looking for a good deployment knife [Archive]

wolverineSIERRA

05-10-10, 21:15

hi shopping around for a good deployment knife, it has to be fixed blade, no longe than 6', and not heavy, it has to have a versatile sheat for many different carry options, attached to 6004 holster, molle or strapped to a chest rig etc, did some searching narrowed it down to benchmade nimravus, SOG seal pup elite, cold steel SRK all seem to be good quality and light survival/combat blades, was wondering if anyone has any input or suggestions thanks

SeriousStudent

05-10-10, 21:21

Of those three, I would go with the Benchmade.

Here's another possibility - a ESEE/RAT Cutlery RC-3MIL. The sheath has various mounting options you requested.

http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3mil.htm

I have a RAT-3 in D2 steel, and like it quite a bit. Various folks have found it pretty easy to fasten it to a 6004 holster, MOLLE or body armor.

ETA: Best wishes for a safe deployment, and thank you for your service to our country.

FireandFlames

05-10-10, 22:00

I'd personally stay away from the nimravus, benchmades fixed blades are good but they tend to be delicate.
The seal pup elite would do you well plus they are extremely light weight which is important.
Other blades to consider are the ESEE RC-4 or RC-5, Foster Fears Survival Knife, Gerber Prodigy, Ka-bar Becker BK-2 or BK-7, Microtech Churahee. Oh and I would also look out for a new knife coming out from Zero Tolerance knives called the 0170, it fits the bill for soldiers knife perfect.

dookie1481

05-10-10, 23:55

What's your max $$$?

Jay

mkmckinley

05-11-10, 01:08

I wouldn't go for anything above 4". I carry a 3" Busse on my kit and it's never been too short. If you get a big, bad Rambo knife you'll probably wish for something lighter and end up not carrying it. Check out Fallkniven and RAT cutlery.

SIGguy229

05-11-10, 03:01

I carried a SEAL Pup on my vest, mounted on my right side, underneath my 3-mag shingle, at a 45-deg angle...worked like that for 15 months.

rob_s

05-11-10, 03:51

I have a Nimravus from one of the early production runs and while I'm not a Soldier or a Marine I would have concerns about the long-term durability of the knife, especially if you wind up using it as a prybar etc.

Moose-Knuckle

05-11-10, 08:00

RWK

05-11-10, 08:37

I suggest a RAT/ESEE RC-4 or RC-5.

cevtv

05-11-10, 09:46

Anything from Emerson. No need to look any further.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/cevtv/IMG_0401.jpg

mattpittinger

05-11-10, 10:33

I am not quite sure what your budget is. If money is tight I would say go with the Benchmade or a RAT. I have several of thier fixed blade knives, and they have yet to let me down. At the higher end of the price scale I have to throw my reccomendation to Mad Dog. Thier knives are top notch. I have had one for years, and I have beat the living shit out of it. It still looks new.....well "newish". The only thing is the $700 starting price.
For the money you really cannot beat the Chris Reeve Knives. Great knives and not unreasonable prices for what you get. Take a look at the Professional Soldier model. I feel that it will meet your needs the best, but if you feel that you really need a bigger knife look at the Niel Roberts. Links below

http://chrisreeve.com/professionalsoldier.htm
http://chrisreeve.com/neilroberts.htm
http://www.mdtactical.com/maddog/pygmyatak2.html

Rated21R

05-11-10, 10:57

I saw quite a few of the following:

Gerber LMFs, Benchmade Nimravus Cubs, SOG Seal Pups, Becker Knife and Tool (different versions). I actually had and used the Nimravus Cub and BKT throughout my deployment and never had issues with either. Cutting, prying, hammering, all the things one would expect to use their knife for and some of the things you don't but you do use it anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of those. If I can get my hands on a Chris Reeve Shadow III that will be the knife I take with me on all future deployments.

Depending on how much you want to spend there are plenty of good suggestions in this thread.

Good luck.

mattpittinger

05-11-10, 14:55

+1 for the Chris Reeve Shadow

Great Knife

Delta1067

05-11-10, 17:07

Here's another possibility - a ESEE/RAT Cutlery RC-3MIL. The sheath has various mounting options you requested.

http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3mil.htm

I have a RAT-3 in D2 steel, and like it quite a bit. Various folks have found it pretty easy to fasten it to a 6004 holster, MOLLE or body armor.

