Gifts for a marine

al3xd4gr34t

al3xd4gr34t

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Jan 14, 2009
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Originally, I had started a thread in the Busse forums about me and some friends getting a Marine Corps buddy of ours a gift. In the end, we decided (with the help of some forumites) that it wouldn't be a good idea to drop a large ammount of money just for 1 fixed blade so we decided that we would get him the following.

Kabar Full Sized Fighting knife
Benchmade 585BK Mini Barrage
Leatherman P4
SureFire E2E Executive Elite

We're hoping that these will be enough tools, plus the tools insued to him, to get him through his tour safely.

Is there anything else someone would suggest changing or adding to this list which would best suit our friends need? Our budget right now is $300, and the list is just under that.
 
maybe something a bit more rugged and simpler than benchmade mini barrage?

perhaps a spyderco endura or delica, possibly fully serrated?
 
A rat rc 4 with the molle sheath and an izula would go far! light weight, great price, great warranty, great company, durable...and other good things. :)
 
The reason we chose the mini barrage was thatin an emergency situation, if he had to, he could get the barrage out fast. Also, if the assisted spring broke, he could still use it as a regular axis knife. if the omega spring broke, the back saftey would still allow him to use the axis lock safely.
 
Kabar Full Sized Fighting knife
Benchmade 585BK Mini Barrage
Leatherman P4
SureFire E2E Executive Elite
Click to expand...

Boy am I gonna get blasted for this.
All of the above, though well intentioned, are not a very good idea.

Full size fighting knife is too large, cumbersome.
Better served with the Rat3 or 4.
Mini Barrage, too many small moving parts, springs so forth, for the talcum like sand that gets into everything.
Leatherman P4, the Multi-tool will get the most use. Get a full size Charge or similar.
Surefire E2E, he won't be able to find batterys, get him a light that uses a couple AA's
 
If for some reason the Barrage is sold out I would second something fully serrated for medium duty chores. The leatherman has a small blade in it already (I think), and serrations tend to last longer than a plain edge.

Thank your friend for his service as well.
 
I would get the LM wave instead of the P4 beyond that I would throw in a RC 3...just to let you know for any bat operated devices in a "combat" area batteries will be hard to come by at lest thats what my friends tell my that are over there.
 
As a Marine I will sound off on this;

Kabar - Yes
Benchmade - No
Leatherman - Upgrade to a diff Model with the $ you Save on the Benchmade
Surefire - Great Lights but I would buy a Streamlight and extra Batteries and still Save $

Add a Spyderco Folder and you will have a great package.

OohRah for doing this for him.
 
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Kabar: Never thot I'd say this, but with ur budget, OK.
Benchmade: Nope...Spyderco all stainless model, serrated, largest u can afford (Police is exceptional and a better fighting knife than the Kabar..so maybe combine)
Surefire: excellent piece..as others stated, batteries in the cat box are premium....send em with it.
Leatherman: I'll draw flack here...piss on the multi-tool...ur marine is trained to make due with essentials..spend the money on the knifves and light/batteries...he doesn't need a leather awl.
 
i gave my friend in the naval accademy a waved spyderco delica, for a marine id say waved endura, or benchmade rukus
 
Thesian, a multi-tool is just a leather awl? Are you insinuating they are much too complex for the average Jarhead?
Are you drunk/high?
ColonelX, Your gift will see alot of use. Your recommendation for the others are well thought out also.
 
Now we're looking at

Spyderco Endura 4, Full Serrations
Rat Cutlery Model 5
Leatherman Blast
Streamlight Twin-Task 2d
 
I disagree with the need of full serrations, send a plain edge and a couple of DMT folding sharpeners 1 fine 1 med.
Send a light that uses batteries he can find over there, like AA's
 
I'll throw my 2¢ in...


Spyderco Endura 4, Full Serrations - I'd go with a BM Grip. I would not want a knife with full serrations as they aren't as useful.
Rat Cutlery Model 5 - Some will probably say even that is too big though I'd be fine with it. I carried an Ek.
Leatherman Blast - I know people love these but they're next to useless to me. I ran out and bought the first Leatherman when they came out and I could probably count on one hand the number of times I used it in the field. YMMV
Streamlight Twin-Task 2d - That's a decent flashlight, I've had one for a few years and don't have any complaints with it.

ETA - I just noticed the Streamlight is a 2D model. I have the 2AA model and I think that would be a better choice, it's lighter and AAs are easy to find.

Personally I'd rather have a good SAK than the Leatherman but I know I'm in the minority. You might also consider the SAK as a 5th item, they're pretty inexpensive.
 
al3xd4gr34t said:
Now we're looking at

Spyderco Endura 4, Full Serrations
Rat Cutlery Model 5
Leatherman Blast
Streamlight Twin-Task 2d
Click to expand...

I like your current list much better.

The RC-5 is too thick, though. Go with the RC-4, much lighter & a better slicer but still tough.

I think you should stick to AA batteries. For a light, how about the Streamlight 2AA LED ProPolymer Flashlight -- 2 x AA with a good combination of brightness and longevity: 25 lumens for 18 hours. Compact: 6.25" long, 3.5 ounces.
 
Throw in a Spyderco sharpmaker 50.00, that way he can keep his and all his buddies knives sharp.
 
Updated list

Spyderco Endura Waved, Full Serrations
Spyderco Sharpmaker
Streamlight 2AA LED ProPolymer (Linked by Esav)
RAT Model 4
Leatherman Blast
 
Spyderco Endura, no serrations, no need for wave.
Like I said before, a couple of folding DMT sharpeners, very compact and light.
Don't volunteer yourself for knife sharpening for your unit, you'll have enough to do.
I'd upgrade to the Charge.
As far as the other knives, I agree with Esav. But what do I know I've only been there 3 times, 1 Stan, 2 Iraq.
Use a light powered by easy to find AA"s
 
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