A buddy of mine is about to graduate from boot camp. I want to get him something cool to celebrate. I want it to be something nice, but under $75 bucks. Gun or knife related. I was thinking about maybe a nice fixed blade or something. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Marine Graduation Present???
- Thread starter OlBoyFrye
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KA-BAR is the only way to go here.
The only problem is which one??
https://www.kabar.com/product_search.jsp?categoryId=1&mode=category
The only problem is which one??
https://www.kabar.com/product_search.jsp?categoryId=1&mode=category
pdt203
Member
I know what I wanted when I got out of boot camp.
...
A nice cold beer.
Johnny in Huntsville
14th Marines (whew! that was a long time ago)
...
A nice cold beer.
Johnny in Huntsville
14th Marines (whew! that was a long time ago)
BowStreetRunner
Member
maybe one of those huge books about the marine corps they have at barnes and noble?
BSR
BSR
Since the Marine Corps will give him a large blade and an M-16, why not get him something smaller that he can use all the time and take with him for the small stuff a K-Bar doesn't do well. Take a look at these Swiss Army Knife models. I like the three knives at the bottom. Good tools but not so clumsy as the Swiss Champ.
JamisJockey
member
A Kbar is mostly for show, until you get into real combat, and they'll issue him a blade for that.
I second a nice Swiss Army knife, or step it up to a Leatherman. I had a Swiss when I was in, and it served me well in the field.
Does anyone know how ridiculous you look opening an MRE with a 6" fixed blade?
I second a nice Swiss Army knife, or step it up to a Leatherman. I had a Swiss when I was in, and it served me well in the field.
Does anyone know how ridiculous you look opening an MRE with a 6" fixed blade?
Mulliga
Member
Forget the Swiss Army knife...get that Marine a real tool!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...04-3862018-1355119?v=glance&s=garden&n=507846
One of the best, most compact multi-tools ever. Victorinox quality, but with locking blades and tools. If you've ever tried to pry open a tough screw with a standard SAK, you know what I'm talking about. Plus, it's not over your price range.
Also consider a nice lithium flashlight (Surefire, Streamlight, and others).
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...04-3862018-1355119?v=glance&s=garden&n=507846
One of the best, most compact multi-tools ever. Victorinox quality, but with locking blades and tools. If you've ever tried to pry open a tough screw with a standard SAK, you know what I'm talking about. Plus, it's not over your price range.
Also consider a nice lithium flashlight (Surefire, Streamlight, and others).
tetleyb
Member
I shall jump into the frey. I agree with pdt203. When I graduated boot camp, my mom and girlfriend (now wife) came to the graduation. I remember stopping at a Stuft Pizza, right off Highway 5. I was 17 at the time and my mom bought me a pitcher of beer (21 was the legal drinking age), to go with the pizza. It was the sweetest, greatest gift my mother ever gave me.
She said to me, "Boy. If you can die for this country, you can get drunk IN this country." That was 23 yrs ago and I still remember it well.
Make the gift as memorable as this was to me. My wife brought me a bag of Oreo Cookies. Something I craved all through bootcamp.
She said to me, "Boy. If you can die for this country, you can get drunk IN this country." That was 23 yrs ago and I still remember it well.
Make the gift as memorable as this was to me. My wife brought me a bag of Oreo Cookies. Something I craved all through bootcamp.
dukeofurl
Member
It is my understanding that shoulder holsters are a precious comoddity in Iraq right now.
Perhaps something making his life easier that way would be appropos.
Perhaps something making his life easier that way would be appropos.
Detritus
Member
Personally if you decide to get him a knife i would get him this Kife which as i understand it is about as close to the original Victorinox design as once can still get, it's not overloaded with doodads, has Alox instead of plastic scales (so teh scales are not as prone to breakage) , and quite frankly if you can't do som small task with this knife then you probably need to get "the right tool" anyway.
i just wish that Victorinox hadn't gone to two solid, instead of one solid on hollow, rivets (the hollow riviet alloed the user to put it on a lanyard).
i just wish that Victorinox hadn't gone to two solid, instead of one solid on hollow, rivets (the hollow riviet alloed the user to put it on a lanyard).
