USMC knife boot-camp graduation knife

Michael_Aos

Michael_Aos

Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
1,639
My son is off to 13 weeks of Marine Corp basic training in August.

I was thinking it might be neat to present him with a nice knife upon graduation. Probably a fixed-blade custom. Nothing fancy, but defintely "nice". Maybe something $250-$350.

Any suggestions?

Mike

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http://www.users.qwest.net/~maos/Michael/knife/
 
I would be nice to find out what he likes.

Otherwise, in that price range, I would get him a nice Randall Model 14 (perhaps models 1, 15, or 16). It's an old proven design with a solid military heritage that will be treasured for a lifetime. Not the most high tech design on the block, but high tech knives come and go all the time, while the Randall classics are always reliably there. Its a knife that many senior military men will recognize and respect.

n2s
 
Considering that he'll only have 10 days leave between Boot Camp and Advanced Training, you may want to make sure to buy him something he can take back with him.

He'll be required to live in the Barracks, he will almost certainly not be allowed to keep a fixed blade on him, or in the barracks. Discovery during a Health and Welfare Inspection could lead to loss of what little rank he might have, and a black mark on his "Page 11" that might well follow him for a VERY long time.

The only legal way to keep a "weapon" would be to sign it into the Armory and leave it there. He'd only be allowed to withdraw it after filling out a Hand Receipt for it, and could NEVER be allowed to have it in his room in the barracks. Advance Training will not offer this service with a smile, and may refuse to do it altogether, but his Permanent Duty Assignment is required to do so if he requests. (Firearms, archery equipment, ANY "weapon" will be handled the same way.)

I'd suggest a nice (but not TOO nice!) production folder of some sort. Something with a fairly short blade and not too offensive. I don't remember the exact length requirements, but you could always call up your local Recruiter and explain what you want to do, and ask him what is within regulation.

I won't go into how stupid it seems that you can spend all day shooting an M2HB .50 machinegun, and then go back to the barracks and get busted for having a knife in your posession, but it happens.

It's tragic, but even the Corps has fallen to the point where they are nervous about letting Marines play with sharp pointy things without supervision. (Of course, they don't really trust the Supervisors either.)

Check with the Recruiters tomorrow, and then come back, tell us what they said, and maybe someone can offer you the perfect gift idea that WON'T get your boy in trouble.

Semper Gumby.
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Desenfundeme no sin la razón, envaineme no sin honor
Usual Suspect
MOLON LABE!
 
Hello, I agree with Ken. I'm winding down 30 yrs. with the Green machine. I've been with the wing all that time, fixed blades are a definite no-no.They would have to be kept in the armory, as Ken stated. The Marine Corps is very strict about weapons in the barracks(even Ka-Bars on plagues are not exempt). A folder under three inches (each base may have a different length req.,but that seems to be the norm on the air side)is the best way to go. On the high dollar side, the small Sebenza is great That's what I still carry. However, lower priced quality folders are a very viable option and probably your best bet with young (old ones, for that matter) Marines (read: prying things apart, practicing throwing skills,etc)Look for something tank-proof,as Marine proof doesn't exsist. Swiss army knives and multi-tools come in handy and never raise eyebrows.
As a suggestion: get it engraved (Marines are suckers for our Eagle,Globe,and Anchor) and attach a micro-light as a fob. Good luck to your son. Semper fi, Greg

[This message has been edited by Ripper (edited 06-26-2001).]
 
I've no idea whether or not your son enlisted with a guaranteed MOS or not. If, perchance, he did not, then the potential certainly exists that he might become an infantryman. Presumably, that opens up the potential for Force Recon, or even Battalion Recon.

I've been out for over 30 years, and wasn't a grunt. But, I would think there might be a potential that membership in one of the more elite groups within the Corps might widen his horizons somewhat. Perhaps it might be better to wait until you know what his job is going to be, maybe even after Infantry Training, to buy him the knife. If I recall, I learned just as boot camp ended what my MOS was to be. Then again, it may have been near the end of Infantry Training.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I also agree with Ken. In my opinion, if you do get him a fixed blade, look into a Randall combat companion. I'm not sure of the number, but I think it is the #5. I do know it's a very nice little knife. Also a nice chute knife is a fine piece for a gift. If your choice is going to be a folder, then I would look into a CR Sebe.

