what to choose for my service knife?

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lucky22

Joined
Feb 27, 2012
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Hey everyone,

I am going into basic training in the new year as a military policeman In the British army. I am using this as an excuse to treat myself to a new knife or two :-) I am looking for a fixed blade for operations and a folder to edc, I am however unsure as to whether I should save up and get something top notch like a crk or hinderer, which at the moment would be a major financial commitment, or whether to get something more Affordable as being realistic it may well get lost broken or stolen.

For this fixed I'm thinking something along the lines of a bk2 or bk16 if I can find one in the UK for a reasonable price, and for the folders I'm looking at everything from a delica to a techno, or from a spyderco GB to something like a sebenza.

Cost is a big factor for me at the moment and so I will probably end up buying from the states as the prices are so much better.

Could you give me your thoughts and feelings, pros and cons etc.

Also any MP's out there? If so what do you carry?

Cheers
 
I think the SOG Seal Pup would be an excellent all-round fixed blade! The newer versions they make now are made with AUS-8 steel, instead of the AUS-6 that was used with the older ones. It's blade is only 4 inches long though, so if you're looking for something a little more suited to combat, I'd suggest something longer, perhaps a dagger of some sort. It's also pretty cheap, I bought mine here in Canada for around $75, and I'm sure the US prices are not far off. Once again, make sure you get the newer version, as it has the more wear-resistant steel. Here is a link to the website, where you can get it for $98 USD. SOG Seal Pup
 
Former active duty US Marine and current National Guard here, for what it's worth. Not an MP, I'm an artillery observer, although I am a full-time police officer in my civilian life. Just some background.

When I carry a fixed blade with the military these days, it's simply a Mora companion, military green. It is fantastic in the field and it weighs little over two ounces. When in the field for training, you can't beat it, as ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain. I'm talking about rucking here.

However on deployments I carried the Ontario Knife Company OKC3S Marine bayonet, which is the best of the milspec bayonets and far surpasses the American Army's issue M9 bayonet (also by Ontario). I do not know if a OKC3S bayonet is compatible with a SA80 rifle, which I believe is what you will be issued (correct me if I'm wrong). But in principle, if you are deploying to a combat zone I would highly recommend a fixed blade that can pull bayonet duty.

As for EDC, I'm currently EDCing a Victorinox Deluxe Tinker in my police work. I EDC various Swiss Army knives on the military side. But really, in my humble opinion, as far as a folder a Swiss Army is all you need. If you prefer one-handed action, I'm a big fan of the one-handed Trekker.

A lot of guys will probably disagree with me on some or all of those points, which is fine, I'm just letting you know what has so far worked for me.

I respect your decision to serve your country! Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
 
You might want to take a look into Fällkniven.
S1, or A1 or even the handy F1 for fixed blades.
If I had to choose an economic folder for cutting, the Delica would be fine, although I prefer Endura for it's blade length.
Another good choice (and within budget) would be the Victorinox Swiss Soldiers knife'08. This gives more versatility.
hope this helps.
 
Just so you know, I was a medic. I served with the Special Forces and the Scouts.
If I were doing it again, given the choices available today, and the limit on money, I would look at Becker Knife and Tool's Companion for a fixed blade that is selling for $69 or less. This knife is as good as it gets.
As for an EDC, I would pick a Benchmade Griptilian which, as long as you do not mind a model stamped Navy Seals or Seabees, are on sale for around $56 (at KW). My second choice would be the indestructible Cold Steel Recon 1 with a clip point. (Don't get a tanto point. They are useless in real world all around knife use).
(If you want something more pocketable, get the Benchmade Mini-griptillian as they are tough, good all around knives on sale for around $56 or so...same place)

I also recommend getting a magnesium bar. This will start fires even in the wet. Could save your life and certainly make sure you are warm. I would also get a leatherman Style CS with the LED light (about 15 bucks).
I hope that helps.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far guys, emperorwang I have been considering moras purely for the cheap and cheerful factor but being a knife guy I guess I just get seduced by some of the sexier options like the Beckers lol. I'm sorted on the multi tool and torch front with a leatherman tti and a klarus torch. Being realistic the chance of the knife being used for any sort of combat is minimal to say the least so I'm not to worried about that. From experiences in the territorial army I know that the sa80 bayonet is a pos, it works as a bayonet but is useless as a knife.

I've never tried the griptillians so I may look into those a bit more. I'm just a definite spydie fan. For the edc folder I would prefer to spend a little more and hopefully have to sharpen less, I have had a tenacious but I would guess the delica/endure are different league?
 
Fallkniven might be an idea.
While I wouldn't want it as an outdoor knife, as a military knife, the Gerber LMF seems quite well devised.
 
Are you even allowed to bring your own kit to Basic?

If you're talking about after training, that's another matter.

Lots of stories around here about knives and soldiers, some good, some bad.

Seems to me that the things you want most in a knife, in no particular order:

1) Lightest weight to do the job (do you fellas get loaded down with 80lbs of gear, or the equivalent in Kilos?)

2) Jump-proof sheath: soldiers lose their knives more than they sharpen them!

3) Strong, simple design: 'cause sooner of later, one of your mates is going to borrow it, and do something stupid....

4) Inexpensive: because if you buy a Chris Reeve, it will get lost. What can go wrong, will go wrong.

I would say Becker is the way to go, or Cold Steel, if you're not impressed by Mora.
 
I would think inexpensive, tough and light(ish) would be your go to for fixed blades. Mora or something from Condor might fit the bill there. IMO, versatility would be what you want from your folder, so SAK or multi-tool. If you want a dedicated folder I would personally go with a Cold Steel Voyager. Easy to sharpen, strong, inexpensive and relatively lightweight.
 
