Not your average "need help choosing" thread.

R

RH

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Jan 31, 1999
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I need some help, because this is a serious purchase. My wife and I have been invited to the graduation of the son of an old friend of hers. He will be graduating from the USMA West Point at the end of this month. I'm looking forward to it, and I want to make a memorable gift, possibly (though it doesn't need to be) a knife.

Before you ask, I am not in contact with him, so I don't know his specialty or where his orders are for. I'd like to get something quality, useful, and possibly personalized as a memento for the occasion. I'm leaning towards a quality folder, nice but not too fancy that it won't get used. My thoughts:

- any BM, Emerson, or Syderco would fit the bill of useful tool, but sort of pedestrian
- I'd like to keep it in the $100 or less range

Here's some specifics I was considering:

- Camillus "Old Glory" EDC, a little "loud", but has the patriotic theme
- Buck Mayo Northshore, classy, won't break the bank
- SS Dragonfly/Delica/Native, these would be practical, as well as offer the SS handle for engraving

You guys have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
"repatriated" huh? Are you saying a soldier can't carry a Delica into and back out of Iraq? Who would stop him?
 
I think a Northshore would fit the bill to a T. Classy, not too big with a decent blade. I'd also recommend a Spyderco Native. I've seen and own a Limited Edition Made in USA version with G10 scales that are inlaid with what looks to be abalone (might be synthetic) and a CPM440V blade for around a hundred bucks. Another option, and probably my favorite user would be a Benchmade 941 or 943. If you got the 943, a little laser engraving through the black ano on the handle would look cool and fit in your budget (the 941 is one of my all tim efavorite patterns).

John
 
The rules. Wrong, IMHO. Soldiers should be able to bring back items it is legal to own in this country. There was a terrific thread on this subject in this forum recently.

best, oregon
 
oregon said:
It is my understanding that BM can be taken to active theatre (Iraq & Afghanistan) and brought back. However, other makes cannot be repatriated, although there are some limited exceptions.
Click to expand...

That only applies to automatics.
 
I am at the Southern counterpart of West Point (Virginia Military Institute) and this is what i would recommend. My top suggestion would be a good multi-tool, because it will serve him in a variety of functions (cleaning weapons, tinkering on the old humvee during PMCS, cutting 550 cord, etc). Also, for being an "issued item" (Gerber multi), there seems to be an awful large shortage. Next would be a good folder like an Endura, AFCK, Buck/Strider, etc. I would shy away from the ultra high end such as Strider, Chris Reeves, and others because as a 2nd LT, he isnt going to be able to replace it when he loses/breaks it. I would avoid automatics for the reason already stated in the thread, with the exception being the Benchmade AFO, which is already under a government contract. Hope this helps!

Jonathan
Cadet, VaARNG
 
I really like your idea of an engraved SS Endura or Delica. It's classy, it's useful, it's personal (which makes it less likely to "go missing"). A multi-tool is very practical but doesn't have the classy & personal feel that an engraved Spydie would.
 
Here's another vote for a multi-tool. There have been several threads on BFC over the last couple of years that dealt with the question of what to give a member of the armed services and the most prevalent answer has been multi-tool. Good luck with your decision and be sure to let us know what you purchase. ;)
 
A good multitool will probably be very useful, but an engraved SS Endura makes a better gift, IMHO.
However, depending on the multitool, you can probably have the handles engraved, too.
 
Ditto on the multi-tool. And you can have the handles engraved for the occation.

-Bob
 
If a multi tool is not to your liking, get a moderately featured SAK. The scales can be changed and/or engraved with something like his name, date of graduation, or both. From what I've read and heard, SAK's get a lot of use in a military environs. A Ranger or Craftsman may fit the bill.
For a smaller version, check out the SAK Pioneer series. they come with an engraving plate on one side of the handle. The SAKs mentioned above all can be had and customised for well under $100.00.

Out of the the ones you mentioned, a Buck Mayo would be great.

Hope this helps.
 
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