Hey everyone, I hope everything is good. =) Well, to keep it short and sweet, my cousin is in the Navy and is stationed on a missile cruiser. I'm not sure on the details (I'm not a military man myself) but I believe his job is to "drive" (and "fight") the ship (he's an officer). I want to put together a nice little care package for him including a knife, flashlight, multitool, etc. I'd like some suggestions from any of you who have served in the Navy and are familiar with the duties of, say, a watch commander, or anything like that. I appreciate your feedback already. ^_^ Keep safe everyone.
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What knife for a Navy man?
- Thread starter dsmxi
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Well as an Officer, he'll never really need a knife
So you can get him pretty much any folder you want. I would recomend something with a 3-3 1/2" blade. Maybe a BM 710, 806 or a 921 would be a good choice. It really depends how much you want to spend. A MT LCC D/A would be a great gift for him as well. As for Flashlight, I would recomend a Surefire E2e. I am not sure if you want to get him a multi-tool or not. Most ships can get there crew some decent Gerbers for free. But a good Folder and Light would be a good idea. If you get him a surefire, get him the Red or Blue attachment. Standing night watch, he would not be able to use it without one. By the way, which ship is he on??
So you can get him pretty much any folder you want. I would recomend something with a 3-3 1/2" blade. Maybe a BM 710, 806 or a 921 would be a good choice. It really depends how much you want to spend. A MT LCC D/A would be a great gift for him as well. As for Flashlight, I would recomend a Surefire E2e. I am not sure if you want to get him a multi-tool or not. Most ships can get there crew some decent Gerbers for free. But a good Folder and Light would be a good idea. If you get him a surefire, get him the Red or Blue attachment. Standing night watch, he would not be able to use it without one. By the way, which ship is he on??Yeah, I figured that as an officer, he'd just order other people to do all his work. ^_^ But yeah, I was already thinking in those terms TBG. A nice discrete folder, and definitely, a SureFire, for a flashlight. As for his ship, I'm not sure at all, and he's back to the big blue tomorrow. It's a brand spanking new ship though. It's going through systems testing and such, and the timetable has been pushed up considerably because of obvious reasons. =)
Fixed blade or folding knife? If you're looking for fixed blade, SOG Seal or Seal Pup would be most fitting for a navy man. 
As for the flashlight... SureFire is simply the best. I would go with a 6P as opposed to an e2. But my thought was... how the hell would he get the 3V batteries on a ship in the middle of an ocean? Better to get one of the rechargable surefires.
-Chris
As for the flashlight... SureFire is simply the best. I would go with a 6P as opposed to an e2. But my thought was... how the hell would he get the 3V batteries on a ship in the middle of an ocean? Better to get one of the rechargable surefires.
-Chris
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
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Get him a FRN combo-edge Spyderco Delica and a Mini-Mag 2 AA flashlight. Both aren't very expensive (in-case they are lost), they are light-weight, and the AA batteries are pretty easy to find...Even on a ship. For a multi-tool, a SOG PowerLock or a SOG Deluxe Pocket PowerPlier would be good choices.
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If a fixed blade knife is called for, I think you should investigate the Benchmade BM100SH2O dive knife. It's made of some new steel called H-1 that they say has gone through extended periods in a salt chamber and didn't rust. I have one on order (in the blind, since I've never handled one). I'll probably post my feelings about it when it comes in about a week.
As far as flashlights, I would not recommend something as expensive as a Sure Fire, fine though they truly are. How good are they in a salt environment? How would someone get those out-of-the-way batteries while at sea? (Same question for the bulbs.) How would someone feel to LOSE such a light or have it STOLEN?
I recommend a cheap-ish LED flashlight. They go from about $7 to more than $60. I have one by Brinkman that uses two AA batteries and comes with a red and blue lens cap attachment. It cost only about $12 at Wal-mart. (Cheap enough to get a backup, actually.) LED bulbs will NOT break when dropped. They will NOT burn out. They will NOT grow yellowish when the battery gets low. Princeton-Tec makes some really nice ones that are waterproof to 2000 feet -- and some have multiple LEDs. Then there's C.Crane Company's line that are seriously designed for diving and stuff -- some even have as many as TWELVE LEDs in them! Those are the ones that reach the higher prices, but I think they may be worth it, especially as gifts.
As far as flashlights, I would not recommend something as expensive as a Sure Fire, fine though they truly are. How good are they in a salt environment? How would someone get those out-of-the-way batteries while at sea? (Same question for the bulbs.) How would someone feel to LOSE such a light or have it STOLEN?
