Gift for Serviceman

P

Photographer

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May 16, 2018
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I'm looking for a gift for a recent West Point graduate who is moving onto Army Aviation. I'd like to get him a quality knife that would be suitable for deployment. Am looking for something not too big, and am wondering if soldiers ever use folding knives or if they tend to prefer fixed blades exclusively.

I'd prefer American brands, good warranties and service, and high quality materials.

So far, I'm considering these:
Benchmade 133
Benchmade 375
Benchmade 275
ESEE Laser Strike
ESEE 5
SOG Pillar
SOG PentArc

These are all companies I'm familiar with, but I'm open to other suggestions and would love to know what knife you think would make a useful gift (say between $100-250).

Thanks!
 
In army aviation I would suggest a good multi-tool as being more useful. As to a knife,soldiers, especially in a combat area, prefer fixed blades. A good 'ol Ka-Bar and quality multi-tool would be excellent :thumbsup: (I do have some significant experience in this area).
 
Most useful "knife" in the army all around hands down is a quality multitool, and in aviation I imagine it would be even more handy then it was for me in the infantry... I'd suggest a Leatherman Super Tool 300... pretty much a sturdy do-it-all Leatherman that can be had for <$100...

For sentiment sake I'd recommend a Kabar "Army" fighting knife/bowie paired with a case Army trapperlock, which together would come out to <$200...
 
Leatherman and a tool harness that can go onto a belt that can hold other quick to grab items.
 
GermanyChris said:
For a helicopter driver and officer I'd get something smallish they have lots of crap to carry in those overalls.
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This to the max.

As an officer and a pilot, he'll have a ton of stuff in the pockets of his flight suit, and there's a ton of survival stuff in a vest they wear. A fixed blade is just something that will sit in his foot locker unused. A good SAK or smaller smaller multitool and a small flashlight will be of much more use in his day to day duties. Don't over burden him.
 
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I know I'm late to the party but the company I used to work for allowed me to send care packages to my employees who were deployed (B1 bomber flight crews out of Elsworth AFB) on their (the companies) dime.
Along with coffee, seasonings, jerky and other food stuff, I always included a surefire (the $60 plastic one) and either a leatherman or Gerber multi tool and those 2 items were always we'll received.
 
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Photographer said:
Your advice has been heard and I've gotten him the Leatherman. Thanks again!
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Good choice. I really don't see too many fixed blades anymore. A good multitool will get used far more often. As much as I could recommend a dozen good folding knives, I always start with a multitool. With a fixed blade, each post has their own regulations which limit blade length. I've seen some copy the state regulations (like Texas) and I could carry a 5.5" fixed blade. Just prior to my retirement in the fall, the installation I was stationed at changed their fixed blade length from 4" to 3.5" for "garrison" duty carry. Your recent graduate will get far more use from a multitool as a young 2LT in an aviation unit than anything else.

ROCK6
 
As a tank crewman in the Army we were issued multi tools. I had a nice SAK Pioneer too. Muti tools were perfect for scraping carbon off machine guns and opening MREs.
 
OK, you're on the right track with the Leatherman, now get him a folder and a flashlight.

Maybe an engraved SAK Farmer or Pioneer X and a quality flashlight. As for the flashlight, I'd recommend something that takes AA or CR123 batteries. When I was in the service, supply always had AA batteries available.

I've had good luck with NiteCore and SureFire is considered one of the best, if not the best.
 
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