Nephew joining military, which knife?

Norsman

Norsman

Joined
Sep 7, 2010
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149
Now I'm searching for excuses to buy another ESEE knife. My nephew is joining the Air-force (I think) and I was thinking that it would be nice to set him up with a good knife after boot camp. I'm not sure what he'll be issued (he will be enlisted) but I was thinking a 5.

Is that to big, to much, not useful? What do you think he would need, be allowed to have, etc?
 
The 3-mil would be my choice as well.small,light,tough.maybe get him a Clip Point version.You never know when an extra edge would come in handy.
 
Wait and see where he will end up after basic. Not much use if he is avionics (a great path to get into if he can), but beneficial if he got into other fields.
 
I'd go 3 or 4 depending on what he is doing, plus a multitool of some sorts.
 
The 3 is small and light, very functional. The 4 is tough with less flex but a little bigger. The 3MIL probably offers the best carry options and the plastic sheath is quieter than the kydex sheath of the 4. I'd say 3MIL for general utility cutting and great functionality without a lot of weight. But if he is going to be a combat controller or on a downed aircraft recovery team I'd probably go more for the 5.
 
I would wait and give it to him for a graduation present. You generaly can't have that kind of thing in basic.


mlrs
 
the best advice i can give is for your nephew to check with his first sergeant when he gets out of boot and advanced training to see what base/unit regs are concerning personal knives.
buddy of mine's nephew enlisted in the marines recently -- the first knife I gave him was sent back as "too big" because it had a blade length over 4", so we shipped him my buddy's personal 4 w/molle back instead.
2 other criteria - MOLLE compatibility and it had to have an NSN.
3mil meets these criteria, too.
 
+1 for 3mil (perhaps with a clip point) many people dont like a clip point but then again, some do.
 
I give knives to soldiers and Marines. I've done that since my two brothers went off to Viet Nam.
Currently, I am giving ESEE 4 and 5 fixed blades, and Benchmade folders.
 
Nothing against my brothers in the AF, but their boot is a lot like a Boy Scout Jamboree. But without any bugs, sleeping outside, hiking, crafts or gunfire of any kind.
Check and see what type of things he is allowed to bring and maybe, get him a nice SAK or multitool if allowed.
Depending on what job he gets (the AF has jobs, not skills:)) then get him something approriate to that job. He won't need a 3,4,5 or Izzy if he's sitting in an office or washing the windows on a plane.
 
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