My Most Used Piece of Gear While in the Marine Corps

Pictured above is my very first Gerber multi-tool, bought at the PX on Camp Lejeune, NC, shortly after checking into 2/8 Weapons Company in June of 1993.

Back then, there was no internet, no quick Amazon orders, and definitely no gear review sites. If you wanted something, you grabbed a catalog or hit the PX and hoped for the best. My choices were Gerber, Spyderco, or Benchmade, and as a broke PFC trying to stretch every dollar, Gerber made the most sense. They had the reputation, and I needed something that would survive hard use.

That multi-tool never left my side for the next four years. It went everywhere: the humid forests of North Carolina, the Sierra Nevada mountains, the jungles of Okinawa, and the deserts of the Middle East. It wasn’t just a tool; it was a dependable workhorse that earned its keep every single day.

I used it for everything: cutting through just about any material you can name, fieldcraft tasks, disassembling my M16-A2 (long before anyone made specialized rifle tools), and even doing quick fixes on a Humvee.

After years of hard use across continents, it became more than just a tool; it was a constant companion. The Gerber multi-tool earned its place as the most dependable piece of gear I have ever owned in the Marine Corps. It wasn’t fancy, it wasn’t expensive, but it damn sure worked.

Gear That’s Earned Its Stripes

If you’re building out your own field kit or just want something you can trust in the backcountry or at the range, here are a few modern versions that carry the same DNA:

• 🔗 Gerber Gear Multi-Tools – built tough, just like the one that got me through four years in the Corps.
• 🔗 Benchmade Folding Knives – precision-built and battle-proven.
• 🔗 Spyderco Knives – sharp, fast, and perfect for daily carry.

These brands have stood the test of time, and for good reason.