Suggestions for soon to be MP

[JdsBiff]

My niece is currently dating a young man who happens to be going into the Army in January to be an MP. I am looking for suggestions for a knife for him as a gift before he goes. The only criteria is that it has a blade less than 3 inches and a folder. Have been looking at a Benchmade Barrage. Would a straight edge or serrated be best?

 

[Tactically Fat]

Serrated is rarely ever the best. They catch & rip vs cut. Plus they're a pain to even attempt to sharpen.

 

[Vigilant]

Spyderco Endura, Delica, Para Military, or Para Military 2, great knives that won’t break the bank or many unit rules

 

[flyingsquirrel]

I can sharpen a serrated knife 10 times faster than a regular knife on my workshop. That's about all I use mine for. Secret is to HONE the backside and they are back to factory.

 

[patience0830]

I can sharpen a serrated knife 10 times faster than a regular knife on my workshop. That's about all I use mine for. Secret is to HONE the backside and they are back to factory.

On your worksharp or in your workshop? Which is it?

 

[patience0830]

Serrated is rarely ever the best. They catch & rip vs cut. Plus they're a pain to even attempt to sharpen.

+1

 

[flyingsquirrel]

ON

 

[rhino]

My niece is currently dating a young man who happens to be going into the Army in January to be an MP. I am looking for suggestions for a knife for him as a gift before he goes. The only criteria is that it has a blade less than 3 inches and a folder. Have been looking at a Benchmade Barrage. Would a straight edge or serrated be best?

Definitely plain edge.

If the blade can be exactly three inches, then the Spyderco Para 3 or Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight are excellent options. If it has to under three inches, then one of these:

Spyderco Delica full flat grind (2.875 in. blade)
Spyderco Chaparral Lightweight (2.8 in.)
Spyderco Reinhold Rhino (2.35 in.)

 

[JdsBiff]

3 inches seemed to be a common number from the research I had done. I figured it would be plain edge but was not sure about military/police use.

 

[DangerousDave]

Kershaw makes some good knives that are reasonable, and I believe they are 100% made in USA.

 

[rhino]

Kershaw makes some good knives that are reasonable, and I believe they are 100% made in USA.

A few of their knives are USA made, including their Zero Tolerance sub-brand. Most of the lower priced Kershaw offerings are made in China.