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Dan I Am
21st January 2009, 17:05
Dear All,

Does anyone know what type of knife our troops are carrying in Afganistan and Iraq?

Just curious.

Dan
Immortal_Ben
25th January 2009, 21:50
The Army, as a whole, does not issue a knife. Bayonet is the closest they get to that. Individual units may purchase a knife of their choosing, and issue it themselves. Most guys just pony up for whatever they can afford.

Pilots are issued knives, but I cannot remember which one it is.

I do not know for sure about the other services, but when I was in, I dont recall anyone from another branch talking about an issue knife.
Dan I Am
27th January 2009, 12:32
Thanks Ben! I had forgotten that the M-16 (or whatever it is called these days) has the ability to affix a bayonet.

I checked out the bayonet for the M-16, and it looks like an improved KA-Bar knife.

Here is a link if anyone is interested. The bayonet is designated as an M-9 multi-purpose knife and bayonet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M9_bayonet

Best,

Dan
DanR
17th March 2009, 07:31
Ek Commando Knives produces several that are currently being carried. Also look at Spartan Blades. They are made by retired and disabled U S. Army Special Forces troopers. There are many other custom makers who do supply different knives but they are too many to name.
wjkuleck
17th March 2009, 07:58
Dear All,

Does anyone know what type of knife our troops are carrying in Afganistan and Iraq?

Just curious.

Dan

As has been noted earlier, there is no official issue. However, two officers (a CAPT and and LT) are carrying CRKT Carson M16ZSF's I gave them. Upon return, one, the LT, told me it was both her constant companion and the envy of her troops ;) .

Buy a knife, give it to a soldier. He or she will appreciate it.

Regards,

Walt
EchoBravoKilo
16th August 2009, 14:55
Buy a knife, give it to a soldier. He or she will appreciate it.

Regards,

Walt

+1. I bought for my son a Blackhawk MOD CQD Mark I (Sadly, it's been discontinued). Everyone in his unit was trying to find one after they saw his. Great knife (and different from the low priced Mark I Type E out now).
Rooney
17th August 2009, 16:23
The U.S.M.C. has a new multi-purpose bayonet they issue instead of the M9:

http://www.jtknives.com/ontario6504.htm
jaysouth
28th August 2009, 21:02
When my son was gearing up for his first trip to the sandbox, he asked me to "lend" him the Randall 14 that I carried in VN.

My response was practical but terse. "No way", I will get you the knife that you will need.

I bought him two Army/Airforce survival knives, two chinese knockoffs of a Leatherman multitool and two SAK Spartans.

When his deployment was up six months later, I asked for an accounting of his knives.

One Army/airforce survival knife was lost, one was stolen when he got medivaced. He broke one "Leatherman" and gave the other to an Iraqi translator. He lost one of the SAKs and had the other cofiscated by an overzealous female customs inspector when clearing customs upon his return.

On his second and subsequent deployments, he left without a knife and picked up something when he got there. An issue bayonet would probable serve very well as a fighting knife, however there have not been many knife fights between our troops and the insurgents. A more practical use of space and weight would be a DVD player.

I shudder to think what would happened to my Randall had I "loaned" it to him.
EchoBravoKilo
28th August 2009, 21:28
Interesting, especially re Customs. I hope all is well with your son.
jaysouth
29th August 2009, 14:45
EBK,

Thanks, he finally made Major and is out of the teams. He is leaving on his fifth deployment in the Spring, Afganistan this time. He is very lucky, he has three purple hearts from four deployments, more serious than John Kerry's three hearts, but nothing life threatening or disabling.
Ottoshmotto
30th August 2009, 07:27
Jaysouth: Thank you for your sacrifice and that of your son for the freedom we all so dearly enjoy.
ar15vern
30th August 2009, 10:34
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9901/vh9v1071c.gif
EchoBravoKilo
30th August 2009, 11:54
Jaysouth - my best to your son and your family.
Rich-D
30th August 2009, 13:00
EBK,

Thanks, he finally made Major and is out of the teams. He is leaving on his fifth deployment in the Spring, Afganistan this time. He is very lucky, he has three purple hearts from four deployments, more serious than John Kerry's three hearts, but nothing life threatening or disabling.

We owe a deep sense of gratitude to your Son, he is a modern day hero!

Best of Luck!
Rich
awmp
11th December 2009, 07:56
Blackhawk CQD Mark II and Benchmade Griptilian and leatherman wave, they stand up to the abuse and elements.

Dear All,

Does anyone know what type of knife our troops are carrying in Afganistan and Iraq?

Just curious.

Dan
Tennessee Tom
11th December 2009, 09:04
Please express our gratitude of your son......and of yourself for your service......Tom
kone
13th December 2009, 17:54
I have a nephew currently in Afghanistan serving with the 3 509th Airborne as a combat medic. He is issued a Gerber Multitool.

http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/kon37/l_19af1fb9a53e4f6d96374d2e8bb703f7.jpg

I recently sent him a Rat Cutlery RC-3MIL with his unit's insignia/nickname/and name engraved:

http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/kon37/2nd/IMG_1753Medium.jpg

It should reach him before Christmas.

Hope he doesn't lose it.