Not to confuse you, but RAT Cutlery is now ESEE and I run the ESEE-3 on a 6004 with no problems. The sheath just screws right onto the two holes that are on the 6004. ESEE has great warranty. You break it and they will fix it or replace it. Even if you break it on purpose.

mercop

05-11-10, 18:09

I know you said fixed blade but may a recommend the Al MAR SERE 2000 folder. Because of the pocket clip design it carries very well in covered pockets. Something you can carry all the time, not just in full kit. I have had mine for about 7 years and it is my favorite knife.- George

wolverineSIERRA

05-11-10, 18:21

to be honest with you guys i a not trying break the $200 mark, i was thinking somewhere in the 120-160 mark maybe a bit more

dookie1481

05-11-10, 22:53

to be honest with you guys i a not trying break the $200 mark, i was thinking somewhere in the 120-160 mark maybe a bit more

That's plenty of money. In that range the RAT/ESEE-4 and the Bark River Bravo 1 both have a great reputation.

Jay

Rated21R

05-11-10, 23:09

rrpederson

05-12-10, 00:45

for my 3 deployments to the sad box, i had the sog seal pup that u mentioned. it was a great all around utility knife. i used that thing for everything and still was confident if i had to go into a knife fight with it. although, i havent had any formal knife fighting experience, it seems like it would do well. it is very light, will hold an edge for a very long time and the sheath could be mounted anywhere. i also carried a barry dawson ranger with me as well in case there was something i ran into that needed a very heavy duty knife. anyway, good luck with your pick.

wolverineSIERRA

05-12-10, 10:22

thanks for all help guys, really appreciated for all the input but i am basically going between the nimravus or the seal pup elite just trying to get my hands around them first to see which one can fit my hands better, in reality i wont be doing much of wood chopping or camping in the sand box so no need to carry a thick big blade, but only a good LBE knife for minor cutting, prying and most importantly as a light capable combat knife if the situation present itself

mkmckinley

05-12-10, 10:28

Not to confuse you, but RAT Cutlery is now ESEE and I run the ESEE-3 on a 6004 with no problems. The sheath just screws right onto the two holes that are on the 6004. ESEE has great warranty. You break it and they will fix it or replace it. Even if you break it on purpose.

That's a great knife, nothing mallninjaee about it and you can't beat the warranty.

mattjmcd

05-12-10, 11:23

http://www.outdoorpros.com/Prod/Fallkniven-S1BLEL-The-Forest-Knife-Thermorun-Handle-Black-Blade-Leather/14184/Cat/19?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=1184&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3134313834

Might be a good option, too. Personally, I like CRK knives but some of them are pricey.

Kentucky Cop

05-12-10, 12:21

A lot of good reviews on the internet from ground pounders who carried these on deployments...

http://www.militarygerber.com/index.php/product/id/87

They retail for $140 but you can get them here for $64...

http://www.lapolicegear.com/lmfiiasek.html

They come in Black, Coyote, or Foliage.

Thats a heck of a deal for $64 peso's. Heck, you could buy two of them for different kits. I also have heard great things about the Rat knifes and per their website, they appear to have a folder coming out soon.
Ky cop

Moose-Knuckle

05-12-10, 12:47

Thats a heck of a deal for $64 peso's. Heck, you could buy two of them for different kits. I also have heard great things about the Rat knifes and per their website, they appear to have a folder coming out soon.
Ky cop

Yeah I have one in my BOB that I keep behind the seat of my truck that I never give a second thought about. Here in Texas if you have a fixed blade knife with over a 5.5" blade it is considered an illegal knife. The Gerber's are both under 5"

Gonna get the Prodigy for my better half's BOB I'm making for to keep in the trunk of her car. LAPG has it for $39...

http://www.lapolicegear.com/geprcocokn.html

Paulinski

05-12-10, 14:41

For fixed blade Jeremy Horton's knives are hard to beat.

Link (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=825)

rob_s

05-12-10, 14:48

Gonna get the Prodigy for my better half's BOB I'm making for to keep in the trunk of her car. LAPG has it for $39...

http://www.lapolicegear.com/geprcocokn.html

I really like that one. Any idea on what sheath it comes with?

