Advice for a knife gift??

C

Cpotter0405

Joined
Nov 2, 2022
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11
Greeting everyone, I'm new here and was hoping you could give me your advise/opinions please.

I want to start a yearly tradition with my brother in law where I get him a knife for Christmas. I don't have a hard budget ceiling but for now I'm kinda feeling $150-200 for a cap. For the first one here coming up I want to get something that will be a good EDC, not too fancy or radical.

I'm circling in on a Keizer Gemini carbon fiber with the stone washed S35V blade. It's $130. I really like that it is a liner lock and has a milled pocket clip. Do you guys have some good suggesting that I should consider in the sub $200 range before I pull the trigger? Thanks in advance!

Kizer Laconico Gemini Liner Lock Knife Carbon Fiber (3.125" Stonewash) Ki3471C1 - Blade HQ

Kizer Cutlery collaborated with Ray Laconico and scored big time with the Gemini flipper. It's based on Ray's custom Jasmine folder and maintains its sleek character. The build on this production model is superb. It has a twill carbon fiber handle and a bead blasted titanium tip-up pocket clip...
www.bladehq.com
 
Lately, my recommendation for that price range has been an axial Enzi. Excellent fit and finish that will rival many higher end knives, but 1/3 the cost.
 
I have the kizer drop bear which is a very nice knife.

For a first knife I would suggest a bit more vanilla than a point and a flipper. So a sheep's foot or wharncliffe

That way they can fell a bit less self conscious about using it.

Also sheepsfeet are clam shell packet opening machines. So the one use most people use knIves for. They are really good at.
 
For that money buy him a Dragonfly 2 and a Delica. Give him one this Christmas and the other next Christmas.
 
I’m kind of a Spyderco fan. I’ve gifted quite a few of them over the years, and will continue to do so.

The Spyopera has been a good EDC, practical and fancy, but not too fancy.
It’s got kind of a retro vibe that makes it non-threatening, if that’s an issue.
It was my primary EDC for months before some new hotness showed up.
The decorative hardware is a particularly nice touch.

I did have to disassemble it and put a drop of LockTite on the pivot…but I can be kind of obsessive.



The right model of Chaparral can be really classy. Those things are slicy! I bought a sun & moon model for my son…but wound up keeping it because I was so impressed. I gave him an Lc200n Salt, which is probably a better choice as he’s in & around salt water all the time.



The Rhino gets no love, but it’s an awesome small knife. It punches, bigger than its size implies, maybe because it’s a trailing point? It lives on my nightstand & I use it all the time.

 
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Thank you all for the advise!

He already has a good multi tool, I feel like that's the wrong move. Plus I want him to build up a collection of folders over the years. I think it would be flippin' great if he's scratching his head wondering which one he wants to edc that day. This one Chris got me? Or this one Chris got me? He can keep the multitool realm separate.

I think a flipper tab knife is totally up his alley.

Spyderco makes a fine knife, I just honestly am not familiar enough with their lineup so thank you for those suggestions! I kinda like the sage 5 leaf shape blade compression lock. It reminds me of a smaller shaman. I with it came in something other than FRN. And while I want to hate on the wire clip, I almost prefer it to a stamped one.

Those other couple brands and models I'll check out too.

On the warncliff blade shape year I hear ya! I was looking at the Kizer mini critical flipper for that reason but geez I just want this first gift knife to have a good milled clip too and the mini critical does not.

Thanks again for all the input! The search continues.
 
Pass on the kizer drop bear. Gonna pass on a benchmade too. I have a mini griptillian... nah I'd rather get him a civivi Ortis, no axis lock or button lock for that matter probably. If I was going bigger then maybe a Praxis.

Also pass on the Swiss army knives.
 
Is he a knife guy? Is he already interested in the hobby?

