Help! Special knife for Basic Training Graduation/ 5 year anniversary.

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vcardec

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Mar 14, 2014
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I don't know a lot about knives, but I want to give my husband a knife that he can use on his daily Soldier tasks. He's gonna be an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer if that's any help. I also want it to be special enough that I can have it engraved since it's such a special occasion in our lives. I want him to be able to carry it to future deployments, so durability should be a most and a folder is preferred. My budget is around $100, but if that's to low, I'll try and stretch it. Just give me any recommendation you can.
If you need more info feel free to ask.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
vcardec said:
I don't know a lot about knives, but I want to give my husband a knife that he can use on his daily Soldier tasks. He's gonna be an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer if that's any help. I also want it to be special enough that I can have it engraved since it's such a special occasion in our lives. I want him to be able to carry it to future deployments, so durability should be a most and a folder is preferred. My budget is around $100, but if that's to low, I'll try and stretch it. Just give me any recommendation you can.
If you need more info feel free to ask.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I think $150 is for a benchmade adamas folder, its a hard use knife with the axis lock and part of the proceeds go to the familys of army rangers, the adamas was crated for the rangers so both the fixed and folder adamas are going to be rugged. Griptilians by benchmade have different models and confiurations for around your price for a standard 154cm blade. For about $130 you can go on benchmade's website and custom make the color of the scales, blade steel (extra cost for upgrading the steel), blade style (tanto, drop-point, sheeps foot), the color on the hardware, you can also have it engraved and a image ingraved on it too if you like. Just google custom make a griptilian and click on the benchmade.com link. The gripnalso has the axis lock which is very strong.
 
A custom Griptilian from benchmade.com is a good idea. You can pick everything from blade steel and shape to color. They're also very durable folders.
 
you can get so many great knives for around 100 bucks and less I would have no trouble recommending the benchmade griptilian, Ontario rat 1, spyderco tenacious, cold steel recon 1, cold steel code 4, cold steel ak-47, cold steel voyager, crkt ignitor, crkt m-21, ka-bar mule, Kershaw blackout, Kershaw blur, spyderco endura, or spyderco stretch. there are many more but those are some of the ones I have personally used in my time in the army and they are very good for the money.
 
Imo a multitool mite be the best one for the job he will be doing . Take a look at leatherman . Gerber . Victorinox . They all make good ones . To both of you i wish you all the best
 
He likely has an idea of what he needs or wants. Your husband might want a leatherman multi tool instead of a traditional folder. Each unit also has different rules to follow about what they can carry or have on their person ( locker, auto even). If you want to surprise him and not ask his preference you might not want to put a lot of money into it.

I've carried a Spyderco Endura of one variant or another since 92 and I'd say for $65ish dollars online ( Knifeworks will engrave for you) will provide a great, long lasting knife. On the other hand if he is the type that uses it ( or any other) as a pry bar or screwdriver than he will ruin most cutting/slicing knives. He's better off with a multi tool once again.

The Cold steel American Lawman is tough, easy to sharpen and not overly expensive. Any of the good online stores ( including the owner sponsor of this website) should have everything you need in stock or can get it quickly.

Good luck.
 
PropThePolecat said:
A custom Griptilian from benchmade.com is a good idea. You can pick everything from blade steel and shape to color. They're also very durable folders.
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I carried a Griptilian in Iraq in 2006-2007. A custom / engraved one would be a fine idea.
 
Thanks everyone! I've been checking the Leatherman Multi-tool, and it's a very thought out gift, I just don't know how I can have that engraved. Maybe I can get him a combination of a good knife and a multi-tool for around the same price. I know that limits the quantity of good knives, but Kappi011 gave me so many options that maybe I can make it a combo.

I was thinking something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1550-...d=1394882927&sr=1-1&keywords=kershaw+blackout
and this: http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/LM...48-Rebar-Full-Size-Multi-Tool-Standard-Sheath

What do you guys think?
 
-Spyderco Paramilitary
-Spyderco delica or endura...not as "tactical" looking but very fine knives.
-There might be a Swiss Army knife that would be very specific and helpful in his line of work. I'm not familiar with them all but I know there are TONS of different models and configurations.

Good luck!
 
vcardec said:
Thanks everyone! I've been checking the Leatherman Multi-tool, and it's a very thought out gift, I just don't know how I can have that engraved. Maybe I can get him a combination of a good knife and a multi-tool for around the same price. I know that limits the quantity of good knives, but Kappi011 gave me so many options that maybe I can make it a combo.

