Randall 14
Leatherman with the Cap Crimpers
Victorinox Champion Swiss Army Knife (discontinued)
Also carried a modified M7 Bayonet that had the butt and guard removed, the original grips replaced and a 10 speed bicycle inner tube section over that. A custom Kydex and leather lined sheath made that a perfect probe/sticker I wasn't afraid to lose, break or leave as a personal gift if need be. We made a few dozen of em and kept them in our team gear boxes. The sheaths had the same hole pattern as the randall 14 sheath that allowed jump security with the 550 cord and we added a rubber O-Ring retainer for quick and easy day to day retainer.
Blown up, broke and lost every kind of knife known to man. We even worked with old Bob Terzoula who made us custom blades just for our team. I still have a couple of his folders and early fixed blades.
When ya get right down to the nut cuttin though the Randall 14, a Leatherman, the Victoriniox Champion (NOT the big ass Champ) and a the M7 Bayonet modified made a great combination.
And as to additional tools I carried up till my last day of active duty one of the old style E-tools that had the pick and shovel and the wood handle. The edge of that E-tool one could shave with if needed and many a steak , fish or slab of chicken was grilled on that E-tool "fry pan". E-tool over tomahawk IMO...........
Stay Safe .......
I could tell by looking at it, that it's not going to fit on my AR. What is this thing anyway?
Every GI (heck, every civilian) needs one or two edged tools on them at all times. The "best" one varies for each person, but there's a common subset of tools that most can use. Once you start depending on those tools, you wonder how your got along without them.
That's why, being the paranoid type, I always buy a spare of a tool I'm particularly fond of. It might not be made in the future, and if it's lost, I have the spare back home in the gun vault, at least. It's very reassuring to always have that spot in your pocket occupied with your favorite edged tool.
The CRKT Samson 5700 that the Hobbit Hole sends out to the troops has been discontinued from production, but one online dealer still has a good supply, even though it's not listed in the web site any more. But I have the stock number, and still order them a dozen at a time. There is also the CRKT 5710, identical except for a half-serrated blade. It would probably make a better knife for a troop, but Army mailing regs forbid mailing serrated blades.
One of the other guys at work is a medic in the Air Force Reserve. He's getting called up, so he got one of our HHD knives. He carries a Gerber pocket tool in black. It's a standard NSN item, but fortunately, is strictly a commercial item, and does not have any government markings. If it had military markings, I would have tried to bargain away my soul to get it off him.
Sheath: Just wrap the blade in a few layers of plastic, fold over the leather, clamp and epoxy it. Trim when cured, that's it. The plastic is so the epoxy will not stick to the steel, and it will fit perfectly when the plastic is unwrapped. The sheath only goes up to the guard, covering only the blade. There is no belt loop.
The suede-out sheath friction sticks under your waist inside your pants anywhere you want it, front, sides or SOB. You can easily move it around for driving, walking etc since there is no belt attachment. This sucker conceals like you wouldn't believe. (I live in "gun-free" Cali, remember.)
For $15 you have a concealable "dirk" with a 7" blade. I also sharpened the beveled back side of the blade. If I lose it or have to dump it, I'm out $15 and can make another.