Advice/Recommendations Wanted

If you include Japan, where maximum blade length is 6cm, I suggest a tiny SAK.

If you mean US only, exclude NY, and only look at state laws, your options are pretty wide. Then, I suggest to pick a Hinderer or CRK.
 
DocJD said:
Unless this friend is a real knife knut , the difference between a $150 knife vs. 500 will probably not be discernible .

What kind of activities would this person need a knife for ? Other relevant preferences ?

A really nice SAK might be more usual and also be the most widely acceptable to carry .
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Not necessarily true. I handed my sub-$200 knives and $400+ knives to the two non-knife persons in my family, and both of them could immediately tell which ones are better and more expensive.
 
Wishfulthinker580 said:
I’m in the research stage of buying a knife for a friend. My all in budget will be $500 USD. I’m looking for everyone’s input on what my best options are.

I’m new here so I’m not knowledgeable at all but I have a rough idea of what I need.

It needs to be a folder. The knife needs to be legal in as many jurisdictions as humanly possible so I’m guessing no autos/assisted knives. I assume blade length is a factor. Needs to be non traditional.

The most important thing I want is to get the absolute best knife I can buy within that budget so that’s why I’m asking for help.

Thanks in advance.
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What will he use it for? Work? EDC? Something "pretty" to look at?
 
I said small Sebenza before, but I like what someone said above. A Mnandi looks classier and will be more socially acceptable. Without knowing what this person likes and where he lives, yet with you being concerned with knife laws, I'd say a Mnandi. By Chris Reeve in case you arent aware. They make them with some very nice wood inlays.
 
sharp_edge said:
Not necessarily true. I handed my sub-$200 knives and $400+ knives to the two non-knife persons in my family, and both of them could immediately tell which ones are better and more expensive.
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Sure...but most people can't seem to even tell if they've bought a clone vs genuine , without help .

Depends on the knives being compared and how the are presented , but IMO , rapidly diminishing returns set in beyond ~$150 .

At least as far as pure function / performance as a cutting tool . Aesthetics and fidget factors aside .

Some people are also uncomfortable about carrying / using an expensive knife ...so as a gift , it ends up a "white elephant " .
 
Sorry for the slow response and thanks for all the feedback.

It would primarily be an EDC in a rural oil field/farming/ranching area. It would definitely see some use. Pretty diverse use at that.

We live in Oklahoma so no problem there. There will probably be a bit of travel in his future so I didn’t want something that he would have to leave behind or not be able to carry when out and about.

That said, all the comments have got me thinking about just getting him something that he will use most often and that would be at home so that blows the options wide open.

He’s not a knife nut but I think he would appreciate something a little nicer.
 
I vote SHF fullsize, a plain handle will run you a little more than $400 and will be as much folding knife as he will ever need. Plus it's from a great company ran and staffed by Veterans based in North Carolina.
 
Check your local laws, but I assume that a rural area probably doesn't have blade length limits.

Without anything to go on, I'd agree that the Sebenza is probably the best. It's simple, very functional, insanely high quality, and iconic. It's the nice knife that's become the benchmark for all others. There are now other options that are beefier, or flippier, or differently shaped. But the Sebenza would be something that would teach him to really appreciate a finely made knife.

You could also get him more than one knife if you think he might abuse it, so he could have one to thrash and one nicer one. Also, apparently the Benchmade 940 was designed by Osbourne specifically for his farmer friend, so that's a solid option. But at your budget, the Sebenza is as good as it gets.
 
My honest opinion is that a $500 knife for someone that isn’t a knife aficionado is going to be a waste of money. More than likely they will never have heard of it. When they found out how much it cost they’re going to be like wtf, you could have bought me a glock!

Now if this person only likes the finest of things and appreciates having the very best of anything they own than yes, they may appreciate it. Does he spend 15k on a rolex, $3-400 on sunglasses, $2-400 on shoes, if so, then get him a CRK.

Otherwise you’re much better off getting a very nice spyderco or benchmade that he will more than likely recognize the brand and appreciate the quality they’re known for.

Something else to consider, once he knows how much it costs is he going to be willing to even use it. A lot of us here have that problem and we’re knife knutz!
 
Tsujigiri said:
Check your local laws, but I assume that a rural area probably doesn't have blade length limits.

Without anything to go on, I'd agree that the Sebenza is probably the best. It's simple, very functional, insanely high quality, and iconic. It's the nice knife that's become the benchmark for all others. There are now other options that are beefier, or flippier, or differently shaped. But the Sebenza would be something that would teach him to really appreciate a finely made knife.

You could also get him more than one knife if you think he might abuse it, so he could have one to thrash and one nicer one. Also, apparently the Benchmade 940 was designed by Osbourne specifically for his farmer friend, so that's a solid option. But at your budget, the Sebenza is as good as it gets.
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If you think it will be abused, I still vote SHF, it will take anything you throw at it in stride and beg for more 😁
 
mitchnola said:
My honest opinion is that a $500 knife for someone that isn’t a knife aficionado is going to be a waste of money. More than likely they will never have heard of it. When they found out how much it cost they’re going to be like wtf, you could have bought me a glock!

Now if this person only likes the finest of things and appreciates having the very best of anything they own than yes, they may appreciate it. Does he spend 15k on a rolex, $3-400 on sunglasses, $2-400 on shoes, if so, then get him a CRK.

Otherwise you’re much better off getting a very nice spyderco or benchmade that he will more than likely recognize the brand and appreciate the quality they’re known for.

Something else to consider, once he knows how much it costs is he going to be willing to even use it. A lot of us here have that problem and we’re knife knutz!
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Stop talking sense, we are trying to spend someone's money here!
 
mitchnola said:
My honest opinion is that a $500 knife for someone that isn’t a knife aficionado is going to be a waste of money. More than likely they will never have heard of it. When they found out how much it cost they’re going to be like wtf, you could have bought me a glock!

Now if this person only likes the finest of things and appreciates having the very best of anything they own than yes, they may appreciate it. Does he spend 15k on a rolex, $3-400 on sunglasses, $2-400 on shoes, if so, then get him a CRK.

Otherwise you’re much better off getting a very nice spyderco or benchmade that he will more than likely recognize the brand and appreciate the quality they’re known for.

Something else to consider, once he knows how much it costs is he going to be willing to even use it. A lot of us here have that problem and we’re knife knutz!
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norcalAF said:
Stop talking sense, we are trying to spend someone's money here!
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Agreed, pipe down with all the reasonable thoughts, you need to be re-educated on enabling I see, back to the knife videos and water boarding until you've learned the "right way" to spend others money!
 
Damn, I need to get new friends. None of my friends ever bought me anything that cost $500 :(.


But then again, I never bought them anything worth $500 either 😁 .
 
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