what knife is good for a United States Marine

M

maccarelli

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Jul 6, 2015
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recently I got a phone call from the United States Marine Corps.
they asked me if I would sign up parental consent for my son to join the corps.
of course I signed and I'm awful proud of my son for making this decision.I've got a lot of knives but I don't know what kind of knife to get a United States Marine.can somebody give me a recommendation on what a marine is allowed to carry.do they get issued K bars?.I know what I like but I just cannot figure what to get him that he can use in the field..are there any Marines or service Personnel that could advise me on what to get him as a graduation gift after Parris Island.
I'm not sure what kind of knife you would use in the Marine Corps so any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks guys.
 
What about the always popular USMC ka-bar mk2, a knife that has been issued or private purchased and carried by American soldiers since ww2.
It's available in a modernized version to.
 
As Sonnydaze said, there are numerous factors! I'm sure you can find some official documentation online that'd hopefully be straight forward.

Sorry I wasn't help. Just wanted to throw in my thanks as well! Congrats to you and your son.
 
for not alot of money a Cold Steel American Lawman is a very tough folder that I use in the field.

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for a fixed blade the Ka-Bar is fine but I got my son an RC-4. virtually indestructable.

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Semper Fidelis...
 
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A sharpened rail road spike painted a bright color with a lanyard hole so he can 550 cord it to his body.

Depending on what he or she does I would say a cheaper knife (cold steel) that is easily replaced
 
This question comes up often.
He is joining a sophisticated military force so give him something to keep it working. My answer has been for several years now: a Leatherman Charge TTi with the extra socket heads.
 
I think a Marine needs a knife that meets the following criteria:

1. Able to handle dirt/grit
2. Lightweight
3. Blade steel that holds an edge but is not too difficult to sharpen (like S30V or CPM154)
4. Stainless steel, no high carbon steel

Basically he needs a lightweight low maintenance knife. I recommend a Spyderco Military or a Cold Steel Recon 1. I have been using my Recon 1 in the garden recently; it handles grit well and keeps a great edge.

Please wait until after he graduates boot camp to give him the knife; if he goes to boot camp with the knife it will be very quickly confiscated.
 
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When I was in the Army as a 52D generator mechanic I carried a Leatherman. In my first MOS as 11B I just carried a Buck 110. That was back in the late 80's so there are a lot more choices today.
 
thanks for all the good advice guys I'm not sure what his MOS is going to be.yes I know not to give him anything till after he graduates because it will be confiscated that's a fact.that was some really great advice though I appreciate it.well he'll be down here in July for a month so I'll get to talk to him then I guess and figure something out.I was personally thinking about an M9.and of course after he gets to his permanent duty station . it depends on what it is. Staff Sergeant has to approve it I imagine.
 
NDJeep said:
for not alot of money a Cold Steel American Lawman is a very tough folder that I use in the field.

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for a fixed blade the Ka-Bar is fine but I got my son an RC-4. virtually indestructable.

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Semper Fidelis...[/QUOTE]
thank you for your input and time.he's currently in a polee program.he did everything at the MEPS station sworn in passed all the tests physicals he's ready to go.he works out . ceremonies three nights a week.I guess they're kind of grooming him for basic so it's all good with me.thanks again that's some nice equipment you got.
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A Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and a Cold Steel SRK, or a Spyderco Aqua Salt serrated (not plain edge).
 
110 Buck with s30v or 5160 so he can use it roughly without breaking the tip off... 5160 easier to sharpen with simple stones...
 
The USMC is or was issuing Ontario bayonets, although I don't know if that was universal or specific to unit/role. Not sure if any sort of multi-tool is issued. My wife is in the Army Reserves and was issued a Gerber MP (don't know exact model number) once assigned to a unit after AIT. She has carried various Kershaw and Spyderco folders when deployed. She also has a couple of fixed blades, but the restrictions are or were that the sheath had to match the ACU color scheme (green or camo) which may have been a unit-specific restriction. That's in a medical unit, though.
 
I'd recommend a Dozier Knives KM-16 or KM-17 Freedom Fighter. In the military issue of Blade Magazine last year i believe there was an amazing story of Dozier Freedom Fighter given by a father to his son that took a direct hit from an AK-47 ROUND and saved the sons life!

Whatever you end up giving your son it will be special coming from a proud father 😃
 
Perhaps it would help everyone if you offered a budget that you would like to remain within. Knives vary in price widely. If your upper limit is, say, $75.00, that would reduce the clutter of responses. I would suggest not to take an overly expensive knife, because nice expensive stuff has a tendency to disappear.
 
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