Which Knife Would You Give?

David M

David M

Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
549
My nephew is being deployed to Afghanistan after two trips to Iraq. I would like to give him a knife that he will use since he is a Medic. I have an extra RC-3,RC-4 and RC-5 but can't decide which one or maybe none of those since a nice folder may be in order and I don't want to ask since it will be a surprise. Maybe I should lay them all out and give him his pick. any ideas appreciated.
 
first off a big thank you to your nephew, and second what a great gesture!

i think the 5 would be too heavy to have to carry around. if i was gifting an ESEE to a serviceman it would be the HEST.
 
Im taking a 5 to iraq because one of the squad leaders in my platoon too one to both iraq and afgahnistan. I would say the 5 for how rugged it is.
 
I would let him take his pick....it will still be a surprise when you ask him to pick and besides you will be sure he'll pick what he likes. Tell him to stay safe.
 
I agree with the "let him pick" option, not just for the fact that he'll pick what he likes but also because he'd know best what his command will and won't allow. Certain commands are funny that way. While it's not an ESEE I'd also suggest that a good multitool will probably see more use(just speaking from my experience as a gunner's mate) and be all around more functional/useful.


Gautier
 
The thing I've learned from seeing many threads about knives and deployment. Most people are more than happy with a multitool, some might want something around an Endura's size in a folder. Most said they left the fixed blades, and heavy folders at the base.

These guys carry a ton of gear, I think anything larger than an RC3 would be overkill, and probably wouldn't see much use, but definitely let him choose.
 
since he's a medic, i's expect him to choose a medium sized blade, probably a 3, 3 mil or 4.

i'd also expect him to want a tan/coyote sheath and the MOLLE back.

perhaps show him yours, and offer him his choice or offer to buy him something else if what you have isn't really what he wants.

please convey my best wishes for him on his tour and sincere appreciation for his service.
 
RC 3. I give my cousin one when we went to Afghanistan. It isnt heavy and still tough. the 4 and 5 are to heavy
 
goodeyesniper said:
The thing I've learned from seeing many threads about knives and deployment. Most people are more than happy with a multitool, some might want something around an Endura's size in a folder. Most said they left the fixed blades, and heavy folders at the base.

These guys carry a ton of gear, I think anything larger than an RC3 would be overkill, and probably wouldn't see much use, but definitely let him choose.
Click to expand...

+1. Everybody thinks it's cool to roll out with their Ka-Bars for the first couple missions they go on, then it generally gets left behind...

I think a good deployment blade is a heavy duty utility knife. The chances of you engaging somebody with a blade as a weapon are extremely slim.
 
First of all, thank your nephew, for his service to our country, and tell him that we all appreciate people like him, and the things they do for the rest of us.

About the knife, I am in a similar situation with my cousin, I have some different brands, all are similar, and I have been ordering a couple of everything that interests me. Because I am going to let my cousin pick which one/ones he wants, before he goes back over to afghanistan, for his 3rd tour. I gave him a Glock field knife (before I knew, what I know now, about knives), when he went on his first tour, and he liked it, but said it would not hold an edge very long, and he could'nt sharpen it real well with the file on his MT.

from what I hear a knife gets gets used more for opening MRE's, cleaning finger nails, and prying open crates (when nothing else is available), and just everyday passing the time. more than anything else.

Again a big thanks to your Nephew.
 
I agreed with what some have said about multi tools and folders when we were equipping a coworkers son. Then, I recently had an email with a 2nd Lt. son of a friend who is in Afghanistan. His entire unit carries fixed blades daily Benchmades, Kabars, Randalls, etc. I don't claim to know but wonder if Afghanistan has more isolation than Iraq leading to desire for fixed blade? His response of everone carrying fixed blades surprised me. I said aren't they heavy when you have so much other stuff (he is in mountains). He said if you need it you carry it.
 
I would let him choose as well, but my thoughts on the subject as simply that since he is a Medic, he might favor a smaller, utility blade. The RC-3 would be my first choice, followed by the HEST. Thank your nephew, for his service.
 
I would guess he would pick 3 or 4. Im interested to hear which one he chooses.
And my best wishes to him and all that serve.
 
Since you have a extra 3 Id go with that. But a 3 or H.E.S.T would work. I myself carried a 3 on and off over there.
 
Let him choose for sure.
I like a knife with good heft, but others don't. What I'd feel comfortable lugging around would be a hindrance to someone else, and they'd not carry it.
 
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