[possum]

The fixed blade will be used for military operations. I have always wanted a high quality fixed blade. I have been looking at Chris Reeves "Pacific". as well as a few options from Strider (The BT Model), as well as the "Horkus" from "spartan blades". I think that i would prefer g 10 handles as compared to para cord. I want somthing that is sharp, durable, and something i don't have to worry about breaking/ chipping no matter how much i abuse it. i would prefer a black or subdued look to the blade and body itself, black is fine, but tan handles would even be better.

I am always open to more suggestions, and i am sure that there are many more options out there, and i just don't know about them. Are the above mentioned knives worth the money?

As for a folder this wil be used in a military manner, so blade lenght, auto open etc dosen't matter, i am looking at either benchmade automatic, zero tolerance, or emerson right now. if it isn't an auto knife i prefer the hole in the blade instead of the stud for opening. size and weight dosen't matter really. it will be used for general purpose, but if i have to saw open a helo cockpit door with it, and or pry one open, i want it to be able to do so. again something with a good edge, and something that could be used as a defensive tool if the need arises. (the folder will probally become my EDC for ccw after the army.)

this is alot of crap, sorry and i appreciate any advise that ya'll have.

[Todd A]

The fixed blade will be used for military operations

something i don't have to worry about breaking/ chipping no matter how much i abuse it.

Your asking too much from a cutting tool.

The companies you are looking at might come close, also look a Busse and maybe the RAT RC-5. They might fit the bill,though my experiance with large thick fixed blades is minimal.


As for a folder this wil be used in a military manner,

but if i have to saw open a helo cockpit door with it, and or pry one open, i want it to be able to do so.

Now you are really asking too much. No folder made, even a Strider or Sebenza will do those tasks.


Perhaps you might re-think your requirements?

[possum]

ok well so much for wishful thinking i guess. the reason i asked is because i don't know what is out there, and what can do what. I am a gun guy and have very little knowledge on knives. My current mission set os to rescue downed piliots well that is part of it anyway. so what do you suggest for an all around utility/ fighting folder?

[Todd A]

so what do you suggest for an all around utility/ fighting folder?


I am not a folder guy, My "pocket" knife is a small fixed blade carried in a pocket sheath.:)

There are others here who carry folders, some actually use them too ;).
I am sure you will get some well thought out advice for a dependable folder shortly.

[possum]

Thanks

[JTW Jr.]

Take a look at Dwaine Carillo's knives... way overbuilt.

http://www.airkatknives.com/catalog/index/sold

http://www.airkatknives.com/catalog/itemImage/6902eae2cae75c94c09501732b39750f/original

[DRYHUMOR]

I have an Emerson, folding tanto with no serrations. CQC-7W. Quite nice. They have another model, CQC-7A, that may be the next one on my list.

They are quite durable, within the design limitations. I have, on occasion asked too much of a knife and broke it all to hell...

[gallo]

Winchester folder at Wally for $5.00 or combo of folder and two smaller pocket knives for $9.00. Razor sharp and good quality.

[mg.mikael]

Winchester folder at Wally for $5.00 or combo of folder and two smaller pocket knives for $9.00. Razor sharp and good quality.
Nice sarcasm, seriously why would he want a cheap Chinese knock-off(okay maybe it's not made in China, but it's something I sure as hell wouldn't depend upon) that will break on him the first time it flicks it open?

[LANDMAN4389]

For a good fixed blade knife check out Scott Davidson in Alto, GA. He usually hangs out on the GON forums and goes by the handle Razor Blade. Many examples of his work can be found on that site.

For a mass produced knife, you can't go wrong with Benchmade, Cold Steel, SOG

[gallo]

mg.mikael,

I was not being sarcastic. I have one and it is razor sharp, and so far a good little folder. I think it deserves a look at least.

[hso]

Are you provided breaching tools to free downed pilots?

