MRE openers
 

I am not a knife guru by any means, but I can provide an observation or two for you.

My first time in Iraq (2003) I was issued the standard black Gerber multitool. I liked it, however the pliers flex easily if you are really working on something. My buddy carried a Leatherman Wave which seemed a seemed sturdier, as well as having a better plain edge blade. I like the SOG multitools, but the Gerber has always got the job done for me. I also bought a SOG Seal Pup (BEFORE the PX was carrying them:)) and wore it every day. I still like that knife, it is somewhat simple, but feels capable in my hand, and when sharpened properly it is a vicious blade. A $70 MRE opener was a little expensive for a PFC though.

Last time I was in Iraq, I had the Gerber again, as well as a Benchmade Auto Stryker(9100SBK). The Benchmade has been in my pocket through 12 different countries, countless jumps, and hundreds of MRE's (the true litmus test). Seriously though, it maintains an edge well, can take a beating, and the pocket clip is still as strong as when it was new. I have tied a loop of 550 through the handle to assist getting it out faster, and hanging on to it better.

I bought a SOG Flash 2 at one point but returned it an hour later. I thought the opening mechanism was interesting, but It didn't feel like a worthwhile alternative to the Stryker.

Recently, I was issued a Gerber LMF ASEK2. Good knife, good weight, lots of uses, blade seems very strong. If I had to FIGHT with it, I believe my mind would be wondering where the heck my Seal Pup was...lighter=faster. Personal preference. Also, I don't like the fact that places are charging more for the Foliage color than for Coyote Brown. They call it 'reduced IR signature', I think it's designed to separate the ACU wearer from their money. They know that big Army Joe has to be dress right dress, only foliage with foliage, no brown or black mixed in. http://www.rangerjoes.com/gerber-kni...ek-p-3800.html
It's not the money, it's the principle of the thing:D!

Finally, as stated before, I am not a knife guru, just a gRunt. If I had to look for a great knife spared no expense, I would probably start by looking at Tops Knives. Okay uh..........hey WAKE UP! Sorry, I'm done running my trap now!

Hey, John. Great seeing you around again. Been too long.

I'm with Bill on this one..John is an old friend and certainly has my respect.

Based on some of the things I've seen, somebody over in the sand is carrying a few CRKT knives....:)

In the early 60s, I picked up a knife in Holland that had a spring loaded blade. This one however didn't propel the blade, it was intregal with the handle. It was spring loaded when activated and also spring operated on retraction. It was known then as a Panzer Messer.

If you held the handle tightly against a carton of cigarettes (at this time in history, usually someone elses carton) and activated the "pushbutton" the power of the spring would drive the 4 1/2 blade completely through the carton.

Mine was similar to the one below, except that instead of a plastic case, mine had a stamped aluminum one.

I dont know whatever happened to that knife. It did make it back stateside, but then it just disappeared. I may have "Put it somewhere so I'd know where it would be".

You are not correct in your assessment of how these knives are priced.

The reduced IR signature knives by Gerber are produced at the request of the buyer which is the United States Army.
The added chemical which produces the reduced IR signature in both the handle and sheath costs more and because of the type of purchase these knives must be Berry Amendment compliant. The 100% Made In USA materials cost more too.

This is why you see the price difference, not because of the reason you state.

Thank you Mr. Harsey
 

In that case I wish my unit had sprung for the foliage ones instead. :D I learned something today! I guess I can go home now........

*Edit - I had been led to believe the difference in color alone reduced the IR sig.

Deployed Blades
 

Hi John,

When I was in Baghdad 2004-2006 as a contractor, It was common to see the majority of troops with a Cold Steel SRK or a PX Kabar attached to their kit. They were decently priced, readily available and no sleep lost should the knife be misplaced. Everyone had some version of a Multi-tool, due to the many functions that they provided.
On the other hand, our SOF guys had a mixed bag of high-end Harsey's, Randall's, Stryder's and even a Bagwell or two... nice blades. Action Guys... you know the type.

B i l l
remember me SGM... Your "problem child" with the Mac10 stashed under the fridge and the cute naked chick hiding in the wall locker... during a health & welfare.

p.s. When I was there, I carried a Victorinox Multi-Tool (very well made), and the same Randall #14 that you recommended me to purchase back in the B-3-10 days... and non-serrated, of course ; )

Me too until I got taken to school on this stuff last year on a project we are working on.

I can tell you that people in all branches as well as PMCs are currently carrying and using my stuff over there. These are either people who want something made to their specs to fill a particular set of requirements, they want something unique, or they're just knives hounds like me.

I suspect the average military user these days is much like I was when I was in - I was young, didn't have a lot of money, was into knives, and I'd never owned anything custom (back then, $80 for a knife was a lot for me). I carried whatever I could get that was available at the PX: A Gerber Bolt Action, multi-tool, and MK-II, and then whatever bayonet they issued us at the arms room (usually the Phrobis M-9). Honestly, the MK-II is a one purpose knife and was about the most useless knife I ever owned. I think the only thing I ever used it for was to cut 550 cord and open MREs. But it was a damn sexy knife.

Most military users realize that any knife you're going to really use probably isn't going to stay very pretty for very long, they don't want to spend a lot of bread to get it, and they don't want to feel bad if it's lost or they break it.

It's been a few years since I was under a rucksack, but here are a few observations:

Carried a Al Mar Sere VI a on my web gear for years and never regretted spending the money. For keeping an edge, chopping, prying, etc, can't beat a quality blade.

I dont know how many swiss army knives I have had and ended up trading OCONUS to counterparts. I love the things and still carry one every day.

Spydercos are a great low cost clip knife.

Gerber or leatherman multitools are great. My gerber multitool that I was issued in 12th SFG(A) was given to my secretary's son, who took it to Iraq twice. At least my knife got in theater.