A Military or Endura seems the best choice. I didn't read about too many soldiers involved in knifefights, so I think your friend needs a lightweight, versatile knife in the first place. While the suggestions for a stronger knife like the Manix are welcome, I think he will apreciate the lightweightness of a Millie or Endura even more.
Good luck to your friend and congratulations to you for your great gesture.
My friend is going to Iraq
I'd go for the "Rescue" or the "Atlantic Salt" model. They are both Sheepfoot designs (no pointy tips to break off) and have tons and tons and tons of serrated cutting edge. Yet they are lightweight and an easy EDC.
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=71
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=173
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=71
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=173
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severedthumbs
- Member
- Posts: 1545
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:28 pm
- Location: USA Earth
I would not consider any lockback at all. Perhaps a military if you have to go Spyderco. Honestly you won't beat a Strider SMF for use in this environment. It was designed from the ground up for use in exactly this situation. And you won't find a better warranty anywhere. They implement a lot of little things that you don't realize to help there knives excel in that environment. For example;
"No matter how far from the pivot center your lock surface is, if its contaminated with crap (sand), it will fail. We send knives into some nasty s**t. This is a huge concern for us. By making contact at the lowest section only, it creates a "s**t vent" above the lock surface. That is the same reason we make our detent hole go all the way through the blade....its a "s**t vent"."
"No matter how far from the pivot center your lock surface is, if its contaminated with crap (sand), it will fail. We send knives into some nasty s**t. This is a huge concern for us. By making contact at the lowest section only, it creates a "s**t vent" above the lock surface. That is the same reason we make our detent hole go all the way through the blade....its a "s**t vent"."
Lockback would be fine in a sandy environment, just a little maintenance. I mean if a M-16 can be kept functional in a desert by a soldier a lockback poses no problems.
Strider makes a stout folder no doubt, but at $350 and up that is a hefty pricetag.
Strider makes a stout folder no doubt, but at $350 and up that is a hefty pricetag.
"A Delica is still a better weapon than a keyboard and a sour attitude..." Michael Janich
Never had an problems with Spyderco in the sand at all. The lady (bug) help bust open many ammo cans and ammo.
Serrations came in handy BIG time. Combo edge serves a purpose.!!
I still have the 5 ladybugs I used to remember they were there when others failed or Marines and other forces didn't bring theirs.
Beeswax can kill (dull) the bug that is for sure.
S/F,
CEYA!
Serrations came in handy BIG time. Combo edge serves a purpose.!!
I still have the 5 ladybugs I used to remember they were there when others failed or Marines and other forces didn't bring theirs.
Beeswax can kill (dull) the bug that is for sure.
S/F,
CEYA!
interesting responses
If you friend is going as a civilian and does not plan on using a knife, or is not interested in taking a knife on his own - tell him to stay home. The liberals do not need another victim to cry over. If he is not into taking a knife - he must either lack basic skills/training for this environment. You make him sound very naive. He is depending on a firearm instead? Not easy for pale-faced civies to walk the streets with right now - they are considered prime trophies to brag about....
That being the case - he could get by with a Cricket for office duty, but put a Civilian in a chest sheath, fore-arm sheath, or anywhere out of sight, but with him 24/7. A 'Hawk' is a minimum SD knife in foreign lands.
While I agree with the Cold Steel Kukri; the political corrective types have disarmed many of my brothers over there already. The foreign leaders were shocked and scared of those American GI is there Rambo knives.
No offense met - in between meetings.....keep it sharp!
That being the case - he could get by with a Cricket for office duty, but put a Civilian in a chest sheath, fore-arm sheath, or anywhere out of sight, but with him 24/7. A 'Hawk' is a minimum SD knife in foreign lands.
While I agree with the Cold Steel Kukri; the political corrective types have disarmed many of my brothers over there already. The foreign leaders were shocked and scared of those American GI is there Rambo knives.
No offense met - in between meetings.....keep it sharp!
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Jim Malone
- Member
- Posts: 1402
- Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:31 pm
- Location: Absurdistan E.U.
I don't know, he won't tell (and don't wan't to know either) what his task will be, and where it will be.
All i know is that some governements (including the U.S.A) and private firms use highly skilled foreign operators to do their "dirty" work.
He will probably work in that field and when he dies or get's captured his presence will be probably officially denied by his employer.
I don't want to sound like a troll, but his equipment are just his tools of the trade. Knives are "cutting tools" for him, and i would like him to have a good knife.
People with his skills, and i know a few of them, see knives as part of their equipment.
Most don't really care and use what is available.
All i know is that some governements (including the U.S.A) and private firms use highly skilled foreign operators to do their "dirty" work.
He will probably work in that field and when he dies or get's captured his presence will be probably officially denied by his employer.
I don't want to sound like a troll, but his equipment are just his tools of the trade. Knives are "cutting tools" for him, and i would like him to have a good knife.
People with his skills, and i know a few of them, see knives as part of their equipment.
Most don't really care and use what is available.
It's better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6