What would you take to Iraq.

I think I would carry a 6.5" fixed blade. The stock would be 5/32 or 3/16 stock. Carbon Steel. Somethink like the smaller 3 in the pic. I would have a sheath made from nylon for combat and leather for back home.

I would also carry a multi tool plus a custom folder with a nice size blade.
 
F,

Check with your NCOs, to find out what are the limitations/regulations regarding knives and other equipment. That will save you time and money.
Good luck.
 
...high speed pen...laser pointer...AND a data stick!

don't forget the data stick.

very important.

Kasik sends -
 
Oops, thanks for reminding me Kasik...almost forgot my USB thumb-drive :D

ROCK6
 
Just curious, but would they let a soldier carry a katana if he wanted to?

I'll head off at the pass all the, "why would someone carry such a cumbersome blade? etc etc etc." :)

I'm just curious if he would be allowed to if he wanted to carry one.
 
Damn, Rock, even I forgot THAT!!!

And the laser mouse...don't forget the laser mouse!!!

All this knife nonsense - soft and hardware, baby, soft and hardware. That's where it's at -

Katana? Some folks could if they wanted - but it's about the most impractical thing one could think of and sure to draw way too much unwanted attention - heck, a bowie knife although far more practical would draw way too much attention. Better an ATC 'hawk which you can carry fairly low profile and will do lots more both practical and tactical than a sword -

But ya gotta love them darned data sticks! They are the BOMB.

Kasik sends =
 
Not for nuthin Kasik, you're finding a lot of internet time for someone who's dodging incoming shells...
 
My best friend has already done 9 months in Iraq and just left Friday to go back for at least a year. Here are his knives and he has said they totally covered any need he had while in the field.


1. Gerber Applegate Combat folder.
2. Victorinox Tinker (deployment gift from me)
3. Small "camp" axe (added for this tour for busting through doors with, because he repeatedly needed something like it on his first tour while raiding houses and could not get his team issued entry tomahawks)

He said that any good strong 4-5 inch bladed folder and some form of multi-tool was the most common knives seen in frequent use. All the 6-8 inch fixed blades do is ride around on belts looking tough but being extra weight for no reason.

My recommendations:

Buck 110 (29.99 at Wal-Mart)
Vic' Swiss Champ or most any Gerger/Leatherman/SOG multi-tool.
Maybe an axe/hatchet if you think you might need it.

He also stressed that weight is a HUGE factor in that heat.
 
When I served, I was a helicopter crew chief, so I wouldn't have had to worry about knife weight. So, if I were doing that job now, I'd have a Strider fixed blade in my SV-2 survival vest next to my pistol, a Strider GB or AR in my flightsuit zip pocket, and a Multi tool stashed in my gear somewhere.

Most importantly, I'd bring a few extra bottles of water and extra belts of ammo for the .50 ;)

John...
 
I a very good Boy Scout so you can take my rec. with a grain of salt! ;) But after I made it through boot camp and was bound for Iraq, I'd buy:

* KA1271 KaBar Combat knife*
* Spyderco Military plain edge (if money's tight, get an frn Endura)
* Victorinox Swiss Tool
* SAK Classic (good for personal hygiene ... think about it, who needs an ingrown toe nail when people are trying to kill you)

* Add to this list a QUALITY personal size flashlight.
 
* Add to this list a QUALITY personal size flashlight.
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This jogged my memory to something else my buddy said. All of his military electronics used AA and they were given lots of rechargable alkalines and their hummvees had solar chargers mounted on them, so I would take a small flashlight that used AA's.

Also, you might want to consider some form a totally enclosed pouch for you knives, as the sand gets EVERYWHERE, and it's not the sand we see in the states, this stuff is fine like talcom powder and it goes right through clothing.
 
Mutt, old friend - (a) I'm doing second tour as security contractor in the IZ / and second tour running a PSD team / and all companies operating here have Internet - and mine in particular has wireless and I have own laptop. So when I'm not on the streets, or up in the north, I generally spend a few quiet hours in the evenings drinking a cold German or Dutch beer - and surfin' the net to include BladeForums.

