Gift for patriotic graduate...fixed blade recommendations

USMCPOP said:
I think a Leatherman or similar tool would get more use. I got my son a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn dagger and Gerber demolition pliers prior to Iraq, as he was a combat engineer. I doubt he ever used the dagger, and it turned out that the the pliers were standard issue. The ones with the blasting cap crimpers...

I managed to get them both back after he was killed in combat. I think a Swiss Army knife would have been more useful, day to day. Best things I sent him in Iraq were Skittles, Starburst and gummy bears candy.
Click to expand...
An old vet salutes you and your son today. God bless you and your family.--KV
 
Medium size fixed blade... i have an Esee 3 that is outstanding!
PhotoGrid_1432498483251_zpssno6dgs3.jpg
 
USMCPOP said:
I think a Leatherman or similar tool would get more use. I got my son a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn dagger and Gerber demolition pliers prior to Iraq, as he was a combat engineer. I doubt he ever used the dagger, and it turned out that the the pliers were standard issue. The ones with the blasting cap crimpers...

I managed to get them both back after he was killed in combat. I think a Swiss Army knife would have been more useful, day to day. Best things I sent him in Iraq were Skittles, Starburst and gummy bears candy.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your story. We are deeply and forever indebted to your son and those like him. I’m so sorry for your loss and can’t imagine the sacrifice you and your family made.
 
For the OP, I would call the guys at Spartan and ask for their advice. The two founders have more than forty years of special operations experience and likely would have a good idea of what really works in real-life situations. I have one of their fixed blades, the Difensa, and it’s outstanding.
 
Wow!!

This is a super active and super helpful forum.

I’m going to talk to him and see what he has. I would be surprised if he doesn’t have a leatherman. I have a leatherman and agree it is the most useful thing to carry. If he doesn’t have a leatherman then one of them and a nice fixed blade would be very doable.

I will definitely check out the makers on this forum and will look at the commercial selections mentioned so far.

So from what I gather I’m not hearing much enthusiasm for Spartan or Benchmade.
 
"I would like something that is really top-notch quality and will last forever and can be handed down to his children"

For a bit above your budget (like $50), consider a Randall Model 1. Used by fighting men since WWII. And certainly meets your criteria as quoted above.

Other recommendations may be more practical but a Randall fits the bill if you're looking for a family heirloom.

View attachment 1151744
 
Loren Jones said:
Wow!!

This is a super active and super helpful forum.

I’m going to talk to him and see what he has. I would be surprised if he doesn’t have a leatherman. I have a leatherman and agree it is the most useful thing to carry. If he doesn’t have a leatherman then one of them and a nice fixed blade would be very doable.

I will definitely check out the makers on this forum and will look at the commercial selections mentioned so far.

So from what I gather I’m not hearing much enthusiasm for Spartan or Benchmade.
Click to expand...
I have no affiliation with the company, but I have enormous enthusiasm for Spartan, it’s founders, and it’s products. My reservation would be that many military folks I have known over the years (I didn’t serve but my late father did and I was born at Ft. Bragg) didn’t like to carry expensive gear. But I believe the guys at Spartan could give you good advice. Good luck on your journey and whatever you do everyone could use a Wave!
 
As a USMC infantryman, I can say less is more. It should be small and light so as to not take up room on his plate carrier or interfere with a waist strap on his pack or add to his already 50-100lb load. Also itll probably be used for everything but cutting so it should be tough, stainless helps, I've rusted up an esee 3 in a 3 day snow storm before. Honestly a 4-5 inch blade that isnt so expensive as to be "tactically acquired" (stolen off of his gear) would fit the bill. But a benchmade griptillian does all of my work. Maybe a nimravus or similar blade. In conclusion hes going to be covered in heavy gear and wont want more weight and bulk.
 
USMCPOP said:
I think a Leatherman or similar tool would get more use. I got my son a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn dagger and Gerber demolition pliers prior to Iraq, as he was a combat engineer. I doubt he ever used the dagger, and it turned out that the the pliers were standard issue. The ones with the blasting cap crimpers...

