USMC Boot Camp graduation gift?

[ol' poke]

My son will graduate Marine Corps boot camp next month. I'd like to get him a nice "combat knife" for his graduation. I'm not looking for a show piece, but more of a knife he can use in his service. I've seen the Ka-bar options, but I'm thinking these are more of a historical piece these days. If any engraving, it will be minimal. Again, I'm looking for something he can use, not throw in a drawer. Any suggestions?

Proud Papa.

 

[jsx1043]

No, in all honesty, big love to you for raising a man of honor, and to him for serving his country!

As to the knife, that can go a lot of ways depending if you want it to be part of his kit or more as a decorative gift. For a utilitarian blade, some of the other folks who served might provide some better insight as to regulations and truly useful tools beyond a “combat” knife. Without knowing regs, my first suggestion might be a medium sized fixed blade that would take some abuse, like an ESEE 4 or 5. Something that might not draw a lot of attention from the unit quartermaster or a stickler NCO (if applicable) and that might not be missed to much of something happens to it.

Look forward to hearing some more input!

Congrats again.

 

[Usmccookie]

If you want him to use it... a mid size folder. 4inch blade is stretching it. Depending on Mos, maybe a nice leatherman would be a great thought. Fixed blades are a strict no go. The only time we were allowed to handle a fixed blade was bayonet/ knife training and sere school. I was issued a Gerber like this...

Gerber Auto 06 Automatic Knife Black Aluminum (3.6" Black) - Blade HQ

Features: Black-finished drop point blade made from CPM S30V steel. Oversized firing button for fast automatic action. Milled black aluminum handle. Sliding safety and secure button lock. Reversible, tip-up pocket clip and a lanyard loop. Description: The Gerber 06 Auto features an over-sized...

www.bladehq.com

If that helps any. Either way, welcome him to the corps for us. He still has a long way to go, and the hard part comes later. With the right support, he'll be home and missing it before he knows it.

 

[r3126]

Super congratulations to your Son! An achievement that few can really relate to! 23 years active duty here.... Temper your thoughts of the knife gift with the thought that "if the Marine Corps wanted him to have a knife, they would issue him one." While a K-bar is great thought, I suspect he will be unable to carry it, usefully, anywhere, whether it be in the field or in garrison. (uniform and Base/Unit regs). Might I suggest going to a military related web site (Sgt. Grit, comes to mind - https://www.grunt.com/) (I have no relationship with the site). You will find a multitude of gifts to suit the occasion. If you choose a knife, you can find a lot to choose from. Tell your Son, Semper Fidelis, from a really old "Grunt".

 

[r3126]

I edit my post above by saying, if it is at all possible, being there for his graduation would be the greatest gift you could give!

 

[1775usmarine]

Get him a green weenie. He'll be use to it by the time he gets out.

 

[johny5]

Congratulations!

After 11 years in the Corps this is my perspective - there is no finer way to welcome a young warrior into the big green gun club than with a USMC K-bar. I carried mine around the world for more than a decade. It is in my nightstand. And if I were only allowed to keep a single of my knives, this would be the one. I would not part with it for any other knife.

 

[DadSmith]

I bought both of my boys a Springfield XD 45 Tactical when they finished AIT. As a reward for accomplishment of something only 0.3% of all Americans that ever lived has done.

 

[roscott]

Go with the Kabar. I carry mine quite a bit when I’m the field. With everything else we carry, what’s a few more ounces?

Check out TomarsKabars. They carry most any Kabar and will engrave it for you. Mine has the reference Ephesians 6:10-13 on it, and means quite a bit to me. I’ve killed alligators and hogs with it, so it’s gotten some use.

 

[Thor]

I never regretted having my Gerber Mk 1 or 2 on my belt. Best fighting knives ever. Originals are hard to find now though.

Swords are good gifts too...