Check before you get in whether you are even allowed to take your own knives with you. I know when I was applying to the Australian Army last year that it was expressly stated that personal knives were prohibited and would be confiscated on arrival. We were also reminded that the laws of the land applied to new recruits at all times, and in the UK that means no locking folders, which seriously limits your options (and begs the question how you have got away with owning a Tenacious up to this point).

Assuming you pass those two caveats, I would look to an Ontario RAT-1 for my folder (small, lightweight, strong, cheap, proven track record) although I switch between it and my Tenacious for edc as both are great knives, especially for their relatively low price point. IMO the BK-2 is wayyyy overbuilt for active duty, it is a seriously heavy hunk of steel. While I didn't like the BK-16 personally, either it or the BK-17 would fit the bill, but my personal recommendation would be the ESEE-4 - great size, tough as nails, good sheath system.

If you are limited by UK law to non-locking folders, then consider the Spyderco UK-PK, or a good Victorinox SAK (my personal favourite is the Super Tinker although if you wanted some extra functionality in the field the Huntsman/Fieldmaster might be the way to go). All the best.
 
Hi ozgooner, locking folders are perfectly legal in the UK you just need a very good reason to carry them in public, the same applies to fixed blades. One of the good reasons stated in law is needing to carry this knife for your job. A folding knife is on the kit list for basic training so thAt should be fine. I've not come across the beckers in the flesh just going by what I can make out from pics online.
 
Hello lucky, good luck on your upcoming service.

From my own experience of serving 10 years in the army, I would tell you not to get any knife that can't be replaced very easy. For one thing, 'stuff happens'. Nice knives tend to either walk away when someone transfers out, or get confiscated by over zealous CO's. Some CO's even limit what you can carry in their unit, no matter what the regs are. I carried a nice pocket knife or two, but my fixed blade never got used, even in a tour of Vietnam. The issue Camillus MK2 was shoved down in my duffle bag, and never worn. Just to big a PITA. We already had so much stuff on our web gear that anything more was too much. On the other hand, the Buck stockman and SAK I had were used just about everyday for something.

In the modern army, there is not really much use for large fixed blade knives. I know my own experience is dated, but my niece and a nephew have served in Iraq and Afganistan respectively, and they told me their most used tool was the multitool they were carrying. A Leatherman and a Gerber.

Get yourself a nice folder, and a very good, small personal flashlight that takes common AA or AAA batteries. You'll need the flashlight more than a large knife. Make the folder and flashlight small enough that you can always have them in a pocket.
 
How 'bout a mora for brush and serious social work, and a leatherman heavy duty 300 for utility? shouldn't cost you more than $80. if a multitool is too much hassle, try a SAK.
 
Combo #1: Mora Robust and EKA Swede 92 with rubber grip (yellow or black, your choice).

Combo #2: Peltonen M95 Ranger Knife and Spyderco Tenacious.

~Paul~
 
hank_rearden said:
How 'bout a mora for brush and serious social work, and a leatherman heavy duty 300 for utility? shouldn't cost you more than $80. if a multitool is too much hassle, try a SAK.
Click to expand...

Spoken like one who has been there. The Leatherman will come in especially handy, I should think. At least that is the opinion of an old Vietnam era armorer.
 
The reason I suggested the Becker (as made by Kabar) is that the steel is better (IMO) than the ESEE and others and the knives are in your price range. They are made with the same steel that other companies have called Carbon V or CV, etc. Remember Cold Steel putting one of their knives made from this steel to the test by thrusting it into a spinning military vehicle off road tire and it completely cut the tire off the rim but did not hurt the knife. MP's do not normally have to survive in rough places but if there is a war you might.
Some of the knives suggested are good, but out of your price range and IMO not any better.
Also, instead of a folding knife, you might consider the Becker Necker. This is a wonderful knife to carry and it stands up to use.
One thing to consider is that some steels are very difficult to sharpen in the field. You want something tough, that takes a good edge, and can be sharpened. What if you lose your gear in the field and you only have the knife on your belt, pocket, or neck? It happens. How many soldiers have lost gear to monkeys, or during escape and evasion or snow slides? A lot.
Besides the magbar, get some paracord and a good light poncho liner or something similar with grommet holes that is easily packable and can be st up as a quick shelter or keep you out of the weather.
 
My two cents: whatever you carry in your unit will really depend on your chain-of-command. I would stick with something utilitarian and inexpensive (not cheap). You won't be able to have anything in Basic and may be restricted what you can carry in your school. Many of the choices here are excellent. I would recommend a good, locking folder (no assisted openers) your can carry unobtrusively in your pocket, and a good multi-tool on your belt. There are many good folders out there but don't go nuts. As stated above; things go AWOL in military settings (I once heard it said that there is only one thief in the Army - the rest are just trying to get thier stuff back) and if you can't afford to loose a $100 knife, don't carry it. A good Kershaw or Spyderco (my favorites are the Skyline and Endura) will see you through 99% of your needs. The multi-tool should have the tools on it you need and that's it - two things I used (and use) a LOT were the pliers and scissors. My choice would be an older Leatherman Wave without the changeable screwdriver bits (they WILL) get lost. A can opener is always a good idea too. If you really feel the need to carry a fixed blade, you can't go wrong with either the Kabar or old Pilot Survival knife. Both are very tough and will take a good edge, but will also take a LOT of abuse. Good luck and thank you ofr your service!
 
Just get a nice multitool. I like the SOG ones (they are great, even if the rest of their stuff is meh). Its all I ever really needed in all my years of service.

Reality is, there is no one to stab, no trees to cut down, no knife fights... its mostly opening packages, opening crates, and fixing broken stuff.

You want it light too.
 
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