What knife for marine?
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TimboKhan
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Just to make it clear, I am simply arguing my philosophy on this issue. I wouldn't make fun of, mock or think less of anyone who opted to go a different way than what I think. If a big knife offers you a certain amount of comfort, and you feel capable of defending yourself with it, then thats what you should carry. I am simply saying what my take on the issue is, and thats it.
Tim. Here is a question fer ya.
Say you feel more comfortable carrying that 1 pound knife.
Know that a 5.56 NATO round weighs .026 pounds.
By dumping that 1 pound knife he can now carry 38 more rounds. A heavier knife would obviously reduce the total load.
If he is too heavy he can not do his job. I am a big damn guy, and even I understand that ounces equal pounds.
An educated man would feel more comfortable with more rounds in a combat environment.
A knife is a good tool to have (they are great for opening MREs and playing mumbely pegs, and maybe cutting yourself out of a belt, if you actually wear one). But a big knife is a liability.
Say you feel more comfortable carrying that 1 pound knife.
Know that a 5.56 NATO round weighs .026 pounds.
By dumping that 1 pound knife he can now carry 38 more rounds. A heavier knife would obviously reduce the total load.
If he is too heavy he can not do his job. I am a big damn guy, and even I understand that ounces equal pounds.
An educated man would feel more comfortable with more rounds in a combat environment.
A knife is a good tool to have (they are great for opening MREs and playing mumbely pegs, and maybe cutting yourself out of a belt, if you actually wear one). But a big knife is a liability.
TimboKhan
Member
I might be the biggest guy to post on this board so I can dig that! Weight is one of the other reasons that I don't advocate a big knife. I was a machinegunner in the USMC, and when I was the ammo-man, I carried a ton of rounds, so every little ounce did count. However, the reason why I won't just say "screw big knives" is that if it gives a guy a little extra comfort or confidence when he goes out in the bush, thats worth a lot. Clearly, they don't offer me an ounce of comfort or confidence, but thats just me.
Weight from a different perspective is another reason I don't advocate a big knife. If I happen to have to go to knife-war wearing a full load, I am going to be pretty darn ineffective. Any guy that's humped a full combat load will say that your not at your most nimble with all your gear on. When I was the ammo man, I had enough weight on me that turning to fast would probably make me fall over, and I couldn't get it off all that quick either. As I became the gunner and the squad leader, my gear changed, but none of it made me particularly nimble.
But see, that's where my experience comes from. I wasn't a rifleman that had a different load distribution. This is why I won't say "no" to a big knife, but will argue against it philosophically.
USMC-Mustang
Member
C-D-P said:
53E's
TW,
Yes, I did, but that was while in the States, and in an environment that often had very high brush. I was a mortar maggot (11C), and our squad TOE included a machete so we could clear sight lanes to our sighting poles. I asked and received permission to swap my E-tool for a kukuri, with which we could do the job of the machete, and more. So, I carried no more weight that I would have.
I turned my E-tool back in before I left Camp Shelby for Afghanistan.
And still had too damn much gear. Like some others here, I was in an MOS which often had me carrying a 35-lb weapon (M225 cannon, M8 baseplate, M170 bipod, and M64 sight). This would be in addition to either an M9 or M4. Fortunately, this was only while we were transitioning from light infantry to an effective medium (Stryker) brigade. In Afghanistan, all my action was seen while attached as part of a five-man team to Tagab Fire Base, with a handful of ODA and other attached troops, and a few more Marine ETTs and two or three 11Bs in another small base a few hundred meters away.Leadcounsel has given some very good gear suggestions. I and others just disagree on the fighting utility of a short blade versus a much longer blunt object.
