I need some help picking a new knife...

bigbre

bigbre

Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
270
Hey yall,

The title is slightly misleading:rolleyes:. The knife is not for me, it is for my little brother who will be Commissioned into the Marine Corps at his graduation from College.

I would like to buy him a new knife to take forward into his military career. He wants to fly helicopters so I want it to be an easily carried knife that would fit a medium sized hand. My bro is NOT a knife person but I want to convert him or atleast give him something that he could use into the future.

the things that i am looking for are...

Size: <3.5"
Handle: Medium in size would prefer G10 but i am open to other handles
Blade: I like spydercos shape, but i am open. I would prefer it to be either 154cm or VG10, Possibly S30V. I need it to be easy to take care of and sharpen. Coatings would be a plus.

Use: everything, it needs to be a tough rugged knife that will take some abuse.

What i was thinking...Para-mili, Mini-commander, Griptillian, Ritter Grip, mini-manix, stretch...but i am open to any recommendations.

I would like to keep the price reasonable, close to or under $200.

Anyone who could speak from personal experience would be hugely appreciated, because i am not a marine and would really like to know what yall think and so forth.

thanks for the time guys have a good night.

-Alex
 
You might look into Emerson knives, ive been carrying a CQC-8 for almost a month now, and i love it. g-10 handle, 3.9" 154cm blade, i can take it apart, clean it, re-oil it, and put it back together in under 5min. and you dont need any torx drivers, its philips head on the handle, and flat head for the pivot.. its right in your price range at 170ish, if you want it a bit smaller, look at the horseman, its the same design but a 3.5" blade, or if you want a bigger blade look at the super CQC-8 with a 4.3"... just my two cents:D

here it is next to a Spyderco endura 4 g-10(the top one is the CQC-8,just in case)
 
I would throw my chips behind the RSK Mk.1 as being the most appropriate. I have two and they fit my medium sized hands perfectly. The Axis Lock is arguably the most secure around, the blade is a semi-flat ground S30V and is designed for hard work. The blade is available in black or stone washed and you can even get the handle in Signal Orange if you so desire.

At the very least, I would put the RSK on your short list.
 
Go with the Spyderco Military. It's bigger than your stated limit of 3.5" but it carries like a much smaller knife. In fact in carries much more comfortably than the full size griptilian or Ritter grip. The Military has open construction so it'll be easy to clean. The blade is the superlative s30v and the handle is G10. All for about $125.

From what I've read the Military was born when someone asked Sal (Spyderco founder) what folding knife he'd want his son to carry into combat. Sal designed the Military to meet that criteria. I don't think your brother could have a better knife to see him through is military career. Give him our thanks for his service.
 
Hey thanks guys,

would an emerson mini-commander work well? i have one and like it but i find that it is fairly heavy and not very small to carry.

I think that the full sized military would be far too big for my bro...i really really wish that they had something in the middle...maybe call it the National guard??? :-) haha jk...

does anyone know what how much knife a military helicopter pilot could possibly carry?
 
From what I've read and seen on the news the helicopter pilots in Iraq and Afghanistan are carrying sidearms and M4 carbines. I don't think any knife smaller than a Kabar USMC combat knife would be a problem.

I still think the Military would be a good choice but if you're convinced it's too big you could go with a Endura in FRN or G10.
 
Benchmade 707 Sequel in 154 CM ????

If I were new to knives and my first serious folder was an axis lock I would be very impressed. +1 to all the other knives mentioned -He will be happy with any of them.
 
once again thanks guys for the help...

I am checking out the 707 as we speak.

ya i dont think that he would like an endura. still too big...roughly the same size as a milli.

Ya what my thinking was was that he would carry his normal load out plus i would get him a folder small enough to be used as an edc but big enough that he could use it as a back up blade if need be...god forbid...my main idea was that he could use it on things that are too small for the issue knife.

I will also be getting him a rescue cutter to keep on his suit probably one of the light wieght ones from BM

-Alex
 
i really like the 707, that is a definate contender...i kind of want one now...:(
 
bigbre said:
Hey thanks guys,

would an emerson mini-commander work well? i have one and like it but i find that it is fairly heavy and not very small to carry.

I think that the full sized military would be far too big for my bro...i really really wish that they had something in the middle...maybe call it the National guard??? :-) haha jk...

does anyone know what how much knife a military helicopter pilot could possibly carry?
Click to expand...

endura 4 g-10 is almost in the middle of the para-military and military.
 
I would get your brother a Spyderco Para-Military. 3inch blade is legal in most areas. Compression lock is very strong and can be put to hard use. CPM S30V is superb steel and will maintain a working edge for a long time (it can also keep a razor sharp edge if you wish). Spyderco's G10 handles (on it's U.S.-made knives) are great - warm to the touch and offering just the right amount of grip. The full flat grind of the Para-Military makes it a fantastic slicer. The opening hole makes it easy for gloved users to open the knife.

If you do go with the Para-Military, Military or any other pointy-tipped knife, be sure to explain to your brother that the knife is NOT to be used as a pry-bar. This will chip off the edge.

If you want a fixed blade for your brother, then consider the RAT HEST. It comes with a bottle opener, wire cutter and small pry bar (near the end of the handle). It's also a coated blade with very tough 1095 steel. Just be sure to apply some lubricant on the exposed edge from time to time to avoid rust.
 
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