Preacherman
Member
Mulliga, I have to admit, that Victorinox tool thing is impressive! Wish I'd had one during my service days... it would have made my life much easier!
echo3mike
Member
My buds came down to P.I. for my graduation. After 3 months of
-no beer
-no women, (except for the 4th BTN recruits... from afar)
-sand fleas
-no coffee
-no dip
-no junk food
they had the wherewithall to take me to the Hooters near Hilton Head. To go from the above to
was just too freakin' much. I went from a deer-in-the-headlights to a kid-in-a-CANDY STORE in nothing flat.
A folding knife or a Pocket Tool would probably be a good idea. There's still something about a good knife that says "warrior".
S.
-no beer
-no women, (except for the 4th BTN recruits... from afar)
-sand fleas
-no coffee
-no dip
-no junk food
they had the wherewithall to take me to the Hooters near Hilton Head. To go from the above to
was just too freakin' much. I went from a deer-in-the-headlights to a kid-in-a-CANDY STORE in nothing flat.
A folding knife or a Pocket Tool would probably be a good idea. There's still something about a good knife that says "warrior".
S.
RTFM
member
I will agree with the beer, but make that a freebie and tell him it's form all of us, as a huge THANK YOU for signing up and serving our country.
Really, do pass along a THANK YOU form a stranger, for me.
As what to get, I'm a Victorinox whore, I must have 10 Victorinox knives, the only problem I have with my SwissTool is NO SCISSORS!
In the Army we had to take care of our uniforms, even in the field, and scissors are a life saver, every thing a single blade can not do scissors can in the field.
Get it engraved for him too, (so a standard Victorinox is out with it's plastic scales) may cost 10$ extra, but I'd treasure a knife from a buddy that took the time to come to graduation and see me. The tool that comes to mind here is the Leatherman Wave, it's SS so it will take the abuse, can be engraved, it has a saw (another high point in the field) and (what else) Scissors!
sorry if i rambled.
RTFM
Really, do pass along a THANK YOU form a stranger, for me.
As what to get, I'm a Victorinox whore, I must have 10 Victorinox knives, the only problem I have with my SwissTool is NO SCISSORS!
In the Army we had to take care of our uniforms, even in the field, and scissors are a life saver, every thing a single blade can not do scissors can in the field.
Get it engraved for him too, (so a standard Victorinox is out with it's plastic scales) may cost 10$ extra, but I'd treasure a knife from a buddy that took the time to come to graduation and see me. The tool that comes to mind here is the Leatherman Wave, it's SS so it will take the abuse, can be engraved, it has a saw (another high point in the field) and (what else) Scissors!
sorry if i rambled.
RTFM
El Tejon
Member
echo, your buddies took you to Austin, Texas? I am REALLY looking forward to getting back down there now!
One of those multi-tool dealies sounds like as excellent idea especially for a ground pounder.
I am REALLY looking forward to getting back down there now! One of those multi-tool dealies sounds like as excellent idea especially for a ground pounder.
Mulliga
Member
There are several versions of the SwissTool floating around. The SwissTool X has scissors in place of the serrated blade. The RS has another blade in place of the file, I think.
Nothing like a cold beer and a hot babe to celebrate things.
Nothing like a cold beer and a hot babe to celebrate things.
JamisJockey
member
I've got a wave. Great tool, and I use it all the friggin time.
This is pretty darn close to the one I carried in the Marines. Had a belt pouch for it, and carried it all the damn time. I can't stress how handy a little unit like this was. Like I said...you look awful cheesy opening an MRE with this
In a non-combat environment.
I do think that a stop at a fine resturant would be in order, too...
The Leatherman Wave is perfect.
While I'm sure the Swiss Army multi-tool is of first-rate construction like all their other products, the design is definitely "obsolete" The inside folding blades etc. is definitely old-school.
I second or third the Leatherman Wave idea. It's an excelent tool, and four tools are externally acessable like a pocket knife, without having to open the inside/pliers to get at them. The two blades are easy access one-handed opening with a small Spyderco-ish thumb hole on the drop point blade. They are also a true liner-lock design so they won't snap shut on your fingers. The four externally acessable blades are:
- Normal drop-pont blade
- Serrated sheepsfoot blade
- Double sided diamond/serrated file
- Sawblade/fishook digger
Comes in a nice black nylon sheath that could fit in all sorts of places on belts or web gear. The two flats on the outside panels that have no markings from Leatherman could easily be engraved.
