What knife to give to a Marine?

S

SDD

Joined
Feb 19, 2009
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164
My cousin is a Marine and will be deployed to Afghanistanin October. I have been looking and looking for a knife to send him before he leaves. I got a really good deal on a black KA-BAR fighting knife 6.5", a black short KA-BAR and a RC-3. I dunno which one to send to him and I dont wanna send all three to him. Sooooo which knife do you guys think he will use, like the best? He isnt a knife guy and I asked him if they had knives and he said they would either be issued a KA-BAR (but he didnt think he would get one) or a bayonet.

Thanks SDD
 
I would send him the 7" K-Bar. :)

That's what I used most of the time I was in.
 
I used a USMC fighting knife for damn near everything when I was in the Army.

So I'd send him the standard length Ka-Bar (not the shorty).
 
To me the rat-3 is a more usefull blade. It is very rare that a soldier is envolved in a knife fight. I find a 3'' or 4'' blade more usefull than a larger blade in most cutting task.
 
I am 99.9% positive that most Marines are issued a 7 inch Kabar, I'm willing to bet he has at least one. I think the RC3 would be your best choice. It would complement his bayonet or Kabar issue knife better.
 
An SDS MUK Check out SDS' forum. He makes a real cool Military Utility Knife.

Just kidding - I really think an RC3 or HEST would work well. The steal is super easy to sharpen even with limited abilities. Whatever you give him I'd also get him a cheap sharpener that is easy to use.

Best of luck in your decision.
 
I asked the same question about a year ago. The consensus then was a multi-tool and maybe a Bark River Bravo 1.

Link
 
"...he isnt a knife guy and I asked him if they had knives and he said they would either be issued a KA-BAR (but he didnt think he would get one) or a bayonet..."
- SDD

...which is probabably why he would be better served in having some form of multitool like a current Swiss issued Victorinox One-Handed-Opening SAK.
 
A good multi-tool will get more use than anything. Get his name and Eagle, Globe and Anchor engraved on it and he will treasure it. Plus if it gets lost, it MIGHT get returned.
A tough folder would also be useful, something like a Spyderco Military, or Benchmade Griptillian, or maybe a waved Emerson.

These will get used mostly to open MREs, cut zip ties, paracord, etc.
Big fixed blades tend to get left in the duffle bag, or at the FOB because they tend to be unnecessary weight.
 
Personally, I just don't get why anyone would own a SAK. If one wants a toolbox to carry around, wouldn't it be wiser to carry a multitool? I personally carry a Leatherman S2 juice or my Gerber. I also have a couple of SAKs. But, I don't carry a SAK.
 
Someone should dig up that recent thread that went several pages long about someone who was looking for a knife to give a Marine.

From your list, i'd get the 7in KABAR. You should also look at the Becker BK7. The designer designed it as a modern replacement for the USMC. I have both knives and the BK7 I believe is definitely an improvement.

You could also look into a Rat Cutlery RC4 or 6 if you're willing to spend the money.
 
Get him a multitool if he's going to use it for utility chores, or get him a tactical knife if he's going to have to use it for defensive/offensive purposes. He could probably use one of each.
 
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