Knife for real combat.

[Concord_Bob]

My son is about to head off to Ranger school. I know the Army issues OK knives to the Rangers, but I want to get him something a whole lot better than OK. Any suggestions for a good fixed blade? I am leaning towards a Benchmade Nimravus.

[sal]

Hi Bob,

The Nimravus is a good design, Allen is a skilled designer. I believe they're 440C which is certainly an acceptable steel and Benchmade makes good knives so I don't think quality would be a problem.

The offerings that we would have in Fixed blades would be limited. The Fred Perrin Design and the Temperance design would be potentials for "general" use and serve well.

The Ronin is smaller of blade, but very effective as a cutter or MBC tool.

All have blades made from VG-10 which is a very high performance steel.

We have also heard of Rangers enjoying some of our tougher USA made folders like the Military.

All are high-tech, high-performance fairly light weight cutting tools.

sal

[J Smith]

Busse Natual Outlaw or Bager attack
Spyderco Perin Bowie
Swamp Rat Camp Tramp
Busse would be the toughest of any you can get.

<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif

[Big-Target]

The standard <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Endura(FRN, 50/50). At least it is little bit friendly if he takes a fall in the drink!!!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

BIG-TARGET>>>>>>"When young men seek to be like you, when lazy men resent you, when powerful men look over their shoulder at you, when cowardly men plot behind your back, when corrupt men wish you were gone and evil men want you dead...only then will you have done your share."---unknown

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha! I'd say the BK&T Companion or the Bowie. I think the Companion is about the size of a standard KBAR. BK&T offers some very strong hard use fixed blades. I've had great success with the Ontario RTAK, but it's a rather big knife.
Mr. Glesser is right(again) regarding the Mili for ALL purpose use. Get your son the BK&T Companion, a Mili, and a good multi-tool.(TOO bad the Spyderwrench is no more) and he should have all bases covered w/a minimum of weight and many options. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it...I'd rather have the option and NOT need it than to NEED it and not have it!

God Bless!

God will put you over...if you let Him!

[ceya]

Good size fixed blade would be 4 1/2" blade and handle. This will make 9" OAL.good size.

If you are able to carry bigger than that good luck.IMHO . I have humped with bigger and trying to get to it quickly ,especially with a lot of gear. Nimravus is a good size and the Nimravus Jr will be nice.

S/F,
Ceya..ceya KNife DESignz

edit for spelling errors!

Edited by - ceya on 12/25/2003 7:39:14 PM

[glockman99]

The Camillus/Becker BK-10 or the Spyderco Temperance would be two excellent choices for a fixed-blade, or if you can find one, the Gerber Yari would be a top choice.

The Endura would be a great choice for a folder.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663

[AllenETreat]

Concord_Bob :

Price usually being the consideration, check out the Camillus/Becker FB ( VAL-731 )( I believe it's also sold as the BK&T Campanion ) on :

www.CheaperThanDirt.com

$59.97 or there abouts....

Or, if price is no object....

Another vote for the Busse Natural Outlaw!

It can be had for $249.95 from :

www.shomer-tec.com

Both fit for an airborne ranger, IMFO!!!!

AET <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke ( 1729-1797 )

Edited by - AllenETreat on 12/25/2003 1:22:57 PM

[EarthDog]

Bob,

Thank you for raising a man with the courage and commitment to serve our nation.

There are many good choices. In addition to those mentioned previously, you might also consider the fixed blades by Chris Reeve (especially the Nkonka in CPM 3V) and the Anza Boddington.

God bless you and yours,



EarthDog

[Concord_Bob]

Thanks for all the replies. Sal, I appreciate your input. I hadn't thought about a good folder too. I think I will try to find him a tan native. Since i'm sure he will be living in some desert in the near future. You all had some great advice on the fixed blades. Now it's time to do my homework.

[Alan2112]

I recommend either an Ontario RAT or BK&T BK-7. RKBA!

Edited by - Alan2112 on 12/26/2003 3:27:27 AM

[LJK]

Concord Bob
Congratulations and best of luck to your son in Ranger school. The US Ranger Regiment is a national treasure. I'd go with a Swamp Rat, or a Busse fixed blade and a Spyderco folder. "Rangers Lead the Way"

[shootist16]

My fixed blade recomendations would echo those above. hard to beat the Becker line for tough as nails, no nonsense knives.

A folder isn't a bad recomendation either. The Spyderco Military is the first that comes to mind.

[Bors]

There a bit on the high end but then again so is a Ranger. I suggest a Randall Model 1 or model 14. Give him not just a good knife but a good knife with history.

[java]

Concord Bob,

Congratulations on your son making it to Ranger training and good on ye for looking for the best for him.

As long as we're going high-end, in addition to Busse, check out Mercworx for FBs. I'm partial to the Shiva (updated Fairbairn-Sykes commando dagger for all around use and the the Seraphym for last ditch close in work. They have introduced a line of Ti bolstered folders called the Fates and I'm looking forward to seeing the reviews.

Besides the Millie you might look at the Extrema Ratio Nemesis, MPC, or Fulcrum models.

God speed and success to your son.


Java

[dynaryder]

I'm not into FB's,but for folders I'd recommend a Chinook,Millie,30V Native,or BM 806. I'd also recommend either a Leatherman Supertool,or a PST2 and Spydersaw.

[Wunderbar]

Your son won't need a fixed blade for Ranger School but he could use a durable folder. I'd recommend him a Spyderco Endura. When he graduates from Ranger School, I'd give him something nice like Benchmade Nimravus to take back and use in his unit. When I went to Ranger School, fixed blades were not allowed but a utility folder was a necessity.

[Jimd]

Bob, congrats to your son on Ranger School.

For folding knives, I like the Native a lot.

For fixed blades:
MercWorx is high quality.

I'm also very partial to the Strider line; they're knives are the strongest/toughest I've personally come across.

The Strider HT has a 4.25" long blade, and it's .25" thick of S30V. It carries very comfortably and is so strong it's unbelievable. Extremely sharp, too!

The spine of the blade has sawteeth designed to cut polypropylene rope. **** of a knife. The Strider fixed blades will withstand abuse that will kill most other folders.

Good luck to your son.

Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com

[ceya]

Folder will be a CE Wayne Goddard Jr in Micarta. User friendly ..overall great design

S/F,
CEYA!

edit for spelling correction

Edited by - ceya on 12/28/2003 9:56:38 PM

[mjmcdowell]

Bob, congratulations to your son upon his starting ranger school, may God bless and guide him through. when I was in RVN a few years ago I didn't have the choices that are out now for folders or fixed blades. I would think that a simple but tough folder (he will be in the mud and sand quite a bit as you know) by any reputable maker would serve him well. As for the FB I carried a Randall #14 Attack for my entire tour of duty as an 11B40 and employed it for just about any digging, prying chopping, and oh yes cutting jobs that had to be done, it passed with flying colors, tough blade outstanding quality, fair price. Although never used for personal MBC,( thank god) I never once felt that it would fail me in that circumstance had it arisen. Sorry Sal for the plug for Randall but I have a hunch you might agree with me. stay safe, mjmcdowell