Krsitofer,

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I collect and make knives,  what is your main useage going to be?

Ontario uses good old fashioned carbon steel,  and they are a good value.   They do need some final dressing and sharpening, as i find a lot fo them fairly obtuse on the cutting edge.

Evil Elvis wrote: best knife ever handed to a US Marine. forged in the fires of Mordor. Cooled on the Blood of endagered species.

That knife looks like a Piece of doggy doo!

well, actually,  I made that piece of doggy doo.

5160 Carbon Spring steel,  1/4" thick, Rockwell hardness about 56C.

And there is this one.

Thanks sinisternorth.

Kristofer,  just know that your bayonet is not really a knife.  I mean,  it can do some cutting and hacking,  but, it's made for stabbing.  You can also use it as a crowbar due to it's thickness.

Instead of trying to replicate it,  try to find something that does other things,  like cuts.   Sharpen your bayonet and try to cut a thivck piece of rope with it.  It sucks.    try to find something that will cxut rope, carboard, and throats. 

I like Carbon steel.  forget stainless.  Carbon steel is straightforward, strong, and holds an edge. 

Well they are 1095 carbon steel,  which is good.

Their edges are obtuse (thick) beter for hacking like a htachet,  than slicing,  like meat.  They are a good value for the dollar, especially if you can rework the edge.

Give me your price range and i can give you some possibles.

Your price range is reasonable to find something of worthy quality.

the VTAC,  hmmm,  keep an open mind.  not many trees in Iraq.  Ands there are but so many pieces of gear you can have ready at hand.

Don't listen to salespeople,  listen to fellow Marines who have been there,  and what they have found most useful.  learn from them.

Kristofer,

I have this knife,  and I like it quite a bit.

http://www.knivesplus.com/ontario-rat7-knife-qn-rat7s.html - http://www.knivesplus.com/ontario-rat7-knife-qn-rat7s.html

You can then have money enough to put it in a high quality sheath, like this one:  http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/gear%20organizers%20main/spec-ops_brand_survival_sheath.htm - http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/gear%20organizers%20main/s pec-ops_brand_survival_sheath.htm

You need the large size which will take up to a 7.5" knife.

The sheath has an outboard compartment for a Multi-tool (leatherman or gerber).  I keep a Gerber multi-tool in mine and a sharpener. 

Serrations on the knife are your choice. They come with and without serrations.   Some people don't like them, but they have their place.  Great for cutting stuff like rope, bone, etc.

This would be a good set-up. You might have almost enough money left for the multi-tool. 

D2 is harder steel, it is like a tool steel, kind of.  Which can be good,  but can be harder to sharpen when dull.   It has less flex than something like a 1095 Carbon Steel which is also used to make springs.

I like 1095 due to it's sharpenability.

For a really kick butt knife,  try this one:  http://bussecombat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Return_Screen=LIST&Store_Code=BCKC&Product_Code=ASH1 - http://bussecombat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&am p;Return_Screen=LIST&Store_Code=BCKC&Product_Code=AS H1

This is what I would stake my life on.   Also, 100% Lifetime warranty.  Edge holding ability A++++ 

And they are patriotic and support the troops.   If you place an order and tell them you are bound for Iraq,  they may be able to help you a bit,  no promises.   You have to order these in advance, and once they receive their quota of orders, thats it,  gone.  Thye don't charge your card until the run is ready to ship to you.   They only make but so many per batch.    This one just happens to be a good all round useful size, without being super huge,  or a pen knife.  

I highly recommend this one.  You will always be able to sell it for what you paid for it,  and sometimes even a bit more.

I have several Busse knives.  They are one heck of a knife.

As someone who enjoys knives but knows little about them, I am getting a kick out of these replies.

Good thread.