What is your absolute favorite combat knife? - Page 5

Geoff Timm · May 20, 2004, 06:41 PM

Back in the 1970s, when Uncle Sam was buying my ammo, I had much gear to carry in the field. I Gerber Mk. I clipped to the top of my boot and a Swiss Army Knife in an extra 20 rd ammo pouch, with other odds and ends, was about all I cared to carry.

Geoff
Who packed two canteens before it was stylish.

SkeletorUSMC · May 30, 2004, 10:21 AM

Any well made kukri, 18" Chitlangi in particular.

michael t · May 30, 2004, 11:15 PM

My navaja 19in long when open

Blade is 9+alittle and 2in wide Carry IWB every were when I was trucking. They been sliceing and diceing with these in Spain for over 100 years In old times some were 39 in open and you thought you Cuda Max was large.

Hard Ball · May 30, 2004, 11:22 PM

My Randall Number One with an 8 inch blade.

hercules · June 6, 2004, 01:00 PM

Spyderco Endura. Had it for years, and have never let me down.

fubsy · June 6, 2004, 03:43 PM

I carry a Kasper Scorpion for a concealable fixed blade. My preferred sheath knife is a Brend mdl2 which I sold and later I have replaced it with a broadwell mlr tac (les Robinson Vanguards)....I have used a Randall mdl 14 with cdt and mdl 1 handle.......I sure do miss that brend. I generally carry a little spyderco Delica with full serations in my pocket...and Lately Ive been playing with a microtech DA lcc. I could really do with out the auto capability though............too many knives way to little money....lol...fubsy.

Gabe Suarez · June 7, 2004, 03:59 PM

The one thing I would suggest is, if carrying a self-defense blade in the USA, to be careful with what your carry knife has been named, who made it, and what marketing has been used to sell it.

For example, the black colored SEAL ATTACK GUT ZIPPER SENTRY REMOVAL KNIFE you saw in the ad being used by MAD MAX in Iraq, may serve you well in a fight, but when you are dealing with the aftermath you'll wish you had a Spyderco Endura or a Cold Steel Voyager.

Gabe Suarez
http://www.warriortalk.com

Spectre · June 13, 2004, 05:09 PM

My HI WWII is my favorite do-it-all outdoor knife, but if I somehow had to solely
depend on edged weapons instead of a firearm for defense, this 21" Chitlangi would be my choice...

mad_dog30 · June 13, 2004, 11:37 PM

Every day would be a Chris Reeve large Sebenza for "social" purposes. And as far as a fixed blade it would have to be a Project 1. Built like a tank and very well balanced too.

Arizona Fusilier · June 16, 2004, 11:36 PM

Not to beat a dead horse, but I understand both sides of the "cheap" vs. "high-end" argument. You can take a cheap knife and a bells-and-whistles knife, and use each 10 times, and chances are you would never notice any meaningfull difference, whereas when it comes to firearms, you'd likely know the first time you went to the range. But stretch that 10 out to a 100, carry it every day, put it through the wringer, and most of all, stake your life on its performance, and that's when you'd trade up, as best as your financial situation will allow.

Back when I had more than a snowball's chance of getting into a life-and-death fight, knife or otherwise, I carried a lot of gear like Geoff Timm alludes to. If you're going to be issued a bayonet anyway, a large knife is not on your packing list. As some have already observed, a bayonet at the end of long arm is a formidable weapon, and believe it or not, some of us were/are actually trained in its use. And of course, you can use it as a big knife, fighting or otherwise. To this end, the current M9 bayonet is a big improvement.

I never got to use a bayonet, but I have survived in the field for weeks at a time. When it comes to the myriad field tasks that others have so rightfully observed, I found the good ol' Buck folding hunter, augmented with a Swiss Army knife, more than agreeable companions.

So why own a "fighting knife"? I don't know, why own three custom 1911s? Just in case is probably the answer, coupled for appreciation of quality. I personally have subscribed to both sides of the fence on this isuue.

I just recently went on a trip to Hawaii. I wanted to bring something for defense, but I was certainly not crazy enough to bring a gun. I bought one of those "Ranger" knives, 5" blade, subdued, with the paracord handle, for 5.99. I carried it in the open, attached to one of those backpacks that tourists can't live without nowadays, and didn't raise an eyebrow. I'm sure it would have been more than adequate for the one time I would have used it, if necessary. But I wouldn't care if it was lost, stolen, confiscated, or ditched.

But "back in the day", I bought a Randall #14. If I was recalled to active duty for a special 3-day commando mission to snatch Osama because of my special skills (cigar smokin' and beer drinkin'), I'm sure I'd bring the Randall with me.

However, for a longer-term expedition, public or private, I think my Cold Steel Trailmaster would get the nod. Clearly it has utility for fighting, and is a little more sturdy for such chores as brush clearing, opening crates, etc. I would augment this with a SOG Paratool, Leatherman, or the like (those pliers are indispensible for removing cactus needles, as folks around here can attest).

As an all-round back up, I would carry my Benchmade folder.

Hopefully, my trusty ol' Buck knife won't take offense.

jdthaddeus · June 17, 2004, 01:01 AM

The best fighters are Black Cloud knives by Ernest Mayer. They are superbly balanced and crafted by a fighter, for fighting.

For all-around knives (defense and utility), Mad Dog has my vote.

May 30, 2004, 11:22 PM	#104
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	My Randall Number One with an 8 inch blade. __________________ "I swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemeis domestic or foreign WHOMSOEVER."