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/wave/default.asp
The Wave was pricy when it first came out, but should be about $65-85 in street pricing now. Wal-Mart and most sporting goods stores should have them in the knife case. Here's a nice pic showing the open/pliers side with all the internal tools, with an inset showing it in "pocket knife" mode.
While I'm sure the Swiss Army multi-tool is of first-rate construction like all their other products, the design is definitely "obsolete" The inside folding blades etc. is definitely old-school.
I second or third the Leatherman Wave idea. It's an excelent tool, and four tools are externally acessable like a pocket knife, without having to open the inside/pliers to get at them. The two blades are easy access one-handed opening with a small Spyderco-ish thumb hole on the drop point blade. They are also a true liner-lock design so they won't snap shut on your fingers. The four externally acessable blades are:
- Normal drop-pont blade
- Serrated sheepsfoot blade
- Double sided diamond/serrated file
- Sawblade/fishook digger
Comes in a nice black nylon sheath that could fit in all sorts of places on belts or web gear. The two flats on the outside panels that have no markings from Leatherman could easily be engraved.
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/wave/default.asp
The Wave was pricy when it first came out, but should be about $65-85 in street pricing now. Wal-Mart and most sporting goods stores should have them in the knife case. Here's a nice pic showing the open/pliers side with all the internal tools, with an inset showing it in "pocket knife" mode.
MrKandiyohi
Member
I'd vote for the Leatherman. See what it would cost to get his name and graduation date on it.
Hooter's is a good idea, too.
Hooter's is a good idea, too.
kernal_panic
Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2003
- Messages
- 275
gerber multiplyer tool. they flat out stomp leathermans. i use mine every single day. its the handiest tool i own.
As an old jarhead grunt.....
I really liked my Swiss Army knife....can opener, cross cut saw and the very useful scissors! Still have one from long ago, still works great(I can open a can with it REAL fast from all the practise too!).
But, nowadays....I'd prefer my Leatherman Wave as a GP tool! Most of the time you are not fighting but need a variety of tools on your person. The quick opening blade, serrated edge, saw, can opener, bottle opener and scissors are excellant.
Have no experience with the Gerber, but it might do...remember seeing a multitool with a blasting cap crimper on board...that would be handy, for an Assaultman 0351(my MOS) or Combat Engineer/EOD, etc
A good 'tactical' folder, a good flashlight, flashlight mount for M16, good optics for the M16, organizer bag for fieldgear/toiletries are other ideas that I'd find useful in the field.
I'll second the beer, pizza and some nice Hooter's as a Marine's favorite off duty experiences.
Jercamp45
I really liked my Swiss Army knife....can opener, cross cut saw and the very useful scissors! Still have one from long ago, still works great(I can open a can with it REAL fast from all the practise too!).
But, nowadays....I'd prefer my Leatherman Wave as a GP tool! Most of the time you are not fighting but need a variety of tools on your person. The quick opening blade, serrated edge, saw, can opener, bottle opener and scissors are excellant.
Have no experience with the Gerber, but it might do...remember seeing a multitool with a blasting cap crimper on board...that would be handy, for an Assaultman 0351(my MOS) or Combat Engineer/EOD, etc
A good 'tactical' folder, a good flashlight, flashlight mount for M16, good optics for the M16, organizer bag for fieldgear/toiletries are other ideas that I'd find useful in the field.
I'll second the beer, pizza and some nice Hooter's as a Marine's favorite off duty experiences.
Jercamp45
Eskimo Jim
Member
I'd second a Leatherman Wave. I've bought two of them for people and they have come in handy for them while camping, hiking, hunting, fishing etc.
I have an original Leatherman that I wish would wear out so that I could replace it with a Wave. It just isn't happening though becuase it is tough.
Another suggestion, a high power flashlight like a Surefire or Scorpian etc.
Congratulations and good luck to your friend for graduating!!!