 

[Magyars]

My son will graduate Marine Corps boot camp next month. I'd like to get him a nice "combat knife" for his graduation. I'm not looking for a show piece, but more of a knife he can use in his service. I've seen the Ka-bar options, but I'm thinking these are more of a historical piece these days. If any engraving, it will be minimal. Again, I'm looking for something he can use, not throw in a drawer. Any suggestions?

Proud Papa.

Congratulations proud Papa....and thanks your son on my behalf!

 

[DadSmith]

My son will graduate Marine Corps boot camp next month. I'd like to get him a nice "combat knife" for his graduation. I'm not looking for a show piece, but more of a knife he can use in his service. I've seen the Ka-bar options, but I'm thinking these are more of a historical piece these days. If any engraving, it will be minimal. Again, I'm looking for something he can use, not throw in a drawer. Any suggestions?

Proud Papa.

My son bought this when he deployed and still carries it as his edc.

Tough 141SBKSN Nimravus Knife in Sand Aluminum | Benchmade

Our all-time best-selling combat fixed blade! Shop our popular 141SBK Nimravus Knife, that features premium materials and high-performance versatility. MOLLE® compatible.

www.benchmade.com

He bought the none serrated version. You can also get it "PERSONALIZE WITH LASERMARKING"

 

[mulsas]

I don't have much to offer in terms of your question, just wanted to say congrats! My son graduated from basic a few months ago, and is about 2 weeks away from finishing up at ITB. It sounds like they are just starting to open graduations back up, so hoping you will be able to go out and see it. We had some friends come over and we watched the FB stream, better than nothing, but sure sucked to not be able to go.

I'll defer to these guys on knife choices. But the leatherman is a good idea. I think my son picked one up at the MCX at Camp Pendleton not long after getting there, just a useful thing to have. And he was there a bunch earlier on dealing with the cell phone issues (let me know if you haven't heard about that yet).

 

[Alamo]

If you want him to use it... a mid size folder. 4inch blade is stretching it. Depending on Mos, maybe a nice leatherman would be a great thought. Fixed blades are a strict no go. The only time we were allowed to handle a fixed blade was bayonet/ knife training and sere school. I was issued a Gerber like this...

Gerber Auto 06 Automatic Knife Black Aluminum (3.6" Black) - Blade HQ

Features: Black-finished drop point blade made from CPM S30V steel. Oversized firing button for fast automatic action. Milled black aluminum handle. Sliding safety and secure button lock. Reversible, tip-up pocket clip and a lanyard loop. Description: The Gerber 06 Auto features an over-sized...

www.bladehq.com

If that helps any. Either way, welcome him to the corps for us. He still has a long way to go, and the hard part comes later. With the right support, he'll be home and missing it before he knows it.

I liked this suggestion so much I just bought one for myself.

Congratulations in advance to your son!

 

[Usmccookie]

I liked this suggestion so much I just bought one for myself.

Congratulations in advance to your son!

As I was typing that response, I remembered how much I liked that knife. I know a lot of us snuck it home. I have mine away to a young marine I got close to as a parting gift.

 

[OurDee]

Congrats!

 

[jsn_mooney]

Congratulations, I myself just did a ton of research regarding what to get my son for his graduation of Marine Corps bootcamp and I ended up getting him a really nice blade marked WWII issue Ka-Bar to keep, a new Case XX USMC fighting knife in a Peloza sheath for the field, and a compression lock Spyderco PM2 for everyday carry. I told him to get what multi tool he likes best and he's all set.
He's been gone since July and probably won't be home until late June
It's a shame these fine young men and women can't have families attend graduation, or get boot leave because of COVID.
SEMPER FI, Marine ️

 

[DadSmith]

As I was typing that response, I remembered how much I liked that knife. I know a lot of us snuck it home. I have mine away to a young marine I got close to as a parting gift.

You say none folders are not allowed in the Marines or did I misunderstand your post earlier? My son attached his right to his gear when he deployed. Army.

 

[Usmccookie]

stateside.

I know guys that took throwing knives and even a tomahawk. But they did it as a joke.

 

[Jsomerset]

Case Kickstart.