Recommendation: combat carry & a good sheath

noseoil

noseoil

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Apr 24, 2013
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Looking for input for a good knife & sheath combo which will go on deployment for our son. He deploys again soon (3rd time 101st) & I'd like some input from vets who have used a fixed blade in actual carry, daily use. Important feature is the sheath system for positive retention & quick use. Most likely will be set on his vest or ruck shoulder strap.

I'm wondering about maybe an Esee 3 or 4, with the different sheath options. Is there a preference for retention & grip down carry? Pros & cons of the Esee line in general? Open to other suggestions for manufacturers, but nothing exotic or too spendy, just a good solid blade with a good sheath, which will last for a year or so to get him home safely.

Combat vets experience is preferable here, 11-Bravo or? Thanks in advance.
 
It all depends on his MOS is he gonna be outside the wire alot or will he be a fib bit? I know a few guys that loved carrying a grip down with a kydex sheath on their kit.
I'd look at spartan blades. It's founders are expected military and that's pretty much what they cater to
 
I assume he already has something he will actually get use out of, like a nice multitool?
 
One thing to keep in mind is the fact that there are many excellent kydex sheath makers here on the forum. If you find an ideal knife with a less than ideal sheath, it's relatively inexpensive to have a sheath that would be exactly what was needed made for it. Just an option to consider.
 
Yep, just looking for something to hang on his vest for patrols & a general use fixed blade. That's why I'm thinking a 3+" blade & easy carry like an Esee 3 would be best, simple, durable, good carry with their molle setup. The Spartan stuff is nice, but too spendy & not a general use type we were thinking about.

What I've made in my shop isn't really good to carry (too long @ 9") & my sheath making (leather) isn't what he would need for EDC in a patrol setting for a chest rig or plate carrier.
 
11C/11B here... I carried a switchblade.
 
I'm an old 11b and I'd not carry fixed to much drama hassle and size. A fixed blade takes up room that was better be used for something useful
 
ESEE 3 is too short. I'd rather have a folder in that size class like a Cold Steel Recon 1 or Ontario Rat 1.

ESEE 4 or ESEE Laser Strike, if not an ESEE 6-CM6.
 
Fixed is a lot of real-estate when youre all ready loaded down in gear when in todays market theres so many strong folders. Cant really think of much (anything at all) my Bradford G3 can do that any of my 3.5" folders cant do.

Benchmade AFO2 is a solid choice and what I would take and carry 100% of the time, paired with a Spartan Phrike for when I want a general purpose fixed blade, and a Spartan Ares/Difensa or CRK Pacific for going into the danger zone.
Another folder would be the BM 908.


But if you insist on a fixed blade I would go for a 4".
My primary choice would be a Spartan Phrike.
Maybe a Bradford G4 or a Bark River Bravo 1 3V / Fox River LT 3V (or other 4" bark river) in G10 or micarta.
Or if you go ESEE, Id go with the 4. The 3 is too small and kind of pointless when a folder can do the same task in a smaller package. 4" is the perfect fixed size.



*edit* I think I'm talking myself into a CRK Pacific now. Thanks. :D
 
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I was a PL for 11Bs, 11Cs, 19Ds, and 19Ks in Afghanistan (hodge-podge infantry platoon for the deployment), carried a Cold Steel folder in my pocket and a SOG Seal pup on my plate-carrier. I started buying more expensive knives once I got back, and will always carry nicer stuff now, but an ESEE 3 or 4 will do just fine for any tough pry-work (opening and breaking down water pallets, improving guard towers, etc.)

A folder will come in more handy for FOB/COP EDC tasks, but a solid fixed blade is pretty useful on body armor while on patrol or conducting a mission. I liked carrying my knife in between my mag-pouches and molle webbing of the vest, it was easy to grab when I had to cut zip-ties or pick mud out of crevices.

An ESEE 3 or 4 with a kydex sheath is a great choice at a great price, and probably what I would get a loved one who was deploying.
 
Dpx gear Hest. Check their website. They have models in 3, 4 & 6" which are all solid in a good steel and have some additional sheath options as well.
 
Give him something he'll actually carry and use. A SAK or a multitool. Though if this is his third deployment, I'd be surprised if he didn't already have one and any other items he needs and actually uses.
 
Armchair Rambo here.
But if the guy would feel happier with a fixed blade he should have a fixed blade.
Am I right that OP is looking for a get-at-able utility knife rather than a fighting knife?
 
Get-at type utility is what he's looking at. Hopefully a "fighting weapon" is still the M4 or a SAW. I guess in a pinch the knife can do the job, but we're hoping that's not the case. Use what you have is still the way things work.
 
19k and 11b here. I use a Fallkniven F1 on my carrier. I have it tied to my molle webbing on the side of a mag pouch.
 
If you're looking for something not too expensive but with a good sheath have you checked out TOPS? They make great blades for exactly the role you are looking for.
 
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