Recommendation? Knife for USN SEAL diver- am I off base?

19-3ben

19-3ben

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
4,666
A coworker's son in law is a Navy SEAL. His birthday is coming up and my coworker wants to get him a knife. He is allowed to carry a personally purchased knife. He specifically is looking for a folder, not a fixed blade.

His exact title escapes me, but he is something along the lines of a dive master. He trains and drills the team doing saltwater dives, supervises the dives, checks and maintains equipment, etc... I have no idea about his role outside of that. I think he's on a base in Virginia, if that matters.

My first thought was a Spyderco Pacific Salt, serrated, with black handle and black coated blade. The reasoning for this is as follows:

Lightweight-so it's not an impediment to movement.

Serrations- I figure since he is responsible for their safety, he's probably the guy most likely to have to cut ropes, cords, webbing, etc... in an emergency, so the serrated knife makes sense to me.

Black- Duh.

H1- corrosion proof with great edge retention

I figure this is not a combat knife. If he's on a mission, I'm sure they'll give him the gear necessary to create whatever mayhem he must create. So this has more to do with utility, and something he could unobtrusively keep on him around base, while training etc... I don't think this is going to be pounded on like a "combat knife."

Am I totally off base with my suggestion? As a guy with no personal military experience, I am open to and appreciative of other suggestions.
And, no. I don't know more details about his job and uses for the knife than what I have posted here.
 
Well, even though there are lot's of knives out there that seem to be oriented to the military, no need to start naming them, I think that you shorted all the realistic requirements quite well, and the Spyderco Paficific Salt is a killer choice.

HOWEVER, thinking along the lines that he will not be deployed with this knife, why instead of BLACK you don't suggest the yellow handled version? Easier to spot if dropped!!!

Also, if this is going to be an utility knife, for cutting ropes, webbing and whatnot... why don't get him a blunt nose serrated knife? The SALT equivalent to the Spyderco Rescue knife. If there is one, which I don't know, by the way.

Mikel
 
I don't know what the budget is, but my understanding is that the guy running Half Face Blades is a SEAL he could built or suggest something perhaps?
I would probably go with a Spydeco Aqua Salt, it is tactical enough, corrosion resistant and designed as a dive knife and to make it personal I would customize the sheath, maybe get it painted or engraved, should work on Kydex.
 
Mikel_24 said:
HOWEVER, thinking along the lines that he will not be deployed with this knife, why instead of BLACK you don't suggest the yellow handled version? Easier to spot if dropped!!!
Click to expand...

Because I don't KNOW that it wouldn't come with him on a mission. If it's all black, at least he has that option. You're totally spot on about the blunted tip. Safer if he has to cut a wetsuit off a diver, less likely to poke holes in boats, etc... I would love to suggest a blunted tip like the Atlantic Salt but it doesn't come with a blacked out blade. Only the pointy ones come with black blades (as far as I can tell) and once again, it's nice for him to have the option. The only exception to that rule is the Autonomy, which is super BAMF knife, but likely out of the price range.
 
19-3ben said:
Because I don't KNOW that it wouldn't come with him on a mission. If it's all black, at least he has that option. You're totally spot on about the blunted tip. Safer if he has to cut a wetsuit off a diver, less likely to poke holes in boats, etc... I would love to suggest a blunted tip like the Atlantic Salt but it doesn't come with a blacked out blade. Only the pointy ones come with black blades (as far as I can tell) and once again, it's nice for him to have the option. The only exception to that rule is the Autonomy, which is super BAMF knife, but likely out of the price range.
Click to expand...

OK! Then it has to be an Atlantic Salt + a black sharpie! :p

On a serious note, the Pacific Salt is all he is going to need and then some, so go ahead.

When I go climbing I carry a Spyderco Rescue Wave and it is the next best thing to sliced bread. Sometimes we have to clear the belay stations of old ropes, webbing, etc. Out comes the pocket chainsaw! The wave is not required at all, but it was cool at the time!!!
 
GIRLYmann said:
Salt sounds right.
Can't help it but...
Click to expand...

I have only one Emerson (Aftershock) and I must say that the grip is amazing, it locks into your hand. However, I think it is safe to say that for this application serrated edges offer superior performance, so I cannot fully understand why the SARK has a plain edge.