Now those who know - know that even the folks at the embassy (formally CPA) - have Internet rooms where 24/7 they can log on and do mail or surf the net -

And the troops, Lord love 'em, likewise have Internet cafes at the bases and forward deployed areas -

And if you are really into it - if you are a contractor, for example, you can surf the net while on the roads from Basura to Baghdad, from Balad to Arbil, from Mosul to al Kasik (oh, did I say "Kasik"?), at any of the now hundreds of internet cafes and hotels with internet access.

So, Mutt, although it's nasty it ain't prehistoric // and I really trust you don't begrudge a guy enjoying one of the few pleasures we all have over here given the rest of the gig is indeed dodgin' mortars; rockets; suicide bombers; car jackers; militia dudes; landmines; IEDs, VIEDs, VBIEDs, the heat, the dust, the angry drivers, the boredom (at times), the lack of creature comforts; and so on.

Heck, Mutt, I even checked in on the Forum from Amsterdam at the airport from the business center (2nd Floor) -

It's the 21st Century dude -

We even watch DVDs over here - the latest ones - hot off the PX shelves //

Go figure -

Kasik sends -
 
Oh, forgot...

I've been over "here" on regular basis - both with Special Forces as as contractor - since September of 02 -

With a brief interlude in Malaysia last April -

So, take knee - Mutt - have some water, - and chill out.

Kasik sends -
 
This could be its own thread!

A good flashlight is as essential as a good blade. I actually prefer LEDs...my typical loadout is:

-Surefire or Streamlight Scorpion for a "tactical light"...not used too often
-Inova X5 LED...great light (red or green LEDs if that's your SOP)
-Photon or Microlight LEDs...excellent all-purpose tactical lights...small, light, handy...can't ask for much more!
-last, is my Phantomlight...LED with adjustable brightness...good tactical "white" light.

AA, AAA and the 3Volt lithiums are standard batteries in a lot of mil-type equipment. Our primary comsec device use the 3V lithiums, so you can pretty much find them anywhere a commo guy is...the Inova X5 is a great LED and lasts a long time on the 2 lithium batteries. It's also my EDC for normal duty.

I would steer away from the old "angle head" flashlights. D-cell batteries are no longer as popular and not as common as AAA, AA and the 3V lithiums, plus they're larger and heavier.

ROCK6
 
Alvin Hom said:
Just curious, but would they let a soldier carry a katana if he wanted to?

I'll head off at the pass all the, "why would someone carry such a cumbersome blade? etc etc etc." :)

I'm just curious if he would be allowed to if he wanted to carry one.
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No while some restrictions are official on knives and some are up to your C.O. I doubt any C.O. wold allow it.
 
Agreed / SureFires are a favorite / have two here / one single cell and one double.

Always bring extra batteries / or a charger / and one spare lamp (minimum).

Kasik sends - :D
 
Well, when I was in command, I allowed anything the same size as the M9 bayonet. I did have some guys use machetes and a CS Khukurie when I was in Ecuador. Most will be mission dependent and how it's carried. I'd knock somebody upside the head if they came walking along with a katana strapped to their ruck. I could accept a decent combat knife up to 7.5-8" as long as it wasn't a rambo or Gil Hibbon fantasy blade :D When I was a PL in a mech scout platoon, I had a scout with a "cool" boot knife strapped to his boot...looked cool until it caught on the track when he went to jump off, ended up on his back :D Needless to say, I had to call that one a safety issue thanks to the dumbass.

It really depends on your MOS, if you're a cook, REMF, admin clerk, rear echelon supply or logistical guy...you'll get a lot more flak for a large blade. Most places will be pretty flexible once you're deployed and in an operational environment...that's one reason I like quick-diconnects for my main blades. Some people who outrank me, just can't swallow a large knife or a chambered M9/M4 :confused: Hell, the only thing I need in a rear echelon is that USB thumb-drive, laser pointer and that body armor for the Command and Staff meetings :D

ROCK6
 
Kasik said:
So, take knee - Mutt - have some water, - and chill out.
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You know I got respect for you... I was just thinking that you should be watching your six more than watching porn on the screen!
 
My pal JM is a Marine reservist and I bought him a Leatherman ST-200 when he came home. Now he may be deploying, so I purchased him a Camo Combat Special by Greg Covington. Currently hiding it behind the couch until he deploys. :)
 
When I was deployed in Desert Shield/Storm I took my issue 4 blade utitlity, my SAK (a must!), my leatherman (before they were issued) and a F/U.
 
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