If not, while not as sexy as a CR Pacific, the Channel Lock 89 is a heck of a rescue tool in a compact package.
http://www.chiefsupply.com/images/products/200/89_Channellock.jpg

[auschip]

If I had to pick one folding knife that I thought might be able to survive it, I would go with the Strider GB. However, it has a thumbstud, and isn't Auto/Assisted.

[Hizzie]

For a tough as nails no BS fixed blade you can't beat Grayman Knives. http://www.graymanknives.com/ The first custom knife I was actually able to use and not feel horrible about it. They aren't the prettiest but they are well made and reasonably priced. I currently have a Dinka and the wife is getting me a West Nile Warrior for Christmas.

[gga357]

Busse/Swamprat/Scrapyard are all supposed to be very tough. Pricey though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE5bkPIzubY&feature=related

If not a Busse then something in 1095 from KA-BAR or RAT.

Any custom maker that has been around awhile and uses a good carbon steel. I would choose a differential hardened blade. I have a couple each from Barry Dawson and Dennis Cook that are great knives in 5160 steel.

Just looked at those Grayman knives they look good. Anything in 1/4" high carbon should last forever. (If properly heat treated)

[skunkbreeder]

first of all, thank you for your service in the military. sounds like you're looking for a miracle blade, check out www.solidknives.com he is one of my customers who makes fixed blade high end hunting knives. about 2 months ago he told me he was going to make a tactical knife. maybe he can help you. good luck in your search.

[Marathonman]

Thanks for your service

I don't know too much about folders, I carry a Kershaw Blur and I've been very pleased with it.

From a fixed blade standpoint, I have two which stand out in my collection :

Becker BK2

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3755860963_02eab12f21_b.jpg

And Scrapyard Dog Father. There is a shorter version, called Son of Dog Father.

The BK2 is 0.25" and Dog Father is 0.27"

The RC-5 would be awesome as well.

Marathonman

[possum]

hso,
yes we have lots of tools for extracting downed pilots. we have crash axes, we have mechanical, electric, and hydraulic spreaders/ jaws of life/ cutters, we have plasma cutters, k-12 saws, saw's all's etc.

[hso]

Thanks

In light of all the purpose built gear do you still think you need a folder that can pry open the door of a crashed helicopter? No folder should be expected to be used as a hasty pry bar and still be a usable knife, but a few might hold together long enough to get the job done.

I have cut a 55 gallon drum open with my Sebenza. Just a small triangular hole so the contents could be sampled. The edge didn't chip and the pivot and lock weren't harmed. This was done slowly and carefully and not in haste. I have also opened windows and doors with it with great care and the pivot and lock weren't harmed. If I were purchasing a folder knowing that I would use it for more than just a knife it would have to be the Sebenza. OTOH, with a fixed blade present or with all that rescue gear at hand, I'd never pull a folder to do such jobs.

As to fixed blade knives, the Beckers from KaBar are pretty hard to beat in the sharpened pry bar category. The steel is properly heat treated high carbon tool steel and the designs are very robust. They're not as ergonomic as the more expensive Chris Reeves knives, but then they're a third of the price.

[Readyrod]

Take a look at this tool.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/kniveswt/wilsontactical/model22.asp
or the cheaper version.
http://www.wilsontactical.com/detail.aspx?ID=190

[ArfinGreebly]

Until this last weekend, I knew very little about the Buck 650 Nighthawk. I'd never handled one, had no idea how well it balanced or how sharp or robust it was.

I got to handle one at the Buck Knives factory sale last Saturday. I wish I had brought more money. Darn things were selling for $20 (along with Kalinga Pro folders at $20, *sigh*), and I had already exceeded my quota.

The Nighthawk is made by Buck at their Idaho facility, and was designed specifically for military applications. The larger one has a combo edge, the smaller has a plain edge.

It's a seriously heavy-duty knife with an excellent edge, good balance, and a surprisingly ergonomic handle. Holding it alongside their Buck Special (119), you can tell that, while the 119 and its brothers were made for hunting, the Nighthawk (650) was made for considerably heavier duty.

They retail for something like $80, though your local Walmart may have them for significantly less. And, seriously, if I get another opportunity to get one for $20 I'm gonna buy two or three.

