Recommendation? Gift for a USMC Paris Island graduate.

F

Faralon

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Nov 14, 2013
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Good morning everyone. My son will be headed off to Paris Island later this year. He will turn 18 during boot camp. Thinking of gifts to get him for both earning his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, as well as becoming an adult. A watch, and a knife are high on the list.

He is contracted to be in Intel, taken the DLAB test, not sure exactly which MOS yet.

Immediately I'm drawn to something like the Benchmade Osborne (he enjoys my Bugout) and the USMC Ka-Bar. I'm just not sure how much the Ka-Bar will useful more than a "trophy" given his job field.

Other suggestions that might have roots in the Marine Corps? Budget is around $200.

Thanks all!
 
Congrats to you & your son!

I'm not a Marine...and someone can correct me...but I always thought Camillus Cutlery had a strong association with the Marines. I think they still make their "USMC" multiblade...

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I'd get him a nice fixed blade combat knife he can deploy with and depend on, something in the 6-7" blade range. I have a Gerber LHR that I absolutely love and would trust my life with, but you'll have a hard time finding one of them for sale. Chris Reeve makes a fixed blade that is comparable to it, I think its called the Pacific. I'm not sure about the sheath that comes with the Pacific though, you'd have to research it.

These knives aren't specifically made for the USMC but the LHR design lineage goes back to the "Yarborough" which is the Green Beret/special forces knife. They are pricey but well worth it. Just make sure the sheath design lives up to the knife. The sheath should be designed so that it is virtually impossible for someone other than the wearer to remove the knife.
 
I reckon I'd go with a Benchmade Griptilian or a Mini Griptilian. For the watch I'd get him a G-Shock DW6900. I've worn that model watch for years and I absolutely love them. They probably have a newer model that has surpassed it but I love mine. Not a Marine but I've carried a Benchmade Griptilian and wore the G-shock as a sheriff's deputy and they're both solid pieces of gear in my book. Now I did have to put blue locktite on the pivot screw after a few hundred openings so you might want to do that before sending it to him if you decide to go that route, just to make sure. I appreciate his service to our country and for preserving our freedom.

Edited to add; The G-shock and the knife i mentioned can be had for right at $200 for both if you shop around.
 
Last I knew the det at Monterey didn't allow fixed blades, so if he ends up a ling, it won't or shouldn't go with him.

Realistically, unless he goes to some special unit like RRP or switches MOS, he's never going to have a need for a fixed blade.

Just $.02 in case you're looking for useful gifts. No fixed blades.
 
I didn't see my first multi-tool until I got out of the military.

First thing I thought was: "Damn, I wish I had this when I was in the military!"

Leatherman MUT will serve him well.
 
mabrowns said:
Buy him the watch it will be more useful than the knife
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Hmmm... I was under the impression that the OP was considering a knife AND a watch for gifting.

But if it's gonna be one or the other, then yeah, a good watch will be useful (and authorized) everywhere.

Tip the hat to Charlie Mike, and get him a Seiko SKX007.

Oh, and if he likes the Bugout, check out the BM Bailout as well.
 
Be advised MCT & his MOS school will not let him have the knife wile he is stationed there. So you have at least 6-9 months to make your choice.
Semper Fi.
 
How has no one mentioned a Ka-bar yet...? Am I taking crazy pills? Also, get him a multi-tool. It's just the right answer for a young enlisted guy. We got issued Gerber multi-tools. Pretty much only used it to scrape carbon off my BCG after shoot houses and range tables. Handy and took the abuse.
 
My brother graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy, I got him an Emerson CQC 7, engraved, it was more of a symbol of accomplishment than anything else, now he uses as a civilian, it marks a time in his life I guess
 
Ron Sabbagh said:
Congrats to you & your son!

I'm not a Marine...and someone can correct me...but I always thought Camillus Cutlery had a strong association with the Marines. I think they still make their "USMC" multiblade...

View attachment 1127649
Click to expand...

I like the idea and that’s a great knife. But kind of obsolete since the invention of multi tools. Plus Camillus has been gone for a long time now.
 
Congrats and excellent job raising the kind of young man that desires to become a Marine. Excellent work Dad !
I would not get a fixed blade for him. A good multi-tool will serve him well. Have his name engraved on it if possible. Barracks life give him many opportunities to use it. A small red alox SAK would be cool also with initials on it.
Fixed blade is for the way future once he gets to his command and knows his needs.
 
He has no MOS yet so neither of you know what he may need. Get him a Ka-Bar USMC for symbols'/historys' sake.:thumbsup:
 
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