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

It seems like everyone agrees on the Spyderco brand, so I won't write them off. I have to lower my budget to around $50 since I'll be getting the multi-tool. The other Brand most of you suggested is the Branchmade, but those are more expensive. So which should be the winner?
 
Spyderco Endura. I have an unused Benchmade Griptillian, still new in box, that I will make a good deal on for you. If you are interest, email me. You can email me by clicking on my user name.
 
Check kershawguy.com ...Dave (the owner) is amazing, he'll look for special serial numbers, certain attributes, and hand pick items per request. He sells Kershaw"blems" for cheap...usually just blemished printing or some such...that don't carry warranty. Zero Tolerance, designed specifically for LE & Military. And he's even doing some spydercos (I think he has spyderco military's in stock...designed specifically for military personnel). A while back, a gentleman had posted a report of a kershaw blur surviving special forces selection with him. Also, while you might want laser engraving, keep in mind most jewelry stores and even pawn shops can do "real" engraving on any flat surface. My recommendation would be to go for a Kershaw Blur, and a Leatherman wave, then have the flats on the wave polished and engraved at a local shop. You can get both for your budget if you get a blem blur from Kershawguy and hunt for a deal on the Leatherman.
 
vcardec said:
It seems like everyone agrees on the Spyderco brand, so I won't write them off. I have to lower my budget to around $50 since I'll be getting the multi-tool. The other Brand most of you suggested is the Branchmade, but those are more expensive. So which should be the winner?
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The spyderco endura or the delica are both great knives at that price point. Basically the same knife but the delica is a smaller version. You can choose from many different handle colors too. I really like the orange (which is irrelevant since the knife isn't for me :rolleyes:) As a couple of others have mentioned knifeworks.com is a great company to deal with and they have very good prices, plus I think they do engraving if you decide you want that.
 
I imagiine working on drones involves a lot of fairly meticulous work...and since they were made for the military, you know they probably have 4,987,236 moving parts - just because procurement likes it that way. I'd think a Leatherman Wave would be an excellent, very thoughtful, and highly useful gift for your man.
 
If it were me, I would take the "military use" factor out of the equation and just get him a nice pocket knife that will be just as pretty in years to come.

He has all the tools he needs there and should have to check them in and out so they dont go missing.

Perhaps something in a traditional pattern, maybe even a slip joint.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for all your help. I think I've made a decision. I decided to get the Leatherman Wave and a Benchmade Griptilian 551 combo. I found a great deal on the Leatherman and on the Benchmade (Thanks to LastRodeo). I even found a Trophy Shop where they engrave Knives and are making me a sweet deal as well. It got a little over my budget, but if everything goes as planed, everything should round the $130. I still don't know what part of the knife to engrave I've seen a couple of pictures with the engravement on the blade rather than on the handle. I really like this idea, but the pictures I've seen are laser engraved, and I'm not sure if the Handle can take the engravement. The trophy shop clerk even told me that he could do the Leatherman as well for an extra $10. I'm considering it but that's really stretching the budget.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Is this a good Idea/ gift combo?
 
Disregard, just saw your latest post.

Good choices, and should cover all his needs. I'm sure he'll cherish them always. I still own an original Gerber multi-tool in black that my girlfriend (now wife) got me as a present prior to going in the Army back in 1995. I prefer my newer Victorinox multi-tool, but that Gerber will always remain special.
 
I think you did great. He will be very excited with both I am sure. I am a spyderco fan, but I have a griptilian and it is an excellent knife! Yep, you did well! Be sure to tell him we helped!! ;) hahahaha
 
Hey everyone, thanks for all your help. I think I've made a decision. I decided to get the Leatherman Wave and a Benchmade Griptilian 551 combo. I found a great deal on the Leatherman and on the Benchmade (Thanks to LastRodeo). I even found a Trophy Shop where they engrave Knives and are making me a sweet deal as well. It got a little over my budget, but if everything goes as planed, everything should round the $130. I still don't know what part of the knife to engrave. I've seen a couple of pictures with the engravement on the blade rather than on the handle. I really like this idea, but the pictures I've seen are laser engraved, and I don't want to damage the blade. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the Handle can take the engravement or if it will look good. The trophy shop clerk even told me that he could do the Leatherman as well for an extra $10. I'm considering it, but that;s really stretching the budget.

Anyways, what do you guys think about the engravement? Is this a good Idea/ gift combo?
 
vcardec said:
Hey everyone, thanks for all your help. I think I've made a decision. I decided to get the Leatherman Wave and a Benchmade Griptilian 551 combo. I found a great deal on the Leatherman and on the Benchmade (Thanks to LastRodeo). I even found a Trophy Shop where they engrave Knives and are making me a sweet deal as well. It got a little over my budget, but if everything goes as planed, everything should round the $130. I still don't know what part of the knife to engrave. I've seen a couple of pictures with the engravement on the blade rather than on the handle. I really like this idea, but the pictures I've seen are laser engraved, and I don't want to damage the blade. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the Handle can take the engravement or if it will look good. The trophy shop clerk even told me that he could do the Leatherman as well for an extra $10. I'm considering it, but that;s really stretching the budget.

Anyways, what do you guys think about the engravement? Is this a good Idea/ gift combo?
Click to expand...

Laser engraving won't harm the blade.

Nice choices.
 
Swiss Army Knife (Victorinix Pioneer or Farmer) and a multitool (like the Leatherman Wave you mentioned). Trust me, he'll use the Swiss Army Knife on the job much much more than any other knife you might get him.

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I agree that the Spyderhole is a simply awesome piece of design, and makes opening the knife extremely simple. But I would second the choice of a suitable Leatherman, as it has so many uses. He will probably have a first class tool kit anyway, but there will be times when he doesn't have right with him, so a multitool will work out fine. You could always then go for a simple and cheap folder, such as an Opinel, or some kind of Kershaw. Some of the modern Opinels have a whistle built into the handle, which could conceivable come in handy in a personal security situation.
 
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