Knife Gift for Air Force Academy Grad

[smith17]

A young man who grew up with my daughters is set to graduate from the Air Force Academy this month and I would like to get him a knife for his personal/professional use. I figure he will be deployed soon after graduation and don't know if they are issued something of this nature or have to provide one.
I usually give Case canoes to high school and college grads but want something different for this man.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Ed

 

[Speedo2]

How about one of those S.O.G. bowies?

http://sogknives.com/images/flash/SB1T/pic1.jpg

 

[bk43]

There are all kinds of good choices here and I can think of many I would suggest. However, the men in all services today appreciate and use a tool like one of the Leathermen Multi-Tools more than anything else. Wouldn't be my personal choice but that's what the kids want and will use.

Bob

 

[kobsw]

S.O.G. Is made in the U.S. And makes a very heavy duty multi-tool that any operator would be happy to have.

 

[Jswiney9]

S.O.G. Is made in the U.S. And makes a very heavy duty multi-tool that any operator would be happy to have.

i would have to agree, any of the sog multi-tools are of great quality, have heavy duty components and will do just about anything the man would need.

 

[WC145]

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[Texas Star]

You can go several routes, but don't give a really large sheath knife, which will usually be banned. It will also be too large for easy carry on the survival vest.

I'd suggest the Fallkniven S-1, which will fit the sheath on the survival vest, if he's aircrew. www.fallkniven.com It is also a very good general use knife for security forces, and large enough to do some real harm, if he ever has the enemy in close and runs out of ammo. That's what I gave my son, who was in the Army.

Secondly, look at a basic Swiss Army Knife. I found a little ClassiC with blue handle and a silver USAF crest at this past week's Dallas gun show. Very classy. I suspect that it was sold at the USAF Academy or in a BX. (It was a used knife, although in excellent condition.) When I was in, I always carried a Victorinox Spartan for a pocket utility knife. Every time I carry a Stockman or Trapper pattern, I need a can opener, screwdriver, etc. Those may also be available in blue with the Air Force crest. Ask Swiss Army Brands.

T-Star

 

[Muley Gil]

I carried a Benchmade auto folder while in Kosovo and Afghanistan. A good folder is invaluable in the sandbox.

I met a number of Navy and AF types in the 'Stan. Anybody with commo skills can almost count on being sent to a desert survival school for a few weeks and then on Kabul and beyond.

 

[jag312]

Give him a Randall Model 15. I gave one to my friend's oldest son. He is a Marine pilot with the rank of Major.

 

[GatorFarmer]

It depends what he's going to do in the USAF. Pilots, combat controllers, and security forces may well see action. Aquisition managers and other non technical flight specialties probably won't unless they are on an "OpEx". Not sure how the AF is, but in the Marines - at least this base - they want all "deadly weapons" including knives registered if on base. Still less a pain in the butt than the new Navy regs that try to actively discourage personally owned weapons of all types.

If you want to get him something useful, get him one of the new USMC bayonet/fighting knives. There's a special edition with a Reagan quote on it. Works fine as a utility knfe and is probably the best bayonet out there. Not likely a lot of those to be seen in the USAF.

Any base exchange should have knives. Jobs exposed to "action" usually rate one, though sometimes it is a GI pocket knife made 20 years ago that is in a survival kit. "Cool" guys sometimes get Benchmades (the models with an NSN) or what not.

 

[Herknav]

I agree that knowing what AFSC (career field) he was going to would help make a more useful decision. Most officers won't need anything very high speed or large. Most of the guys I know who actually carry knives (not many) use a typical clip-type knife like forum members would carry.

My squadron issued Benchmade's a few years back, but I stick to a non-auto. Last time I was over, they were searching bags for the homebound trip (commercial air) and autos were forbidden, even in checked baggage. The last thing I want to do is forfeit my Benchmade to some shoe clerk with an attitude. A few guys will carry a fixed blade in their boot, but they are usually regarded as "strange."

I like the Leatherman/Swiss Army knife idea. I always have one on me (usually the SAK), and I often think of the people who gave them to me when I use them.

Hope this helps. I wish him well.

ETA--I don't know if he's into concealed carry, but that's not allowed on base anywhere. A good one-handed opening knife is about the best he can do in that department. Just a thought.

 

[Farmer17]

Whatever you get, have it engraved with his name on it and maybe a "from Dad" or "I'm proud of you", etc. That will mean a lot to him and make it a little less likely for others to (accidently?) walk off with it.

 

[smith17]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate the effort.
Ed

 

[29aholic]

I too would go with a Randall...maybe a 16 special fighter or a 14. Whatever you do though, tell him to make sure if he has to fly on any commercial planes to put the knife in his check in luggage. There is no preference for military, and they will confiscate it just like if he was a civilian. A Navy friend of mine worked airport security and had to confiscate 100's of Leathermans, Gerbers, etc.

 

[safearm]

A good Leatherman or quality folding knife, suitably engraved, will be fine. Like Herknav said, even in forward areas, the guys carrying sheath knives are looked at a little differently. BTW, our squadron callsign was Bayonet, and we issued bayonets to all of the guys when they reached Mission Ready (MR) status; none of them deployed with a M9 bayonet. I carried a Benchmade for years, including a tour in Iraq, and never had a problem with anyone questioning it.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Like some of the other fellers have said, most of the guys I've talked to who've served in Iraq/Afghanistan say a Leatherman type tool is very handy.

As far as traditional pocketknives, the pocketknife crowd say that this company is making the best traditional knives on the planet right now. I have one and agree with them. Fantastic quality. Made in Titusville, PA, USA.

If you like traditional pocketknives, check 'em out.

Great Eastern Cutlery | Proudly Made in America

 

[gunnut44]

Here is a Randall Model 15 "Airman" so it would fit the bill for his services.

 

[safearm]

A knife like the one posted above by gunnut44 will quickly get a new Lieutenant in trouble and will earn him a reputation that will be hard to leave behind. Better to have something less flashy and more utilitarian.

 

[Texas Star]

A knife like the one posted above by gunnut44 will quickly get a new Lieutenant in trouble and will earn him a reputation that will be hard to leave behind. Better to have something less flashy and more utilitarian.

What about the black version of the Fallkniven S-1? It's been tested and approved for US aircrew use, and I think can be bought with unit funds, and has a NSN (or whatever) stock number.

It is also said to fit the sheath on the survival vest.

When Capt. Scott O'Grady's F-16 was shot down over Bosnia, he was pretty disgusted with the issue survival knife, which rusted. He relied mainly on his own Swiss Army knife. He didn't mention the model in his excellent book, Return With Honor.

The Fallkniven has a stainless blade, with a VG-10 core steel.
(The blade on current examples is laminated.)

 

[smith17]

I went with the SOG Power Assisted Multi-tool along with a couple of other items that came in their Black Friday Special Box #2. Again, thanks for the suggestions and time posting them.
Ed