I was thinking something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1550-...d=1394882927&sr=1-1&keywords=kershaw+blackout
and this: http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/LM...48-Rebar-Full-Size-Multi-Tool-Standard-Sheath

What do you guys think?
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I have no experience with the Kershaw Blackout, but im sure its a good knife. For only 10 bucks more, you could get a Spyderco Endura, which is a amazing knife. It comes in different handle colors too.

The Leatherman Rebar is a good tool, its the smaller version of the heavy duty ST300. The Rebar is second only to the Charge. Ive seen some UK websites, that offer engraving on the Rebar, so i know its possible.
 
PropThePolecat said:
I have no experience with the Kershaw Blackout, but im sure its a good knife. For only 10 bucks more, you could get a Spyderco Endura, which is a amazing knife. It comes in different handle colors too.

The Leatherman Rebar is a good tool, its the smaller version of the heavy duty ST300. The Rebar is second only to the Charge. Ive seen some UK websites, that offer engraving on the Rebar, so i know its possible.
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I found pretty good deals on eBay for the Leatherman. A Rebar for around $40 http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=141215871207 and a Wave for around $55. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=301123327564

Which do you think is a better option? Is the Wave worth the extra $15?

I still haven't decided on the knife, I have heard a lot about the Spyderco Brand, but I don't love the circle design it has.

PS. Sorry for any grammar error, English is my second language.
 
The wave has the option to utilize accessory bit kits (including torx used to disassemble knives). Spyderco knives may look strange at first, but the hole is very user friendly for one handed opening.
Your grammar is fine, better than most of us on this forum. Don't worry about engraving, you are making a very thoughtful gift selection, he will never forget when he got it or who gave it to him.
 
LastRodeo said:
The wave has the option to utilize accessory bit kits (including torx used to disassemble knives). Spyderco knives may look strange at first, but the hole is very user friendly for one handed opening.
Your grammar is fine, better than most of us on this forum. Don't worry about engraving, you are making a very thoughtful gift selection, he will never forget when he got it or who gave it to him.
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Thanks LastRodeo! That's what I want, a thoughtful gift since he still has AIT to go through.

Any thoughts on the right knife?
 
I like both the Rebar and the Wave. I would guess the Wave would be much more useful because it has changeable tools (screwdrivers). It is also a bit smaller and lighter. Af for a knife, I'd suggest a Kershaw Blur (S30V).
 
vcardec said:
I found pretty good deals on eBay for the Leatherman. A Rebar for around $40 http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=141215871207 and a Wave for around $55. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=301123327564

Which do you think is a better option? Is the Wave worth the extra $15?

I still haven't decided on the knife, I have heard a lot about the Spyderco Brand, but I don't love the circle design it has.

PS. Sorry for any grammar error, English is my second language.
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Your English is excellent, so don't worry about it.

I'd go with the Wave. It has more tools than the Rebar, including the (in my opinion) all-important scissors. The main blades are also accessible without having to unfold the tools. As mentioned above, the Wave also has a interchangable bit, and if your husband deems it necessary, he can invest in the Leatherman bit kit in the future and have even more tools at his disposal.

Regarding Spyderco, the circular opening hole is a pleasure to use. Spydercos are designed with ergonomics being a priority and they don't disappoint.

Of course, if your heart isn't into it, then don't get it. There are plenty of other good brands around. Personally, in the price range you mention, id prefer a Benchmade or Spyderco.
 
vcardec said:
Thanks LastRodeo! That's what I want, a thoughtful gift since he still has AIT to go through.

Any thoughts on the right knife?
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The Benchmade Griptillian. The 550HG version has an opening hole, which combines my favorite opener with my favorite lock type. Knifeworks.com will engrave it for free.
 
Don't count spyderco out. Spyderco has some of the most loyal users of any brand and I would venture that even most of us weren't so sure about the hole at first sight. But in actual function spyderco knives are really hard to beat and that's why their fans become so loyal. And once you realize how well the hole functions, it becomes beautiful.

The important part is that you are taking the time to educate yourself and make a very thoughtful gift! My mother was the best gift giver I ever knew. I would casually mention that I would like a knife for fishing, or a watch for surfing...or whatever. She would take the time to read and study and talk to people who knew about the subject...just like you are doing here. And when she finally gave me the gift she would tell me some of the things she had learned and why she chose that specific model. Honestly, I think that's part of what made her gifts so special. That she had cared enough to take the time to think about what was really best for me, and the fact that what she ended up getting me was usually much better than what I would have chosen for myself.

So, yeah, I would always be like "mom!!! I never even looked at these knives, How did YOU know how awesome the spyderhole was???" :D

God bless her.
 
Good suggestions in this thread already, but as for the engraving, consider Knifeworks.com. They're a paid dealer here, have very good prices, and they have an option to engrave any knife you order from them. That would simplify that part of the present.
 
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