Tactical Fixed Blade Recommendations?

R

rockon

Joined
May 18, 2007
Messages
31
I'm trying to decide on a fixed blade tactical knife of about 7" length or so. Right now I've been looking at the Gerber Silver Trident and Ka-Bar D2 primarily...also looked at the Benchmade Presidio and Cold Steel Recon Scout (SK-5 carbon variety for the sake of affordability). I've been looking mostly at the serrated versions if available, although I'm not 100% on that.

Gerber Silver Trident - http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=6977

Ka-Bar D2 - https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...1,2,3,7,9&categoryName=Product Search Results

Benchmade Presidio - http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=155

Cold Steel Recon Scout - http://www.coldsteel.com/39lrs.html


What I'm looking for is a knife that will hold an edge well, but also take one fairly easily if it needs some honing...yeah I know, I want to have my cake and eat it too.:D

Basically, what I'm looking for is a fixed blade around 7" that'll serve me well on an Iraqistan deployment. If the blade is thick, that's not necessarily a detriment IMO because I may occasionally find the need to use it as a prybar, hence the reason that didn't put the CS Recon Scout out of the running, although I wish it were 3/16 like the Cold Steel military classic, but then I don't need the MS's micarta handle and leather sheath either. It's gotta be tough, durable, etc...I've heard that the 154CM used in the Gerber can be brittle based on its hardness...holds an edge well but can also chip when used to hack at something (or snap when used as the aforementioned prybar). The $200 pricetag of the knives I'd looked at is about as high as I could go. I don't need something custom or fancy, it's not going to always receive the best treatment, so I don't want to feel bad if it takes a beating, and I'm sure there are mainstream knife manufacturers that make something that would suit those needs. Thanks for any advice you all can offer!
 
While they're getting harder to come by these days, a Becker BK7 would be a good one to look at as well.
 
Ontario RAT 7
Ranger Knives RD7

You can still find the Camillus (Terzuola Design) CQB-1; great knife in your price range.
Stainless steel, Micarta Grips. Was made in ATS-34 and then 154CM.
Goes for about a buck and a quarter these days. Kydex sheath & Tek Lok.
 
You should consider something from Scrapyard Knives. I've never personally handled one, but apparently they make one hell of a knife for the price.
Their knives are quite in demand so they aren't all always available. I think right now they only have one available from there company store. Check it out here.

Eric
 
+1 for an Rd-7. Justin is a great guy to do business with and his service is unbeatable.
 
I have the Gerber Silver Trident, and the Ka-BAR D2 Extreme that are listed on you choices. Of the 2 I would go with the KA-BAR D2 Extreme. It come very sharp and seems to stay that way for some time. Don't think I could recommend much prybar use though. If you could go a bit smaller then look at the Micro-Tech Currahee and read the article in Tactical Knives magazine about it. I have one and it feels like a very good untility knife....very, very strong and sharp.
And finally consider the Bark River Knife & Tools Bravo-1. The Marine Corps has chosen it so it should meed your requirements also. Mine fits me like a glove and it's becoming one of my favorite knives to date.

Ciao
Ron
:thumbup:
 
I would recommend the Rat 7 in D2. Will cost ya about 120. With the 80 thats left, get yourself a leatherman wave for the front pouch of the sheath and your good to go!
 
swamp rat

Swamp Rat Knife Works Mini Mojo w/Logo

This is the Swamp Rat Knife Works Mini Mojo -Lengths are approx- - 6 3/4" SR101 blade- - .25" thick at the spine- -Through hardened- -Black Crinkle Coat- -Micarta Handle- -Overall length 12 3/8"- - Logo- -this is the model with the blade catch- -No sheath-
Mfg*Part*#
Mini Mojo

Inventory
In-Stock

Price: $198.95
 
You really won't get that use out of it. You'll get issued a decent fixed blade. You would be much better off investing ithat $200 in a good Leatherman Black xTi, and say a Surefire Exec Defender flashite and a bunch of batteries for it.
 
JGarth said:
You really won't get that use out of it. You'll get issued a decent fixed blade. You would be much better off investing ithat $200 in a good Leatherman Black xTi, and say a Surefire Exec Defender flashite and a bunch of batteries for it.
Click to expand...
Actually the Army doesn't issue knives...at least not in the unit I'm in...maybe somewhere like Ft. Bragg does.

I appreciate the recommendations so far...but what is it about these knives: Ranger, Swamp Rat, Bark River Bravo-1 (couldn't find any info on it btw) that makes them a better buy than the Ka-Bar, Cold Steel, or the Gerber? I'm not as well versed on knives as I'd like to be, and am trying to be well informed while coming to a decision. Thanks again!
 
Hi everybody! It's the first time I'm writing here. If you are looking for a good knife at more or less affordable price -I can advise ka-barD2 with kydex? sheath.I think it can be the best for author from everything mentioned above.Take one and Good luck!
 
Id recomend the Kabar D2 as well, but i say screw all forms of kydex sheaths and the demon-skank injection molders that spawned them. Go for the Cordura sheath.
 
The thing that's begun to concern me about the Ka-Bar D2 is the stick tang, in the case that I'd ever have to use it to pry something open...and the durability of the D2 steel in terms of impacts. Do you not foresee this to be an issue?


If it came down to a Scrapyard S6, Ranger RD7, Ontario RAT-7, or Swamp Rat Camp Tramp/Ratweiler, what would you all recommend?
 
Just what type of unit are you assigned to that you are not issued a fixed blade knife.
Anyway, get a plain ole USMC Ka-Bar (Army version). It got me and a lot of other guys thru many tours in country.
And you are way over thinking this knife thing. It's apparent already with the ... "tang this, pry that" ....
get a Ka-Bar ... and take care of it, and it will take care of you ... quit the &$. ..... and if you need a prybar, use a prybar ....
 
JGarth said:
Just what type of unit are you assigned to that you are not issued a fixed blade knife.
Anyway, get a plain ole USMC Ka-Bar (Army version). It got me and a lot of other guys thru many tours in country.
And you are way over thinking this knife thing. It's apparent already with the ... "tang this, pry that" ....
get a Ka-Bar ... and take care of it, and it will take care of you ... quit the &$. ..... and if you need a prybar, use a prybar ....
Click to expand...

I must admit that I've never met anyone who was in the Army during the last 20 years and said they'd been issued a knife...bayonets, sure...but that's a whole different thing altogether, and those typically aren't being signed out of the arms rooms over in Iraqistan because of the nature of the current conflict. I'm branched field artillery and stationed at Ft. Riley. My dad was a tanker and was stationed everywhere from Fort Carson to Germany, and never once was issued a combat knife. I've got a buddy in Iraq currently with a Stryker brigade, and he's never said anything about being issued a knife. But whether or not my unit or his unit or anyone's unit issues knives isn't relevant anyway.

I think the "tang this, pry that" thing is relevant however....being that a knife is a tool, and I want to buy one that will actually hold up to whatever uses it may see. A broken knife does me no good.
 
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