Need some help on a gift suggestion for my nephew

Thanks again for the suggestions. I appreciate them all. Anyone has any other thoughts, I will take them. I checked with his brother, he has two different leathermans, so he doesn't need that.

I completely understand the point about a gift needing "presentation" quality, but in this case, I don't think it would matter. My nephew is the kind of person that would appreciate a $5 knockoff.

One consistent theme from the recommendations has been size and weight. It seems not a big 4 inch blade, but rather 3.25 size blade is being recommended. I think what I will do is buy a few knives, probably both m4 grips, a mini sere, a spyderco military, maybe a zt and an emerson and let him pick and choose what he wants. The most consistent recommendation was the spyderco, so I can't ignore that. If I had to pick on my own with my limited knowledge, I would go with the m4 grip, just because it is my understanding that m4 chips less than s30 (and probably is easier to sharpen), and I really like the axis lock on my grip. I figure I can return/sell or even keep what he doesn't take. Or give as a gift to one of my other nephews (maybe his brother for helping me out).

It will be kinda hard, but we can force these on him. He won't say out right no to me cause I am his mother's brother, but if he gives me any problems I can get my father to force it on him, not only is he the grandfather, but also a vet.
 
When I was in Iraq (07, last) the multi-tool did most of the work. I carried a Spyderco (Boguszewski model) that did the tougher cutting jobs. FWIW here's my $0.02...

No serrated blades, they're a pain to keep sharp in the field.
No "tanto" or sticking blades, they don't handle everyday chores very well.
No double edged blades. (More of a perception thing, but they're really not designed for field work most of the time either.)
It must be able to be worked one handed with gloves on.
It must be capable of being secured to the "battle-rattle" with a minimum of effort and be able to stay put. A pouch with velcro is better than a clip.
It must lock.
Drop, or clip points seem to be better, spear and warncliff blades are good too.

Last, please give him a small stone or sharpener, one he can carry with him. It's hard to believe how few people had any way to sharpen a knive over there.
 
eisman said:
When I was in Iraq (07, last) the multi-tool did most of the work. I carried a Spyderco (Boguszewski model) that did the tougher cutting jobs. FWIW here's my $0.02...

No serrated blades, they're a pain to keep sharp in the field.
No "tanto" or sticking blades, they don't handle everyday chores very well.
No double edged blades. (More of a perception thing, but they're really not designed for field work most of the time either.)
It must be able to be worked one handed with gloves on.
It must be capable of being secured to the "battle-rattle" with a minimum of effort and be able to stay put. A pouch with velcro is better than a clip.
It must lock.
Drop, or clip points seem to be better, spear and warncliff blades are good too.

Last, please give him a small stone or sharpener, one he can carry with him. It's hard to believe how few people had any way to sharpen a knive over there.
Click to expand...


Actually owning some M4 knives, the large M4 grip is still my choice. If you think you might want to get this I would act quick. They are still in stock but I can't imagine that only 240 (I think) each of the large and small will last much longer.

A sharpener is a good idea. Many people like the DMT diasharps which have 2 different grits on each side and fold up. However, I have one and the fine is very rough and I haven't had much luck with it. The M4 should respond well to a nice fine ceramic so I suggest a Fallkniven DC4. It is a combination fine diamond and ceramic stone. One type on each side and it comes in a leather pouch and is only about $15. I think he will be able to keep his knife razor sharp if he keeps up with it and never lets it get very dull. A couple swipes on the ceramic once or twice a week should keep M4 splitting hairs.

Let him know that we thank him for his service, and thank you Eisman for yours.
 
Id say go with the Mili. Nice and big so it would be comfortable with gloves. My second choice would be a waved Emerson so that he can again open it with gloves.

Not sure if you considered a fixed blade, but they also could be quite helpful. Much better at taking abuse like prying and such. A smallish fixed blade would compliment his leathermen very well. Something like the rc 3 or 4. Or maybe a small blade from Busse or bark river. Personally, id prefer a fixed blade over a folder
 
Thalestin said:
Id say go with the Mili. Nice and big so it would be comfortable with gloves. My second choice would be a waved Emerson so that he can again open it with gloves.

Not sure if you considered a fixed blade, but they also could be quite helpful. Much better at taking abuse like prying and such. A smallish fixed blade would compliment his leathermen very well. Something like the rc 3 or 4. Or maybe a small blade from Busse or bark river. Personally, id prefer a fixed blade over a folder
Click to expand...