Pathfinder Ops

05-12-10, 16:52

I really like that one. Any idea on what sheath it comes with?

I'm not sure how to answer your question. Mine came with a Kydex/ plastic type with leg straps etc. I can take a photo of it for ya if you want to see it.

BUT let me say this:

I bought this knife from LAPolice gear. Great knife especially for its price.

However its a ****ing wrestling match to get it out of the sheath. Especially if its only hanging on your belt by the upper loop. In fact if the bottom of the sheath is not anchored in some way either by the leg strap or on a MOLE set up it takes 2 hands to get this knife out of the sheath.

Holy Crap does the sheath grab that knife and hold it in place. That's good for all the usual running, jumping, falling whatever stuff. But its no quick draw blade.

That's just a users observation and for me its not a negative. Just thought you should know going into it.

threebanger

05-12-10, 17:14

SF ECHO is a nice option as well but a little steep in the $$$ area.

Norinco

05-12-10, 17:24

AL Mar SERE...

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/936/amksrov.jpg

http://www.agrussell.com/al-mar-knives/c/108/

Norinco

05-12-10, 17:34

Or Kiku. A bit expensive but worth the extra coin.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/49/img1661u.jpg

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/KikuoMatsudaKnife.html

Moose-Knuckle

05-13-10, 07:22

I really like that one. Any idea on what sheath it comes with?

This is the sheath that LAPG shows it comes with.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/prodigy.jpg

rob_s

05-13-10, 07:49

Thanks MK didn't notice the pic looking at the page on my netbook.

Moose-Knuckle

05-13-10, 10:32

No prob Rob.

dookie1481

05-13-10, 22:45

Or Kiku. A bit expensive but worth the extra coin.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/49/img1661u.jpg

http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/KikuoMatsudaKnife.html

I want a Kiku SOOOO badly...

Norinco

05-14-10, 09:05

ME TOO. Those knives are amazing. :D

rob_s

05-14-10, 09:26

Rated21R

05-14-10, 09:44

tiny bit smaller than the LMF and without the lashing points the LMF has which all it to be "used as a spear." :D

rob_s

05-14-10, 09:46

tiny bit smaller than the LMF

Weird.

Prodigy
Overall Length: 9.80
Blade Length: 4.80

LMF
Overall Length: 10.59"
Blade Length: 4.84"

Blade length almost identical but OAL .60" longer.

Moose-Knuckle

05-14-10, 10:09

So what's the major selling point of the "military Tactical LMF" over the "Prodigy"?

Tactical LMF/Prodigy
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/policestuff_2103_75940109http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/policestuff_2103_26799270

They are made from basically the same materials.

The LMF II:
•Overall Length: 10.59"
•Blade Length: 4.84"
•Weight: 11.4 oz.
•Blade Style: Drop Point
•Blade Material: 420HC Stainless
•Blade Type: Serrated
•Handle Material Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold
•Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon with fire retardant coating

The Prodigy:
•Overall Length: 9.75"
•Blade Length: 4.75"
•Blade Material: U.S. 420HC Stainless Steel
•Blade Type: Fine Edge
•Sheath Material: Friction-release Thumb Lock

I believe the LMF II ASEK was first introduced as a candidate to win a DOD contract for air crew survival knife. They have since released it as the LMF Survival and the LMF Infantry. They are all the same knife minus the rescue hook tool.

The Prodigy is just a less expensive verison, same steel but a different handle configuration and it only comes in "target indicator" black as apposed to the LMF that also come in CB and FG. That's where the differance in length comes in to play the LMF has the enlarged pommel.

CAVDOC

05-14-10, 11:03

on my first deployment took a fixed blade and was issued the gi bayonet- didn't take but a couple missions to figure out the fixed blades were too much weight and bulk to carry- strongly suggest a good folder or two-I used benchmades with good results.

wolverineSIERRA

05-14-10, 15:34

in my unit, a fixed blade primary knife is required

rljatl

05-14-10, 16:27

Kentucky Cop

05-15-10, 01:28

They are made from basically the same materials.

