Gerber or knife? or both?

[AlphaCharlie]

What do you experienced guys like in the field? Do you find a gerber is better? or is a nice solid knife always nice?

I‘ve been looking for a nice knife. At first I thought, hmm a KA-BAR is cool.. but then I decided the USMC is icky. Then I found this:

Becker Combat Utility 7
Designed for adventurers and soldiers. Lightweight and sturdy, it will stand up to hard use. The carbon steel blade is tough enough for any field task and is coated with a protective matte black epoxy/powder coat finish for protection against the elements.

Think that would be useful in the field? or should I just wait until I get my issue Gerber (is that after BMQ or trade course?).

p.s. it‘s case is green. that‘s a plus.

Anyways, discuss.


edit: oh yeah, just FYI this isn‘t for LCF.... I find i‘m always borrowing knives from people to cut this or that (paracord is hard to cut with bayonette hehe)

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

If you want a tool, Gerber or Leatherman type doodads are the way to go. Big knives like the one you‘ve pictured are fairly useless.

 

[MedCorps]

I keep my Gerber Tool in my Tac Vest and a simple Swiss Army knife (Big Blade, Small Blade, Can Opener / Screw Driver x 2) on a piece of para cord (teathered to a belt loop) in my pocket.

Seems work find for cutting anything I have ever needed to cut in the field. I don‘t see a need for such a large knife.... but to each thier own. No LCF with the Swiss Army Knife in your pocket <smile>.

MC

 

[AlphaCharlie]

It‘s acctually really hard to judge size in that picture....


Ok just checked the manufacturer‘s site... the blade itself is 7" long.. heh that‘s quite large.

I guess that‘s a bit too large for the field. When shall I get my issue Gerber? After BMQ or afer trade course (when I get cadpat)?

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

Probably after your BMQ and SQ, although local policies vary.

 

[condor888000]

You can always get a similar version for about $90 at any Canadian Tire. Here‘s the one I got. It‘s great for what I use. I am , however, just a cadet.

http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=7563

 

[Farmboy]

This is the one I carry http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/288/234

I don‘t like the Swiss Army or multi tools because I can never get the blade out!

 

[mattoigta]

I wouldn‘t compare the use of a combat knife and a gerber multi-tool‘s knife. A Gerber is a MULTI-TOOL, it‘s not to be used as a combat knife. So I reckon if you wanted a combat knife, it‘d be for totally different uses than a gerber - but why would you, just use your bayonet

 

[AlphaCharlie]

Originally posted by Scarlino:
[qb] I wouldn‘t compare the use of a combat knife and a gerber multi-tool‘s knife. A Gerber is a MULTI-TOOL, it‘s not to be used as a combat knife. So I reckon if you wanted a combat knife, it‘d be for totally different uses than a gerber - but why would you, just use your bayonet [/qb]

They issue us dull bayonettes that couldn‘t cut butter. :-\

 

[Old Cent Hand]

Gerber , or any similar commercially sold , multi tool , is the way to go.If you go to a surplus store , or a store , that caters to outdoorsmen ( hunters , fishermen , etc.), you can easily find a knife , that will work , as a " Combat Knife".

 

[rdschultz]

http://www.sogknives.com/Folding/SOG-Trident/TF-2.htm

I think I‘ll be picking one of these up when they come out in July. I have no idea if I‘ll be able to use it at either basic or CAP (I‘m quite positive I won‘t for basic, and for CAP I expect not), but I‘m really quite fond of the little cutout in the handle for cutting rope, as it seems thats one of the most used features. I‘ve already got a swiss army knife and a gerber, but I find them inconvinent to carry all the time.

 

[AlphaCharlie]

I‘m pretty temped to buy the knife shown above (the one I posted)... if not to use in the field just because it looks so **** neat (i love matte black blades)

 

[Jarnhamar]

"A Gerber is a MULTI-TOOL, it‘s not to be used as a combat knife."

Russle Crow used one in Proof of Life

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

If you collect knives or something, then go for it. But to actually use? That thing is just combat jewellery. Any kind of multi tool is far more practical.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Heres a picture of some of the knives i‘ve picked up.
When i go to the field i take either of the bottom ones with me

 

[condor888000]

IF you want a combat knife then buy one. If you just want to use a nice tool around camp the Gerber I posted is great. You can use it for most things. A multitool can be used for many things out of the bush as well.

 

[chrisf]

If you‘re looking for doo-dads to put on your belt, get a pair of mini-vice-grips... I‘ve got a pair, and a spare gerber pouch which I keep them in... comes in handy plenty... more durable then the gerber, provides a better grip, use it and the gerber together for some jobs, etc etc.

 

[Armymedic]

My CF issue jump knife is my addition to my Leatherman wave tool. I obviously also carry a couple pairs of the EMT penny cutter scissors with me. One in my vest and one on my belt pack.

But to me, a good flashlight and dependable lighter in the field are both much more important tools then any blade.

 

[Slumsofsackville]

I have 3. Multi Tool, CRKT Operator And My Bayonet.

 

[Tpr.Orange]

Originally posted by Ghost778:
[qb] Heres a picture of some of the knives i‘ve picked up.
When i go to the field i take either of the bottom ones with me

[/qb]

Hey ghost where did you pick up that knife on the bottom...


and currently i carry into the field my leatherman, which i will exchange with my new CF issue Gerber and a 6" bladed knife with empty hand grip to store matches, etc.