Son joining Marines - Best knife for gift?????

It's interesting to note that most, if not all, the men who commented who have served in the military don't think a large, fixed-blade knife is of much use
Click to expand...

There is a difference between what is appropriate for peacetime military service, and what is appropriate for actual combat. Strider, Busse, Mad Dog, Randall, and others have built legendary reputations around the utility of their knives, largely in the hands of the military community. That's not by accident, or the result of advertising.

For training and peacetime service, a fixed blade is not a necessity. Your basic needs are taken care of, there is no chance of any close combat, and many units restrict or prohibit large knives.

In combat, when the unknown FAR exceeds the known, a quality fixed blade is a must-have for infantry or special operations troops, and anybody else that may have to contend with austere, hostile conditions and limited logistical support.

I've been active Army for 13 years, in peacetime and in war. I would never consider deploying to a combat zone without a decent large fixed blade, but for training the big knives stay home.
 
Ok here it goes folk,

Yes ROADRUNNER is correct, If you buy a large fixed blade you have to store it in the Armory and get a weapons card signed. PMO has to give you the forms also to make sure they know about it.

It is better to wait after he graduates from BOOT CAMP first. When he goes to MCT OR ITB it is better to get him a Folder.

Wish your son luck in the Corps!!!!!

So people think I am not giving them the wrong info, I AM A MARINE(03XX)Still SERVING!! Hope this helps!

Semper Fidelis,
Ceya,,, Ceya Knife Designz..

TO LOCATE, CLOSE WITH and DESTROY!!
MARINE RIFLEMAN SQUAD
 
I was in the Marines from 1982-1986..:)

Looks like things have changed alot..:eek:

I always carried large fixed blade knives (7" or better) when I was in and we didn't have to put them in the armory either..;) That was including the 4 Med Floats I went on and never had any problems.

I found that the extra weight was well served as a large fixed blade knife has alot of uses in the field...most others I served with carried them too...:D

I was going to recommend a nice fixed blade knife, but with the "new polictaly correct bulls**t I won't"..:rolleyes:

A Cold Steel Trail Master would be a good field knife, or a Recon Tanto...if you wanted to get him a fixed blade...;)

I found that folding knives were useless in the field, they don't hold up under heavy use like a fixed blade...;)
 
I know that the weight of personal equipment is not much of an issue for the American Forces, who get transported everywhere by vehicles, but for many a large knife is an unnecessary extra burden. Men who need one are issued a bayonet for close quarter battle.
I wonder how many big, heavy knives were carried by the British Forces in the Falklands War or behind the lines in Iraq during the Gulf War...
 
Steven Andrews,

Well when I was in just about everyone from Officers down carried K-Bars or some other large fixed blade Knife...But that was 20 years ago.;)

I had mine taped to my Belt strap (Upside down) out of the way..
 
If you buy a large fixed blade you have to store it in the Armory and get a weapons card signed. PMO has to give you the forms also to make sure they know about it.
Click to expand...

To clarify -

This is true on most Army installations as well - for soldiers
living in barracks, aka single soldier housing. Big knives, for the most part, are treated like firearms for servicemembers.

For soldiers living in family quarters or off post, knives - and firearms - can (usually) be stored at home. For on post family housing, guns have to be registered, typically knives do not. Off post, you are expected to comply with local regulations.

Actually carrying the knife in uniform depends on unit standards. Again, this varies from unit to unit.

Generally, though, in combat zones, you will find plenty of large fixed blades. During training, they are less plentiful, for the reasons already discussed elsewhere on this thread.
 
Does your Son have an MOS chosen yet?


I was in the Corps for 6 years and served in Op Desert Storm. IF your Son is going to be a Grunt AND he gets Orders to deploy then you might consider a Fixed Blade. However, DO NOT buy a High End Fixed Blade (Randall, MadDog, Busse, Strider) unless he gets Orders to Deploy and you have alot of extra cash. The enlisted I served with carried Ka-Bars and an occasional Spyderco Folder, both were used and appreciated.

I recommend a Leatherman Multi Tool after he has completed Recruit Training, ITS and his MOS School.
 
yeah i remember that also (in 85) thast you also carried alot of other things,but time have changed too. We still carry but only when the mission requires it.
 
xsrdx,

I was just gonna post a qustion as to exactly why u can't have certain things, but you pretty much answered it...

If he gets deployed, my choices would be a Busse NO or SH, Strider MT...and if he likes, an NG Ranger Spike or VT Tac from the American Tomahawk Company...

Folder: SERE 2000, Spyderco Military, MT Socom Elite...
 
Here's a compromise that shouldn't break the bank. Buy a good Swiss Army Knife or a multitool for daily carry AND buy a Becker Combat Utility 7 fixed blade knife ($50). While he's in bootcamp assemble a small Personal Survival Kit in an Altoids tin to carry in the Becker's sheath pouch...lots of info on this over in the Camillus and survival forums.

attachment.php
 
Like everyone else said, NO FIXED BLADES. I have been in the Marines for about 2 years, and I have not found one place that allows Marines to carry a fixed blade on base. Keeping a fixed blade in the barracks is FORBIDDEN anywhere I have been or heard of.

The knife I have that gets the most use is the AFCK or a Gerber LST Magnum, because I can have it on me at all times.

That being said, when I go to the field (where we are allowed fixed blades), I do not carry a folder, but the Small Kabar in a Kydex sheath and a Leatherman PST.

A fixed blade gets more use in the field (opening pine ammo boxes, pounding stubborn M16 forward assists with the pommel, breaking open MRE box straps, etc). Most commands limit the length of the knife (BFK=Big Field Knife) to 7 inch blade and require that the sheath be hard plastic so the tip does not break through and stab you. The standard leather sheath is notorious for the tip wearing out very quickly and not authorized.

The Leatherman is a Godsent for working on the M16 and for loading stuff.

So, if you want to cover all his bases, first buy him a nice big folder, then a Leatherman, and then a Kabar or small Kabar with a kydex sheath.

Hope this helps.
 
Originally posted by ceya one
yeah i remember that also (in 85) thast you also carried alot of other things,but time have changed too. We still carry but only when the mission requires it.
Click to expand...


Yeah, looks like you are correct there from what I have been reading.

Looks like they really came down hard on alot of things..:rolleyes: Although I am sure the USMC has it's reasons.

We had alot of freedom back in 82-86..:D

I carried a 5" Double Edge Gerber boot knife every day..:D

There were a few of use who were known to be really good sharping knives so we made some good cash on the side...:)

I remember one time my Platoon Commander brought me his K-Bar...or should I say what was left of it and asked me to put an edge back on it..It had some serious nicks and gouges in the edge.....:eek:

I had to use a file then recreate the edge it was so bad....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top