Gift for patriotic graduate...fixed blade recommendations

[JParanee]

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.

God bless you and you son and words can not express our gratitude

 

[CVamberbonehead]

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.

Im sorry for your loss, and grateful to your son.
To the OP, from a former soldier (I worked in Arlington Cemetery actually), the most useful knives in the military are multitools. A small Leatherman or Swiss Army knife is the best thing. I never needed a fixed blade since I didnt deploy overseas, but I would think a KaBar would be a good, sturdy, useful and patriotic knife as well as a good weapon if need be.

 

[Loren Jones]

Im sorry for your loss, and grateful to your son.
To the OP, from a former soldier (I worked in Arlington Cemetery actually), the most useful knives in the military are multitools. A small Leatherman or Swiss Army knife is the best thing. I never needed a fixed blade since I didnt deploy overseas, but I would think a KaBar would be a good, sturdy, useful and patriotic knife as well as a good weapon if need be.

Thanks for serving. I was Air Force as a medical person and my leatherman was useful when deployed. I know that would be the most utilitarian thing but he can buy they later if he doesn’t already have one. I want to get him a very nice high quality cool fixed blade against the backdrop of him considering Marines or Army

 

[CVamberbonehead]

Thanks for serving. I was Air Force as a medical person and my leatherman was useful when deployed. I know that would be the most utilitarian thing but he can buy they later if he doesn’t already have one. I want to get him a very nice high quality cool fixed blade against the backdrop of him considering Marines or Army

Yeah I get that. I think its a way better gift than a swiss army knife too lol

 

[Cosmodragoon]

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...

This is incorrect. Yes, they took a contract to destroy guns for the police. Those guns would have been destroyed anyway so that's not really an issue. Posting pictures of them doing it rubbed people the wrong way and invited scrutiny. That scrutiny revealed the real controversy, which was Benchmade's donations to anti-gun politicians.

This is a knife forum but gun and knife rights go hand in hand. The same people and core philosophy are responsible for the crusade against both gun and knife rights. There is more that can be discussed on that topic but this is the wrong part of the forum for that. The relevant issues here are (1) getting the facts straight and (2) understanding that some "patriotic" people might care about this or have strong feelings about it.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

This is incorrect. Yes, they took a contract to destroy guns for the police. Those guns would have been destroyed anyway so that's not really an issue. Posting pictures of them doing it rubbed people the wrong way and invited scrutiny. That scrutiny revealed the real controversy, which was Benchmade's donations to anti-gun politicians.

This is a knife forum but gun and knife rights go hand in hand. The same people and core philosophy are responsible for the crusade against both gun and knife rights. There is more that can be discussed on that topic but this is the wrong part of the forum for that. The relevant issues here are (1) getting the facts straight and (2) understanding that some "patriotic" people might care about this or have strong feelings about it.

I fail to see how advocating for common sense gun control or supporting some democrats is being anti-second amendment or unpatriotic. Common sense gun control doesn't need to necessarily involve banning guns and not all democrats want guns to be banned. Like I said, has to do with people's personal & fanatical interpretation of the second amendment and how they feel it is being attacked.

 

[ShannonSteelLabs]

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?

Time frame would likely be 1.5-2 months.

 

[DPC]

Winkler Knives II made these american flag Spikes

Edit as to why :

If your son wants to aim at Marines and later SEALs a fancy discontinued (but available) version of a good combat knife would be something he could look up to.

Daniel Winkler started making knives for the Navy SEALs and started Winkler Knives II to streamline production and sell to the public as well. They're not the only SEAL knife at all, but they have become a symbol. Marketing aside they are also truly great knives, only truly appreciated once you hold them.

He's probably realistically not going to ever use it in service, a knife so different and so expensive, at least during boot camp. However this special Winkler is perfect as a gift for him to look up to in my oppinion. I don't have SEAL relatives but this would sure be a great graduation or motivation gift.

Another great option SEAL extraordinaire that could actually see use is the Cold Steel SRK, they make them in great fancy steels nowadays

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I fail to see how advocating for common sense gun control or supporting some democrats is being anti-second amendment or unpatriotic. Common sense gun control doesn't need to necessarily involve banning guns and not all democrats want guns to be banned. Like I said, has to do with people's personal & fanatical interpretation of the second amendment and how they feel it is being attacked.

This is obviously relative. Notice your own use of words like "common sense" and "fanatical". This is how you feel about a political issue. Other people may feel differently and that's the point. Now, there are lots of resources available to study different sides of this issue, or whether words like you've used above make sense for the different sides. There are also lots of places where this issue can be debated at length. This forum is not one of them, so let's not sink the thread.

