Knives for New Recon Marine

PG5768

PG5768

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Apr 28, 2008
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The son of a friend at work left for Okinawa yesterday for his first duty assignment after completing his Recon training with the USMC. Does anyone know what fixed and folding blade knives are most popular with Recon Marines?
 
Fixed blade: My first recommendation would be a Chris Reeve Pacific, but it'll run about $250.-$300. An article about knives in the April 2007 Leatherneck magazine (article was titled The Cutting Edge) gave the Pacific VERY high ratings.

I'd also recommend looking at T.O.P.S. knives. They make dozens of styles, and you might be able to call them and ask if Marine Recon guys buy specific models.

Folders: I don't know what folders they's use, but I'd say get him a KaBar Mule.

Beyond that, maybe there are some Recon folks lurking about who might chime in and let us know what they use, or would use.

thx - cpr

ps - tell your friend to pass on my thanks to his son for his service.:thumbup:
 
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Thanks Orca. I've looked at the Reeve fixed blades before, but haven't heard of T.O.P.S. yet. I'll take a look.

I let him know that you appreciate his son doing his duty.
 
Tony_A said:
Bark River Bravo-1

Google it.

"The Bravo-1 was developed with the assistance of the Training Unit of the Force Recon Division of the U.S. Marine Corp."
Click to expand...

Thanks Tony. I've been looking at the Bravo 1 and the Wet Enviro version.
 
You'd be surprised what Marines use their knives for. Some serrations would come in handy - its likely the knives won't get sharpened frequently enough. After that, I would get something that won't rust for the folder, because it will be in a sweaty pocket at least 12 hours a day until it breaks. For the fixed blade I would keep it under a 6 inch blade so it stays somewhat convenient - its best to mount a knife on the belt or drop leg holster so keep that in mind with the sheath. Other than that I would decide based on what you know about the guy if possible.

They get Benchmade folders for free, and he will have the USMC bayonet made by OKC also....

Semper Fidelis,
Austin
 
Thanks aus71383. I can kind of imagine what a young Marine would use a knife for in the field. How do they get free BenchMades? Are they issued or do they have to contact BenchMade?
 
Jay Fisher kinda specializes in this field. That being said, my son is in a similar position. He finds fixed blades to be of very little use. A Leatherman Charge and a Benchmade Mini-Grip are what he uses the most. If you want to give him a present, check out Jay Fisher's website, really nice stuff. An added bonus is that he puts active service members at the top of his list. If you have something in particular in mind, you can pick out blade shape, type of steel, handle material, etc. God bless all, if he's in Recon, he's "The Best of the Best".
 
Thanks popcornpicker. Hadn't thought about a Leatherman, that would be handy.
 
I'd look at a Spyderco Tasman in H1 (salt water proof) and agree with the size and function of the BRKT Bravo-1 as being a very useful tool for field carry.

If the knife is too big, it wont get carried or used. The only guys in the military I know that use long blades are grunts who want to intimidate locals, or Spec Ops assault troops. It's pretty rare to actually use a knife for anything other than utility in modern warfare. Employment as a weapon is at the bottom of the common use list.
 
Where they come from is above my pay grade. They pass them out - you get to keep them. Supply gets a ton of them in, and then you get them. I've seen the 9100 (or 9500 - not sure) Automatics given out, and also the 550 folder.

There is a good chance that the knife will be used to cut wires, and will get thrown at the ground trying to stick it between someone's feet....hopefully in dirt, not rocks.

Austin

A leatherman/sog/gerber would be a great gift! Those things get used every single day.
 
Thanks J_Curd. He's actually one of those Spec Ops folks. His next stop will be SERE school, then Jump School, followed by some training time with SEALs and Rangers.

The Tasman looks wicked. I got my Dad a Pacific Salt for Father's Day. He doesn't have it yet, so I don't know how it holds up to salt water yet.
 
aus71383 said:
Where they come from is above my pay grade. They pass them out - you get to keep them. Supply gets a ton of them in, and then you get them. I've seen the 9100 (or 9500 - not sure) Automatics given out, and also the 550 folder.

There is a good chance that the knife will be used to cut wires, and will get thrown at the ground trying to stick it between someone's feet....hopefully in dirt, not rocks.

Austin

A leatherman/sog/gerber would be a great gift! Those things get used every single day.
Click to expand...


Wow. Free Benchmades thats nice of them.

The Leatherman idea is sounding good.
 
A Busse is too heavy for Recon, and its not a very good combat weapon. It's neither fast nor easy to insert past a rib cage.

If he will be doing tactical entry and/or extraction, consider a CRKT Hissatsu for utility work on biological targets. It's not a utility weapon, purely for martial blade craft.
 
The Bark River Bravo-1 is an excellent choice; also the one specifically designed by members of Force Recon:

Wet Enviro RECON

I too agree that large blades are not practical, plus with the IBA and any additional load carrying gear, it's just too hazardous to have a large blade; also why most just stick with a multi-tool or folder...I've seen Joe's get snagged on vehicle/aircraft doors and even a plastic chair in a DFAC:D Fixed blades have their place and uses...much less motor-skill required to quickly access and use. I found anything with a blade over 6" is just too long to use if you're in and out of 1114's or helos.

ROCK6
 
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