John
I want to thank all of you that have contributed to the discussion on what kind of knife; and how big a knife my nephew needs to use in Iraq. He is only 28 yrs old and in Calif. preparing at camp Pendellton to embark in July or Early August. I will not be able to see him again and since I do know some about knives and more now than I did, thanks to y'all input here. Again, very appreciated. I will be sending him something in the next few weeks. It looks like I will get him 2 or three items. A light with colored lenses. A good multi-tool and some kind of knife. Still dont know what kind? Any more suggestions would be appreciated. I personally would opt to purchase about a 4" blade either fixed or folder. I like the idea about the seatbelt cutter. Is there one knife than can do all that, besides a swiss knife? Something more durable? What do you suggest? Thanks again for your help in this decision. Its a bigger one than I thought it would be.
Sir Aardvark
Member
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian!
go to http://www.blackhawk.com they have a knife called the cqb mark 1 I love it and you couldnt go wrong with it kinda spendy but I would have loved to get one of those after basic
leadcounsel
member
Seatbelt cutting knives
There are knives out there with a built in seatbelt cutter in the spine of the blade, and you could also use a gutting knife.
HOWEVER, after I gave it some careful consideraton:
The POINT of a seatbelt cutting tool is probably so that you keep a large blade away from your neck and body whilst hanging upside down or quickly sinking in a vehicle in a canal. In your haste, you could easy slice yourself open with too large of a blade.
The Army issued me a Benchmade seatbelt cutting tool. They are normally about $25.
The Gerber knife I have is $75 and comes with a seatbelt cutting tool in the set. These knives have fantastic hard sheaths too, and frankly a quality sheath is as important as a quality knife. It is hard plastic, has important molly vest compatability, and can also strap to a belt or leg. It has positive retention and also snaps over the handle. The sheath alone is probably worth $40. And the knife alone is probably worth $60+. And then there's the cutting tool - which I have no opinion on because I don't have this particular cutting tool with me, but have it at home still unopened.
Again, people vary on their viewpoint of the utility of a knife this size. You may want to find out if he 1) can have it and 2) would even want it.
Finally, spend $10 and get something special engraved on the blade. Deployment can be very lonely and it may give him comfort in his lonliest times. His name, unit, a short inspirational saying like "Semper Fi" or something to that effect. Engravings are priceless.
http://www.knivesplus.com/gerber-knife-lmf-gb-1400.html
There are knives out there with a built in seatbelt cutter in the spine of the blade, and you could also use a gutting knife.
HOWEVER, after I gave it some careful consideraton:
The POINT of a seatbelt cutting tool is probably so that you keep a large blade away from your neck and body whilst hanging upside down or quickly sinking in a vehicle in a canal. In your haste, you could easy slice yourself open with too large of a blade.
The Army issued me a Benchmade seatbelt cutting tool. They are normally about $25.
The Gerber knife I have is $75 and comes with a seatbelt cutting tool in the set. These knives have fantastic hard sheaths too, and frankly a quality sheath is as important as a quality knife. It is hard plastic, has important molly vest compatability, and can also strap to a belt or leg. It has positive retention and also snaps over the handle. The sheath alone is probably worth $40. And the knife alone is probably worth $60+. And then there's the cutting tool - which I have no opinion on because I don't have this particular cutting tool with me, but have it at home still unopened.
Again, people vary on their viewpoint of the utility of a knife this size. You may want to find out if he 1) can have it and 2) would even want it.
Finally, spend $10 and get something special engraved on the blade. Deployment can be very lonely and it may give him comfort in his lonliest times. His name, unit, a short inspirational saying like "Semper Fi" or something to that effect. Engravings are priceless.
http://www.knivesplus.com/gerber-knife-lmf-gb-1400.html
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soccergod04
Member
+1 on a waved Endura.
Truer words have never been spoken in this context. The carrying system is arguably as important as the knife what with all the gear being carried by modern soldiers.
Harness cutters come in many forms these days from the Gerber shown by leadcounsel to the classic Benchmade hook to the various versions by CRKT and the clever SOG folder designs to the old pilot's switchblade with shroud cutter.
Carl Levitian
member
Our niece did a tour in Iraq last year, and she was issued a Gerber multi-tool that she said did everything she needed. She is army, not marine, but thier unit C.O. had issued the same order of no fixed blade knives. Most of her fellow army personel carried multi-tools and some one hand folders like Benchmade and Spyderco.
leadcounsel
member
Here's a picture of me in theater...
