What's a good knife for military?

FixedBladeFan, I honestly wouldn't know, but could you do me a favor and tell your buddy I said thanks for his service? I'd appreciate it. :thumbup:
 
he definitively need a "dark ops" knife, in case he get attacked by spider aliens... :D
otherwise, a light sharpy sheapy (like CRKT M16 or doukdouk) + a multitool would cover almost every uses...
 
My son was in Sadr City and elsewhere for 18 months and he said his army issued knife-bayonet was the best thing to carry. He is an army Ranger captain who led a recon platoon for 1AD. All his guys carried the same weapons for the most part so everyone was familiar with everything. He said his M9 opened doors (car and house) very effectively.

http://www.m9bayonet.com/

I sent him a Microtech MSE-SC folder that he used sometimes. It has a belt cutter and window breaking button. Not too big but built tough.

http://www.1sks.com/store/microtech-mini-socom-elite-automatic-seatbelt-cutter.html

Best of luck to him. I hope he keeps a sharp eye out for any trouble and a loaded magazine in his M-16!
 
RickJ said:
......but soon took them off because of the weight....

.... and a Leatherman Core or Surge.
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Aren´t they heavy?

I am really surprised, that sand is not that problem as ppl. have thought one year ago.

Are there any more reports about how folders work there, in sand?
 
RickJ said:
I did a year over there and I got by with a good tactical folder and Multi tool. alot of my friends had fixed blades but soon took them off because of the weight and they never used them.

A good combo would be a Spyderco Military and a Leatherman Charge or Core or Surge.


If you just have to get him a fixed Blade, go with short, strong, and cheap. The Becker Crewman would fit the bill but don't forget the multi tool. Ask your friend if he has one and if he says yes I have my issued Gerber, tell him to give it to a Private and buy him one of the leatherman's I suggested.
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Yeah, he doesn't need a machete. I still maintain that an FB would be better, but keep it light and not of a ridiculous size. Becker Crewman works fine.
 
When I was an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne, I carried a Busse Mean Street and some kind of multi-tool. I realize the Busse is a little pricey for a gift for a friend, but something in that size range is just about perfect. It's not to big that it won't get carried, yet is still large and tough enough to handle most any chore.
 
I too was a grunt in the 82nd. The bayonet works fine and any folder you give him I'm sure will be appreciated. We usually went cheap as not to lose or damage our high end blades. Tell him thanks for his service! :)
 
FixedBladeFan said:
I have a friend in the infantry shipping out to Iraq next October for 18 months. For a going away gift I thought I'd get him a nice, quality knife. He's been eyeing my SOG SEAL 2000 knife, but I don't know how that would handle in desert conditions. Any suggestions out there for a fixed blade knife that would work well for an infantry man in the desert? My price range peaks around $150. Thanks for any help.
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Why are you thinking about gifting a fix blade? Isn't the Kabar a standard isssue?
 
Leatherman and a small ~5" fixed blade. If he thinks he is going to be prying open doors etc, get him a Ti Pry bar.
 
How could you recommend those cheap knives as best for the job, when there are hardcore knives for hardcore individuals, specially made for the military, on the market. :D
 
Free Citizen said:
Why are you thinking about gifting a fix blade? Isn't the Kabar a standard isssue?
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I don't think Kabar is standard issue. They replaced it (and combined it with a sort of a cheesy bayonet design, IMHO) with the M9 (see link above).

This knife (I really can't call it a bayonet) is very similar to one used by the Russians, Isralis, etc. It has a hard case, built in wire cutters, and decent steel.

http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/bayo1.html

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg17-e.htm
 
Well, I am here in Baghdad now, and I brought my Leatherman Wave with me and a Ka-Bar folder. The folder busted, and I picked up a CS SRK at the PX here for $50 (not a second either). They sell the SRK, The Ka-Bar fixed blade, and occasionally a CRKT or other such folder, in addition to Gerber and Leatherman multi tools. Of the fixed blades, the GIs and others buy up the SRKS over all other about 3 to 1 here. I have two now, and they are a very good utility service knife that I don't pack with me all the time, but on occasion. I use the heck out of my Wave tool, so far it has not let me down. I have seen soldiers carrying everything from service bayonets to AK-47 bayonets, RTAKS, all kinds of crap knives, and the SRKs. I wouldn't want a very expensive anything here, but something basic and dependable would do.

