What knife would you bring into the military?

Of my collection I'd take my swamp rat Howling rat gen 1. Super light and super tough. And my Emerson Cqc-7 or sng for a folder.
 
Medic in the Infantry from '95-'99
My most commonly used knives were a Spyderco Delica then later a Benchmade/Emerson CQC-7. The CQC-7 didn't do anything better than the Delica but it was cooler. I also carried an old SOG Multi-tool that had scissors and a saw that I'd swapped in to replace the blade. Scissors got used to cut medical tape and bandages, saw got used clearing spots to set up my hooch to sleep in. The few times I had to drive the FMLA the multi-tool would get used some on vehicle maintenance.
 
For millions of soldiers in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, the Camillus MIL-K-818D served all the knife needs, as well as screw driver needs, C rats opening needs, and awl needs not to mention popping open a cold one. I carried one with the 39th combat engineers, Vietnam 1967-68. It did fine.

The 818D is out of production, bu the Victorinox soldier or Wenger SI is a better made version. It too has served millions of soldiers in many countries. It's really all you need outside of Rambo fantasies.

 
jackknife said:
For millions of soldiers in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, the Camillus MIL-K-818D served all the knife needs, as well as screw driver needs, C rats opening needs, and awl needs not to mention popping open a cold one. I carried one with the 39th combat engineers, Vietnam 1967-68. It did fine.

The 818D is out of production, bu the Victorinox soldier or Wenger SI is a better made version. It too has served millions of soldiers in many countries. It's really all you need outside of Rambo fantasies.

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You're correct until you have to cut those stupid 5" wide 3/8" thick 30,000 pound ratchet straps after the buckle gets all messed up, and we use those stupid things for everything.
 
I had a thread similar to this for my nephew. He graduates USMC basic training the first week in March. I bunch of people suggested a multi tool to me. I very generous member here gave me a pm2 for my nephew. I got him a leatherman wave so he'll have a nice set upon graduation.That would be a good combo for you to consider.
 
As others have mentioned, if you can't bear to see it broken, stolen or lost, leave it at home.

Definitely get a multi-tool. Most any brand will do. The pliers are very handy. The modern M4-friendly cleaning tools are great inventions.

Add a SAK or another kind of folder that suits your fancy and you are set.

I deployed several times (no combat). I always brought along several knives and a multi-tool, and for perspective's sake, here are the tasks I used them for 98 percent of the time

1. Slicing open MREs
2. Cutting rope
3. Opening boxes
4. Tightening screws
5. Routine stuff that involved pliers
6. Cutting wire

Trivia: my last deployment, I brought along a Case Peanut too. Used that quite a bit.

The great thing is, you don't have to make any decision now. Finish boot camp and head to your local BX/PX/NEX. Plenty of stock to choose from!
 
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PWatkins said:
I had a thread similar to this for my nephew. He graduates USMC basic training the first week in March. I bunch of people suggested a multi tool to me. I very generous member here gave me a pm2 for my nephew. I got him a leatherman wave so he'll have a nice set upon graduation.That would be a good combo for you to consider.
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Definitely bringing some form or flavour of Multitool, people on this thread are adamant about that. And very best of luck and best of wishes to your nephew! Has he passed the crucible yet? Has he gone to Parris Island or San Diego?

Liberando said:
As others have mentioned, if you can't bear to see it broken, stolen or lost, leave it at home.

Definitely get a multi-tool. Most any brand will do. The pliers are very handy. The modern M4-friendly cleaning tools are great inventions.

Add a SAK or another kind of folder that suits your fancy and you are set.

I deployed several times (no combat). I always brought along several knives and a multi-tool, and for perspective's sake, here are the tasks I used them for 98 percent of the time

1. Slicing open MREs
2. Cutting rope
3. Opening boxes
4. Tightening screws
5. Routine stuff that involved pliers
6. Cutting wire

Trivia: my last deployment, I brought along a Case Peanut too. Used that quite a bit.

The great thing is, you don't have to make any decision now. Finish boot camp and head to your local BX/PX/NEX. Plenty of stock to choose from!
Click to expand...


I don't have to make any decisions for quite some time! I to haul my sad and sorry bum across the ocean, turn 17, get fitter, and apply.
 
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A god damn recon1. Ur fixed blade might as well be a screwdriver.
 
DracoKrys said:
Not having yet joined I honestly don't know, but I know knives are useful tools. If I knew I was going to be in administration I'd get a penknife, for opening letters and stuff, but I hear that at least in the Marines Intelligence Specialists/MOS 02XX are sometimes deployed with infantry so I would probably some time in the field. I am thinking of getting a really good durable folder like a Benchmade of some sort, which are expensive but they are really nice knives to have especially when you don't have a lot of other knives or don't want to buy a lot of cheap ones. I am perhaps a bit naive. However I wouldn't buy anything until I see what goodies I could find at PX/BX or what I'd be issued.
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Well that is good to hear. I'm glad you don't have some "nonstop knife fights with terrorists and sentries" fantasy.

While I have never served in the military, I have seen this very thread done countless times, and the upshot is invariably that the answers to the question "What knife would you bring to the military?" are no different from "What knife would you bring when you are driving your car?" or "What knife would you bring to work?" or "What knife would you bring to Target?"

A nice Leatherman is going to cover all of anybody's bases, and if you are not looking for a multitool, a Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Griptilian are great knives for the military, just like they are for anybody else.
 
A MIL-K-818D (or variant). The currently made Marbles rendition is identical, except for one minor difference, which keeps the Marbles from being Mil Spec:
The can opener blade is not stamped
"CAN OPENER".

GermanyChris GermanyChris , I agree. Those straps can be a Regal Royal P.I.A. when the ratchet gets messed up.
When I was a truck driver, I never had any problem cutting the strap with my Marbles "Demo" knife. Fortunately, I did not have to cut them often. Them straps are daRned expensive.

GermanyChris said:
You're correct until you have to cut those stupid 5" wide 3/8" thick 30,000 pound ratchet straps after the buckle gets all messed up.
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Either a fallkniven s-1 or Ontario Cerberus for edc. An Ontario Ranger rd9 and a leatherman for work. A spyderco military, for close counter if all else fails.
 
Surge, but not light weight.

LeathermanSurgeCamoLimitedEdition1.jpg
 
DracoKrys said:
Definitely bringing some form or flavour of Multitool, people on this thread are adamant about that. And very best of luck and best of wishes to your nephew! Has he passed the crucible yet? Has he gone to Parris Island or San Diego?




I don't have to make any decisions for quite some time! I to haul my sad and sorry bum across the ocean, turn 17, get fitter, and apply.
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Idk about the crucible but he's at Paris island. We're from S.C.
 
My wife (Army Reserve) was issued a Gerber MP-series multi-tool, or whatever the equivalent was at the time, when assigned to her unit after AIT. When she deployed, I gave her a Kershaw folder. As I recall, there was some restriction or other on fixed blade handle/sheath colors. When she got back, I gave her a Gerber Prodigy with "approved" green handle and digicam nylon sheath. Naturally, they then switched to multicam pattern uniforms . . .
 
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