Knife for a friend in the Marines

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Caruso941

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Aug 31, 2010
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My best friend who has always been like a brother to me just got out of boot camp, and i was wondering what type of knife other than a kabar i could get him, i personally love the kabar, but im preety sure he might like something different, thanks
 
You're about to hear an entire choir saying, get him a multi-tool he'll truly use and appreciate everyday. Leatherman has proven its value over others, a heavier duty model should do. The odds of him needing a fixed blade for his MOS is unlikely, and even then...there may be orders against carrying something the size of a Ka-Bar even in the Marines. I'd go with a Leatherman Wave, but if he insists on a fixed blade an SOG Seal Pup or similar is sensible and durable.
 
Congratulations to your friend! You are a very thoughtful friend; I know that what ever you get him he will cherish.

One of my sons got a Emerson CQC-7 with his name engraved on it, with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor (later replaced by the pictured CQC-10, when the original was lost during training).
CQC10KnifePhotocopy.jpg


The other got a ZT0551 when graduated from OCS (didn't get his name on it, because the steel is so hard, and because we didn't want to affect the value.
ZT055114.jpg


Probably the most useful tool for Marines, is a multi-tool. If you can swing the cost, a Leatherman MUT would be GREAT. ( I gave my son a Leatherman Charge Xti, which he gifted to one of his translators or IPs, and kept a Gerber that someone had given him, when he deployed.
 
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I would say anything around 9-10" OAL is good enough.
Busse SAR3 or something like Microtech Currahee is pretty good.
Try Koster 3V as well.
 
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They would LOVE a Tops USMC Combat Knife. This is the knife that Marines should be issued.

On a side note, not all personel are allowed to carry things that are not issued. Check into that. Might be better off with a milti-tool.
 
Everyone says multi tool but odds are he will be issued one. I got out in '05 and they were issuing Gerber multi tools at that point. I'd say go with a good hard use folder, maybe something from the ZT line or something from cold steels triad lock collection. Spydercos are always nice, maybe a paramilitary or manix. It all depends on what you think he'll like and how much you want to spend.
 
Besides a good multitool or Vic SAK,I would think something along the lines of an ESEE 3 would be another good choice.
 
When I served years ago, I would have appreciated a tough little fixed blade... something like a BK 11 or 14 or ESEE Izula (love my Izzie 2! :thumbup:) Light, convenient and durable. I had a SAK that I used quite a bit (this was before multi-tools were readily available.)

Very thoughtful of you, OP... good luck! :)
 
i would say the leatherman supertool 300. a wave might not be heavy duty enough for a combat deployment. i carry a wave everyday and sometimes i am even under armed for my tasks. i would also recomend an emerson with a 3.5 inch to 4 inch blade. and possibly a tanto. i know a few marines and none of them get the fact that a knife is not a pry tool.
 
OP, tell your friend thanks for his service.

My understanding from friends and family members who served is that you will normally be issued a multitool, as someone else said. I agree that a multitool is the most useful, all-around item and the ONE thing I'd never want to be without--I'd even choose a multitool over a standalone fixed blade, if I had to choose (see Les Stroud). That said, for a gift, it might be nice to have something a little more "special" and less utilitarian, especially if he's going to get a MT issued anyway. I'd get him a quality fixed blade, probably in the 4" to 6" length. From what I hear, most fighting Marines use guns for fighting :-), and that nearly all their knife use is restricted to utility tasks like prying, cutting straps, opening boxes and packages, etc. So a good tough fixed blade is just the ticket, probably don't need a giant blade in the 7" range.

Recommendations? Not knowing your budget, but guessing it based on the Kabar idea, I'll suggest stuff that's (mostly) under $130.

* ESEE knives. Either the 4, or 6, would be a great choice. The 5 is good too, but it's SO heavy. I think for a soldier, the ESEE 4 would be perfect. You can get a full "4" package with sheath and molle locks for around $83 at Knifeworks. http://www.knifeworks.com/ratcutlerymodel4kydexsheathwithmollelocksplainedge.aspx

* Cold Steel SRK. This is a great, all-purpose soldier's knife. About $107 at Knifeworks, includes an adequate sheath. http://www.knifeworks.com/coldsteelsrkvg-1sanmaiiii.aspx

* Swamp Rat Ratmandu. This would be my best recommendation. These are VERY hard to get, and one downside is, it'll be $138 for the knife, plus you'll still need to spend around $50 for a sheath. If you can afford this option, this is what I'd get him. If not, then probably ESEE. http://www.shop.ratknives.com/produ...3999E.qscstrfrnt04?productId=208&categoryId=1

* Fallkniven A1 (6.3" blade), S1 (5.1" blade), or F1 (3.8" blade). These are good stainless knives. More expensive, and the included sheaths suck. But these are truly great knives if they are in the price range. I'd probably get him the S1, it'll cost around $150 plus you'd need a sheath. http://www.knifeworks.com/fallkniven-1.aspx
 
the Ratmandu isn't VERY hard to get, you can still buy them retail from the Rat store. That'd be my first pick, just be ready to reprofile a SR101 blade... the edge comes pretty obtuse.
Also check out the Scrapyard SYCKO 711.
 
I just meant that RMD are "hard to get" in the sense that they're not always available, and they sell out fast when they are. I just got one after waiting for a number of weeks, myself. They prob won't last long, so if the OP wants to spend that much, he should get one soon.
 
Maybe something in the 6-inch range, like a Zero Tolerance 0170, Cold Steel SRK, or Benchmade CSK II? The SRK and CSK II are roughly in the same price range ($75-90 depending on where you shop) and the 0170 will run about $120. If you want something a little bit cheaper than that, you can still get a Scrapyard 511 (bomb-proof fixed blade) for about $100 shipped, but it does not come with a sheath.
 
If you're looking for something different, a Fehrman Shadow Scout is a cool blade with a great steel. I'm not a military guy, but from what I've read, even that may be a bit big (it's about the same size as a K-Bar).
 
Multi-tools aside I would suggest something like the BRKT Bravo-1 or the STS5. Good usable knives that are robust and as near Marine proof as you could want. Also they're not too large, not too expensive, not too aggressive looking and have a great warranty.
 
Doctad has a great idea. How about a ZT 301 with the Anchor, Globe and Eagle or semper fi on it.
 
What is the price range being looked at ?

As an Officially USMC Licensed Knife business, we are working with Kershaw and Protech currently for Marine Corps Knives. See attached photo as example.

Marine-Corps-Knife-5.jpg
 
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coming from the mil side, Id shy away from carbon steel. I love sr101 and cpm m4 but they rust if i look at it sideways. great steels, but not when your kydex is full of mud, sand and water. the thin little fixed blades would be out for me. you can't really hold onto them like a larger knife for higher force cuts/prying. Is he in a combat role? if not, it probably won't matter either way. if he's and 0311, he may get issued a strider ect. Id venture towards a short, thick fixed blade of stainless steel
 
I'll say look into Striders. They are bad ass blades that are proven tough and you may get a discount since it'll be for a soldier. Look at the SMF and SnG.
 
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