Gift for patriotic graduate...fixed blade recommendations

Wow! Thanks for all the input. Many many options.

I have no doubt that a Leatherman plus a small fixed EDC utility blade or large quality folder would be the most useful choice. I think though that I’m going to focus on a statement blade that can be a lifelong fixture whether in the service or not.

So with the help of the excellent suggestions from those here I’ve settled on 4 blades to choose from. In no particular order...

Bradford Guardian 5.5. Looks to be an excellent all around utility blade with top notch workmanship and materials. Probably the least flashy and sexy.
https://bradfordknives.com/guardian...l_height_flat_10/41-handle_color-camo_micarta

Hinderer Ranch Bowie. My favorite for appearance...classic looks updated. Top materials and workmanship.
https://www.dlttrading.com/hinderer-ranch-bowie-green-canvas-micarta

Spartan Blades Horkos or Hybris. Both great quality blades and both the most audacious/sexy but perhaps the least useful??
https://spartanbladesusa.com/horkos-combat-utility-knife/
https://spartanbladesusa.com/fixed-blade-knives/hybris-combat-utility-knife/

So I’ll go with one of these I think but. It sure which...
 
Loren Jones said:
That is awesome. Love it
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Bradford makes good knives. I figure the camo colors on the scales work in most environs. The 3V blade should put up with a lifetime of hard use. And, the blackwashed blade is perfect for stealthy throat slitting on moonlit nights.
 
My neighbor's son joined the Corps, so I gave him a Kabar because, well, he was going to be a Marine. It made his eyes bug out with pride. Then I gave him a Leatherman, and told him to keep the Kabar as a momento, this is the one he will actually use every day. When he got back from his deployment, he said the Leatherman rode on his belt every day.
 
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I served in the Army for 10 years as a light infantryman in various units, though never in combat.

My most used blade in the field was a swiss army knife. That said, my fixed blade was indispensable when in the field.

In that role I hate choils and love guards. After humping 75 lbs of gear for a few days with little sleep, it’s too easy to lose focus and cut yourself.

I also really like high carbon steels. Yes, it will develop a patina and rust a bit, but that’s easy to clean up and a small price to pay for the toughness you gain.

So...if it were me, I’d go with a Winkler with a micarta handle.
 
Sounds like great advice. I have no doubt a leatherman is the most handy thing to have on your belt. I carry mine whenever I’m camping. An oooold supertool.

I’m going to focus on the fixed blade here and those Winklers do look like amazing blades. The field knife in particular.

TrainedBullets said:
I served in the Army for 10 years as a light infantryman in various units, though never in combat.

My most used blade in the field was a swiss army knife. That said, my fixed blade was indispensable when in the field.

In that role I hate choils and love guards. After humping 75 lbs of gear for a few days with little sleep, it’s too easy to lose focus and cut yourself.

I also really like high carbon steels. Yes, it will develop a patina and rust a bit, but that’s easy to clean up and a small price to pay for the toughness you gain.

So...if it were me, I’d go with a Winkler with a micarta handle.
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Pteronarcyd said:
Bradford makes good knives. I figure the camo colors on the scales work in most environs. The 3V blade should put up with a lifetime of hard use. And, the blackwashed blade is perfect for stealthy throat slitting on moonlit nights.
Click to expand...
The Bradford guardian 5.5 looks really great. Their handle looks super well designed. 3V is clearly super tough although I wouldn’t mind him having a more corrosion resistant steel.
 
So if it were for me I’d be getting the Hinderer Ranch Bowie. What a gorgeous knife and beautiful leather sheath.

But since it’s for him and after showing the 4 choices I mentioned above to some others who know him well I’m going with the Spartan Blades Horkos. All of these choices are great knives but this one has a little more of that aggressive look while still being a very useful blade. Combine that with a more corrosion resistant steel and we have our choice for this young man.
 
I would not buy anything for him until he finishes basic training. Once he finishes basic let him check with the folks in his unit and advise you what the most practical knife for his purposes would be. It may not be a fixed blade. His group may provide him with whatever knife they use.
 
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Loren Jones said:
Wow! Thanks for all the input. Many many options.

I have no doubt that a Leatherman plus a small fixed EDC utility blade or large quality folder would be the most useful choice. I think though that I’m going to focus on a statement blade that can be a lifelong fixture whether in the service or not.

So with the help of the excellent suggestions from those here I’ve settled on 4 blades to choose from. In no particular order...

Bradford Guardian 5.5. Looks to be an excellent all around utility blade with top notch workmanship and materials. Probably the least flashy and sexy.
https://bradfordknives.com/guardian...l_height_flat_10/41-handle_color-camo_micarta

Hinderer Ranch Bowie. My favorite for appearance...classic looks updated. Top materials and workmanship.
https://www.dlttrading.com/hinderer-ranch-bowie-green-canvas-micarta

Spartan Blades Horkos or Hybris. Both great quality blades and both the most audacious/sexy but perhaps the least useful??
https://spartanbladesusa.com/horkos-combat-utility-knife/
https://spartanbladesusa.com/fixed-blade-knives/hybris-combat-utility-knife/

So I’ll go with one of these I think but. It sure which...
Click to expand...

