Advice on gift

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Many knife retailers can laser engrave any knife you buy from them. I would suggest a Spyderco Salt (many models to choose from) or one of the new Benchmade water series knives. Both are very corrosion resistant even in salt water. A bit more, but either brand will last a lifetime if not abused or lost.

BTW , you are the cool Aunt!
 
You mentioned that he likes fishing so he might like something he can use for that, but he also might like something he can carry with him (which I assume means a folding pocketknife). As suggested, Buck Knives has many great options as does the knifemaker's forum here.

But, if he wants something more modern then Spyderco is where to look. These models are particularly suited for use around water, as the steel is virtually rust-proof (while also being good steel for edge retention):

- Spyderco Pacific Salt-2 (green-frn-lc200n-blade-fully-serrated)

- Spyderco Para-3 Salt Lightweight (yellow-frn-magnacut-blade)

- Spyderco Manix-2 Salt Lightweigh (yellow-frn-magnacut-blade)

Several vendors offer laser engraving, one of which is DLT Trading.

Don't let the bright handles deter you. These are great knives and there is an easy method that many (including myself) use to dye these handles into whatever color they want using RIT brand dyes for synthetic materials. It could be a fun project where you dye the handles to match his college's colors, adding a personal touch to the gift.

Whatever you choose, you'll definitely be known as the Cool Aunt!

*Edit: I removed links, thought that DLT Trading was a contributing dealer.
 
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DLT is in fact a supporting dealer and they are among the best dealers out there. Highly recommend.

A gift certificate from a knife dealer might be worth considering as well. If I was graduating high school and could pick any knife out of hundreds to choose from, I would be dancin’ in the streets.
 
SharpBits said:
Many knife retailers can laser engrave any knife you buy from them. I would suggest a Spyderco Salt (many models to choose from) or one of the new Benchmade water series knives. Both are very corrosion resistant even in salt water. A bit more, but either brand will last a lifetime if not abused or lost.

BTW , you are the cool Aunt!
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You weren't kidding about the many models. I may need to go back to bed!
 
Railsplitter said:
DLT is in fact a supporting dealer and they are among the best dealers out there. Highly recommend.

A gift certificate from a knife dealer might be worth considering as well. If I was graduating high school and could pick any knife out of hundreds to choose from, I would be dancin’ in the streets.
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I have always wanted to take him on a road trip to the huge knife store in Tennessee. I was there about 10 years ago and my head was spinning.
 
lemontwist said:
I have always wanted to take him on a road trip to the huge knife store in Tennessee. I was there about 10 years ago and my head was spinning.
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That would be a great idea. Last year I was looking at various knives online and thought I knew one I wanted, went by some stores in person and quickly found out I didn't like the ones I thought i did and found I loved some others
 
lemontwist said:
I have always wanted to take him on a road trip to the huge knife store in Tennessee. I was there about 10 years ago and my head was spinning.
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That might be the best option, adding another memorable event for him to cherish. If he's overwhelmed by choices then you can use the suggestions given here to guide him towards options he might like, while ultimately letting him decide.

One of my favorite memories was when I was 13, going to Lahaina Scrimshaw on Maui with my dad and a family friend to pick out a pocketknife with inscribed whalebone in the handle. I later realized that the knife itself isn't the best quality (the scrimshaw, however, is fantastic), but the memory makes it priceless.
 
I have given a couple of Benchmade propers as gifts, when you order from DLT, the engraving is cheap and they ship extremely fast. Great shop to deal with! Both propers were extremely well received and the new owners use the heck out of em.
 
Just a thought, I don't care for engraving on a knife. Maybe he does. I don't recall much engraving on the majority of knives viewed here. It could just be me though. Many good suggestions here. $200 is plenty to get a good knife. Hard to beat the buck 110. Quality piece that has some heft to it, and US made. The opinel #8 is an incredible value also. What a cool aunt!
 
Here’s my suggestion: Do what my wife did for me…..call DLT Trading, give them your parameters and allow them to make a suggestion. (My Spyderco Para3 (Magnacut steel) with my initials on it is a prized possession.) DLT is a small business with great customer service.
 
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You mentioned "something that he can carry with him", does that mean in a pocket (either clipped to his pocket, or just dropped in), or are we talking about carrying the knife in a belt sheath? How does he prefer to carry his knife?

Many folding knives, including some referenced in this thread (like the classic Buck 110 and 112), are a bit heavy, and in my opinion and experience (I've owned both of those) are not well suited for everyday pocket carry. This might be an important consideration.

Also, knives small enough to be easily carried everyday in a pocket aren't likely going to make good fishing knives. Not if we are talking about doing things like filleting fish. As for things like cutting line, any size knife will work.

Another thing to consider when buying an expensing knife for fishing is- knives used for fishing can easily end up at the bottom of a river/lake/pond/ocean if they get dropped when someone fishes from a boat, dock, or pier. That is one reason why I would suggest inexpensive knives for fishing.
 
killgar said:
You mentioned "something that he can carry with him", does that mean in a pocket (either clipped to his pocket, or just dropped in), or are we talking about carrying the knife in a belt sheath? How does he prefer to carry his knife?

Many folding knives, including some referenced in this thread (like the classic Buck 110 and 112), are a bit heavy, and in my opinion and experience (I've owned both of those) are not well suited for everyday pocket carry. This might be an important consideration.

Also, knives small enough to be easily carried everyday in a pocket aren't likely going to make good fishing knives. Not if we are talking about doing things like filleting fish. As for things like cutting line, any size knife will work.

Another thing to consider when buying an expensing knife for fishing is- knives used for fishing can easily end up at the bottom of a river/lake/pond/ocean if they get dropped when someone fishes from a boat, dock, or pier. That is one reason why I would suggest inexpensive knives for fishing.
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I thought I had narrowed down the choices until I read your post. lol I think I will focus more on something he can carry everyday. Minnesota doesn't have any restrictions on knives, surprisingly.
 
Lots of great suggestions, I would also give a thumbs up for this one

See more detail here at Knife Center

As the 110 is a classic but it is tough to carry in the pocket if he's heading to school, so the Spyderco Manix 2 in Magnacut will give him the edge he needs in this world ;)
G2

edited to add that this particular knife is also made in the US of A
😇
 
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