If you were to go to war today, which knife would you take with you?

I've never been in the army, but honestly if I was actually in that situation I think I'd just bring the Swiss Army Soldier knife. The Smatchet was meant more as a joke, although I do have one in my collection and have always been fascinated by the knife and the designer, William E. Fairbairn.

 

I didn't choose the SAK because I don't usually think of it as a knife.
To me, it's always been a poorly designed multi-tool that is likely to fail when you need it most.
Even the Leatherman is, at best, marginal.
In a survival situation, failed tools can kill you.

 

Fixed Blade: Kabar USMC fighting knife

Folder: Boker Kalashnikov

 

I was a Navy Diver back in the 70's and was issued a Mk2 for daily dive use on a tender. That knife got hard use,(abuse), almost daily in salt water. Not combat but the knife sure held up.

 

After considerable contemplation of my age, need for medical deferments, and area of specialty, and the like, it would probably be my Gerber Dime.
Life in an office can be ever so glamorous.

 

You communist heathen!!! You best sound of that you love the Swiss Army Knife! - in my best Gunny Ermy voice.

 

Time tested K-Bar knife.

 

^^ I respectfully - especially in light of your experience - disagree. But I was USMC and carried a lot of really heavy/bulky stuff so factor that in.

 

Probably this set with a pair of good screwdrivers, flat and phillips. I do not like multi-tools.
Maybe machete if I were in a brushy or jungle situation.

On a neck cord would be either an ARK or my THR 10th anniversary.

 

Ounces lead to pounds was the phrasing I heard ad naseum in my specialty. My D2 full size knife weighs 12 ounces but felt heavier on dismounted patrols. Being on my leg didn't help either. VERY useful to have in a bag in the truck or when I was pulling turret duty. The Samish weighs 3.6oz or thereabouts. Much lighter, faster to get to. And mounted on my shoulder took just a little bit of pressure off my hips.

 

Size, style, or shape wouldn't matter to me. The steel would have to be Dozier D2 steel for me. I could do a couple of days of war with it and not have to sharpen it.

 

"Ounces lead to pounds and pounds lead to pain." Regarding weight on your legs/feet. The through-hiker crowd will tell you that an ounce on your feet feels like a pound in your in your pack. They go for the lightest trail runner, almost a running shoe, they can find. Not very protective or durable; they typically go through at 2 pair on a through hike of the A.T. or the others. Not what I want for hunting or hard going.

 

SAK for the win!

 

My Leatherman WAVE and the Survival Neck Knife that I ordered today. Has a compass, signal mirror, fire starter and small sharpener. Hope the war doesn't start before it's supposed to arrive on Tuesday....

 

Fixed blade would be the Blackwater Grizzly. The folder would be the Benchmade Presidio 2.

 

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If I was headed back to the sandbox I’d carry an ESEE 3 and a Benchmade Bugout. One is big enough for defensive use and any other common tasks. The other small enough for detailed tasks.

 

Last time I took this Buck knife and a Gerber Multi tool. The buck is a good knife, but the Benchmade is better.Of course I'd take the same Gerber. (63B20)

 

Probably one of these

and maybe this.

 

I'd carry the same knife I did while in VN: the common Jet pilot survival knife. Wasn't an issued item for us combat engineers, I got it in a trade with a chopper pilot. Was useful for opening ration boxes, cutting demo & fuse cord or many other things. Didn't need anything heavier, we carried machetes in our trucks & jeeps Shown in the pic is my current companion while hunting or fishing. I don't think I ever considered it a self defense weapon, Uncle Sam having issued me enough firepower.