If not, I would personally steer away from the Chinese knives. I say this not because of my personal dislike for them (not trying to open that debate up here), but rather because of perception. It's a much better narrative IMO for a gift knife to be able to say "this is a knife from a company that has a storied history of producing quality cutting tools" than "well for the past few years the Chinese have actually been producing great knives for the money in top notch materials." I don't have any family members that are knife enthusiasts to the level that I am; but most of them like knives, are outdoorsman, and appreciate good quality craftsmanship from reputable companies. I don't think there's one of them that would understand or appreciate the idea of an expensive knife that said Made in China on it. On the other hand, if I bought them a knife from a brand with heritage from a country they could take pride in, they would likely cherish it.
 
First off, welcome to the forums !!! I see you just recently signed up.
Lot of great suggestions, I recently picked up this Artisan Andromeda and it is sleek as all get out, the curve of the handle just fits so well. The handle widens from the end to the front of the handle, which can provide you some security from sliding onto the blade. The button lock is pretty good and overall, one nice folder. Blade is S35vn steel too so it takes an excellent edge.

See more detail here at Knife Center

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Good luck with your search!
G2

PS this is also a Ray Laconico designed folder ;) like the Gemini is...

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
 
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Cpotter0405 said:
Spyderco makes a fine knife, I just honestly am not familiar enough with their lineup so thank you for those suggestions! I kinda like the sage 5 leaf shape blade compression lock. It reminds me of a smaller shaman. I with it came in something other than FRN. And while I want to hate on the wire clip, I almost prefer it to a stamped one.
Click to expand...
I recently picked up a Sage 5 in FRN. I also like the leaf shaped blade. The wire clip was a hot spot for me so I replaced with a Lynch NW clip. Feels much better now. One more comment on the Sage. I have XL sized hands. The knife seems too small (handle length) for me unless I choke up on the choils. Then it fells good.
 
I've owned a lot of knives over the years, including several from Kizer. The Gemini remains on of my all-time favorite designs. It's just right.

They've done a bunch of different versions too. This is the one I carried most recently. While you can't get that one anymore, here are a couple of current ones you can. The first is a general release in Raffir and S35VN. The second is a Knife Center exclusive with a button lock in Micarta and 4V.

EshGeYO.jpg



1_cde11f52-675d-4e83-a3a5-a9439f388d7c_600x.jpg

KUV3471E4_1.jpg
 
Drop bear said:
... For a first knife I would suggest a bit more vanilla than a point and a flipper. So a sheep's foot or wharncliffe...
Click to expand...

Cpotter0405 said:
I think a flipper tab knife is totally up his alley.
Click to expand...

If anything, the Gemini is a fantastic all-purpose EDC knife. It's remarkably comfortable in hand. The action is fun. It also hits the sweet spot between compactness for carry and handiness in use.

That button lock in 4V might not be the best choice for a newbie but any of the standard liner or frame lock versions should be a slam dunk. The carbon fiber version in the original post or the Raffir version I shared above would be great choices on the fancier end. I gave one of my cousins this more basic and much less expensive version in Micarta and N690. It's his first flipper and first modern knife in general. It is still his primary EDC.

(BTW, I'm a fan of Civivi but I didn't like the Ortis. The action and lock-up were good and it has a useful blade shape. However, I got anannoying hot spot from the jimping along the lock bar access. The FRN also feels a little cheap. Definitely look at one of the Micarta/N690 versions of the Gemini if you want a more budget option.)

V3471E3_1_1024x1024.jpg
 
Cutlery Shoppe Exclusive Native Chief in CTS-XHP

Not only is it a great US. Made knife, in a great US made steel, but you start off with an exclusive model that eventually will be sold out...
I have zero regrets since buying mine, and I'm not even a spyderco fanboy... far from it actually!
 
I highly suggest getting on the : Knife exchange-for sale by individual- folding knives thread!!!! You can find brand/like new new in box at a great price man!
 
Welcome.

The Buck Sprint is a nice knife.
It's a flipper, liner lock and various handles and steels are available.

American made, lifetime no hassle warranty and it's a name he's likely heard of.

Good Luck.
 
Get him a Smatchet: he'll never top THAT gift!
 
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