Help needed (warning...I am a newbie)

The Sebenza is stunning, I can see why it has been mentioned more than a few times on this thread. But it just breaks the bank a little bit. I am assuming that he would need the larger version due to his hand size.

I am fairly sure he uses the gerber tactical on a regular basis. I apologize for my lack of knowledge about what he owns. I didn't plan this very well. All of you have been incredibly helpful and I am searching like a mad woman all of these suggestions.
 
Spyderco Warrior might be a good idea for a fixed blade. H-1 steel is completely rust proof so he can use it in any situation without worry. Here's a link to the description on Spyderco's site. The MSRP says $399 but you can find it for about $250 at online knife dealers. It comes with a book describing the history of the blade and a sheath I think.
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Here is another approach: my wife bought me a small (but very expensive) folding knife that I tuck into my Levi''s coin pocket every day, and it reminds me of her. It is dressy, but very usable.

In your range, a knife like a Mcusta (someone above posted one) or a Chris Reeve Mnandi would be similar. Smaller, decorative knives that he could carry every day in addition to his main knife.

Here are a couple of Chris Reeve Mnandis (without the damascus blades are cheaper):

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julesmtn said:
So...I really would like to get my husband a great knife for Christmas. He is an Army Ranger so I am looking to get him one that he can show off at work and yet is useful for everyday use(combat, field, jumping). I have a budget of 400 but would like something "special". I am not sure what that looks like or even means to be honest. I suppose I will know it when I see it. I carry myself and am not completely ignorant of knives, but I thought I would get some wonderful help from the plethora of knowledge here to try and make this special for him. I would be very grateful for any suggestions.


My son was in the same situation as your husband, recon platoon Capt in beautiful Baghdad. I sent him a bunch of knives for him and his men. One of the most popular seemed to the the ProTech automatic models. These may be of interest and are in your budget range and you didn't mention that he owned any.

http://protechknives.com/knives/switchblades/les-george-rockeye-auto-knives.asp

http://protechknives.com/knives/knives.asp
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Thank you all so very much!!! You have been wonderfully helpful and at least I have a direction now instead of just guessing. I promise to let you know what I get for him. I figure I can't go wrong with a knife, as far as he is concerned.
 
Hey Jules, I don't really have a recommendation for you but I did want to thank YOU for your commitment to your husband as he serves. We'll be praying for his safe return home!
 
Thank you so much Sulaco. We will be married 15 years this Feb and definitely not our first rodeo as far as deployments go. But I wouldn't have it any other way. He's a good man and good at what he does. I couldn't ask for much more. Our kids are thrilled he is coming home for Christmas so that will be the big present for all of us. Thank you so much for your support.
 
Julie;

As a guy with 33 years in, and multiple tours over, let me give you my two cents.

1. What you have invited (and received) is feedback from a number of people who have never been in your husbands position and who will push their favorite brand or model of knife. There's little or no objectivity. (There's also a lack of comprehension based on the number of replies that failed to note that you wanted a handmade knife. )

2. If your husband has the number of knives you say he does, most of what's been recommended is known to him. If he doesn't already own one there's a reason for that.

3. There's absolutely no reason you cannot get your husband a very good knife that meets your criteria.

I suggest you go to the "Exchange" section of this Forum. Look at both the fixed and folding sections under Knifemakers. Find something that catches your eye and purchase it. If you see something but it's already sold contact the maker, there's a very good chance they'll help you out.

My suggestion would be to get him a nice pocket knife. That way he can carry it around and show it off when he's not in uniform too. I know my little three bladed whittler got more use than any of my fixed blades did.
 
I would have to suggest a Strider of any model. Their company backs our troops 100%, and they even offer a 20% discount to active-duty soldiers. Judging by your description it sounds like you're home for the holidays? I'm sure if you send them an email with your situation they'll help you out and do what they can to hook you up. In my opinion there is no fixed blade more masculine and American backed than a Strider.

With the discount, you can get nearly any model for ~$300. Plus, they're guaranteed for life. I'm sure your husband will appreciate it because they're real work horses, and he can be sure it's covered in the unlikely event it fails. Here's some eye candy:

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eisman nailed it. A hand made knife from his wife would be something to cherish, and pass down to family. Another thing to consider, when he shows it off to his buddies he'll never hear "I've seen those" or "My brother has one of those". There are many handcrafted options that should fall within your budget. Good luck, and Godspeed.
 
We have a son, so definitely would love handmade over factory. Just hard for me to know who to look for in my price range. I am so grateful for all of your suggestions. I have been browsing the exchange and the quality of knives is amazing. It's a little overwhelming.

I have to say the Strider is definitely eye candy though and the "look" I know he likes. Someone over in handmade section recommended a few Master smiths that I am drooling over.
 
For that price range you have a pile of options. I would suggest looking at a Busse brand team Gemini light brigade. It's a lot of knife, with a great design, excellent steel, and is combat oriented. For a similar knife costing less, the offshoot company swamp rat, makes a Ratmandu model, and a rodent 6 or rodent7 which is also a large knife in awesome steel for less than half your budget, that would leave room for a fixed blade and a folder. I would not hesitate to trust my life to a large Busse fixed blade. As far as folders go, you should look at the strider, or zero tolerance knives. Having said that these are all production knives to some extent, so if you want hand made there should be something very nice that suits your needs in the knifemakers for sale section here. There are some very talented makers here selling at very reasonable prices. I personally like the Benghazi warfighter from helm forge as well as some of his other large blades.
 
I don't have military experience myself but have done some research - these are just opinions.
If you haven't already it is worth browsing the knifemakers area in the Exchange. There are often very nice fixed blades around for very reasonable prices. Overmountain and Silverray come to mind (but there are lots of others). I know Eric at Overmountain has been working on a specialised fixed blade for law enforcement SWAT use - while military considerations would be a bit different it might be worth looking at.
You should easily be able to get a very nice fixed blade for well under your budget. One idea would be to then have a sheathmaker do a custom rig to meet your husband's specific needs.
 
With a Sebenza you know what you're getting customs can be a hit or miss. Get a Seb and have it engraved. In fact I think a large plain insingo would be awesome!
 
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I am not going to offer a knife suggestion but a just want to say this. Here we have a guy who is putting it all on the line for all of us and his loving wife is here on the forums trying to buy him a knife. Then we have all the forum members jumping in and helping her make the right decision. You are all awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!
 
There are some beautiful knives made by custom makers on this site & well within your price range. If it were me, I'd go that route. Get him something no other has.
 
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