloves..... It's called the fire spitter. This a tank. Don't let the price fool ya either...
Or if you were lookin to spend $100+ what about the ZT 0350?

Here's the crk&t m16
there's plenty to choose from.. Thank your son for his service and thank you for raising a honorable son..
 
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