For comparison, I think a Spyderco Rescue Wave will provide the same Wave opening capability, somewhat less pointy + a better serrated edge. The FRN grip is no slouch either as it offers a nice grip as well.

But I might be mistaken.
 
Of the two individuals that I know that are on SEAL teams, both use Mission MPK products. It may be that the SALT knives are now filling the same role as these venerable titanium blades.
 
The Spyderco Autonomy is the easy pick. Tactical black if needed or hi-vis orange for administrative dive work.
 
Considering his duties, some utility might be beneficial...you could look at something like the Extreme Ratio BF M1A1 Multi-tool with N390 blade. OR SAK One Handed Trekker.

Emerson if he wants something a little less generic with some related history... ​

Otherwise, hard to go wrong with a good Ol' Spyderco…

Boss
 
Last edited:
KenHash said:
Where did you get the idea that H1 had "great edge retention"?
Click to expand...

Because serrated H1 is known for having incredibly good edge retention. Plain edge, not so much. But the serrated H1 is a known and well established quality steel in that regard.

edit to add:

Per Sal, Himself:
H1 is not heat treated in the traditional way. The steel is work hardened in the manufacturing and processing of blades. Edge retention in the plain edge config would be about the steels that you listed. It does sharpen easily, and gets very sharp. In the serrated config, it will stay sharper longer than anything we've tested to date.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
It has been decided. She is getting, drumroll please.....

Spyderco Autonomy.

I showed it to her and she said it has a set of features that are perfect for what he'd need. She was willing to stretch the budget to give him something that will just be better for his purposes.

Thank you to all who contributed. The information and discussion is greatly appreciated.
 
You should seriously give the Spyderco Assist Salt a look. Personally, I'd go yellow and no coating as it sounds like he does more no-shooty,no-shooty work right now and that yellow handle is very nice to see. It may turn him onto the world Spyderco Salt knives and he might go find another one that fits is exact preferences. The Tasman Salt is awesome but I'd start with a blunt tipped-folder and let him decide.
 
Eli Chaps said:
Personally, I'd go yellow and no coating as it sounds like he does more no-shooty,no-shooty work right now and that yellow handle is very nice to see.
Click to expand...

I clarified with my coworker. As the dive master/supervisor guy, he does go on missions. He supervises the team during dives, and handles the administrative aspects of the dives while the guys are in the water. Or so she says.

I realize i'm getting the info second hand (and she's getting it from a guy who is limited in what he can tell), and you're getting the info third hand, so we're all sort of flying blind here.
 
19-3ben said:
A coworker's son in law is a Navy SEAL. His birthday is coming up and my coworker wants to get him a knife. He is allowed to carry a personally purchased knife. He specifically is looking for a folder, not a fixed blade.

His exact title escapes me, but he is something along the lines of a dive master. He trains and drills the team doing saltwater dives, supervises the dives, checks and maintains equipment, etc... I have no idea about his role outside of that. I think he's on a base in Virginia, if that matters.

My first thought was a Spyderco Pacific Salt, serrated, with black handle and black coated blade. The reasoning for this is as follows:

Lightweight-so it's not an impediment to movement.

Serrations- I figure since he is responsible for their safety, he's probably the guy most likely to have to cut ropes, cords, webbing, etc... in an emergency, so the serrated knife makes sense to me.

Black- Duh.

H1- corrosion proof with great edge retention

I figure this is not a combat knife. If he's on a mission, I'm sure they'll give him the gear necessary to create whatever mayhem he must create. So this has more to do with utility, and something he could unobtrusively keep on him around base, while training etc... I don't think this is going to be pounded on like a "combat knife."

Am I totally off base with my suggestion? As a guy with no personal military experience, I am open to and appreciative of other suggestions.
And, no. I don't know more details about his job and uses for the knife than what I have posted here.
Click to expand...

Sounds like pretty much exactly what I would have suggested. Check out the atlantic salt too if he is going to have to possibly be cutting rope in close proximity to the guys he is training’s flesh. (Like if they get tangled or something)

Also for a more high end option check out David Boye boat knives. Rust proof dendritic cobalt blade rather than h1. (probably too high end, knives have a tendency to walk....or swim away on their own in that type of usage.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top