Knife in the U.S. Army

[moxie]

The Fallkniven A1 is a wonderful knife but you're not going to be able to wear it anywhere except possibly when you deploy, and then it will be up to unit policy. After basic, get a good all purpose folder and/or a good multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave. A good swiss army knife also will meet 99% of your requirements. Nothing like tweezers to remove a splinter, or an awl to make a new hole in a belt or some other gear.

The CRKT Desert Cruiser is a nice folder: http://www.knifeworks.com/crktdesertcruiserdesertzytelhandlecomboedge.aspx

Here are a few SAKs:
http://www.knifeworks.com/swissarmyworkchampbyvictorinox.aspx
http://www.knifeworks.com/swissarmyfishermanbyvictorinoxred.aspx
http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=VN54821

 

[Al Thompson]

Ditto on most of the advice given - concentrate on push-ups. Do not buy ANYTHING till your in your unit. Also, when I processed through Benning for movement to Iraq 10 months ago, we were issued multi-tools. When you get to your unit, your chain of command will dictate what you can and can't carry.

 

[gregormeister]

When we deployed in 04' we were issued/given Leathermans and as far a knife we had everthing from double edge fighting knives to stag horn bowies. Good luck on your military time.Be safe

 

[nyggis]

During my military service in the Swedish Army I had a Cold Steel SRK on my web gear. Great for clearing lines of fire, collecting camouflage material in the field and cutting up fire wood. I also had a good folding blade in my pocket. A good tip is to attach the folding knife to a piece of paracord and a small carabineer at the end attached to one of the belt loops. In the field its really easy to lose equipment, and a knife is a bad thing to lose.

Remember to wear correct running shoes, and to stretch your achilles tendons. You DO NOT want to get a case of achilles tendonitis during basic. Painful and slow healing.. SPEND MONEY ON CORRECT HIGH QUALITY SHOES.

Good luck!

/ Erik

 

[TimboKhan]

I ran in boots-n-utes a few times in the USMC, and it was sort of fun and all, but that was the exception rather than the rule. Running for fitness, which will define the bulk of your running, does not require torturing yourself with heavy unsuitable footwear. Being uncomfortable and miserable comes naturally to most people, so there isn't any particular need to train for it.

Knife wise, when I was a Marine, I carried a knife every single day. I carried a variety of different knives right up until I found Spyderco, and that was what I carried from then on. The only other addition I made to my gear (in garrison or in the field) was a pair of pliers carried on my belt in an old farmer-style sheathe. Today, I would probably carry the same knife (it was either an Endura or a Delica, and it was pink), but also a Leatherman instead of the slip-joint pliers. Big knife wise, I learned early on that they were generally sort of a pain to haul around. I had the standard Ka-Bar, and while it was a good knife that I still own, the fact is that it did not pay for itself in terms of weight or utility. I found a small Gerber boot knife/dagger one time (either a guardian or related to a guardian), and frankly, that was all the tactical knife I could have wanted. I unfortunately did not find the sheathe along with the knife, so eventually I also lost it, but it was a solid little knife that cost me nothing in terms of weight and space. Trust me, hauling around some big stabber is generally an excercise in futility. They look and in fact are cool, but generally speaking, very short in day to day utility.

 

[peter_mn]

Everything that has been said is correct. Don’t bring a knife to basic.

My personal winning combination for the last few years has been a SOG PowerLock EOD multi-tool: http://sogknives.com/store/B61.html . I keep it in a horizontal carrier on my web belt using Sep-Ops Super Sheath: Link .
The SOG was given to me by my unit, but it was a local purchase and is not a centrally stocked or issued item in the Army. The Army will from time to time do something cool like give you a really expensive multi-tool, so wait and see what happens at your first unit. The carrier I bought for myself from the PX. I’ve had to replace the carrier once because it wore out, but I replaced it with the exact same thing because I liked it so much. I would personally recommend picking up an inexpensive multi-tool the first time (less than 50.00). I can almost guarantee that you will loose it or get it stolen in your first year; I did.
Find a good running store in your area and have them help you pick out a good pair of running shoes. Talk to the cross country coach and ask him where he sends people. If you have a pair of running shoes that you have been wearing, bring them with you. A good sales rep can look at you and a pair of your old running shoes and help you pick out what’s right for you. Bring your shoes with you to basic. Some basic training units will let you bring your shoes from home.
Um…. have fun at Basic, and remember it totally different from the rest of your time in the Army.

 

[Al Thompson]

Really good point on losing stuff. I've always kept a spare knife around and 550 cord is your friend!

 

[Ghost Rider1976]

Everything has been covered but I will say it again Get in shape try to get up to P.T. fitness level before you go. Run Forest Run. Front lean and rest, sit ups, etc. Knives no go at basic, At Benning we went into a room and left our things like knives etc. The room gets your goodies if ya bring em I know I had a case trapper left in the room the morning I got off the bus. Running in Boots hardly ever, they dont wanna risk your feet and legs being injured etc. Buy good Running Shoes (running) and swap em out religously when they get broke down. If you bring em from home make sure they are running shoes. Basic will be totally different than the rest of your military career. They break you down and rebuild you nothing personal. Oh also Do Not Fall Asleep on Fire Watch. Dont let people bring you down. Stay focused and just have fun. My family and I would like to thank you for your courage and support in defending our country and way of life. HOOOAAAHHH!
God Bless You.

 

[icebones]

definately dont bring a knife to basic, or a cell phone or anything like that.

have it mailed to you after basic by your family or spouse.

i dont know about the army, but we got the chance to buy custom insoles for our boots and running shoes. BUY THEM. they make a hell of a diffrence. trust me on this

 

[Treo]

i dont know about the army, but we got the chance to buy custom insoles for our boots and running shoes. BUY THEM. they make a hell of a diffrence. trust me on this

After basic go on sick call and tell them your feet hurt when you run. they will very likely issue you a pair

 

[J. Jay]

I did not serve, but my Dad told me the less of your own stuff you take into basic training the better. Oh, and keep running!