Knives and sheaths

[Broadsword]

I'm in the market for a new field/survival knife. Looking for a large, fixed blade sheath knife. I carry a Benchmade folder everyday. I'm looking for a fixed blade belt knife to add to my gear. I plan to wear it on a riggers belt opposite my S/A TRP 1911.
Does anyone know anything about the Spec-Ops brand of sheaths. I'm looking at one in the BQ catalog. The Survival sheath looks promising. Are they worth the $45.00? How are they built? Anyone got a few miles on one?
As far as blades. I'd like one of them $600.00 Striders but I need one a little closer to a family mans budget. I've always had good luck with the old K-Bar.
Who's got an opinion here?
Broadsword

[yovinny]

For nylon, I'm partial to Eagle made sheaths myself, I have about 30 of them and have never been disappointed. I cant say anything about Spec-ops, never handled or had one.

What is it about Strider knives ?? I have a bunch of top shelf custom knives, Randalls, Bauchop, Chris Reeve, Randalls, Elishewitz, Crawford, Randalls, Parrish, Emerson, Busse, Randalls :biggrin: I like knives. I just dont see paying $600. for a knife that looks like it's stamped out with an uncomfortable cord wraped handle and sharp edges on the guard :? I wouldent pay $200 for one. Just my $.002 :)

YOOO VINNY

[Jen]

Becker Knife & Tool

http://www.camillusknives.com/bkt/index.shtml

I have a Becker BK 7 and love it. Tough blade that will take a beating and keep right on going.

The SpecOps sheaths are nice and a FAR superior sheath to the one included with the beckers (the knife rules, the sheath it comes with is lacking). The BK 7 fits the SpecOps sheath perfectly. I tried my KaBar and didn't like the rattle (was very lose in the sheath) so I'll stick with my Eagle knife sheath for it, but the SpecOps will replace my becker sheath.

[old goofy dude]

I've had many knives, from a one of a kind made specifically for me Lile on down. I spent a lot of time researching for a good all-around moderate cost knife for vehicle and LBE carry.

After a lot of checking things out, I decided on the Cold Steel Recon Scout as a decent quality, all purpose carry fixed blade knife.

Just make sure should you order from Eagle, that you remind them that this knife blade is 1 7/16" wide. I ordered a sheath from them several years back. They told me that they had a pattern for this knife. When I got it, the plastic liner was for an 1 1/2" knife. They made good on it but to be on the safe side, don't forget to mention that little fact.

[1gewehr]

During my active-duty years, I tried a wide variety of field knives including Gerber, Buck, Randall, Cold Steel, and Ek. I finally decided that it was very hard to beat the utility , durability, and quality of the standard Kabar.
Nonetheless, I did buy myself a Walter Brend #2 once when I had a few bucks extra. It's the only high-dollar knife I've ever kept. I love it and it fits me like nothing before or since. But I still use a Kabar in the field.
1gewehr

[Broadsword]

I think I'm going to go with the K-Bar. I can get several of them for the price of one of the high dollar jobs and I'll never have to be shy with it. My only problem now is which sheath to go with. I hear that SOE makes them. Now that would be pretty bomb proof. Everything they make is built like a tank.
Broadsword

[yovinny]

Hard to go wrong with the 7" USMC knife. My newest USMC is about 30years old and still going strong. I would give some thought to buying the one made by Camillus rather than Ka-bar though. I cant give first hand info, but spending almost as much time on the knife forums as I do here, it seems the general consensus is that the Camillus is a better made knife today than the Ka-bar or Ontario. There all the same identical knives and about the same price, just different makers.
In fact you might want to check out the knife forums market place, I've gotten some good deals there. Also the military knife & reviews forums there will have some reviews on them, here's a link.
www.knifeforums.com

YOOO VINNY

[Dorsai]

Spec-0p sheaths are very good. I grabbed one at the SHOT Show. Much better for the field than the leather sheath on my Randall #14.

[RMLamey]

For the MONEY Jen nailed it, you cant beat the new BKT knives from Will Fenell and the gang at Camillus.

[mparrish]

Becker K&T. On the low end for just brunt tough knives. A Strider on the high end I suppose. Even a Lamey bowie is a nice addition (plug here!).

Reminds me, I need to talk to you Mr. Lamey about having one made soon for a family member. :D

[ninjalawyer]

I keep hearing good things about the Kabar Next Generation D2 (http://www.dave-caldwell.com/KA-BAR_next_generation_marine_combat.htm) . Great steel, solid knife. They go for around $120, I believe. My next blade is going to be either that or the Fallkniven A1 (http://www.1sks.com/store/fallkniven-a1.html) in VG-10 for a few bucks more.

[Deltaten]

T.O.P.S. is "tops" in my book!

