Knife for a Soldier

I started my nephew, who is a marine too, with a leather man, Rat folder and izula 2. Got the two knives from knife works and had them engraved. Later got him one of the Salt series b/c he's in Japan. Latest buy was the Scrap Yard skinner which I'm waiting on a sheath for.

The no budget makes me think Winkler- I love my Belt knife and his Operator looks tempting to me.

Can't go wrong with an ESEE 4 IMO, great design and sheath system.

Part of me says not to buy something he would be bummed if it was lost or stolen.
 
Bradford Guardian 5 with OD green G-10 scales and a black DLC finish. BladeHQ has one.

KA-BAR 1281 D2 Extreme would be cool.
 
I would suggest a Cold Steel SRK. Light and stronger than a Kabar USMC IMO. They have a San Mai version if you would like an upgraded steel. Stuff gets lost in the field all the time and having something that can be easily replaced and wont be terrible missed if lost is always nice.
 
rpn said:
Part of me says not to buy something he would be bummed if it was lost or stolen.
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Nah, the kid's a Marine... get him something awesome.

If we're going to use this criteria for buying each other gifts, we're gonna be buying each other crap.
 
One more vote for no knife until he has an actual duty station. The stateside military is a lot less knife friendly than some seem to think and each unit commander can have his own rules.
 
koster bushmaster

5" 3V with bead blasted micarta scales. Mine's been through thick and thin and I just can't destroy the thing. The handle actually has better traction when wet. Given it's size, its remarkably light weight due to the full height flat grind and heavily skeletonized handle. The balance is spot on. When I need a TOOL for the field, it's my go to and if I were going to war it would be the one I'd take.
 
In the States, typically knives with blades over 4" are considered weapons, and are required to be stored in the arms room. Besides that, except in a few very specific instances, large knives are a heavy burden to carry for very little return, once you put in a few miles.

A good Native LW, Manix 2 LW, or (on the large side) Manix 2 XL are as large as I'd go.

John
 
My son carried this Boker pig-sticker in Iraq. Not very practical given the dearth of pigs over there.

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USMCPOP said:
My son carried this Boker pig-sticker in Iraq. Not very practical given the dearth of pigs over there.

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Those Applegate Fairbairn daggers by Boker are pretty awesome. Gerber also makes the Applegate Fairbairn Combat and Covert folders. They are also fun. Though if you were to get one of those I would go with the Covert since it is made out of better steel, and is a more handy size.

But I guess handy is a matter of situation. A Ranger friend of mine said that the Combat folder that he was issued in 2003 was the best knife he ever had until it disappeared out of his luggage on the way back into the US. My uses tend to be fully satisfied without that extra inch of metal, but not everybody's uses are the same.
 
That Applegate Fairbairn was purchased in 2004, prior to his deployment. I know how it goes with gear disappearing. It didn't show up with his belongings after he was KIA, but one of his platoon mates brought it to me along with his private-purchase Gerber demolition pliers. He was a combat engineer.
 
USMCPOP said:
That Applegate Fairbairn was purchased in 2004, prior to his deployment. I know how it goes with gear disappearing. It didn't show up with his belongings after he was KIA, but one of his platoon mates brought it to me along with his private-purchase Gerber demolition pliers. He was a combat engineer.
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Shit bro, sorry for your loss. I was Army infantry. Iraq 03-04.

To the OP, it would help to know what his MOS is.
 
USMCPOP said:
That Applegate Fairbairn was purchased in 2004, prior to his deployment. I know how it goes with gear disappearing. It didn't show up with his belongings after he was KIA, but one of his platoon mates brought it to me along with his private-purchase Gerber demolition pliers. He was a combat engineer.
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Sometimes life gives us a bad hand, but I hope the memory of him fills You with pride!


Regards
Mikael
 
USMCPOP said:
That Applegate Fairbairn was purchased in 2004, prior to his deployment. I know how it goes with gear disappearing. It didn't show up with his belongings after he was KIA, but one of his platoon mates brought it to me along with his private-purchase Gerber demolition pliers. He was a combat engineer.
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Very sorry for your loss.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Shit bro, sorry for your loss. I was Army infantry. Iraq 03-04.

Thanks. He want in late '04, lost him in Jan '05.

To the OP, it would help to know what his MOS is.
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Indeed. Infantry or Spec OPs may have to travel light and fast. Engineers may need to prod and pry, and so forth. REMFs may need something with a nail file and a letter opener. :rolleyes:
 
Ryan at RMJ makes some great stuff, and really supports the guys in the military. He at times offers knives to only active duty.
BTW check out his 'hawks they are stellar. I own a couple, and lust after his knives.
 
strategy9 said:
Winkler makes some real nice knives too... All great choices.

I love my Kabars and ESEE is a great company, TOPS as well, but to be honest, if someone was getting me a gift without a budget in mind, I would much rather take a Winkler, Spartan, Hazen, Busse, etc... I mean, knives I most likely wouldn't buy for myself any time soon due to finances and such. The others make fine knives too, they cut just fine, and are certainly more budget friendly, but as a new boot, your cousin can easily afford any one of those for $100 or less hisself, where he can pick which one suits him best as a "beater" if he so chooses, so I say, if you are in the position to financially, and are intending on getting him a nice knife for a gift, and money isn't a huge deal up to a few hundred bucks, then why not buy him something truly a step above in design that he may never have even thought of buying for himself. Maybe even have it engraved with his initials and date of graduation. The nicest fixed blade I own was a gift from my wife, an Arno Bernard. She knows I love knives, and knows I love his designs, and it means that much more to me then had I bought it myself, because its from her...

That said, why not consider a Rockstead KON or DON? ;)
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Haha. As soon as my Rockstead shows up I'll look into their fixed blades lol. I just don't think he needs a $3,000 short sword quite yet.
 
AusLoX said:
I want to get my cousin, a new boot(marine), a solid fixed blade. I was thinking something in m4 or 3v but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to go with a non-stainless. Suggestions?

Pics, specs, and any info.

No budget.
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Is this for edc what's his MOS I'm an active duty Marine and I can tell you for edc a fixed blade may not be the answer rather a sturdy folder or Leatherman
 
Silvanus said:
I have great respect for your cousin, as I was active duty Marine Corps myself. One thing I'll say with all due respect, he is not a soldier, he is a Marine. Soldiers are in the Army. It may seem like semantics but there is an important distinction.

As far as the knives. Get him a good Leatherman Wave or similar model with a black coating. If he deploys to a combat zone, all gear must have a subdued finish. If you want to get him a folder, a quality one with G10 handles and black or tan coated blade would be best. As far as fixed blades, he'll probably be issued an Ontario bayonet and it will live in his pack and never see the light of day. Also, he won't even be allowed to possess a knife with over a 3.5" blade while living in the barracks legally
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Thanks for the info. I obviously don't have a military background. So it seems like there's some rules to what he's allowed to carry. Are the rules based on brands? Sizes? What are the parameters. I haven't told him I'm getting him a knife yet and I want it to be a surprise. So are KA-BAR and Becker the only brands allowed? How about benchmade? Or maybe a folder if the size is an issue? Emerson or the like?

I think he's based in Palm Springs, CA or San Diego area at the moment. I need to talk with my Aunt and find out some more info. I know they had him going to Japan and some other places in the near future.
 
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