a gift for myself

lazerboy2000

lazerboy2000

Joined
Mar 3, 2008
Messages
1,341
Well my 19th birthday is next week, and i've been trying to look around for a nice knife as a gift to talk my parents into getting for me.

I'm looking for a nice, classy "gentleman's" knife but for it still to look modern with that touch of old-age beauty. I'm looking for a less than 3" blade preferably with a locking mechanism, but not essential. I want something with wood handle or inlays or even something with mother of pearl or some other gems. I'd even really love a damascus blade, but those tend to push the price very high.

Some examples i have in mind are:
Spyderco Volpe
Benchmade Opportunist
Boker Andrey Pocket Folder
Maybe even a custom Buck 110/112

I'll put the price limit around $120 retail

Any suggestions?
 
I would say look through the offerings from A.G. Russell. Even if you don't buy from them (their prices are better on some brands than others) you can get a good idea of some of the more gentleman like styles available. It is also nice that the catalog lists the steel, where it is made, weight and always has decent pics. They also run weekly specials and do offer some seconds. The seconds normally will have a cosmetic blemish but carry the same warranty all their knives do.

Just to give you an idea The AG Russell Mini Lockback in VG10 damascus and quince wood runs 119.99 and is an outstanding looking knife.

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Both of those a beautiful knives and I love the style of the BM440 but the damascus and full wood of the AG Russell is sweet. Which steel would be better for light EDC purpose, the VG10 or the S30V?

Keep the suggestions coming!
 
VG10 is a stainless but sharpens and hold an edge nicely, it's the only stainless I really care for.
 
The Buck custom shop does some very nice work at reasonable prices. It'll take about 8 weeks to get it back, but to me it was worth it. I did a BG42 110 and it came out perfectly. Joe
 
Looks like I'm ending up getting a beautiful Kershaw Nakamura AND a regular Buck 110 through a great trade deal.

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I can't wait to get it!!
 
Out of all knives you mentioned I own only Volpe. It is outstanding knife. Full flat grind N690Co 3.5" blade is great cutter, one of the most comfortable in the hand handles, beautiful look excellent fit and finish. It is one of my favorite knives.

pictures by WhyNot
VolpeMir01.jpg


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VolpeMir05-closeup.jpg
 
The Mastiff said:
The Buck custom shop does some very nice work at reasonable prices. It'll take about 8 weeks to get it back, but to me it was worth it. I did a BG42 110 and it came out perfectly. Joe
Click to expand...

What Joe said. I have 4 Buck Customs so far and I love them all. You pick the steel, frame metal, scales, case, etc. and can even have it engraved if you want. A Buck Custom is one of the best values for the dollar you will find.
 
Al Mar Osprey with black pearl handles.Comes with leather case.You can find one under $100. I did & love it:)
 
Thinking of getting a spyderco myself, though can't say I love the look of the Volpe. The BM Opportunist looks pretty damn cool IMO. Nice blade design and handle. Buck 110s do near to nothing for me, being custom and more $$$ makes even less sense to me. The BM Kulgera is new and look pretty classy, though not old-age beauty. Just my .02 cents.
 
Wow, this thread is almost creepy. I too, just picked out a knife that I will be receiving for my birthday on the 14th. And I too chose the Kershaw Nakamura!

The Volpe was my second choice, but I just can't get past that finger dip on the back of the blade.
 
I have a very few gentlemen-style knives, including the beautiful Volpe (alredy a bit big for a gentlemen knife actually). My fave is a toss-up between the Spyderco Kiwi (so elegant, small and practical!) and the Mcusta MC-74D "TAKE" which has a nice damascus-style blade combined with a very japanese handle. Actually the whole Mcusta MC-7 series is very beautiful, and in my limited experience (I don't consider myself knowledgeable!), the general quality is truly excellent. Now, I am tempted by a boker leo-damast pocket knife, but they are really expensive.
 
JTR357 said:
Al Mar Osprey with black pearl handles.Comes with leather case.You can find one under $100. I did & love it:)
Click to expand...

IIRC, Al Mar is putting out several models with choices for handle scales. The Eagle, Hawk, and Osprey all come in a few "flavors" including wood. You also have a choice of blade styles. The few Al Mars I've had have been top quality in F&F for a production knife... as good as any company out there.
 
Now that I think about it, of all the Mcusta's, perhaps the gentleman folder series is most inline with what you are looking for:

( MC-54D VG-10 Damascus blade, Staminawood handle, $135)
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At a lower budget (roughly the same price as the -also nice- MC1/2 series that was recommended), I also do like their "stingray" series: VG 10 blade, a modern aluminum handle, and a distinctive stingray skin inlay (inspired by the traditional handles). I gave this very, very nice maroon one to my father as a xmas present ($90)

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Or, more japanese-style, the MC-72D "KASUMI" ($135)
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I got the Kershaw Nakamura the other day and holy crap it's gorgeous. It has a very smooth action with a clad VG-10 blade and a beautiful quince wood handle with a layered copper bolster. I love it!
 
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