I deal w/all kinds of steel cutting tools (chisels, saws, planes) everyday. I wanted the best steel for edge-ability, toughness, and durability.
I looked at these for couple of years till the right one came out.

www.topsknives.com

I got the "Dawn Warrior" in micarta. At 5.25 in., just right for an "all-'round" camping/field knife. In fact, it's first use was to chop small firewood (Locust), then shave! The search parameters were the specs of a small hunting (commercial) KBar from the 40's. Don't wanna carry that anymore, as it's irreplaceable and a legacy.

These folks make 'em for a lot of SF types..serious users. Im fond of a high carbon steel, that'll take an edge. Utility is a must! No flash gear, just a good tool. KInda pricey..not as bad as most customs, and cheaper or the same as thr "big" names.

I also believe that , as with our selection of guns, try to use the proper tool for the job. I also have a Gerber boot for splinters and the like ;), and a seldom used (carried) Mk II [but ya never know!].

Best,
Paul

[Willard]

I've been playing with the Cold Steel ODA, it's a copy of the Randall Model 1, costs about the same as a Kabar now...if I was on uniform it's what I would carry, and i carried a kabar in the field for a few years.

[Terick]

Ditto on Jens post, BK 9 for me, but essentially she nailed it.

One stop knife shop (http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/becker.html)

[yovinny]

Originally posted by Willard
I've been playing with the Cold Steel ODA, it's a copy of the Randall Model 1, costs about the same as a Kabar now...if I was on uniform it's what I would carry, and i carried a kabar in the field for a few years.

I can second one of these. I got one when they first came out about 10 years ago. I've used and abused it since to see how it compaired to the RMK #1-7 that it's modeled after, including taking down the micarta handle to the thinner RMK profile. It's a good knife for the price and takes and holds a good edge. I've seen that they now have the same blade available with a rubber handle instead of micarta at quite a bit less money also.
YOOO VINNY

[milhol]

Ah thanks Vinny, you just answered a burning question.:D

[splattermatic]

gerber mark II is the way to go..
i carried one when i was in uniform, stayed razor sharp, and the feel and balance to me is beyond reproach..

still have it, but need a new leather sheath for it..

anyone have one ?
a while back i was looking and someone offered a complete knife and sheath to me, but i passed..

who were you, and still have it ? i want it now..

[yovinny]

splattermatic, how old is you'r knife ? which sheath style were you looking for ? The older drop sheaths with the web belt attachment have gotten pretty rare in good shape and bring big $$ on e-bay now.
If you just need a sheath for it, IMA has a repoduction WWII style leather sheath for the M3 for like $20 or $30. It's very well made, pretty close to the original and fits the Gerber very well. I have one for one of my sheathless Vietnam era Gerbers and can highly recomend it.
YOOO VINNY

[splattermatic]

the black leather one just as you described, with web belt hook..
i bought it in 81 or so, and i believe it has a bit of an angle to the blade, not much, but it definately isnt coming out of the handle straight..the blade is "bent" towards the side with the gerber port,or usa and the knife sticking in the rock side..
never mind, i just layed it on the table and it is angled to the serial numbered side..

serial number is 109083,, date of manufacture ??
how do you know vietnam era on yours ?

can you tell me more about it ?

my mark I is still with black leather sheath and serial number is 83123s, bought this one also around that time period...
also have a guardian with designed by r.w. loveless on the blade, and the word guardian
serial number f8405s

[yovinny]

Earlier sheaths were brown, the black ones came later. I have 3, the highest serial number is 012xxx. Your's at over 100,000 would be later, maybe very late 70's-early 80's ??? Does it have the early black and gray handle, or all black ? There was a site with the serial numbers and dates, then it was gone and now I remember seeing something about it being back up again. If you take a look in the military forum at www.knifeforums.com you should find a thread about Gerber MKII's, pretty sure that's where they said the site was back up and a link. The "bent" blade was designed that way, so the blade tilted away from you when carried. It's I think, a 2 degree cant ?? something like that.
There seems to be no info available anywhere on the MKI's, no records exist anymore. Not sure what else I could tell you ?? have a specific question ? I'll be happy to share my limited knowledge :)
YOOO VINNY

[torque65]

For a utility-type knife a K-BAR is hard to beat for any money. BUT, I also carry a Glock field knife that I got from BQ. Talk about no frills! Black blade, handle and sheath. (It also comes in OD if you don't like black).
The only downside to this knife is how hard the blade is. It's spec'd at Rockwell 64C, and I have no reason to doubt it. Sure, a lot of quality knives are in this range, but for some reason this knife is harder to sharpen than most.

