What makes a custom tactical BAD!? Sending battle knife to Brother in AF

W

William12

Joined
May 30, 2005
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Taking a blade into a war zone is just like any other tool. A custom can give a soldier the options that a troop wants.

Bro in Air Force - sent him a note for his buddy's to resond to and send back. Will pass it on in a week or so, when the details come back.

Alright Pro's - I'm learning. Tell me what you would want provide for them. Nice to include details: materials, design, etc.

Reason: Bother is headed "over there" and I am wanting to give him what he needs. When I asked him about his wants, he said he was not sure. Asked me to ask around, learn, take his guys thoughts and then make a knife based on good information and input from the boots on the ground. Randy told me some of the guys were eager to share. Will pass their statements on, and any other information (pics, current knives used, etc) they send.

What cha think?

William
 
I know times change as well as the geographical location.When in RVN 1962 I carried a Randall #1, Old Timer large folder,and a case stockman.
In retrospect I could have used a multitool of some kind.
In todays world a stout folder a good fixed blade and a multitool would be in order.
 
It depends. There are so many choices, even in higher end production knives that it may not be necessary to get a custom, but if there's nothing that fits your needs exactly, then by all means get a custom. Also, make sure that they will be permitted to carry such a knife, after all, it will be useless sitting in a locker. ALSO ******* Make sure you let them know that there's a great chance it will be stolen if they don't keep a good eye on it. AND be sure that you don't get a knife with bright colors, as their unit might demand that only non-reflective blades be allowed (but then again, they can always do a quick homemade coating job as a last resort) That having said, I really like the Chris Reeve Green Beret model as a fighting knife. I also highly recommend taking a look at TOPS knives (a bit cheaper), and Busse knives, and choose wisely. If you need any specific suggestions, just ask, we'll help you out. Let us know what size, what material (stainless, although most of us will suggest high carbon, since it's tougher)
 
Got message today from friend of my brother's in AF. Will post when I get his permission. Told me he wanted a stout blade that could really cut - if needed - into a large, hard surface, but also could not be 5 pounds of solid steel still hanging from his hip or shoulder.

Also mentioned cost. These guys are common folk. Want and need the best tools available to them, but have limited resources. Mentioned he wanted a large solid steel butt for hammering, and the upper part of knives with guards was needed, but reshaped to a foreward bend to accomodate their thumb.

Have not seen the butts on too many knives. Understand about the upper guard. took mine off my kabar.

Handle had to be comfortable. Hated the string wrapped handles, but stuck with one. Wanted something solid.

keep on, I need the input.

William
 
I'll give you the straight scoop from a guy who sweated out his Army Ranger Captain recon platoon leader son's experiences during a year-and-a-half in beautiful Baghdad. His experiences will probably be much different that someone confined just to an airforce base.

1. You don't travel around much and when you do it is very carefully.

2. The M9 bayonet/knife combo that is army (all military services?) issue is the primary fixed-blade that his guys used as a knife. I don't think they ever attached it to their M-16's or M-4's. Some carried the Navy Seal version which was not magnetic. They used this for mines or anything that might go boom when exposed to regular steel. He won't talk much about this part.

Checkout:

www.m9bayonet.com


3. He carried a little folder that I sent him. It was a Microtech MSE-SC auto. It is a Black blade with seat-belt cutter and glass breaking button.

4. He didn't want to lug around much more than ammo so great big bowie knives were not popular with the troops.

The best thing to send relatives over there are goodies like powdered gator-aid, lemonaid, beer (just kidding) and snacks like trailmix, Pringle potatoe chips in the can, beef jerky, Playboy magazines, etc.

I would also suggest for a folder a Protech TR-3 or a Spyderco Pacific Salt.

www.protechknives.com
 
This guy was telling me he had a Busse, a Strider and a custom (did not name maker). Said he wanted a "hammer," and the full tang was not doing the job for him apparently. Needed extra "bang" regarding the butt of the knife. Actually, that was one of the main "issues" he had with his current knives. Also, the upper section of the forward guard was not very helpful in a 90% angle to the blade and handle.

William
 
Yeah, the seat belt cutter is a cool idea in a folder. So simple and so easy. These guys that are talking about fixed blades need them for heavy usage, but an accompanying folder is an excellent idea.

Saw some one come up with the idea of having a tactical folder with two blades: one - small - to use as a utility knife, and a large blade to get up close and personal if need be there to do so.

Trying to keep what I send him simple yet comprehensive.

Thanks for the input.

William
 
William

Here is another link. I'm not promoting the shop just found a good listing.

www.1sks.com/store/product76.html

Heck check some of the supporters of BF and see if they carry anything you like.

The guy with the Busse and Stryder has a nice couple of extremely nice knives. Perhaps he never had to travel much which is why he could use them.

Some outfits will not allow you to carry various things because they want everyone to know how to use a certain type of tool.

Have you seen a Colt Trailblazer Axe? It is a camping axe with a companion fixed blade hunting knife that is held inside the handle of the axe by a built-in spring mechanism. It is rather clever and a nice package.

I wish you and him the best of luck and our prayers are with him and all the folks over there. Does he know it gets to be 140 degrees in the summer? OUCH!

I can't imagine why they need to do some serious pounding/chopping but those little collapsible shovels the guys have are strong enough to bang things with. Sounds like they might need a camp axe/hatchet or a machete??
 
Thought about the smachette design, but is too forward heavy and bulky - over all. You are right, they may need a machete, but small for a machete.

I thing the need to not haul around a bunch o different stuff or deploy tools that can stay packed is of importance to them. Maybe a combo of combat ax and large heavy folder would be an idea. The reason for the solid butt is "pounding." Not sure what they are beating on, but it sure seems to be improtant that the butt is "excessive" in its construction. They also want a guard that does not get in the way, but still has an upper slanted guard for thumb support. Reversable grip came up as well.

William
 
Seen it, and I like it. Would like to make one for him out of differnt materials and add a few features. Easier said than done, as well.

They have the run of the mill, so to speak, when it comes to personal knives. Think they all have to carry a specific fixed blade, but he said the Camillus (sp?) they are given just is not enough.

The M9 is solid, and I like the overall simplicity of the blade. Hollow handle can be a benefit - more for batteries now days - but they still do not want to carry the issue equipment. Someitmes the military does not listen to the soldiers and their needs - probably can't sometims. But in a tool like a knife, seens they should do a lot of asking.

Have a good one!

William
 
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