I recommend a cheap-ish LED flashlight. They go from about $7 to more than $60. I have one by Brinkman that uses two AA batteries and comes with a red and blue lens cap attachment. It cost only about $12 at Wal-mart. (Cheap enough to get a backup, actually.) LED bulbs will NOT break when dropped. They will NOT burn out. They will NOT grow yellowish when the battery gets low. Princeton-Tec makes some really nice ones that are waterproof to 2000 feet -- and some have multiple LEDs. Then there's C.Crane Company's line that are seriously designed for diving and stuff -- some even have as many as TWELVE LEDs in them! Those are the ones that reach the higher prices, but I think they may be worth it, especially as gifts.
Bronco
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dsmxi, your cousin is lucky to have you for a relative.
If it's your hope to have these gifts be items that he can actually carry with him while on duty (as opposed to merely have at his disposal in his stateroom), then I'd try to keep the weight down as much as possible. Pocket clips are good, nylon pouches with belt loops even better. Sometimes the guys will even have customized ballistic nylon pouches made up than can accomodate a knife and a flashlight or a multitool and a flashlight, for example. In any case, lightweight and small volume are advantages.
In a shipboard environment where an officer is concerned, the flashlight will probably be a more critical piece of gear than a knife/multitool. Ergo, I would concentrate most of my effort here. Mini-Mags are a popular choice, but I personally learned to hate them. Regardless of how I carried it, the dumb thing would always manage to turn itself on and drain the batteries. Besides, if he really wants a Mini-Mag, he can always get one in the ship's store where they are routinely available for sale. I'd recommend the SureFire E2 as a very nice alternative. Its performance is more than adequate for the task at hand and the slimmer profile of the E2 as compared to a C2/M2/Z2 etc., will be most welcome. It's true that batteries won't be easy to come by overseas, but you could send him a dozen spares along with his light and that would probably see him through his cruise. I don't know if SureFire offers a red light lens filter for the E2, but this would be a nice accessory if available.
As for the knife, something in the 3" to 3.5" range would be nice. Framelocks have the advantage of being simple, robust and easy to clean. A Sebenza would be an extremely nice high end offering here with the Ralph/Camillus EDC a very respectable economy choice. Likewise, any of the Benchmade Axis lock folders would perform very well. The foolproof Spyderco Sharpmaker would make a suitable companion regardless of which folder was chosen.
Good luck in making your decision, and I'm sure your cousin will make us proud in the difficult months ahead.
If it's your hope to have these gifts be items that he can actually carry with him while on duty (as opposed to merely have at his disposal in his stateroom), then I'd try to keep the weight down as much as possible. Pocket clips are good, nylon pouches with belt loops even better. Sometimes the guys will even have customized ballistic nylon pouches made up than can accomodate a knife and a flashlight or a multitool and a flashlight, for example. In any case, lightweight and small volume are advantages.
In a shipboard environment where an officer is concerned, the flashlight will probably be a more critical piece of gear than a knife/multitool. Ergo, I would concentrate most of my effort here. Mini-Mags are a popular choice, but I personally learned to hate them. Regardless of how I carried it, the dumb thing would always manage to turn itself on and drain the batteries. Besides, if he really wants a Mini-Mag, he can always get one in the ship's store where they are routinely available for sale. I'd recommend the SureFire E2 as a very nice alternative. Its performance is more than adequate for the task at hand and the slimmer profile of the E2 as compared to a C2/M2/Z2 etc., will be most welcome. It's true that batteries won't be easy to come by overseas, but you could send him a dozen spares along with his light and that would probably see him through his cruise. I don't know if SureFire offers a red light lens filter for the E2, but this would be a nice accessory if available.
As for the knife, something in the 3" to 3.5" range would be nice. Framelocks have the advantage of being simple, robust and easy to clean. A Sebenza would be an extremely nice high end offering here with the Ralph/Camillus EDC a very respectable economy choice. Likewise, any of the Benchmade Axis lock folders would perform very well. The foolproof Spyderco Sharpmaker would make a suitable companion regardless of which folder was chosen.
Good luck in making your decision, and I'm sure your cousin will make us proud in the difficult months ahead.
Thank you all for kind responses. =)
My concern with the Surefire line would be the brightness level. As he would be in a darkened control room, the intense light may not be welcome. Though perhaps, the red/green/blue lens filter might negate that particular problem.
LED lights are definitely an option, as they have been, in my experience, more reliable and easier to maintain as opposed to a torchlight. I was thinking perhaps a white ARC AAA Limited Edition for the times when he needs a very small discrete light that will show color contrast, and a turquoise (sp?)ARC AAA for other duties when vision in the dark is important. If I did choose to go with the ARC's, it would be in addition to a larger personal light.
