First knife for new Marine

Sharp Guy

Sharp Guy

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Jan 6, 2016
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I posted this over on the Spyderco forum and thought I'd post this here too. Please forgive if some of you see this in two places. I figure there might be some folks here that don't get to the other forum and vice versa.

My 18 year old son is will graduate high school this spring and is already signed up for the Marines. I'm considering buying him his first "real" EDC knife but I'm undecided on what to buy him. He's had a SAK and a Leatherman multi-tool for a while now but, to the best of my knowledge, doesn't have anything else.

I want to get him a folder and I'm not necessarily looking for something he can have on him while on duty. I've never been in the service so I honestly don't know what, if anything, he'll be allowed to carry when he's working. So if there are any Marines out there reading this your input and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Being relatively new to Spyderco (but gaining a lot of experience quickly) my first thought was a PM2. I handled one last weekend and thought it would be great. In fact I bought a lightly used one (black/DLC) from the exchange today so I can get some hands on experience with it. If it's nice enough I may give it to him or buy him new a digi-camo one if that's more suitable. I also have a Manix 2 & Manix 2 LW sitting on my desk that might be ok. But then today I began thinking that these might be too much knife for him. Afterall, at the risk of sounding like an over protective dad, the kid doesn't have a lot of experience with a knife. He is pretty responsible and has shown me safe gun handling skills since he was young but now I'm not so sure he needs a bigger knife. So now I'm leaning on a Native 5 LW or a Delica. Again, not sure if he'll be able to carry it while on duty, so maybe the smaller size of the N5 or Delica will be more practical for EDC in general. I have each of those knives too and, while I also have bigger knives, I know I prefer something a little smaller and more discreet. But then, I'm not a young man going into the Marines.

So what do you all think? If it was your son what would you give him? Input from all is appreciated!

Thx!

SG
 
Congratulations. My son was 10 minutes from being on the bus with the Marines when they medical'd him at the very last minute for a medication allergy.

If it were my son, I'd give him a PM2 or maybe a Manix 2. Of course my son prefers Kershaw assisted flippers.
 
If he wants a knife for cutting things normally (not for can opening or digging in the ground), a PM2/Military/Endura would be great. The Endura is a bit more replaceable, due to price.
 
Marines?wel,guess its Obvious,a salt!maybe even a partial serrated!may he be safe,duc nos quo tendimus.(retired special forces).
 
retired01 said:
Marines?wel,guess its Obvious,a salt!maybe even a partial serrated!may he be safe,duc nos quo tendimus.(retired special forces).
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Sound like a plan!

Some thing that loves salt water, light, cheap to replace, small enough to be tucked away on or off duty.

A Spyderco Salt; for every day cutting and last resort. Just because it is there.

 
Not a Marine but was once an Infantryman (National Guard) and career cop.

As a HUGE Spydie fan I can say without hesitation Cold Steel Recon 1. :D

Also, I LOVE my Delicas but I'm not thinking that is the best for a Marine, just out of recruit training. If you do go the Delica route, try to find an all black version.
 
We never seem to take the most important thing into consideration. Sharpening. If he is not an experienced sharpener, I would stick with a steel easily touched up and include a sharpmaker or double stuff stone with the knife. Perhaps a VG 10 Endura with a sharpening kit.
 
You might consider a Native 5 LW. It's a bit more robust than a Delica yet it still slices and carries beautifully. The Salt 1 is also great, but as an all around EDC, I find the saber grind less than optimal.
 
I'd say a cold steel recon 1 in xhp steel. It will last through almost anything he will do with it, and the edge won't dull very quickly.
 
retired01 said:
Marines?wel,guess its Obvious,a salt!maybe even a partial serrated!may he be safe,duc nos quo tendimus.(retired special forces).
Click to expand...

While it should've been, the Salt wasn't so obvious to me. Makes sense and a great suggestion! Thank you for your service!


jascolli said:
We never seem to take the most important thing into consideration. Sharpening. If he is not an experienced sharpener, I would stick with a steel easily touched up and include a sharpmaker or double stuff stone with the knife. Perhaps a VG 10 Endura with a sharpening kit.
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Also a great idea! Thanks!


Evany said:
You might consider a Native 5 LW. It's a bit more robust than a Delica yet it still slices and carries beautifully. The Salt 1 is also great, but as an all around EDC, I find the saber grind less than optimal.
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I do like my Native 5 LW and I agree about it being a more robust and how well it carries. I also like the idea of a USA made knife.


All good points (no pun intended). Still a tough decision for me. Please keep the suggestions coming!
 
I would vote for the Manix 2. I would add in a SAK. Something like a mechanic or tinkerer.
 
The M2 is nice. I'm handling a LW right now and it's unbelievable how light it is compared to the G10 version. I'm also impressed that the blade swings almost as free as my G10. Open the lock and the blade basically closes itself. Just not sure about the CBBL

Good idea on the SAK! He already has a SAK and a Leatherman that I gave him. Might give him a allox Victorinox that would be much nicer than what he has.
 
What ever you decide to get, buy it from KnifeWorks, and have 'em laser engrave "Devil Dog" on the blade. They do a great job, for eight bucks.
 
Pacific Salt all black Spyderedge (serrated)...heck, the Navy and USMC have even bought them for air crews in the past (it has a NSN, meaning that it has been part of government purchases) as an escape tool. Light, large blade for it's weight, won't ever rust and packs a lot of cutting power (serrated H1 is very impressive).
 
Most if not all, knives of any sort are not permitted on base.
A small discrete pocket folder is usually not a problem when off duty.
It is up to the individual commanding officer for unit exceptions and if/when the individual can carry a knife on duty.
The Marines insist on service issue items only.
When deployed overseas it is a totally different set of rules.

Regards,
FK
 
FK said:
Most if not all, knives of any sort are not permitted on base.
A small discrete pocket folder is usually not a problem when off duty.
It is up to the individual commanding officer for unit exceptions and if/when the individual can carry a knife on duty.
The Marines insist on service issue items only.
When deployed overseas it is a totally different set of rules.

Regards,
FK
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Thanks for the heads up. It sounds like this idea is pretty much out for now. I think I'll wait and see what the situation is when he's done with basic training and gets to a permanent unit.
 
Sharp Guy said:
Thanks for the heads up. It sounds like this idea is pretty much out for now. I think I'll wait and see what the situation is when he's done with basic training and gets to a permanent unit.
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I'm currently enlisted Navy and would suggest that you do in fact wait until he gets his permanent duty station. I believe it depends on that and what his MOS is. Depending on how much he will be using it. I wouldn't break the bank either way but also think I wouldn't get anything more difficult than s30v to sharpen. Chances are somebody in his unit will know how to sharpen. (remind him to pay attention to how their quality is lol) I've seen some people say they can sharpen knives and absolutely destroy a blade.

My suggestions.. PM2, Military, Manix, Native or Pacific Salt.. Might be a lot to choose from but hint to him that you planned on getting one for a coworker or somebody and he should point you in the right direction. He won't be disappointed either way. As long as he takes care of it.
 
Yeah, I'd say a Military or Paramilitary but a Salt H1 would be a great choice as well, especially if he ends up on a boat.
 
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