Best knife for Army Ranger

Beastchopper

Beastchopper

Joined
Jun 23, 2018
Messages
324
My cousin is preparing for Army Ranger school. I'd like to get him a quality blade as a graduation present. I'm thinking a multitool or an edc sized folder that's max reliable and tough enough for war over the big heavy Kbar. I'm relatively new to this blade infatuation, & I'm partial to the big choppers. I will need to stay at or under $100. It's important that I do my homework if I'm going to put a weapon in his hand that his life may well depend on. From what I've seen, this is a great place to go for those that know. I'd appreciate advice from any of you that have military experience or well seasoned opinions about blades/tools. Thank you.
 
Not to be a jerk but wait till he graduates as many don't.

For a neat historical piece the Fairbairn-Sykes is cool and goes back to WWII for them. After that, it is really personal preference and what unit he goes to and their mission. The 75th will be a lot different than if he's a ranger qualified guy in a mech infantry unit.
 
ohen cepel said:
Not to be a jerk but wait till he graduates as many don't.

For a neat historical piece the Fairbairn-Sykes is cool and goes back to WWII for them. After that, it is really personal preference and what unit he goes to and their mission. The 75th will be a lot different than if he's a ranger qualified guy in a mech infantry unit.
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He's in Army Intelligence w/ jump school training. I'm not sure what he would do as a ranger though. I'd rather do my research early, and I wouldn't bet against him for graduation. The Fairbairn-Sykes dagger is definitely a consideration and looks like a straight up combat weapon, which may be the way to go if that's what the mission calls for. However, I was thinking something small that could serve him for a wide variety of tasks.
 
This question comes up once in a while.

If you're looking for something to give him as a presentation piece, then a Fairbairn-Sykes or a Fairbairn-Harsey would both be good options. The F/H is an evolution of the earlier F/S dagger.

If you're looking to get him something to carry in his ruck, the answers are a lot different.

1) Big knives and "combat" or "tactical" blades tend to get left back at barracks. These guys are already toting 80+ pounds of gear, and if it don't serve a purpose, it don't get to go.

2) All of a soldier's tools are seen as disposable, to some degree. They have to be, because they can be lost, stolen, or simply "used up", at any time: if it makes a hole, its an entrenching tool.

3) Multiools do seem to be the go-to choice, because they do a lot more things than a dedicated knife.

The easiest answer is to ask him. I get the idea that you may want to surprise him, and if you want to surprise him with a presentation piece, that is well. But if you want to get him something he'll use, you should find out what his needs really are.
 
What about a Spyderco PM2 or Para3? As for fixed blades check out ESEE.

If you'd double your budget it would really open up possibilities.
 
Most of the recent ex-military guys I read on the forums point to multitools as what get used in today’s US military. Lightweight is important if a knife is to be carried on missions.
 
Shorttime said:
This question comes up once in a while.

If you're looking for something to give him as a presentation piece, then a Fairbairn-Sykes or a Fairbairn-Harsey would both be good options. The F/H is an evolution of the earlier F/S dagger.

If you're looking to get him something to carry in his ruck, the answers are a lot different.

1) Big knives and "combat" or "tactical" blades tend to get left back at barracks. These guys are already toting 80+ pounds of gear, and if it don't serve a purpose, it don't get to go.

2) All of a soldier's tools are seen as disposable, to some degree. They have to be, because they can be lost, stolen, or simply "used up", at any time: if it makes a hole, its an entrenching tool.

3) Multiools do seem to be the go-to choice, because they do a lot more things than a dedicated knife.

The easiest answer is to ask him. I get the idea that you may want to surprise him, and if you want to surprise him with a presentation piece, that is well. But if you want to get him something he'll use, you should find out what his needs really are.
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The multitool is def an option
 
Almost nobody carries fixed blades anymore. It's all leatherman or folders. Leatherman OHT was my favorite duty tool because of the seatbelt/rescue cutter in case you have to cut yourself and/or battle buddy out of a burning stryker.

They roll over or catch fire way more than you'd think. Folders were usually benchmades. Folders with the wave are awesome too, I had a Kershaw Emerson cqc6k and now got a 7k off the trading forums. Great knives, could also be used for weapons retention in the unlikely event someone tried to grab his rifle.

ETA: OHT is sub $100, Kershaw Emerson are like $30. If you shop around you might be able to get both for around $100.
 
MeanBeaver said:
Almost nobody carries fixed blades anymore. It's all leatherman or folders. Leatherman OHT was my favorite duty tool because of the seatbelt/rescue cutter in case you have to cut yourself and/or battle buddy out of a burning stryker.

They roll over or catch fire way more than you'd think. Folders were usually benchmades. Folders with the wave are awesome too, I had a Kershaw Emerson cqc6k and now got a 7k off the trading forums. Great knives, could also be used for weapons retention in the unlikely event someone tried to grab his rifle.

ETA: OHT is sub $100, Kershaw Emerson are like $30. If you shop around you might be able to get both for around $100.
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How did you carry the leatherman?
 
Spring the extra few bucks and get him a Leatherman MUT. It is a tool specifically made for maintaining ar-15 pattern rifles.

l-mu032.jpg
 
Beastchopper said:
How did you carry the leatherman?
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I had the OHT in an OCP Condor brand molle sheath on my belt. Worked great in garrison because it was I could get to it easier than reaching into a pocket. In the field I kept my surge on a different OCP sheath on my chest rig. They go for like $10 and have a rubber pull tab on the bottom of the flap.
 
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