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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Which knife for SF selection?
- Thread starter mmckinley
- Start date
Here's how I see the situation:
It must have a sub 3" blade.
That means that you most likely will not be chopping or prying with the knife.
And that means you will probably not need a very thick blade--thinner blades slice better anyway.
You will not have a real sharpener for a month.
That means either you will need a knife that can be sharpened with just a rock, or you will need one that can cut even if it's fairly dull (that usually means a serrated blade).
Being in the field means there's always a chance to lose your gear.
That means you probably don't want to bring a very expensive knife with you.
You will be carrying everything on your back and traveling long distances.
That means you will want something very light-weight.
I know from first-hand experience that the onces really add up.
My advice:
A fully serrated VG-10 Spyderco Delica.
Good luck Soldier,
Allen.
It must have a sub 3" blade.
That means that you most likely will not be chopping or prying with the knife.
And that means you will probably not need a very thick blade--thinner blades slice better anyway.
You will not have a real sharpener for a month.
That means either you will need a knife that can be sharpened with just a rock, or you will need one that can cut even if it's fairly dull (that usually means a serrated blade).
Being in the field means there's always a chance to lose your gear.
That means you probably don't want to bring a very expensive knife with you.
You will be carrying everything on your back and traveling long distances.
That means you will want something very light-weight.
I know from first-hand experience that the onces really add up.
My advice:
A fully serrated VG-10 Spyderco Delica.
Good luck Soldier,
Allen.
For crying out loud, the guy comes herw with a legit question and a budget and we get Strider as first out of the gate.
He has $150.
Yes, the Paramilitary is a great choice considering your criteria. It has a relatively thin blade of a good steel, a large opening hole that will be easy to use with gloves or in the cold and a quality, non slip handle material. The only thing I would add is a small folding diamond stone from DMT, which weigh about 1 oz.
He has $150.
Yes, the Paramilitary is a great choice considering your criteria. It has a relatively thin blade of a good steel, a large opening hole that will be easy to use with gloves or in the cold and a quality, non slip handle material. The only thing I would add is a small folding diamond stone from DMT, which weigh about 1 oz.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
Mark, welcome to Bladeforums! 
Yes, a Spyderco Parmilitary sounds reasonable. Just about anything by Spyderco sounds reasonable ... but I would suggest the Spydie Native, specifically the Native III.
It's smaller, lighter, cheaper, and pretty much as sturdy as can be. The blade is 3 + 1/8". Get the plain edge. VG-10 steel will hold a great edge a long time.
Yes, a Spyderco Parmilitary sounds reasonable. Just about anything by Spyderco sounds reasonable ... but I would suggest the Spydie Native, specifically the Native III.
It's smaller, lighter, cheaper, and pretty much as sturdy as can be. The blade is 3 + 1/8". Get the plain edge. VG-10 steel will hold a great edge a long time.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2001
- Messages
- 376
mmckinley,
If you don't have one already...go to your Clothing and Sales and ask if they have a packing list for SFAS, ask a SF recruiter also if they have one. Everything you will need and won't need is in there. I can't remember but I believe you have the option to take a leatherman type tool in addition to a folding knife. You may be allowed to take a sharpener as well. Let me check and see what I can dig up.
I would take a Spyderco Delica. Good enough to get the job done. Just remember as with any knife in the military you should be prepared to break it, lose it, or have it stolen.
If you don't have one already...go to your Clothing and Sales and ask if they have a packing list for SFAS, ask a SF recruiter also if they have one. Everything you will need and won't need is in there. I can't remember but I believe you have the option to take a leatherman type tool in addition to a folding knife. You may be allowed to take a sharpener as well. Let me check and see what I can dig up.
I would take a Spyderco Delica. Good enough to get the job done. Just remember as with any knife in the military you should be prepared to break it, lose it, or have it stolen.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2002
- Messages
- 2,177
In the Aussie SAS combat survival course you aren't allowed any knives, compasses, firestarters etc. One of my mates tried to hide a small knife in an orifice in his body where nobody should really look.............they found it.
Doug Ritter Grip or Spydie Native get my vote. Don't let the plastic handles fool ya.
From what I have heard of SF training and survival work, there is a lot of foot care, firs aid and gear maintenance required - a small multi-tool or SAK would be the go there.
Doug Ritter Grip or Spydie Native get my vote. Don't let the plastic handles fool ya.
From what I have heard of SF training and survival work, there is a lot of foot care, firs aid and gear maintenance required - a small multi-tool or SAK would be the go there.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2001
- Messages
- 376
I did some checking and yep, your only allowed 1 knife/tool and only one. No sharpener either. I think I may opt for a multi-tool instead. You won't be building shelters or taking out sentrys or chopping wood with it. You'll more than likely be doin nothing more than cutting 550 cord, pieces of tape and opening MREs with it.
Keep in mind they will inspect all your equipment and they will confiscate what your not allowed.
Keep in mind they will inspect all your equipment and they will confiscate what your not allowed.
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 1,526
If it is indeed true that you can have only 1 cutting tool, then I'd opt for a Leatherman Charge Titanium, a Leatherman New Wave, or a Leatherman Supertool 200. My onw choice would actually be the Supertool 200. It's around $50, has a saw blade, a plain-edged clip point blade, and a serrated sheep's foot blade. It also has a two-sided file, an awl/punch (useful for trap/snare making), and the other standard tools. Plus, the tools all lock; I don't personally like using a multi-tool that doesn't have locking tools.
The up-side to the Charge and the New Wave is their very comfortable handles. The New Wave also has 154CM blade steel, which is a nice touch.
If, by some chance, you can bring both a multi-tool and a knife, I'd take along the Benchmade Activator that was previously mentioned. To me, handle comfort would be of utmost importance, followed by reliability. A fixed blade would be tough and the Activator has a good-sized handle on it.
Good luck in your endeavors
The up-side to the Charge and the New Wave is their very comfortable handles. The New Wave also has 154CM blade steel, which is a nice touch.
If, by some chance, you can bring both a multi-tool and a knife, I'd take along the Benchmade Activator that was previously mentioned. To me, handle comfort would be of utmost importance, followed by reliability. A fixed blade would be tough and the Activator has a good-sized handle on it.
Good luck in your endeavors