My cousin is not very knowledge on the subject of knives, though I suspect he could be turned...in time. As such, I'm not sure I should send him a sharpening system. With no sharpening system, I'd prefer to get him a nice edge-holding steel such as S30V or D2. One knife I'm actually looking into is the BM 921. I got one for my father's Christmas gift and was impressed. S30V blade and the modified Wharncliffe was surprisingly handy, not to mention the little hideaway slipjoint. However, as mentioned above, the ocean environment presents problems in terms of rust and corrosion. I wish I could just get him a Mayo TNT, but...YOU know. 
I'm wondering if a simple knife care kit (Marine TuffCloth, TuffGlide [or lubricant of choice]) would be enough to fight off the corrosive properties of the sea air (as he would probably never find a reason to be in the water...God willing).
Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.
My concern with the Surefire line would be the brightness level. As he would be in a darkened control room, the intense light may not be welcome. Though perhaps, the red/green/blue lens filter might negate that particular problem.
LED lights are definitely an option, as they have been, in my experience, more reliable and easier to maintain as opposed to a torchlight. I was thinking perhaps a white ARC AAA Limited Edition for the times when he needs a very small discrete light that will show color contrast, and a turquoise (sp?)ARC AAA for other duties when vision in the dark is important. If I did choose to go with the ARC's, it would be in addition to a larger personal light.
My cousin is not very knowledge on the subject of knives, though I suspect he could be turned...in time.
As such, I'm not sure I should send him a sharpening system. With no sharpening system, I'd prefer to get him a nice edge-holding steel such as S30V or D2. One knife I'm actually looking into is the BM 921. I got one for my father's Christmas gift and was impressed. S30V blade and the modified Wharncliffe was surprisingly handy, not to mention the little hideaway slipjoint. However, as mentioned above, the ocean environment presents problems in terms of rust and corrosion. I wish I could just get him a Mayo TNT, but...YOU know. I'm wondering if a simple knife care kit (Marine TuffCloth, TuffGlide [or lubricant of choice]) would be enough to fight off the corrosive properties of the sea air (as he would probably never find a reason to be in the water...God willing).Thanks for the feedback. Cheers.
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I haven't seen anyone here mention a Myerchin rigging knife. Very appropriate for a swab, even if he is an officer, and available as a folder or fixed blade. The fixed blade can be purchased with a seperate marlinespike. Myerchin's knives are very robust, with excellant fit and finish, and reasonably priced.
Bill
Bill
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I was on ships I used to carry a Buck 110,because they are tough and dirt-reliable, and I would have carried aSurefire light, had they been available. If anything bad happens, the importance of a sturdy knife and a way to see in the dark and/or see through smoke cannot be overstated. BTW congratulations!
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Yeap, After "Darken Ship" he would have to use the Lens filters on the bridge or he couldn't use it at all, except maybe in the internal P-Ways.
The 921 would be a great choice! It would hold up well with all the tasks he may need to use it for, and he would get good use out of the smaller blade opening mail and cleaning his fingernails
I still stand by my original statement. Get him either a 710,806, or 921. And get him a Surefire. A rechargable one might be the better choice, however as mentioned above, a dozen batteries would last him the cruise.
By the way, I spent half of my enlistment in your back yard, diving in the Submarine Canyon.
dsmxi, what do you mean "he'd just get them to do his work"? Actually, he'd get them to do "their" work! Let me guess, you never served at all, did you? ...cause if you did, you'd know better.
I was not Navy (actually Army, and a dang officer too!) but you'd better get him to find out what the regulations are for knives on board ship. Officers who screw up with little things like knives, often find it in their personnel file, something he doesn't want to do.
Bruce Woodbury
I was not Navy (actually Army, and a dang officer too!) but you'd better get him to find out what the regulations are for knives on board ship. Officers who screw up with little things like knives, often find it in their personnel file, something he doesn't want to do.
Bruce Woodbury
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The flashlight should be waterproof. Things get wet, even in DC "training." It's ALL salt water. I like the LED idea for longevity. Yes, get red/blue lens cover.
I would say, off the top - NO fixed blades.
Blade length depends on the skipper.
Bucks were "the knife" '76-'80, but I think 705/710 would be a good choice.
I would say, off the top - NO fixed blades.
Blade length depends on the skipper.
Bucks were "the knife" '76-'80, but I think 705/710 would be a good choice.