To reliably hit the heart with a knife you need to sink the blade 3.5 - 4.5 inches beneath the skin.
When you are in full Battle Rattle, with plate carrier or tactical vest, and mag pouches across your chest, how many inches does your blade need to reach just to hit skin?
Add those two numbers together. Add another inch or 2 to allow for attacks that come in at an angle.
Now: How long is the blade of your fighting knife?
Is it long enough to reliably push past magazines and vest, then plunge 3.5 - 4.5 inches beneath the skin to reach the heart? Once your blade is immersed in the enemy, do you have serrations to help cut heavy webbing and vest material when you twist?
Do you need a new fighting knife with a longer blade?
If your go-to fighter is not at least 7 inches, you should probably leave it off the battlefield.
Kerodin
III
I carry an 8" Ka-Bar 1245. Will that do?
ReplyDeleteThat will absolutely do the job. And the KA-BAR will take abuse. You can use it as a fighter, utility, and can opener in a pinch.. It's a workhorse.
Delete8" Ontario Spec Plus Tanto, will punch holes in a car door. Pretty sure it will push thru webgear and plastic/alum mags. No serrations though. Combined with my hawk, I should be okay. Practice, practice, practice.
ReplyDeleteK, Sandman,
ReplyDeleteI know this is a knife post but can you guys recommend a Tomahawk?
What price range you looking at....Cold steel has some good ones on the low end...I like my Emerson but have heard good things about others as well...
DeleteWhat price range you looking at....Cold steel has some good ones on the low end...I like my Emerson but have heard good things about others as well...
DeleteTD,
ReplyDeleteKeep a Cold Steel Trail Hawk on BOB in the truck.
And a SOG tactical hawk on my Militia ruck.
Both inexpensive and functional.
Hey thanks guys for the info. It looks like I can score two of the SOGs for under $100.
ReplyDelete