This thread is about a brave young man serving his country and one person's mission to find the right gift for him.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

This is obviously relative. Notice your own use of words like "common sense" and "fanatical". This is how you feel about a political issue. Other people may feel differently and that's the point. Now, there are lots of resources available to study different sides of this issue, or whether words like you've used above make sense for the different sides. There are also lots of places where this issue can be debated at length. This forum is not one of them, so let's not sink the thread.

This thread is about a brave young man serving his country and one person's mission to find the right gift for him.

Well you were the one who started with that BS topic in the first place. Benchmade is an American company that produces quality knives and I simply recommended one of such knives to this lady for her brave, patriotic nephew. Period.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

Well you were the one who started with that BS topic in the first place. Benchmade is an American company that produces quality knives and I simply recommended one of such knives to this lady for her brave, patriotic nephew. Period.

I don't know the political orientation of the young man in question. I don't know how he feels about guns, gun rights, knife rights, the politicians who got the donations, or the company that made them in the first place. I only brought it up because, right or wrong, it is a factor for some people who identify as "patriotic" and "patriotism" is part of the reasoning here.

I'm not interested in arguing the merits of any position here. The situation exists. The people who care about it exist. Whether or not the person in question is one of those people could be a factor in determining whether or not that would be a good gift.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

I don't know the political orientation of the young man in question. I don't know how he feels about guns, gun rights, knife rights, the politicians who got the donations, or the company that made them in the first place. I only brought it up because, right or wrong, it is a factor for some people who identify as "patriotic" and "patriotism" is part of the reasoning here.

I'm not interested in arguing the merits of any position here. The situation exists. The people who care about it exist. Whether or not the person in question is one of those people could be a factor in determining whether or not that would be a good gift.

Clearly your only interest is to derail this thread simply to keep giving Benchmade a bad press it doesn't deserve. I don't know the young man's position on guns or the other IRRELEVANT factors you mentioned. I certainly hope he's not a fanatical retard who would pass on a well made American knife based on the opinion held by a bunch of idiots that Benchmade somehow "attacked" the Second Amendment.

 

[Loren Jones]

I’m sure he’d be happy with a Benchmade and not have a political problem with them. He is pro gun rights and pro knife rights and very patriotic.

With that said Benchmade didn’t have any knives that piques my interest. I looked at their line first before any others.

 

[knarfeng]

watch the language.
And keep political references out of any thread that is not in the Political Forum.

 

[knarfeng]

A lot of these posts have nothing to do with the topic.
Recommend a knife for the nice lady to give her nephew, then move on to another thread.

 

[YellowSwiss]

My recommendations:

KABAR (original or D2)
Becker BK7
Leatherman


As far as all the other stuff mentioned here. I both agree and disagree but mostly I am neutral.

 

[redcanoe]

Buck 245,''Matt would go". This knife was designed by a U.S. Navy Seal that was lost on a open ocean training mission.Certainly worth considering.

 

[erhodes]

I’ve been 11b in the 82nd for 6 years. Been carrying a winkler belt knife for the last 2. A leatherman has its place but most guys buy them regularly for about $40-$60 or get issued a gerber. If you want a gift get him a nice fixed blade. The winkler is great and i got turned on to them by some guys that are way more operator than myself

 

[Loren Jones]

I’ve been 11b in the 82nd for 6 years. Been carrying a winkler belt knife for the last 2. A leatherman has its place but most guys buy them regularly for about $40-$60 or get issued a gerber. If you want a gift get him a nice fixed blade. The winkler is great and i got turned on to them by some guys that are way more operator than myself

Couldn’t agree more on letting him choose his own Leatherman at Cetera as a utility tool but a cool blade as a nice gift seems like sort of a different thing. Glad you enjoy your Winkler. They look like great knives. Thanks for your service and for your input.

 

[DevilPup]

Active duty Marine here. A multi tool or good folder will see the most use just doing the basic tasks. But that isn't what you are going for. I have been carrying a Winkler Belt Crusher with the sculpted micarta handles on my off hand side for a while now and love it. One thing to consider is the environment he most likely will be deployed in and how that will relate to his gear. Such as a stainless vs carbon steel vs a carbon steel that is coated, the amount of grip afforded in adverse conditions, the overall purpose depending on fighting knife or more utility, etc. The sculpted micarta scales give me grip no matter what the conditions and the leather kydex hybrid sheaths they have mean that the knife goes in and out silently. Another factor to consider is the attachment methods. Some sheaths are not able to attach to your plate carrier because of how they are designed. Also I would consider the ride height of the sheath. If he is like me and chooses to carry it all the time, then you want something that will keep the bottom of your sheath still hidden beneath your cammies. I find that the Winklers fit me very well and have some of the best factory edges I've ever seen. They also fit the parameters of what I need. The Belt Crusher specifically has a rounded glass breaker which is a plus. I may cycle through my folders that I carry, but I don't go out in my cammies unless I have that Winkler on my hip. I hope this helps a bit! Let me know if you have any questions or want some insight.