Would like advice from those who have served, or are serving, in Afghanistan

KeithAM

KeithAM

Joined
Dec 15, 2003
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I'd like advice from people who've actually served in our Armed Forces in Afghanistan or Iraq and know what knives and multitools are best suited for the job.

A young Marine from my neighborhood is going to deploy there, and I'd like to get him a good knife or multitool as a gift. I don't want to assume what's best, and I don't want to give him anything that really wouldn't be useful.

I'm generally not interested in opinions from civilians who haven't been there, unless you're a close friend or a relative of someone who's served there and you've actually discussed what they found most useful.

To all of you who've served our Country in our Armed Forces, you have my deepest gratitude.
 
A good multitool should serve him well. I have served and have friends currently over there in reg units and sf units. A multitool is useful to all of them because the tools are commonly needed and commonly unavailable. Tools are highly coveted implements in the military.
 
Well, I'm a Vet (24-years USN) and retired 21-years ago and have never served in Afghanistan or Iraq but I recommend a multi-tool.

Leatherman offers a new multi-tool called the MUT which is designed with tools that can be used on the AR15. Perhaps it would be useful for your neighborhood Marine.

Here is a link to them.

http://www.leathermanstore.com/mut.html

MODS: I normally wouldn't post a link but this is for one of our guys going off to Afghanistan so maybe y'all can let the link slide this one time. If not, go ahead and remove it. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the advice--keep it coming!

I saved the link to the MUT--looks very good--thank you very much!
 
I served 4 years in the active duty Army and 3 in the National Guard. I was never deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan but have been on two peace keeping missions in the Balkans.

A multi-tool will be of tremendous value in any deployment. But I am going go a different route and recommend an eating utensil set. I just ordered a Knives of Alaska Titanium Utensil Set. I can't comment on this particular model because I haven't taken possesion of it yet. But I read a review on Cabela's from a fire fighter that said "Thanks to this little device, I can eat like a human again instead of a condemmed man using plastic or lexan."
 
A multi-tool would be the best thing you could get him, they are used constantly. I haven't used the mut but it looks grate being. able to get and keep your primary up and running is extremely important. I had an sog power lock, it is the best multi-tool I have ever used I would stay away from the a/o model in the box tho, and make shore you get the model that has replaceable wire cutter blade's.
 
I don't know about your American boys but I gave a fellow Canadian border guard who volunteered to go to Afghanistan with our military a second time a ZT Mudd. he only recently came back with the knife still covered in afghan dirt, and he was very gratfull to me for his knife. said he used it everyday.
 
I think you should ask and see what he's already been issued. I was issued a SOG multitool, Benchmade AFO, and a Gerber Silver Trident prior to deploying in 04. If not, a Multitool is by far the most used item in the sandbox. I think it admirable that you are doing that for him. I'm sure he'll appreciate it more than you'll know.
 
Modoc ED said:
Well, I'm a Vet (24-years USN) and retired 21-years ago and have never served in Afghanistan or Iraq but I recommend a multi-tool.

Leatherman offers a new multi-tool called the MUT which is designed with tools that can be used on the AR15. Perhaps it would be useful for your neighborhood Marine.

Here is a link to them.

http://www.leathermanstore.com/mut.html

MODS: I normally wouldn't post a link but this is for one of our guys going off to Afghanistan so maybe y'all can let the link slide this one time. If not, go ahead and remove it. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Not a bad choice.:thumbup:

Make sure you check with the unit CO, if you go beyond something modest like this. Some units have ... unusual rules that must be followed.

Thank you for thinking of your neighbor. It will be a confusing time for him (or her), and a gift like this will make them feel better.

I might also say that cookies from home are always, always welcome.;)

I've sent maybe 10 knives over, of various types. Multi-tools, some nice Busse fixed blades (greatly admired), an ESEE fixed blade. No one has ever complained, and all found them very useful.
 
I'm a Marine but I've not yet been to Afghanistan. I'll second the multitool recommendations. I've carried both a Wave and a Skeletool (by leatherman) on my flack in the field. The wave is nice because you've got the pouch and a few more tools (most of which I never found a need for). But what I really liked to do was use a piece of 550 cord looped through a piece of webbing on my flack and attached to the carabiner end of the Skeletool, then I'd just slip the whole tool into another loop on the flack with the clip facing out. It was secure but also allowed really fast access, and with the dummy cord I never worried about losing it (the reason I only carried a cheapo folder). I used the pliers and screwdrivers often as well as the knife. The CX version has a 154cm blade that is pretty capable as a backup blade to any folder or fixed blade. I never wished I had my wave or anything else. And every bit of weight savings helps when you've already got 2 or 4 SAPI plates, however many magazines, ifak, flashlight, possibly a bayonet, NVGs and whatever other odds and ends you've got attached to your flack.

Regardless of knife or tool, I'm sure he'll be happy with anything. Marines love their sharp and pointy toys and will no doubt find a use for whatever you decide.
 
When my stepdad went to Iraq in 2004 he brought a multitool, an MOD auto that was issued by his shop and a big titanium fixed blade (don't know the make) that was given to him after EOD school. He said he used the MT the most but he used the Ti fixed blade to did alot of IEDs out of the ground. An Air Force EOD friend of mine just got back from Afganistan and used his Leatherman all the time, same with my Marine brother in law and my Army cousin. Of course they all used their folders too.
They were all issued thier multi tools though so it might be nice to get him a sturdy folder of smaller fixed blade that has some personality to it. Something he can't just go pick up at the exchange.
 
I've done both Iraq and Afghanistan...of which I just returned last November from the OEF tour.

Not sure about how Marines are issued equipment, but I've received two Gerber multi-tools in RFI (Rapid Field Initiative) issues. They were okay, but I still ended up taking my Leatherman Charge to Iraq and Victorinox Spirit to Afghanistan.

I would also recommend a decent small fixed blade; RC/ESEE-4. You can get a great MOLLE sheath system that allows you to either carry it on your belt or attach to your IOTV/MOLLE vest. A small blade is going to get more dirt time...they are more compact and easier to carry/wear; you can access on the belt even with IOTV and loadout; you can attach to your IOTV for access when flying/driving, and it's not so big that you'll catch flak (not that I cared much, but rank has it's privileges :D).

Let us know what you finally decide on. Oh, and thanks for the support your your neighborhood serviceman :thumbup:

ROCK6
 
Leatherman Wave and a carbon steel custom from the makers for sale forum.
 
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