Just my 2¢, in any case I wish you good luck, and from an ex-Marine, Semper Fi!

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BC... For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know... Semper Fi!
 
hi - i would get him a spydie gunting, for utility, etc, and a Randall/Polkawski/ or other big tactical fixed blade - also a spyderco delica w/a short blade would come in handy, or a multi tool also would come in handy, and would be used more than a knife imho - and engraving would also be cool - marine logo, etc - some other sub 3" would be:

CRKT small Kasper folder
CR small seb
spydie khalsa
CRKT M-16-00


any of the above would be nice - also saw a smaller version of the old reliable KaBar marine fighter recently, that would be neat also

sifu

[This message has been edited by SIFU1A (edited 06-26-2001).]
 
You have gotten some great advice. I haven't been out that long and the info presented above is exactly as I remeber it.

Start out with a nice tough Folder for him to carry - Spyderco or CRKT. He'll get alot of use out of it and still not call too much attention to himself.

Oooh-Rah!

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Green Acres is the Place To Be, Hard Livin is the Life For Me.
 
wink.gif

Got it in one, RH!


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Desenfundeme no sin la razón, envaineme no sin honor
Usual Suspect
MOLON LABE!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ripper:
A folder under three inches (each base may have a different length req.,but that seems to be the norm on the air side)is the best way to go. On the high dollar side, the small Sebenza is great That's what I still carry. H</font>
Click to expand...

I carry a small Sebenza as well. LOVE IT.

I would guess he could "get away" with the large Sebenza, and yeah I'd get it engraved.

I was also toying with the idea of a Talonite Camillus EDC, but it wouldn't be as receptive to engraving.

Mike



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http://www.users.qwest.net/~maos/Michael/knife/
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ripper:
However, lower priced quality folders are a very viable option and probably your best bet with young (old ones, for that matter) Marines (read: prying things apart, practicing throwing skills,etc)Look for something tank-proof,as Marine proof doesn't exsist. Swiss army knives and multi-tools come in handy and never raise eyebrows.
As a suggestion: get it engraved (Marines are suckers for our Eagle,Globe,and Anchor) and attach a micro-light as a fob. </font>
Click to expand...

Ack! I _just_ gave away my BM750 "Pinnacle" about two weeks ago. That would have been perfect for engraving.

I wonder if there's time to get a Large Sebenza with a custom USMC graphic?

Mike
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ken Cook:
It's tragic, but even the Corps has fallen to the point where they are nervous about letting Marines play with sharp pointy things without supervision. (Of course, they don't really trust the Supervisors either.)
</font>
Click to expand...

Tragic and silly. I can only imagine what my dad, who was in the Marines during the early 1950s, would have to say about that.

 
In answer to the original question, you should get him a good reliable field knife. That means a fixed blade, one that can stand up to rigorous camp-type activities. My recommendation is one of the Striders, like an MT. It will hold him in good stead regardless of his MOS (even airdales need knives), and will help mark the nature of the occasion as well.

In my day a fixed blade knife was considered a part of your deuce gear, and was stored with it in your locker. Kabars and bayonets could be signed out of the armory too, but they were inferior even back then to the PX available knives. I'm shocked to hear that a Marine can't keep a knife in his barracks anymore - what are all the SgtMajs doing?
 
Theres always the presentation grade KaBar, its a high polished blued blade with a nice leather handle and polished brass guard and pommel. Its cheap enough that you could get that and a decent folder for the money you want to spend. Maybe a KaBar Extreme folder in D2 would be a good companion to it.
 
Michael,
It sounds as if you have a pretty good idea of where you want to go from here, but just in case you'd like some additional data points, you might consider posting a similar thread on the Strider Forum. Mick and Duane do a great job of keeping their fingers on the pulse of what's happening at Camp Pendleton, and may be able to give you some additional real-time advice. Best of luck to your boy.
smile.gif


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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
You might get him a Randall as a keepsake and a nice folder as a user.A SAK, multi-tool, or maybe a Spyderco Military would serve well as an every day carry.
The Randall would always be a reminder of how proud his dad is of him.
 
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