Looking for a nice knife

[xx7grant7x]

Want to buy my brother in law who is an army ranger, a new knife before he goes overseas again. He would need a fixed blade, and something with a sheath he could mount to his gear. Partially serrated would be nice but not required and something on the pommel to bust out windows and what not would be nice as well. I'm looking for something that will hold up to alot of use and abuse cause thats what it's going to get. I'm hoping to stay around 50$ which is probably a tall order but lets see what we get, thanks in advance for all your help

 

[asknight]

$50 is a tall order for a good quality fixed blade, so I'll just lay down some links to some favorites of the guys doing tours over in the sandbox.

SOG Gov-Tac

SOG Daggert 1

SOG Seal Pup Elite <-- close to your budget

CRKT M60 SOTFB

Gerber LMF II Infantry <- I have one and highly recommend it!

 

[Autolycus]

How about a Kabar? You can find them for around $60 brand new in my area.

 

[dispatch 510]

How about a Rat-3? Go to Knifeworks.com They have them Half serrated for about $60.

 

[rugerfreak]

Buck Nighthawk for around $40-$45

 

[RoyG]

Gerber Military Tactical LMF II - A.S.E.K.

Gerber Military Tactical LMF II - A.S.E.K.

$59.99 plus shipping

 

[Sl2squeeze]

Cold Steel Peace Keeper I or II

 

[Remmi]

I'll second both the Cold Steel and the KABAR.

I've had a chance to use both, and damn near chopped off my finger with the KABAR. Solid, durable knives, good feel in the hand too.

 

[hso]

5" CRKT Ultima

 

[MarshallDodge]

My son just bought a CRKT First Strike at Big 5. They had it on sale for $28, normally $50. It comes with a sheath.

For the $$$ it's a nice knife.

 

[leadcounsel]

www.knivesplus.com

I would figure out if he has a large knife or a small knife or a multi tool and buy him what he needs.

A small boot knife may be more valuable to him as a daily tool than a large fighting knife.

I have a $15 Smith and Wesson boot knife that I really enjoy and it clips/ties right to my shoulder and it's a handy tool. A large knife is also useful too and either of these or a quality multi tool is a great gift for a Soldier. I have several large knives, including KaBar, Becker BK7 and BK10, and Smith and Wesson Homeland Defense, but the best is the Gerber. Gerber isn't necessarily any better of a knife, but the sheath that it comes with is far superior. Sheaths are expensive to buy separately so a great knife with a great sheath is very important. My Kabars have decent sheaths and my other knives have terrible sheaths. Aftermarket sheaths cost as much as the knife!

What makes a sheath great? Well you need a kydex style blade protector and the ability to tie or strap it to molle gear (soldiers equipment like vests and body armor). I don't know why most knife makers skimp on the sheath... The blade also has to fit snugly. My Becker knives have kydex sheaths but the blade slops around in there and rattles and isn't a tight fit.

FWIW, these are my deployment knives and you could get them both for him for under $70 with shipping.

$15 boot knife: http://www.knivesplus.com/smith-wesson-sw-hrt3bf.html

$45 fighting knife: http://www.knivesplus.com/gerberknifegb-1121.html

 

[Zeke/PA]

+1 on the K-Bar.
It is a proven combat knife and can be had with a leather or Kydex sheath.
Personally there is NONE better for the chore that you specified.
Zeke

 

[leadcounsel]

The Gerber has a nice glass breaking point on the pomel, which is handy for getting out of being trapped in a vehicle and a more managable blade length than the Kabar.

The Kabar was great for it's time and when hand to hand fighting was a way of life and possibly a daily occurance. The conflicts we see there now don't demand the same type of tool.

 

[Stainz]

The Gerber LMF II is quite nice, but some folks have had problems with the composite handle material seriously degrading. See if folks have had problems with it 'over there'... that $60 price is very good - most folks, including the 'Academy Sports/Outdoors' chains, Cabela's, etc, have it for $100 - SMKW/eknife has it for $90 - the best previous price I've seen.

The original KaBar may be dated - but it is still a hard act to follow, if you need a big knife. My two recent examples are fine - as is my late Dad's old WWII South Pacific 'keeper'. The old Buck 110 folding hunter was a Vietnam-era favorite - and $26 at Wally World.

Stainz

 

[leadcounsel]

Yes, the Kabar is a fantastic knife. I own 4. But I fear probably just slightly too big for the sandbox, and possibly will draw some "Rambo" jokes and stares. Maybe not, but that's what I've heard.

 

[xx7grant7x]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll have to start shopping around and see what I come up with

 

[xx7grant7x]

I went with the CRKT ultima 2 I think it will suit his needs overseas and comes with a nice durable looking sheath we'll see what he thinks and if not, I'll keep it

 

[hso]

The sheath alone is worth the price of the knife on the Ultima.

Be sure to explain to him that that little bird's beak on the pommel is a pry so that he doesn't have to worry about the blade.

Also, the pocket is large enough to put a lot of small supplies in. Multitool and sharpener come to mind.