I managed to get them both back after he was killed in combat. I think a Swiss Army knife would have been more useful, day to day. Best things I sent him in Iraq were Skittles, Starburst and gummy bears candy.
Click to expand...

I’m so sorry. I can’t say much more than that except to wish you comfort and peace.
 
USMCPOP

I can only say thank you with all my heart to your son, your family and yourself. God bless you and the memory of your son a million times.

I have zero doubt regarding the veracity of your words.

If my nephew does serve and ends up in combat I’ll send Skittles and Starburst and Gummy Bears.

As one who has served but never in combat I salute you and your son.

Loren Jones
LtCol USAF


USMCPOP said:
I think a Leatherman or similar tool would get more use. I got my son a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn dagger and Gerber demolition pliers prior to Iraq, as he was a combat engineer. I doubt he ever used the dagger, and it turned out that the the pliers were standard issue. The ones with the blasting cap crimpers...

I managed to get them both back after he was killed in combat. I think a Swiss Army knife would have been more useful, day to day. Best things I sent him in Iraq were Skittles, Starburst and gummy bears candy.
Click to expand...
 
Winkler II knives? I like the advice to ask the guys from Spartan knives too. ESEE 3 or 4, I believe it may come in 440c if stainless is preferred, but there are a good size.
 
My first thought was a Cold Steel SRK in 3V. Less then $150 and room for a Leatherman or possibly a folder to pair with it.

Swamp Rat Ratmandu CG is another option albeit on the shorter side.

USMCPOP My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your son.
 
Depends on where he might be stationed and so forth. Most knives carried are for utilitarian purposes. I would message @ROCK6 and listen to his advice. He has been there and done it... Iraq, Afghanistan, and probably Syria and so forth.
 
There are some great recommendations here. It's hard to go wrong with a Bradford Guardian but the best recommendation is probably to get a Leatherman Wave and set the rest of the budget aside. Let him choose his path. Let him go down it a ways. In a year or two, once he has a little experience and is established in what he is going to do, work with him and choose something together.
 
Fallkniven A1, S1. There is a PHK for sale in the fixed blades for sale by individuals thread here at a great price too. Second choice for me DPX GEAR.
 
Loren Jones said:
Hi, I am new here. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

My nephew just graduated from high school. He’s a very patriotic young man. He was considering joining the Marines and is now strongly considering joining the army with an eye towards a possible career in special forces.

I want to get him a really nice knife for his graduation. I am thinking no more than $350 absolute max.

I am thinking a fixed blade.

I am thinking in the 5 to 7 inch range. I don’t want something egregiously large that it is not feasible for carrying with his gear if he does end up in special forces but I feel like 4.5” or so is going to seem smaller than what I want.

I would like something that has good utility but also has some usefulness for possible combat role.

I would like something that is really top-notch quality and will last forever and can be handed down to his children. I would prefer something that has a little bit higher quality steel with moderate hardness in the 58 to 60 range preferred.

I am open to any and all suggestions. I have looked at Benchmade and the Adamas and Arvensis caught my eye. I’ve looked at Spartan and they have several that look interesting. I have looked at TOPS and they have some nice looking blades but I was hoping for something with a bit more special steel (I know it’s probably not a big deal). I looked at KaBar and some possible options there but I’m not sure they have that special level of quality I’m after.

Tell me what you would get your nephew if you were in the same sutuatuon.
Click to expand...

For a Patriotic symbolic gift I would give him a Ka-Bar USMC with something engraved on the blade and for his service I would let him choose what he want.
 
I had a cousin deploy as a Marine MP to Afganistan and we sent him with a Busse Boss Jack, (choil-less version). He carried it the entire time he was deployed. It was misused, for breaking straps and bands, prying etc. Needed a sharpening when he got back, but handled it all.

It will get banged up climbing in and out of up-armored vehicles etc. The butt of the Busse took a pounding on the exposed tang, probably mostly from climbing in and out of the .50 cal turret on armored escort vehicles (cousin sat in the turret on convoy runs).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top