The LMF II:
•Overall Length: 10.59"
•Blade Length: 4.84"
•Weight: 11.4 oz.
•Blade Style: Drop Point
•Blade Material: 420HC Stainless
•Blade Type: Serrated
•Handle Material Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold
•Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon with fire retardant coating

The Prodigy:
•Overall Length: 9.75"
•Blade Length: 4.75"
•Blade Material: U.S. 420HC Stainless Steel
•Blade Type: Fine Edge
•Sheath Material: Friction-release Thumb Lock

I believe the LMF II ASEK was first introduced as a candidate to win a DOD contract for air crew survival knife. They have since released it as the LMF Survival and the LMF Infantry. They are all the same knife minus the rescue hook tool.

The Prodigy is just a less expensive verison, same steel but a different handle configuration and it only comes in "target indicator" black as apposed to the LMF that also come in CB and FG. That's where the differance in length comes in to play the LMF has the enlarged pommel.

So which one do you guys like better? They look damn near identical but I still want one of them for the price!

Ky Cop

Moose-Knuckle

05-15-10, 08:31

420HC Stainless Steel is considered by many knife aficionados to be a lower end steel and barely acceptable. For example, does not hold an edge. Most prefer something else.

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml

I'm no metallurgist but these are production knives we are talking about so there for the materials will not be top tier. Think of it like a Colt vs a RRA.

So which one do you guys like better? They look damn near identical but I still want one of them for the price!
Ky Cop

I don't have the Prodigy yet, so I can't say which one I fancy more but my LMF II ASEK has a built in sharpener, rescue hook, drop leg attachements. I'm getting the Prodigy for a BOB that will stay in my Fiancé’s car without a second thought so it would be illogical for me to buy her an expensive custom blade.

CAVDOC

05-15-10, 09:44

kind of surprised your unit is dictating a fixed blade? what kind of unit if you don't mind ?

FireandFlames

05-15-10, 16:24

420HC Stainless Steel is considered by many knife aficionados to be a lower end steel and barely acceptable. For example, does not hold an edge. Most prefer something else.

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml

Those specs must be old, the first runs of the LMF were 420HC but later ones like mine are in 12c27. 12c27 is a fantastic stainless steel, kind of like a highly stain resistant 1095 IMHO.
BTW, the LMF is a heavy little bugger. The only knife I have that has the same girth to size ratio as the LMF is my Busse ASH-1. If you want to carry it I would go for the prodigy.

EDIT: My bad I just looked at the specs, it seems gerber switched back to 420hc! Bad move on their part. The only "good" 420hc out there is used by Buck and goes under a Bose heat treat. While we are on it the Buck Nighthawk would be a excellent deployment knife, and Bucks warranty is fantastic. Out of all of them though I would choose the seal pup elite.

rljatl

05-15-10, 17:53

Deleted.

dookie1481

05-16-10, 13:23

Those specs must be old, the first runs of the LMF were 420HC but later ones like mine are in 12c27. 12c27 is a fantastic stainless steel, kind of like a highly stain resistant 1095 IMHO.
BTW, the LMF is a heavy little bugger. The only knife I have that has the same girth to size ratio as the LMF is my Busse ASH-1. If you want to carry it I would go for the prodigy.

EDIT: My bad I just looked at the specs, it seems gerber switched back to 420hc! Bad move on their part. The only "good" 420hc out there is used by Buck and goes under a Bose heat treat. While we are on it the Buck Nighthawk would be a excellent deployment knife, and Bucks warranty is fantastic. Out of all of them though I would choose the seal pup elite.

Yeah I was gonna say the new ones are in 420HC which is what kept me from buying one.

Jay

wolverineSIERRA

05-17-10, 21:52

kind of surprised your unit is dictating a fixed blade? what kind of unit if you don't mind ?

HVBSS, folders break and take time to deploy

tailrotor

05-17-10, 23:26

The Gerber Yari II seems comparable to the Nimravus except it's S30V steel.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-41144-Yari-Point-Knife/dp/B000Y1JW36

CoryCop25

05-18-10, 02:10

I use this on my duty rig. It comes with a kydex holster and the clip is very adjustable. It is from Tops Knives in Idaho. It is small and thick. It weighs 4.4 oz and is good for cutting and prying. I carry this behind my Taser and it is pretty well hidden but accessible. It sells for $99.00.