-Jim
I have an original Leatherman that I wish would wear out so that I could replace it with a Wave. It just isn't happening though becuase it is tough.
Another suggestion, a high power flashlight like a Surefire or Scorpian etc.
Congratulations and good luck to your friend for graduating!!!
-Jim
A Leatherman Wave. He'll use it for everything.
I have an original Leatherman PST, for 9 years it's traveled the world with me. I've used it for everything from cutting carpet to cleaning fish, repairing a TV camera, unjamming firearms, disassembling an RC boat to put in batteries for a kid, and using the pliers to perform field surgery on myself (18 cactus spines in the leg...no tweezers handy).
I'll get a Wave if my PST every wears out.
Either that, or some serious cash for a good quality folding knife. That, and the trip to Hooters.
I have an original Leatherman PST, for 9 years it's traveled the world with me. I've used it for everything from cutting carpet to cleaning fish, repairing a TV camera, unjamming firearms, disassembling an RC boat to put in batteries for a kid, and using the pliers to perform field surgery on myself (18 cactus spines in the leg...no tweezers handy).
I'll get a Wave if my PST every wears out.
Either that, or some serious cash for a good quality folding knife. That, and the trip to Hooters.
Marines
A minister was seated next to a Marine on a flight to Huntsville, Alabama. After the plane was airborne, drink orders were taken. The Marine asked for a whiskey and soda, which was brought and placed before him.
The flight attendant then asked the minister if he would like a drink. He replied in disgust, "I'd rather be savagely raped by brazen whores than let liquor touch my lips."
The Marine then handed his drink back to the attendant and said, "Me too. I didn't know we had a choice."
Hooters does sound like a good place to stop for lunch; but a Leatherman Wave or a good Swiss Army Knife would be good to have around. I had and still have a Victorinox Champion (not the Swiss Champ) in a belt pouch -- great little knife. Engraving the Wave is a great idea because small useful things tend to grow legs.
A minister was seated next to a Marine on a flight to Huntsville, Alabama. After the plane was airborne, drink orders were taken. The Marine asked for a whiskey and soda, which was brought and placed before him.
The flight attendant then asked the minister if he would like a drink. He replied in disgust, "I'd rather be savagely raped by brazen whores than let liquor touch my lips."
The Marine then handed his drink back to the attendant and said, "Me too. I didn't know we had a choice."
Hooters does sound like a good place to stop for lunch; but a Leatherman Wave or a good Swiss Army Knife would be good to have around. I had and still have a Victorinox Champion (not the Swiss Champ) in a belt pouch -- great little knife. Engraving the Wave is a great idea because small useful things tend to grow legs.
Thanks
Thanks to all of you who have posted replies. They have helped a ton and have helped me decide to get him............drumroll...............
The Leatherman Wave and to get it engraved with his name, USMC and his graduation date on it. I found a place where the knife is like $70 and then I talked to a local Awards shop who said they'd be glad to engrave it and that they'd only charge $10 to do it. I think he's gonna be really surprised.
So again. thanks for all of your help.
And BTW, I called his mom to make sure I wasn't gonna be getting anything too similar to what his family members might be getting and she said that none of thme planed on getting him anything because it wasn't high school or college graduation!!! ***!!! Makes me feel even better about spending the money to let him know that some people really do appreciate what he's doing.
Thanks to all of you who have posted replies. They have helped a ton and have helped me decide to get him............drumroll...............
The Leatherman Wave and to get it engraved with his name, USMC and his graduation date on it. I found a place where the knife is like $70 and then I talked to a local Awards shop who said they'd be glad to engrave it and that they'd only charge $10 to do it. I think he's gonna be really surprised.
So again. thanks for all of your help.
And BTW, I called his mom to make sure I wasn't gonna be getting anything too similar to what his family members might be getting and she said that none of thme planed on getting him anything because it wasn't high school or college graduation!!! ***!!! Makes me feel even better about spending the money to let him know that some people really do appreciate what he's doing.
patentnonsense
Member
One idea for a small quality knife would be a nice sgian dhu - the leg knife worn with a kilt. Another is the SOG Seal Pup. Either is not real likely to be a part of somebody's full kit, but they're quality small tools for a warrior, and might be welcome for civilian wear.
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