[Falcon]

I have a #16-7” Special Fighter(non-catalogued model) with a
7” blade of ¼” stainless shaped like a model #1 Extra heavy 7/8” wide tang runs through channel in handle. Has a brass #1 double hilt. Approx. 4 ½” finger grip handle of black micarta with wrist thong. Fits into a early model A Johnson rough back sheath.Excellent utility knife and a good choice IMO

[edblevi]

Personally I went with the SOG X-42 Field Knife. This knife does everything I need it to do in the field and would be my choice as far as a survival knife goes. If you go to sogknives.com, each month they have SOG 2nds. They put different knives on here each month and i picked mine up for less than $50.00. They are slight (and I mean slight) imperfections. In other words mine had very fine scratches on the blade surface, really looked good to me, but I suppose quality control at there facility won't let them pass. I use my knives alot so scratches are well part of the game. The sheath is a retention type, which works for what I use it for. If I was going to be doing a lot of rappeling or something of that sort I would probably try to find a locking sheath, just in case, but for now this works great. I haven't had to sharpen it as of yet, so it holds a great edge.

The SOG Tigershark or Seal 2000 are on my purchase list for the next buy, just as a combat type knife.

[yovinny]

Falcon, the RMK 16SP1 is now a cataloged knife :biggrin: It's actually my favorite RMK and my personal favorite has a black micarta BP handle and #1 style nickle silver guard options. I have a bunch of RMK's but the ones I fell are the strongest and best value are the tang through models, the 14, 15, 16 & 16SP1. Heres my favorite 16SP1 :D

[Willard]

yovinny, I have the kraton handled Cold Steel, the one you have I belive they cal the "Military Classic". I wanted the kraton because this is a field knife and knock around knife and it's a lot cheaper to replace if I lose it. Wish they had them when i was a soldier.

[Falcon]

yovinny, yours looks very nice, I especially like the border patrol handle configuration better.As you can see mine gets a lot of use, bought it for $160. way back when.I'd like to buy a few more RMK models but the FAL hobby gets in the way.

[yovinny]

Willard, roger that, I got the models mixed up. I have the military classic from when they first came out, maybe 10-12 years ago. It was $59. then, I cant believe there $175+ now :uhoh: while a nice knife, I dont think there worth that, I'd get the rubber handle too.
Falcon, I know what you mean, I dont buy many RMK's anymore either. The collectors drove the price up and now the waiting list is 4 years :cry: I cant believe some of the prices I see on e-bay. Lots of fake, re-handled or altered ones out there too.
Cheers, YOOO VINNY

[OODA_Loop]

This guy does nice work on sheaths:

http://www.survivalsheath.com/main/home.htm

[GOVT1911]

I've carried a Cold Steel SRK on several deployments and to me, ya can't beat it for the price. I usually take 2 on each deployment and they've made GREAT trading stock with troops from other countries. And at around $70, I don't worry too much about abusing it!

[MACV]

Hard to beat a K-Bar. Perfect size knife for all around use. But the best sheath knife Ive owned has been the SOG SEAL 2000. Its the most useful large knife I have. Tough as nails, big enough to chop stuff but not so big that its useless like most large knives. Comes with a kydex sheath that secures the knife real well. Another good knife for the money is the Buck Nighthawk. I also have a Special Forces bowie thats real nice but it stays locked up and never gets used.

[Da Nerd]

For my money I have carried a Navy Mk 1 knife since the 50's when i was in Marine Recon. I just like the size. shape and everything about it..

[Falunga]

I like the Glock field knife also. It is cheap, it stays sharp. It is reasonably well-balanced and you can beat the hell out of it without feeling bad because for another $30 you can buy another. When you are in the field you usually don't have the luxury of more than one fixed-blade knife and it must be a do-everything tool. You don't have the option of babying it unless you want to do without many of the essential tasks that need to be done. Travel light, don't carry too much junk and what you do carry make it work for you! The Glock is something that I know will last any task and if I do mess it up I can buy another cheap.

Jim :fal: FALunga

[Lippo]

I have a USMC OKC3S. It's their new version bayonet/field knife. I love it. I don't think you can go wrong with one of these.

I use to carry a Gerber Guardian 2 when I was in the MNG, but because of our stupid state government, I can't carry it into the woods anymore. Seems carrying double edged "stabbing" instruments into the woods, which includes knifes, are a felony. What the ??? Isn't that the stupidest thing you've ever heard? It is to me.

Anyway, I use a new OKC3S and love it. It acts like it's going to stand up to a lot of abuse and usage.

[fastprofessor]

Originally posted by Falunga
I like the Glock field knife also....

Jim :fal: FALunga

I agree with Jim in principle and in choice. I've had a glock field knife for about 12 years now and its a good knife. Strong thick blade and light. My other recommendation for a field knife is any of the fixed blades from Cold steel.

I prefer a strong durable knife that I won't be afraid to use because of how much I paid for it. I do own some expensive knives, but they are safe queens. At this point I only buy nicely made affordable knives that I can use and abuse and easily buy another if I need to.