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I've got a handful of nice fixed blades, but finally decided that trying to wear one on my rig wasn't the most practical option. Every time I needed a blade for a chore, I always went straight to the Strider folder in my pocket. I've carried smaller fixed blades on my rig before, but the large options I honestly only carry when camping.
I have the SOG SEAL Pup Elite. Some guys don't like that knife, but you will see this knife listed among the top of the pack when it comes to "economy priced" survival knives (<$100). I have found it to be very sharp and keep a pretty decent edge....something to consider for you...
The only place that I have found to comfortably carry it in conjunction with my SHTF rig (belt system and plate carrier) is on my right calf. I rigged up some leg straps out of a crappy condor drop-leg panel that I cannibalized, and threaded it through the molle back of the nylon sheath that the knife comes with.
While its not "combat-tested", I have practiced drawing it, and it is not cumbersome or too slow a draw for combat application....at least in theory...but for me, the main issue that I solved was actually having it on my person in a manner that was at least decently accessible.
ETA: While the SEAL Pup probably wouldn't be my first choice for a combat blade, that is what I have right now that "can" fill that role while adequately filling the survival blade role. I doubt I would carry two knives on my person (one for each task), so what I looked for was a knife that could do all, and chose the SEAL Pup. Depending on the situation, I might chose to carry a more combat-focused blade when I find one that is suitable and within my price range...the SOG Mini Pentagon is looking pretty decent to me right now...
Got pics of your setup? I bet I can suggest a spot that will work and be far more accessible than ankle carry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironman8
Thanks for the the advice guys! I dont know why I idnt get an email telling me there were replies here?!?!?
Anyways,... I got rid of the large Ka-Bar Tanto and bought a short Ka-Bar USMC. It has a 5.25" blade as oppose to the 8" full size. Well, I took it out of the box and again!!! Im like UHHHH:( Totally disappointed!
The first knife was way to big. This knife is small as hell! Its actually a scaled down version of the full size, not a SHORT version. Everything is smaller, even the handle. I was thinking that the length was just shortened. Maybe the wdith and handle size being a bit smaller but im thinking the LENGTH. Although I can still use this knife because technically it does fit my hand OK. Im just not happy with it.
I like the length of the blade but the width of the blade sucks. Plus the length a girth of the handle is a bit small too.
I need another blade. Something with about a 5.25" blade that has nice width. At least 1.25" - 1.5" width. To make up for a shorter length.
Thanks for the heads up on the ESSE knives. I watched a ton of reviews on the 5 on youtube. The blade on it is super thick. I love the length and width but my gut was telling me the thickness was a bit to much. I'll just have to keep looking for "MY" knife.
I make my own Kydex and size the bolt holes on the sheath for MALICE clips. I carry it just left of my center line, tip down. Accessible by either hand, no straps or buttons to deal with. If I need to gut someone, I dont want to deal with retention devices.
Kydex knife sheaths are just about the easiest thing in the world to make. Very cheap, very effective. Whatever knife you settle on, I recommend you look into this option but I understand if you're not interested.
Any time I see a military guy with a huge knife on his kit I think "cherry". You learn pretty fast yhat the weight could be better used elsewhere. Get something in the 3-4" range. If I carry a fixed blade at all I carry a 3.5" Busse on my belt at 12 o'clock so that I can get to it with either hand. It's more for utility than defense. If Im in Asia I'll throw a Hatchet in my ruck if I think I'll need to chop. It's light and chops better than a 10" knife and I can keep my knife sharp for knife stuff.
What is the added width for? What purpose will it serve?
I dont want a huge knife. I want a knife with a blade around maybe 6". Thats it. But I'd like it to have some width to it too. Whats the width for? Because I like wider blades,... and the width makes up for the loss in length. If I was to pierce something,... it would create a wider hole. I like the ESEE 5 because the blade is 5.25" long and 1.5" wide. What I dont like about it is that the thickness is .25". A width of .093 would of been nice.
Also,... I like that handles on the Ka-Bar's. They are very comfortable to me. I dont really like super ergo handles.
I can make my own Kydex sheaths. I actually just got some kydex in the mail. I make something to suit my carrying needs. I just need to find a good knife.
Guys that I have seen who like to run the longer knives tend to most effectively run them on the back of their belt, horizontal with the handle on strong side. There is a max size you can run on your belt set up and they can still be unwieldy to employ especially as those are normally setup on your non strong side ... as it is discouraged to do so on strong side for rope operations.
Keep in mind this is so that they are still employable with kit on and a secondary sidearm.
The wider the blade is, the harder it will be to penetrate with it. Look at classic dagger designs...they're all thin. Is it easier to hammer in a thin nail, or a big thick one?Quote:
Originally Posted by cvriv
The wider the blade is, the more material you have to displace in order to reach the same depth. This translates into more resistant/effort to reach a given depth in your target.
You don't need width to create a larger hole, and "larger holes" aren't what you're looking for...you're looking for holes in the right places. This means targeting spots on the body that provide results.
Here is some basic targeting info:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video....68962866483171
A 3" blade will access any of those points.