June 6, 2004, 01:00 PM	#105
hercules Member Join Date: July 4, 2001 Location: SC Posts: 69	Spyderco Endura. Had it for years, and have never let me down. __________________ Go to a Fallout Shelter, then turn on the radio.

June 13, 2004, 11:37 PM	#109
mad_dog30 Junior Member Join Date: November 28, 2002 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 3	Every day would be a Chris Reeve large Sebenza for "social" purposes. And as far as a fixed blade it would have to be a Project 1. Built like a tank and very well balanced too. __________________ Oderint duum metuant.

June 17, 2004, 01:01 AM	#111
jdthaddeus Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 1999 Location: Az Posts: 470	The best fighters are Black Cloud knives by Ernest Mayer. They are superbly balanced and crafted by a fighter, for fighting. For all-around knives (defense and utility), Mad Dog has my vote. __________________ "No honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun." "I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 or 30 round magazines or my folding stock." "I see nothing wrong with waiting periods." - Bill RUGER to Tom Brokaw on NBC News, while pushing for the 'high capacity' magazine ban

May 20, 2004, 06:41 PM	#101
Geoff Timm Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 472	Back in the 1970s, when Uncle Sam was buying my ammo, I had much gear to carry in the field. I Gerber Mk. I clipped to the top of my boot and a Swiss Army Knife in an extra 20 rd ammo pouch, with other odds and ends, was about all I cared to carry. Geoff Who packed two canteens before it was stylish.

May 30, 2004, 10:21 AM	#102
SkeletorUSMC Junior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 2	Any well made kukri, 18" Chitlangi in particular.

May 30, 2004, 11:15 PM	#103
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 4,044	My navaja 19in long when open Blade is 9+alittle and 2in wide Carry IWB every were when I was trucking. They been sliceing and diceing with these in Spain for over 100 years In old times some were 39 in open and you thought you Cuda Max was large.

June 6, 2004, 03:43 PM	#106
fubsy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Posts: 1,363	I carry a Kasper Scorpion for a concealable fixed blade. My preferred sheath knife is a Brend mdl2 which I sold and later I have replaced it with a broadwell mlr tac (les Robinson Vanguards)....I have used a Randall mdl 14 with cdt and mdl 1 handle.......I sure do miss that brend. I generally carry a little spyderco Delica with full serations in my pocket...and Lately Ive been playing with a microtech DA lcc. I could really do with out the auto capability though............too many knives way to little money....lol...fubsy.

June 7, 2004, 03:59 PM	#107
Gabe Suarez Member Join Date: January 4, 2000 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 78	The one thing I would suggest is, if carrying a self-defense blade in the USA, to be careful with what your carry knife has been named, who made it, and what marketing has been used to sell it. For example, the black colored SEAL ATTACK GUT ZIPPER SENTRY REMOVAL KNIFE you saw in the ad being used by MAD MAX in Iraq, may serve you well in a fight, but when you are dealing with the aftermath you'll wish you had a Spyderco Endura or a Cold Steel Voyager. Gabe Suarez http://www.warriortalk.com

June 16, 2004, 11:36 PM	#110
Arizona Fusilier Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2000 Posts: 1,082	Not to beat a dead horse, but I understand both sides of the "cheap" vs. "high-end" argument. You can take a cheap knife and a bells-and-whistles knife, and use each 10 times, and chances are you would never notice any meaningfull difference, whereas when it comes to firearms, you'd likely know the first time you went to the range. But stretch that 10 out to a 100, carry it every day, put it through the wringer, and most of all, stake your life on its performance, and that's when you'd trade up, as best as your financial situation will allow. Back when I had more than a snowball's chance of getting into a life-and-death fight, knife or otherwise, I carried a lot of gear like Geoff Timm alludes to. If you're going to be issued a bayonet anyway, a large knife is not on your packing list. As some have already observed, a bayonet at the end of long arm is a formidable weapon, and believe it or not, some of us were/are actually trained in its use. And of course, you can use it as a big knife, fighting or otherwise. To this end, the current M9 bayonet is a big improvement. I never got to use a bayonet, but I have survived in the field for weeks at a time. When it comes to the myriad field tasks that others have so rightfully observed, I found the good ol' Buck folding hunter, augmented with a Swiss Army knife, more than agreeable companions. So why own a "fighting knife"? I don't know, why own three custom 1911s? Just in case is probably the answer, coupled for appreciation of quality. I personally have subscribed to both sides of the fence on this isuue. I just recently went on a trip to Hawaii. I wanted to bring something for defense, but I was certainly not crazy enough to bring a gun. I bought one of those "Ranger" knives, 5" blade, subdued, with the paracord handle, for 5.99. I carried it in the open, attached to one of those backpacks that tourists can't live without nowadays, and didn't raise an eyebrow. I'm sure it would have been more than adequate for the one time I would have used it, if necessary. But I wouldn't care if it was lost, stolen, confiscated, or ditched. But "back in the day", I bought a Randall #14. If I was recalled to active duty for a special 3-day commando mission to snatch Osama because of my special skills (cigar smokin' and beer drinkin'), I'm sure I'd bring the Randall with me. However, for a longer-term expedition, public or private, I think my Cold Steel Trailmaster would get the nod. Clearly it has utility for fighting, and is a little more sturdy for such chores as brush clearing, opening crates, etc. I would augment this with a SOG Paratool, Leatherman, or the like (those pliers are indispensible for removing cactus needles, as folks around here can attest). As an all-round back up, I would carry my Benchmade folder. Hopefully, my trusty ol' Buck knife won't take offense.