Not an option on the fixed, said its not allowed.
 
The word I get from my Marine son, and others is that the multi-tools are the most used tool, so having two, your nephew already has that covered.
My son enjoyed his Emerson's when he was deployed. Loved the waved feature. I also sent him a Spyderco Military D2, which he liked, but it got lost somewhere between Kuwait and Iraq.
Things tend to get lost or "borrowed", so I would make sure that he has a way of securing them. My son lost two knives that were clipped in the pants pocket (probably dislodged while hoisting bags and gear) so he may want to rig up a lanyard with a clip or something so it doesn't get lost. Or keep it in a holster. It is a nice touch to have the knife engraved with his name and the Eagle/Globe/Anchor emblem,which can easily and inexpensively be done by a jeweler or sometimes the knife merchant (I think Knifeworks does engraving).
Some other items that Marines find very useful are the little Proton keychain lights. They are useful for going to the head or navigating around sleeping buddies without disturbing them. They can be bought by the handful for very little money (especially the knock offs) See BatteryJunction.com. And can be with Red Led as well as white. Or even UV to scan for scorpions in the dark.
Also, a Spork or similar camping utensil is more satisfying to eat MREs with than the ones included with the MRE.
 
DoctaD said:
The word I get from my Marine son, and others is that the multi-tools are the most used tool, so having two, your nephew already has that covered.
My son enjoyed his Emerson's when he was deployed. Loved the waved feature. I also sent him a Spyderco Military D2, which he liked, but it got lost somewhere between Kuwait and Iraq.
Things tend to get lost or "borrowed", so I would make sure that he has a way of securing them. My son lost two knives that were clipped in the pants pocket (probably dislodged while hoisting bags and gear) so he may want to rig up a lanyard with a clip or something so it doesn't get lost. Or keep it in a holster. It is a nice touch to have the knife engraved with his name and the Eagle/Globe/Anchor emblem,which can easily and inexpensively be done by a jeweler or sometimes the knife merchant (I think Knifeworks does engraving).
Some other items that Marines find very useful are the little Proton keychain lights. They are useful for going to the head or navigating around sleeping buddies without disturbing them. They can be bought by the handful for very little money (especially the knock offs) See BatteryJunction.com. And can be with Red Led as well as white. Or even UV to scan for scorpions in the dark.
Also, a Spork or similar camping utensil is more satisfying to eat MREs with than the ones included with the MRE.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I was thinking about getting one of those tiny Fenix flashlights that fit on a key chain and are super durable. I will look at the Proton as well. I was already considering the engraving, just have to keep it out of my sister's clutches, no reason to embarrass the kid. The spork idea is great, if you have a recommendation on a specific one, I will take it.

Rich
 
ZT0500 MUDD great with snow and sand, and has a little more tip, lock does not wear ( as much) and it's sealed so less maintenance, have both but don't know wich one is sturdier, thy're both incredible pieces!
for me ZT0500 and Swiss Tool, just that and you're done
Maxx
 
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Rich,
I'm glad I could be of some help.
Re: flashlights, there are all sorts of great flashlights (eg: 4Seven Quarks/Preons, Fenix, Nitecore, Zebralights, even little Maratac AAAs (from CountyComm) etc. but I don't believe they are that necessary, and sometimes are even frowned upon if they are too bright and white. I would probably go with the little Maratac which can be bought cheaply and are amazing little lights. Most of the Infantry guys are issued Surefires for their weapons, I believe, and often their operations are conducted after dark with nightvision/IR gear. The little Proton-like lights are useful because they are small, light and not that bright, and relatively cheap. Like I said before, things tend to disappear in the field, So its no real loss if you lose the little light. I sent my son with about a dozen to share with fellow Marines, IPs and translators.
I don't have a specific recommendation re: Sporks. You can find them at outdoor stores like REI or online (again, CountyComm has them). I know my son found a regular old spoon that he carried in his pocket for most of his deployment.
RE: Knives, I've got a few other suggestions. For opening MREs and such little tasks, a Boker Subclaw, Wharcom or Subcom, are nice little knives that would be easy to carry and use. And are about $25 so, not a bank buster if lost.
Or perhaps some Byrd knife(s). You could get him a Byrd CaraCara and the Boker Subclaw (or a small Byrd, eg: Robin). for less than one of the premium knives. Just a thought.
D
 
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