Blade Length: 3 1/2"
O/A Length: 6 1/4"
Cutting Edge: 2 7/8"
Thickness: 3/16"
Blade Color: Tactical Gray
Steel: 1095 High Carbon Alloy RC-58
Handle Material: Blue/Black G-10
Sheath: Kydex With a Multi Position Spring Steel Clip
Weight: 4.4oz
Weight w/ Sheath: 6.1oz
Mfg. Handcrafted in the USA

http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af269/CoryCop25/AR-15%20Accessories/P1000788.jpg

DMR

05-18-10, 04:51

To echo some of the other posters I'd say a 4"-5" max blade. The Cold Steel SRK was popular, but that also because it was at the PX. I used a Becker Crewman. I still keep it on my training gear, but am looking around for a trimmer knife.

Tango374

05-20-10, 02:57

I knew quite a few guys that carried Cold Steal SRKs. Not a bad knife overall. The Seal pup and the RC-4s were excellent knives as well. I was a little more partial to the RC-4 which really just felt better in my hand.

I carried a Buck-Strider Solution and absolutely loved that knife. Still do really. Just could not stand the sheath. What a piece of junk.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/Tango374/sol1.jpg

blade_68

06-27-10, 05:51

I've been carring and using a SRK from the 90s when they came out and only cost $30-45 my first one was
ripped off last year to the month :mad: but it was a great knife carried on quite a few deployments, I like the
older version best for field use but the newer one easier to clean and better scabbard. the Gerber/ field knife
is ok to me but I like strate edges best for general use. over all in most cases a fixed blade of 3-5 in is about
the right size of blade length. setting egos aside. for a non jungle environment. if you go with a Gerber find a
good diamond "stone" for up keep of the edge. rule of 3 lose one, brake one, loan one.. have none
1 fixed blade, 2 folders, SOG/Gerber/leatherman/Swiss army knife, HD single lock blade IMHO
if my handle says anything I been using and carring knives for 36 years

M76F

06-30-10, 04:17

Lots of my friends have had Seal Pups, they hold up fine.

I carried an Ontario fixed blade on my first deployment, I can't remember what model but it sat in the sheath the whole time. My Leatherman was much more useful.

CPR

07-01-10, 10:29

Bark River Bravo 1. Excellent quality.

http://www.crystalfallstradingcompany.com/barkriver-bravo1.php

ra2bach

07-02-10, 01:56

Bark River Bravo 1. Excellent quality.

http://www.crystalfallstradingcompany.com/barkriver-bravo1.php

that's a really nice knife and I was all set to order one after watching a review until I saw that the handle has been skeletonized under the grips to reduce weight and move the balance point forward.

that just seems silly to me and no doubt weakens the knife. I still want one though...

I have been looking at the Falkniven knives that use VG10 laminated steel and a full tang - extremely tough. I like the S1 with the 5" blade, 5mm thick but a better hard use/combat knife might be the A1 with a 6"/6mm blade.

http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/a1_en.html

or for something smaller, the F1 with a 4"/4.5mm blade which is the official survival knife for the Swedish (Sweetish?) Air Force. this would definitely be a more useful, everyday choice of the three...

yallknowho

07-03-10, 12:56

Rated21R

07-07-10, 15:06

Looks like I finally got my hands on a Chris Reeve Shadow III. Should be here next week. It took me some time, but it will be well worth it when I have my knife. :D

ra2bach

07-07-10, 15:28

get a scrap yard regulator/deregulator:

http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/category.sc;jsessionid=9DC3D6281D81B40B15BEA890CBEAC447.qscstrfrnt02?categoryId=4

I would say buy a busse but that is out of your price range.

I got that Scrapyard and it's huge. and the sheath is marginal and makes it even huger... :D

I'm trying to like this knife but IMO, it is neither fish nor fowl - too big to be everyday practical and not really suited for "small prybar" type applications due to the tip configuration. it's also among the thickest knives I've ever held so it's plenty heavy.

I'm trying to figure out what role it plays in the real world but other than hand-to-hand knife fighting, I am having a hard time.

mine will probably be for sale soon with the sheath for a good price so I can replace it with the Falkniven S1...

http//www.fallkniven.com/S1new.html (http://www.fallkniven.com/S1new.html)

http://www.fallkniven.com/bilder/s1-web.jpg