folder for somebody going into the Marines? (basic training)

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Gary007

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May 17, 2002
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My coworker's husband has joined the Marines, actually going off to basic training in a few weeks. I'm contemplating buying the guy a knife.

Here's my question:
Does a guy going to basic training need or have use of a good folder OR do they allow for knives being brought in? :confused: (i have no idea).

Was thinking about something relatively inexpensive, like a Buck 889. I have one, and seems sturdy and sharp.

Just tossing the idea around.
 
Gary007 said:
Does a guy going to basic training need or have use of a good folder OR do they allow for knives being brought in? :confused: (i have no idea).
Click to expand...

I'm sure a few (former) American soldiers will chime in soon, but AFAIK he cannot bring his own knife/knives to BT, and after that it depends on his company commander's opinion.
 
Gary007 said:
My coworker's husband has joined the Marines, actually going off to basic training in a few weeks. I'm contemplating buying the guy a knife.

Here's my question:
Does a guy going to basic training need or have use of a good folder OR do they allow for knives being brought in? :confused: (i have no idea).

Was thinking about something relatively inexpensive, like a Buck 889. I have one, and seems sturdy and sharp.

Just tossing the idea around.
Click to expand...
Ah, finally a subject on which I can contribute!

In the Marines, when a recruit gets to bootcamp, every single personal possession that they have is boxed up until they leave. A Marine recruit will have absolutely no use for a knife during bootcamp. After graduation, however, a nice folding knife will be just as useful as for any other person. Depending on his MOS (job), a multitool might be a bit more useful and a nice fixed blade (KaBar to keep with tradition!) would come in handy to go with his field gear. Whether or not these knives are allowed to be worn in uniform, as Quiet Storm indicated, is entirely dependant on his commander's discretion and/or how discreetly he can carry the knife. A pocket knife should be no problem after bootcamp, though.
 
The Buck 889 in OD or Coyote handle should be much appreciated. The Spyderco Military or Manix are also great choices. Depends how much you want to spend.

And yes, save it for a graduation present. When I went to Parris Island personal knives were forbidden.
 
DaTrueDave got it right.

As a post bootcamp gift, having it engraved might not be a bad idea (if it's a folder).
 
Get him something like a Leatherman Charge or a nice folder for his graduation.
 
Forgot to suggest any knives ....

If you don't know of any specific models he dreams about, I'd suggest going with one of the more highly regarded general purpose knives. Something he could use in or out of uniform.

Benchmade 710 and Spyderco Military are often used as the standard barrers for comparisons, so I recommend them. "Classic" designs that perform well under a variety of conditions.
 
When the time comes when he can carry, these are my humble suggestions:
SOG Powelock, Spyderco Manix, Victorinox Alox "Farmer"
 
I would get him a Kabar folder because he's a Marine and a folder is a bit more practical than the fixed blade USMC fighting knife.
 
When I was at Parris Island back in 1994 you could absolutely NOT have a knife. In fact I remeber a recruit getting in a lot of trouble for taking a butter knife from the chow hall. Wait till he goes to MCT and get him a Spyderco Military or ParaMilitary. Something useful. A Kabar is the traditional knife of the Marine Corps but it is not very practical.
 
They will throw it away in basic! Believe me!
My son just graduated from MCRD San Diego and one kid brought a cell phone which was thrown across the squad bay!
You are allowed to bring the clothes on your back, glasses if you wear them, and a bible. That's it!
My son is at Camp Pendleton San Diego right now for SOI training and he took a Kershaw Leek with him for that. Also, nothing is allowed in the pockets in uniform....nothing!
They shove their ID and money in their sock at basic graduation because of this rule.
 
I talked to his wife today. He's going off to Basic Training for 3 months, when he graduates, his job is going to be helping set up Landing Zones for helicopters.
 
MikeV said:
Also, nothing is allowed in the pockets in uniform....nothing!
They shove their ID and money in their sock at basic graduation because of this rule.
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FYI, this is not a Marine Corps Order. I doubt that it's even a written SOP in any unit. But it is certainly an unwritten SOP for any inspection. Having anything bulky (car keys, knife, phone, loose change) in your pocket changes the appearance of the uniform and will NOT be appreciated during a uniform inspection.

That said, I had my car keys, knife, smokes, lighter and sometimes my cell phone in my pockets for most of the ten years that I was in the Marines. Once your training is completed, things will lighten up considerably. But never to the undisciplined state that the Army is in... ;)

Oh, and if he's going to be setting up LZs, he'll definitely have use for a good multitool. I used a Gerber Multipliar for about 5 years and loved it. It could use a better belt case/sheath, though... Mine wore through the bottom and I had to repair it myself.
 
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