Recommendations on a knife for a soldier

jfk1110 said:
For something a little different and eye catching check out kiku matsuda knives at Japanese knives direct. Some really extraordinary pieces
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Thanks jfk 1110, I had never heard of Kiku Matsuda. The knives that I would consider appropriate all seem to be sold out or too expensive, but recommendations for makers I am unfamiliar with was exactly what I was hoping for.
 
no problem, just a few comments about getting him a folder or a multi-tool forced me to make sure you were tracking. I have a small pelican case full of folders, multi-tools, and strap/belt cutters. Bring it up in conversation to see what he used on the last deployment and how he liked it (if it is a surprise just casually) the rack is very personal beast (shooter preference!) you may find a type of knife and then work as a better replacement or stay to getting him a non-deployment knife that he will keep forever.

I like your style, I got my grooms men Army Sabers (I had a military wedding) engraved with display mount and then got them individual knives made.
 
Try bark river knives great guys and will modify in any way shape.or form for him.examples being adding a swedge, grinding to a spear point and most other mods. My favorite brand are fallkniven, beautiful knives
 
I'd look at a good multi tool (like a leatherman wave or surge). They have a ton of utility.
But there are a ton of knives out there that come nowhere near the top of your budget. IMO a 3-5 inch blade really makes for the best utility without being unwieldy look at a GSO, ESEE 3 or 4, Winkler Belt Knife (seem to be well liked among special forces)

But you might also want to look into a hammer pole hawk. While I'm not in the military, I think the utility of a chopper/hammer can be easily overlooked, even on camping trips. They're also really nice talking points. Winkler (littlebit above your price range) RMJ Loggerhead/Jenny Wren would be good choices.
 
The knife isn't a surprise. We've been discussing it. I just want to make sure he has good options to choose from.

Funnily, on his last deployment he got by just fine with an awful old Gerber that he found in a shell crater (I actually really like some Gerbers, this is not a dig on Gerber, just the particular knife he has), and his tiny Spyderco meerkat as his personal knives. So, yeah, a fixed blade isn't really all about practicality in this case, but a good one is a good tool to have.
 
The cow said:
But you might also want to look into a hammer pole hawk. While I'm not in the military, I think the utility of a chopper/hammer can be easily overlooked, even on camping trips. They're also really nice talking points. Winkler (littlebit above your price range) RMJ Loggerhead/Jenny Wren would be good choices.
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Those are cool. I'm not sure how useful they'll be to my friend, but they are cool.
 
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I'd get him a good folder (ZT/Sebenza kind of thing). Frankly most of what he'll use it for is opening envelopes, lunch and perhaps opening a package. You would probably consider a SAK insulting considering your budget, but it is probably the most useful knife I own.
 
I'd get him the black oxide Leatherman wave and the new Spyderco FRN Native. Both knives are about $85 a piece, which means they are good enough to last several years yet not so expensive that he'll be upset if one of his buddies "borrows" them. As for fixed blades, I'd try a Becker or one of the non-Bear Grylis Gerbers.
 
22-rimfire said:
I'd get him a good folder (ZT/Sebenza kind of thing). Frankly most of what he'll use it for is opening envelopes, lunch and perhaps opening a package. You would probably consider a SAK insulting considering your budget, but it is probably the most useful knife I own.
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Never anything insulting about a SAK. They are about the most handy things to have I know of.
 
SAK and/or a Leatherman. Seriously. He'll get more use out of one of those than anything else you are likely to give him. You've gotten and will get the same or similar recommendation from others who have been there/done that. I've given away many knives that were given me for deployment. Just didn't need them and would never use them.

Since he's been in a day or two, it's quite likely he needs no knife as he probably already has what he needs and knows what he'll take with him. The best thing you can do is write letters. Yes, good old fashioned paper and envelop letters, even in this day and age when he'll likely have fairly frequent access to email and internet if he's deploying to anything approximating a mature theater. There's still something special about getting letters and packages while deployed, even in mature theaters and base camps where many luxuries are available to Joe Soldier.

If you feel you must get him a blade, also consider a strap cutter/hook. Benchmade has them. Probably others too.
 
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Two more you may not have heard of or seen that make some beautiful pieces
Guinea hog forge : E Scott McGhee
Jerry Hossom knives
 
My buddies got me an Anza for my last deployment. Never afraid to use it for the abusive stuff. It now has "charm" that a deployment brings. I had plenty of good folders and multi-tools but sometimes a hard use fixed blade was warranted.
 
Nothing big and bulky. Most guys just use their knives for general cutting tasks, if he wants something for self defense a benchmade SOCP dagger or something similar always works pretty well. Those type of daggers usually conceal very well and if in a confrontation with another person cannot be easily taken by the aggressor. If i had to recommend one knife though, it would be the Benchmade 275. It folds and its really durable for everyday tasks.
 
Here is the Benchmade 0275 Adamas manual folder. First production was black G10; current is Cerakote-painted the tan color. Either is great. Of course, I wouldn't shy away from a Spyderco Military either...designed by Sal Glesser himself, based on his idea of a knife for a son in the military... The price is right and the basic folder in S30V would be just fine and dandy.

 
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