Knife for daughter joining the service? (Update She's Enlisted!!)

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Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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--Update jump to post #46--

So my eldest daughter, my pride and joy, is joining the armed forces.

She will be going into either the Air Force or the Navy. It was a tough decision to do this instead of college because she is wickedly sharp. Not just saying this because I'm her father, nah officer school might be in her future.

Anyway, I want to buy her a nice knife. I'm hesitant to give a price range as I'm not sure what I can swing.

Let's call it... what would you buy her if you were in my shoes?
 
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In your shoes.....a kabar kraton mk-1 and a spyderco endura....

I know you wanted just one but......

-niner
 
Particular handle color? I see pink asked for alot for women. Which the mini griptilian comes in pink.
Otherwise the mini griptilian also comes in a few colors and is a great buy under 100. I hear the ZT 350 is a helluvadeal as well. I have taken a liking to the spyderco stretch zdp which is right at 100. The spyderco paramilitary 2 would be great also. For more affordable options spydercos and kershaws are crowd favorites. Like the Blur and the endura.

In short. From most expensive to least
ZT 350
PM2
Stretch zdp
Mini grip
Endura
Blur
 
I'm liking the pm2. I've had an endura, blur and 0350. I don't think she was impressed by any of those.

For those that have served, is it a mistake to buy her an expensive model (say $300+)? I've heard that knives tend to get stolen or lost often. I'd hate for that to happen to her and have her feel terrible.
 
Spyderco endura or delica, benchmade grip or mini grip. You must be so proud!
 
She's probably not going to be able to carry anything until basic training is over. When that's done, I'd suggest getting her what I keep hearing suggested over and over from folks who served....a good multitool.
 
Wait until she's out of Basic and assigned to her first duty post. Then ASK her what type of knife is she allowed to carry. Each post may have differing regs.
 
I was in the USAF, and got more usage out of a SAK champ, than any of my other knives.
It's assortment of tools and cork screw came in very handy making quick fixes in gear etc and making life more comfortable. You don't carry personal stuff like that in basic training btw.
I doubt she would get much usage or even carry some of the suggestions above.
A Kabar will probably sit in a locker and not get used. And I doubt even a spyderco military would be carried often.
A multi tool might be handy once she's out of basic training and living in a dorm or off base.
 
How about a Spyderco Native with a pink handle ? Less chance it grows legs and walks away. ;)
 
9blades said:
In your shoes.....a kabar kraton mk-1 and a spyderco endura....

I know you wanted just one but......

-niner
Click to expand...
Seriously what is she going to do with a Kabar ?? Have u been in a military service?
In general people don't walk around with large knives hanging off there belts in the USAF or Navy...
 
I'm a retired USAF Chief with over 30 years,first off I want to congratulate her on wanting to serve her country,and the posts that that said to wait until she got out of basic and training school was sound advise,or she would probably have it taken away,and best of luck to what ever service she decides to join.
 
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You said “Let's call it... what would you buy her if you were in my shoes?”

OK, if my daughter was to join the Air Force or Navy I would buy her either a Paramilitary 2 or a Doug Ritter Griptilian satin blade and black handle. Colors would draw attention and someone may try and steal it. I would take the money saved and get a small sharpening system that she would have with her no matter how cramped the quarters, and teach her how to put a razor sharp edge on it. She doesn’t need a high end knife as much as the ability to keep a knife sharp.

There have been a number of threads about this same subject and most who have served have said that a folder or a multi tool was the most useful. Fixed blades don’t get carried as often and with her going for either the Air Force or Navy she would most likely not need a knife for combat.

When she leaves the service give her a good knife with the branch of the service and the date of her service engraved in it.
 
Considering she will be going into the air force or navy... a big knife (ka-bar) or any large fixed blade is honestly not going to be needed...(generally speaking).. I have friends who have come back from iraq (marines and army infant alike) both tell me that they used their EDC (smaller) knives every-single-day... their larger knives were not really used... although in their cases having a larger knife on them incase isn't a bad idea.. for your daughter I think a utility type knife.. like an EDC knife.. like a spyderco endura would be alot more handy to have... and easier to carry.. (why strap 2 lbs. of steel to her belt!!!)

Hmmm.. maybe get her a sebenza 21 or 25..? OR a ZAANN that is a good knife for EDC and def. could be used for defensive purposes... shell just have to watch it very closely so it dosn't find its way into some1 elses pocket..
 
As the other guys have said a good multi tool or a relatively small pocket knife once she is done with basic will serve her best in the 2 branches listed. A small griptilian with partially serated blade would be my choice, you can get one custom made by benchmade with a special engraving on the blade if you like I think.

My oldest won a 4yr army scholarship for nursing. Even though its not something she needs I got her a Busse team gemini with a customized escape and evasion kit on a pouch on the sheath. Something she can keep in her gear if she's ever in a place that gets over run and that she knows how to use everything in the kit. She has used it on a few field exercises so far and likes it alot. Its sever overkill but if she ever really needs it she will have it. Even the nurses in rotc get the full field training that a regular line officer would. She loves the land nav portion. Amazing how different it is for a country girl raised hunting and backpacking to city kids.
 
Sebenza, small or large depending on her preferences. Or a Hinderer, and she'd be able to buy it at a great price!
 
Multi Tool, Mini grip, a nice auto. I will get lost or stolen I would not spend too much $$$ until she is settled in and is at her first post or deployment.
 
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