Of the three I like the Hinderer aesthetically

The spartan blades look cool but it screams teh opposite of heirloom. Looks a lot more at home with a rifle next to it on a table than on a civilian belt. Not something I would wear on a hike.

And the guardian looks like it doesn't belong in a warzone. But I'm sure it would be just as functional as the others. If i felt my nephew was a fan of being a "grey man" who doesn't stand out. I'd probably get him the guardian.
 
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.
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I agree with those recommending a folding knife. Benchmade has good quality and is US made (he might care about that given he's patriotic). Maybe something like the 365 OUTLAST.
 
I currently offer a 15% discount for active military.
My Camp 1 model would be a great choice. I can do a 4.5-7 inch blade.
They are typically a tool steel (3V, 4V, zwear). But I could make one in Elmax or M390. The bladeshape can be modified as well as the handles.Screenshot_20190630-005750_Chrome.jpg
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
I agree with those recommending a folding knife. Benchmade has good quality and is US made (he might care about that given he's patriotic). Maybe something like the 365 OUTLAST.
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That could go both ways. Benchmade got itself in a little hot water over its political donations recently. It caused some patriotic or politically active people to step away from the brand. A lot of guys don't know or don't care but it could be worth checking ahead.
 
Cosmodragoon said:
That could go both ways. Benchmade got itself in a little hot water over its political donations recently. It caused some patriotic or politically active people to step away from the brand. A lot of guys don't know or don't care but it could be worth checking ahead.
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That whole uproar was stupid & ridiculous and brought out the worst of some members of this forum. Benchmade simply helped their local police department by destroying some crappy old guns that needed to be destroyed. Big deal. And by the way, your political affiliation or preference doesn't make you more or less patriotic. I know democrats and republicans alike who would gladly give their life for their country.

I hope one day people will stop splitting themselves into political factions and remember what it truly means to be American & it is not all just about somebody's particular interpretation of the 2nd amendment or how they feel it is being "attacked".
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
I agree with those recommending a folding knife. Benchmade has good quality and is US made (he might care about that given he's patriotic). Maybe something like the 365 OUTLAST.
Click to expand...

You may be right that a folder will get more use of be does join the service (or if he doesn’t). But I’m sticking with fixed blade for this gift. It just feels more like what he’d be interested in.
 
I like your thoughts here and agree completely. I’m sure all these knives are great quality as they should be for the price.

The Guardian looks like a tremendous value but doesn’t quite look the part.

The Spartan certainly looks more aggressive and maybe it looks too bold to wear camping or hunting. That’s a thought.

BigWillie said:
Of the three I like the Hinderer aesthetically

The spartan blades look cool but it screams teh opposite of heirloom. Looks a lot more at home with a rifle next to it on a table than on a civilian belt. Not something I would wear on a hike.

And the guardian looks like it doesn't belong in a warzone. But I'm sure it would be just as functional as the others. If i felt my nephew was a fan of being a "grey man" who doesn't stand out. I'd probably get him the guardian.
Click to expand...
 
ShannonSteelLabs said:
I currently offer a 15% discount for active military.
My Camp 1 model would be a great choice. I can do a 4.5-7 inch blade.
They are typically a tool steel (3V, 4V, zwear). But I could make one in Elmax or M390. The bladeshape can be modified as well as the handles.View attachment 1153258
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for stopping in

I’m not opposed to custom but have a couple questions. Price and timeframe are chief among them.

If I were to order custom I’d look for the following

-6” blade, flat grind is fine, not too thick at the spine
-Clip point/Bowie shape
-No choil
-Finger guard of some sort
-Micarta handles if possible
-Steel with good balance of edge retention, —toughness and ease of sharpening. Would —favor corrosion resistance over the last incremental bit of edge retention or toughness
 
I can definitely meet all those requirements.
I would reccomend 2 steels
ELMAX
Z-Finit/LC200N

Elmax is a great tough stainless, holds a great edge too. And isnt super hard to maintain the edge.

Zfinit (LC200N) is a nitrogen stainless it's also extremely tough. It will not rust in any natural conditions. It is easy to sharpen and has good edge holding.

I have a batch of Elmax coming up. The stock I currently have is 0.220.
I can get thinner stock if needed.

Price would be around 300-325 with the discount.
 
Hi,

Thanks for the thick reply. Sounds pretty great.

Elmax at .150-.185 spine thickness would be great. Not looking for a heavy chopper but a good all rounder. Basic camping tasks, hunting, self defense.

What would be the time frame?

Loren Jones said:
Hi, thanks for stopping in

I’m not opposed to custom but have a couple questions. Price and timeframe are chief among them.

If I were to order custom I’d look for the following

-6” blade, flat grind is fine, not too thick at the spine
-Clip point/Bowie shape
-No choil
-Finger guard of some sort
-Micarta handles if possible
-Steel with good balance of edge retention, —toughness and ease of sharpening. Would —favor corrosion resistance over the last incremental bit of edge retention or toughness
Click to expand...
 
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