[possum]

For a tough as nails no BS fixed blade you can't beat Grayman Knives. http://www.graymanknives.com/ The first custom knife I was actually able to use and not feel horrible about it. They aren't the prettiest but they are well made and reasonably priced. I currently have a Dinka and the wife is getting me a West Nile Warrior for Christmas.
thanks everyone. I have been looking and doing lots of reading/ learning and such, and i have descided that my fixed blade will be a grayman! i am gonna get the ground pounder, i am excited and can't wait and will post pics and a review when i get it. thanks again.

[Hizzie]

possum-

You will not be dissapointed. Are you getting serrations? What about the Gator Grips? I can't wait to see your pics.

[possum]

i am debating with myself wheather or not to get the teeth on the back side. i am leaning more towards the teeth on it. i am definetly gonna get the gator grips though, and in green. i can't wait to add it to my kit.

oh yeah, and i am also trying to figure out what i want etched on the blade, i get 15 letters i just don't know what i want it to say!

[Hizzie]

You can't go wrong with the standard "DEATH TO AL QAEDA" or "DTAQ" for short. The teeth don't cut like a saw but should rip through drywall with ease and are great for notching. I got the Gator Grips on my Dinka but my WNW will have plain. They are easy enough to pimp myself.

[Big Bill]

I've got an Ontario XM folder...

Mine is the 8760

http://www.ontarioknife.com/images/images/xmsales-sheet.jpg

http://www.ontarioknife.com/asek.html

Tell us more about your service.

[possum]

Hizzie,
do all the knives come with "DTAQ" and then you can get 15 more letters in addition somewhere else on teh knife, or is the "DTAQ" count as your etching?

Tell us more about your service.
what would you like to know?

Big Bill,
thanks those are some nice looking folders.

[cid71]

Severtech makes about the toughest autos around, if that works for you. They are around $250 I believe.

[ricebasher302]

How about any of the TOPS products? I love mine. Fantastic quality, reasonable price, made to use, innovative blade designs, made in the USA, Kydex sheathes. Some real no BS cutlery. TOPS is definately my favorite all-around knife company. Tons to choose from. http://www.topsknives.com/

[Hizzie]

AFAIK, "DTAQ" counts toward the total of letters and you have to request them otherwise the knife will only say "GRAYMAN".

[possum]

How about any of the TOPS products? I love mine. Fantastic quality, reasonable price, made to use, innovative blade designs, made in the USA, Kydex sheathes. Some real no BS cutlery. TOPS is definitely my favorite all-around knife company. Tons to choose from. http://www.topsknives.com/
actually our team has a special deal on one of their knives, if ten or more of us order it we get the knife (normally $200) a sharpener, a pry/probe tool, 3 lines of engraving, half serrations, and sheath for $120. A member of the task force is working that deal, and we will probably be ordering them soon as well. The knife is overall 13" and probably something that will be more of a commemorative for me than anything, i already have so much stuff that i have to carry anyway, definitely usable but i probably won't on a mission.

Hizzie,
Thank you, you have been a big help. I emailed Grayman knives, they ship APO and shipping is $8 so i plan to order one 1st of Jan, i can't wait. the wife gave me the go ahead to get it now, but i am gonna wait until then.

[Hizzie]

possum:

No. Thank you for your service. I am glad to help.

[Al Thompson]

Be careful about getting an automatic in country. You can't bring it home with you - Customs will confiscate it. :(

[possum]

AL,
Thanks for the heads up, i didn't think about that. That means i am gonna have to figure out what to do with the Gerber auto that i found in kuwait at the shoothouse, and have been carrying and using since. maybe the conex when we pack up and get ready to go? maybe mail it home a month or so before?

[Shanester66]

+1 on TOPS....nice blades...I own about 4 of them...top notch quality.

[possum]

Update,
I ordered a Grayman Ground Pounder with teeth and green gator grips. i am stoked, and will have pics, and a review posted shortly after i get it!