You can see my Gerber across my chest. It's not overwhelming in size and it has never been caught on anything. I believe the total weight of the knife and sheath is just over 1 lb. The knife weights like 12 oz and the sheath probably 5 oz. I also have an LED flashlight affixed to the sheath. I have my Benchmade seatbelt cutter fastened between two mag pouches on my front, but that may move to another location soon.
You can see my Gerber across my chest. It's not overwhelming in size and it has never been caught on anything. I believe the total weight of the knife and sheath is just over 1 lb. The knife weights like 12 oz and the sheath probably 5 oz. I also have an LED flashlight affixed to the sheath. I have my Benchmade seatbelt cutter fastened between two mag pouches on my front, but that may move to another location soon.
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LongRider
Member
IMO you can not get a better knife than a MercWorx knife at any price. They are handcrafted top of the line knives at production knife prices. Each is made by a single craftsman their folders are made with BG-42 steel cryogenically treated to a RC 58
Here is the Tactical Knives article about their knives Other articles are available at
MercWorx. Press I have an Equatorian Chili that I love it is my hunting camping strap to my motorcycle backpack go anywhere knife. I have cut rope skinned and butchered a buffalo including chopping through bone and removing his head and chopped wood all in the same day with my MercWorx knife. It was still sharp as a razor at the end of the day. I am not a combat vet, spec ops, SWAT or any kind of combat expert but some of the folks singing MercWorx praises are
Master At Arms, James A. Keating
Director / Combat Technologies
Master Sergeant Kim Breed,
Special Forces, Retired.
"Eric" US Navy SEAL, Group One, Director, Channel Island Tactical
Combat Veteran, Afghanistan
"C" US Navy SEAL, Group One
Combat Veteran Afghanistan
Peter Viereb
Edison ERT (SWAT)
You will find many more in the above articles. Here are some of their folders
Atropos
Clotho
Lachesis
Without a doubt I am sure that you will be very happy with what you find from MercWorx and I have no doubt that your nephew will cherish the MercWorx knife you will give him until the day he passes it onto his son. I know if my son was going to the sand box it is a MercWorx knife I would give to him.
In closing please thank your nephew for his service and sacrifice. Thank his parents for having raised the kind honorable patriotic young man that represent the best of America. I am sure it is safe to say that all our hearts and prayers go with him.
Here is the Tactical Knives article about their knives Other articles are available at
MercWorx. Press I have an Equatorian Chili that I love it is my hunting camping strap to my motorcycle backpack go anywhere knife. I have cut rope skinned and butchered a buffalo including chopping through bone and removing his head and chopped wood all in the same day with my MercWorx knife. It was still sharp as a razor at the end of the day. I am not a combat vet, spec ops, SWAT or any kind of combat expert but some of the folks singing MercWorx praises are
Master At Arms, James A. Keating
Director / Combat Technologies
Master Sergeant Kim Breed,
Special Forces, Retired.
"Eric" US Navy SEAL, Group One, Director, Channel Island Tactical
Combat Veteran, Afghanistan
"C" US Navy SEAL, Group One
Combat Veteran Afghanistan
Peter Viereb
Edison ERT (SWAT)
You will find many more in the above articles. Here are some of their folders
Atropos
Clotho
Lachesis
Without a doubt I am sure that you will be very happy with what you find from MercWorx and I have no doubt that your nephew will cherish the MercWorx knife you will give him until the day he passes it onto his son. I know if my son was going to the sand box it is a MercWorx knife I would give to him.
In closing please thank your nephew for his service and sacrifice. Thank his parents for having raised the kind honorable patriotic young man that represent the best of America. I am sure it is safe to say that all our hearts and prayers go with him.
rswartsell
Member
Small combat units I observed in 'Nam always had a knife somewhere. Not every soldier, but someone had one. Don't remember any stories of hand to hand with them. Probably more for the bush. Afghanistan and Iraq may be different for terrain. In 'Nam the Ka Bar taped upside down to a TA 50 harness was very common.
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