Don't send your bud here with a fixed blade. Let him pick one out here at the PX if he decides he really wants one. Get him a high quality multi tool, a case of Immodium AD, and a case of Pepto Bismol tablets, and he will be a lot happier. :barf:

Things are getting nastier over here now. Ramadan starts soon, and the constitution vote is mid month, along with the start of Sadaam's trial. I suspect we are going to get hammered. Aceing the number two Al-Qaeada guy yesterday put a kink in their immediate plans, but they will be over it in a few days and looking to retaliate on us. Good thing I have lots of rocks to crawl under when the sky starts falling.:eek:
 
Ben,

Our prayers are with all you guys.

Keep a very sharp eye out and a fully loaded magazine (with plenty of backup magazines). Don't let anyone get too close. Don't be routine. Watch for anything on the roadside or in cars. Work as a team.

All the best and let us know if you find any camel spiders!!!

http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/camelspider.asp

How'd you break your Kabar folder?
 
Hey, thanks for the kind thoughts.

I broke it trying to open a filing cabinet, the SRK would've been no problemo.

I am not on the front line, and no longer active duty. Over here, there is no front line, only guys who have to go out on Rat Patrol. The BGs seldom engage, unless it's an ambush after an IED or some such. It is a frustrating experience, and getting stuck in rush hour traffic in a heavy is a sure way to attract unwanted attention.
No camel spiders here in Baghdad, but some damned deadly scorpions (already encountered two, fortunately from a safe distance). Androctonus Coussicada (sp) is the name. Bad mojo.

Of course, the biggest concern is the chow at the DFAC. Man, I am getting tired of all my food tasting like curry, especially my waffles in the morning.:barf:

I've been here 7 months, and I am surely missing my girls (wife and two daughters). Kudos to your buddy for coming to do his tour. Tell him to stay frosty if he goes out on patrol. I've seen some $H1^ here that I will regret the rest of my days.
 
Ben,

My "buddy" was my "son" who finished up an 18 month tour with 1AD. in 2004 He is an army Ranger Captain and he led a recon platoon there in Baghdad and in other locations around the country.

He had way too many adventures for mom and dad and rest of the family waiting back in the states and watching the news, I can tell you. He would call us at 4am in the morning to let us know everyone was okay. We were always glad to get his calls.

He was stationed in Sadr City (N. Baghdad) almost from the time the US first went in. Initially there was no water, electricity, good chow, A/C, etc. etc. Fortunately he and all his troops came back okay and in one piece.

It's funny you speak of curry. We sent him those little bottles of Louisiana hot sauce (I wonder if the Hurricane Katrina affected production?) that he dumps on everything.
 
I second the suggestion for a Spyderco Military. Not a fixed blade, it's true, but it's a big, reliable, lightweight (very important IMHO) folder. It has an open construction so it can be easily cleaned. It uses top notch materials (S30V and G-10) and it's backed up by the notorious Spyderco ergonomics and functionality.
 
i just received my SAK trailmaster, i think it could be of perfect use as a military knife...
I was surprised how lightweight it is.
Vic SAK have proved to be robust, and with the one handed locking semi-serrated blade, you could go through plenty tasks....plus you got can/bottle opener, screwdriver, wood-saw etc...
From all my knives, if i have to choose a versatile multi-purpose AND light one, i think i'll go with this one.
 
Thank you to everyone that suggested knives for my friend. Now I'm going to begin the really long process of getting specs/prices/reviews for each one and choosing what to get him. Perhaps if I finish in time I'll get it to him by Christmas and he'll have some time to get used to them before shipping out. Again, thank you very much for your help.
 
First, I'd like to start off saying that my friend has already served for 5 months in the Sinai Peninsula and he is no stranger to camel spiders or cobras. Second, I think I've narrowed my choices. He loves his standard issue Gerber multi-tool so I don't need to get one of those.
For a folder I'm debating between a Gerber Evolution and the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert. I think he'd prefer a CQC folder to a chore folder. Any opinions on these choices about which is better?
With the smidgen of cash left over, I think I'll get him a Ka-Bar. He has an old Camillus that is Ka-Bar styled and loves it, but the knife is pretty old. Does Ka-Bar live up to its old reputation of quality, or is there a better knife on the market with the same knife style?
Thanks again for any information you all can provide.
 
I spent all of 2003 over there. My fixed blade was useless for what I needed. I carried a Strider fixed blade with intentions on getting lots of use out of it, but soon had to order a folder, because the Strider was cumbersome. Especially in a vehicle. I would get him a Swamp Rat folder, or a Spyderco Manix. I am also a fan of the BM 551 with sand colored handles and the BK-1 blade. That is what I carry now. If you still want to get him a fixed blade I would go with the Ontario RAT-3 or a Swamp Rat.
 
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