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From: boyd@mailer.cc.fsu.edu (Mickey Boyd)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re:  Best Knife for a LRRP?
Message-ID: <35031@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 29 May 91 23:16:42 GMT
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On this subject, I would say that it is almost impossible to find a knife
that has both combat and camp-chore utility.  Thus, I suggest the purchase 
of two knifes (you also get some redundancy).  Also, for a LRRP the total
weight of the knifes would be a factor (for combat, an 18" short sword 
would probably be the best as long as you didn't have to carry it).  

For combat:  the Gerber BMF knifes are nice.  There was a model made up for 
	the Cutlery Shoppe (a mail order outfit) that has a 1" longer blade
	and flat upper tang for a thumb-forward hold.  I like this model 
	better than the normal Gerber ones (but then again, I was trained 
	to use the thumb forward :-).

	Cold Steel makes a number of knifes suitable for combat.  I
	personally like the Magnum Tanto.  Also, they make a really mean 
	modern version of the Gurka Kukuri knife.  Now THAT'S a knife!  
	However, it looks a bit heavy for hiking (then again, the psych 
	advantage of such a weapon might help you pick up your feet).

	These are just my personal favorites.  Anyone who has been trained 
	to fight using edged weapons will have their own.  Thus, if you want to 
	give this man a great present, I would suggest you get him a 
	Cutlery Shoppe catalog and a big gift certificate.  They stock 
	lots and lots of great knifes, so I am sure he could find something 
	to his liking . . .

For general chores:  I always carry a Victorinox (sp?) Swiss Army Knife (the 
	really thick one).  I have done EVERYTHING with that knife.  The 
	workmanship is second to none (do NOT get one made by Weinger,
	they are the same price but lower quality).  When I go hiking I 
	leave the really thick one at home and choose one of the smaller 
	ones (I built up quite a collection while in Germany :-).  The 
	can opener, bottle opener (both with screwdriver tips), tweezers,
	toothpick, saw, scissors, and blades get the most use by me when 
	camping.  Believe me, you don't want to try to eat with a 12" 
	bowie (well, maybe once.  It gets boring rather quickly).  

To sum up, the use of a knife as a weapon and as a tool requires two different
configurations.  A large fighting knife and a smaller pocket knife will 
give more utility that just one of either (and disuades misuse and abuse).  A
good fighting knife should not be dulled by whittling tent stakes, and of 
course you would not want to charge down a hill with a little Swiss Army 
knife in your hand.  

All of the above is IMHO.  Direct flames elsewhere. 
 
-- 
             Mickey R. Boyd          |  "God is a comedian playing to an 
          FSU Computer Science       |      audience too afraid to laugh."
        Technical Support Group      |
      email:  boyd@fsucs.cs.fsu.edu  |                  - Voltaire