Recommendation? Knife for USN SEAL diver- am I off base?

19-3ben said:
He specifically is looking for a folder, not a fixed blade.

He trains and drills the team doing saltwater dives, supervises the dives, checks and maintains equipment

My first thought was a Spyderco Pacific Salt, serrated, with black handle and black coated blade. The reasoning for this is as follows:

Lightweight-so it's not an impediment to movement.

Serrations- I figure since he is responsible for their safety, he's probably the guy most likely to have to cut ropes, cords, webbing, etc... in an emergency, so the serrated knife makes sense to me.

Black- Duh.

H1- corrosion proof with great edge retention

I figure this is not a combat knife. If he's on a mission, I'm sure they'll give him the gear necessary to create whatever mayhem he must create. So this has more to do with utility, and something he could unobtrusively keep on him around base, while training etc... I don't think this is going to be pounded on like a "combat knife."

As a guy with no personal military experience, I am open to and appreciative of other suggestions.
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I see that you went for the Autonomy - a fine choice.
Did you look at the Caribbean in LC200N though?
Its a folder and can be had in a SE sheepsfoot config, so well suited for rope, cord an webbing cutting part.
It isnt a heavy knife at 4.20 oz - in fact its not as heavy as the Autonomy.
No, its neither black nor H1 but LC200N is 'complety rustproof' and why a black knife? I get the whole stealth tactical thing but as he is an instructor, maintains equipment and most likely spends a lot of time around water in a training enviroment (you specifically posted that this wasnt to be a combat knife), it might be a good thing to be able to locate the knife if dropped in the water.
I dont get the 'duh' part - maybe elaborate? Id think a visible knife would under the above mentioned circumstances would be a good thing?
Last but not least, the Caribbean is cheaper than the Autonomy.
 
needler420 said:
Dive knifes are suppose to be fixed blades for emergency. I can't see diving with a folder as practical. Let alone a automatic knife. It's like your asking the mechanism to fail on you underwater when you would need it in a emergency.
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I think the Navy Seal knows what he wants just fine. If you have experience in diving and/or the military to the contrary please share.

The autonomy is a great choice. I've always wanted one. SE H1 is a great setup. I've got plenty of work in on my Pacific salt. It's super sharp and easy to keep it that way.
 
BladeScout said:
I see that you went for the Autonomy - a fine choice.
Did you look at the Caribbean in LC200N though?
Its a folder and can be had in a SE sheepsfoot config, so well suited for rope, cord an webbing cutting part.
It isnt a heavy knife at 4.20 oz - in fact its not as heavy as the Autonomy.
No, its neither black nor H1 but LC200N is 'complety rustproof' and why a black knife? I get the whole stealth tactical thing but as he is an instructor, maintains equipment and most likely spends a lot of time around water in a training enviroment (you specifically posted that this wasnt to be a combat knife), it might be a good thing to be able to locate the knife if dropped in the water.
I dont get the 'duh' part - maybe elaborate? Id think a visible knife would under the above mentioned circumstances would be a good thing?
Last but not least, the Caribbean is cheaper than the Autonomy.
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Good point. I touched on it a bit in post #4. My rudimentary understanding is that this knife is mainly to be used during training exercises, but since I fully admit that I'm getting second hand information, and the source of the information isn't exactly forthcoming with information, there is some element of guess work here.

Since I can't say with 100% certainty that this knife will not be used on a mission, going with black on black seems to give it more versatility. That's all. I'm just providing the option. The Caribbean is a sweet blade. Love the look of it. It just would be limited to training and not give him the option.

I figure that when in doubt, more options are better than fewer options.
 
tiguy7 said:
View attachment 963080 I think the Mission folders would work best, but they are getting hard to find. 100% Titanium!
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Those Mission folders are awesome! I heard the older versions where the pocket clip was mounted on the pivot screw had the issue that if the screw was tight enough that the clip wouldn’t rattle you would get a lousy hard to open action.

Conversely if the screw was loose enough that the action was good, then the clip would rattle.
 
I sail and work in a marine enviroment. Boye knives are excellent. For a cheaper option, the Benchmade N680 Dive knife folder is perfect.
 
19-3ben said:
A coworker's son in law is a Navy SEAL. His birthday is coming up and my coworker wants to get him a knife. He is allowed to carry a personally purchased knife. He specifically is looking for a folder, not a fixed blade.

His exact title escapes me, but he is something along the lines of a dive master. He trains and drills the team doing saltwater dives, supervises the dives, checks and maintains equipment, etc... I have no idea about his role outside of that. I think he's on a base in Virginia, if that matters.

My first thought was a Spyderco Pacific Salt, serrated, with black handle and black coated blade. The reasoning for this is as follows:

Lightweight-so it's not an impediment to movement.

Serrations- I figure since he is responsible for their safety, he's probably the guy most likely to have to cut ropes, cords, webbing, etc... in an emergency, so the serrated knife makes sense to me.

Black- Duh.

H1- corrosion proof with great edge retention

I figure this is not a combat knife. If he's on a mission, I'm sure they'll give him the gear necessary to create whatever mayhem he must create. So this has more to do with utility, and something he could unobtrusively keep on him around base, while training etc... I don't think this is going to be pounded on like a "combat knife."

Am I totally off base with my suggestion? As a guy with no personal military experience, I am open to and appreciative of other suggestions.
And, no. I don't know more details about his job and uses for the knife than what I have posted here.
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The Pacific Salt is a good idea, but I would look at the Spyderco Caribbean, also. It is rust proof, and a bit larger.
 
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