Knife for a GI in Afghanistan with a twist -- help with the choice!

K9-Handler

K9-Handler

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Jan 27, 2012
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Hi, Folks;

A good friend's son got orders for deployment to Afghanistan in a couple of months. When I went away to my war I brought a trusty KaBar that I'd modded myself (and broke!), but the selection is certainly better these days.
I know there have been a number of posts that just ask "What should I bring...", but this one is a little different. I already have a bunch of knives, and I'd just like to give him one of those rather than go out and buy another (although it is tempting! :D ).

In the photos below all of the knives have been sandblasted and DuraCoated in one form of camo or another -- I'm a killer with an airbrush! Many have modded scales.
I'll get into the individual descriptions later.
I'm also a Kydex bender and whatever knife gets picked will get a custom Kydex sheath in the camo pattern on the right of the photos, and will come with Molle-loks for either horizontal or vertical mounting (his choice) to his vest.

So, the troop getting deployed is Army, and is an MP, just so you know what the mission will entail.

OK, an overall photo of the finalists:

Aknivesoverall.jpg



Closer-up shot of the upper knives to show more detail:

Aknivestop.jpg


Let's start from the top.

First is a KaBar USN MK1 in leather, as opposed to the more common synthetic handle. IMHO, this knife might be on the small side for the task at hand (I DO like it, though!).

Next is an OKC FTI (.250 thick!). Really rugged little sucker. And in case you haven't heard, "TFI" stands for "Task Force Infidel"! :D

Then the trusty Becker BK2 in my first digital camo job (PITA!) with homemade rosewood scales that would not make the trip (too nice, too smooth). The scales would be changed out with either sandblasted and Duracoated Grivory (left side of photo) or micarta.

Then comes the Becker BK7 in a signature camo job that I came up with myself. The blade has been narrowed slightly, with more of a clip point ground in also. Factory micarta scales (which could be moved to any of the other Beckers, of course).

Next is the BK9, which I realize is too large for a GI to carry every day, but I wanted to showcase what blasted and coated Grivory grips looked like. They are super non-slip, and not black.

AKnivesbottom.jpg


Now the lower half...

Under the BK9 are the OKC Ranger RD6 and RD4 respectively. Blade shape is pretty much stock, but I ran the micarta scales through a router table and significantly increased the radius of the edges. They feel much better in the hand than stock.

Last in the group is a SOG NW Ranger. Same camo job as the BK7. It seems a little lightweight for the task, but I included it because it's been highly rated lately by reviewers. I believe it's the only non-US-made one here (Taiwan).

So there they are. Let me know your pick, and briefly why you picked that one. Don't forget the Becker scales can be swapped out, and even the camo styles can be changed. I can mix and match.
What I don't want is "You should get a Fallkniven Super Rambo!" The choice is between only those shown above.

Thanks! :thumbup:
 
From what I've heard about what military guys actually use, the smallest and lightest of those would be best for him. I know Ethan Becker also said he sent some of his knives to soldiers, and the one they liked the best was the Necker.
 
I would go with the BK7 or the OKC FTI. RD4 last choice. I have been to Iraq twice once as a K9 Handler. Lots of friends been to the stand.
 
as a solider id choose a small fixed blade esee4 i carry every day in garrison and in the field, i dont know it is there. But doing what they do, a nice folder would be great, something with serraations.
 
The paint job on the BK7 is phenomenally cool; especially since it's your own design.. I think the TFI would be a good all-rounder, but you may want to let your buddy choose his preference. Just my thoughts. Good luck to him. :)
 
The ranger would probably work fine..... as well as # 3, #7 & #8. They all are the smaller ones. A nice small sheath knife can be easily deployed and no worries about it folding up.
 
Small-ish, light, and very durable are the way to go I'd think. I would pick the Mk1 but I'd also say let him pick what he wants.
 
Of the choice given, the ka Bar.

A lot depends on the MOS, but as a Marine infantryman for me it was like this...I picked up an EK bowie, carried it along with a leatherman, and a spyderco ladybug.

since all I prettymuch used a knife for was to open MRE's and mess around when bored...the EK was just big and heavy for nothing, and cleaning it up after each field op was just an added pain in the @ss. It soon stayed home.


The weight of the bowie was just not worth it, and it got in the way in vehicles. besides I'd rather carry another canteen...the ladybug was perfect for MRE's, and the endura was a perfect size to carry for a "real" knife. My picks would be different today, but not the logic.

what I think he needs are 1st: a good multitool, 2nd: good 3-4" folder(like an endura), 3rd small fixed blade (like Ka-bar TDI)....and remember, if you want to give him something good don't forget a good sharpener/stones.
 
RDog;
Thanks for your input. I already have a 300 multitool and a Gerber diamond sharpener waiting in the "package". All of the posts seem to point in the same direction: go small. I plan on giving his dad a briefcase full of my projects for the MP to pick out his favorite, then return it and I'll build the Kydex sheath depending on how he wants to mount it on his vest. The large knives won't even make it into the briefcase, based on what I've seen here. Being this is his first deployment, I'm going with the ideas from recent vets who would know better.
Welcome home, RDog, and thank you for your service. Same goes for all the others who posted here.
 
YeH. Small is the ticket. That becker necker at the top would be my choice. Gonna carry my izula on my next deployment.
 
Sounds like the OP made a good choice. In particular, that he's eliminating the big & heavy knives from the selection. The young man starting out may have picked the biggest of the bunch, and later discovered that he never wants to carry it.
 
I'm a LEO and I use my BK2 all the time, and I am not in a war zone. A good folder would also be good.
 
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