Best gift Spydie for NKP?

M

MacTech

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Jan 7, 2006
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I'm trying to get a good gift knife for Mom and for Dad (maybe birthday or father's/mother's day, something like that), and i want it to be a Spydie....

what would be the best gift knife for an intro to Spydie quality, it shouldn't be too over the top expensive, just in case they *don't* use it, but i don't want it to look "cheap" (not an issue with Spydies though)

Dad's requirements; has to be a good, solid, quality blade, a pocketknife ideally, blade length probably under 3"
contenders;
Dragonfly
Jester
Cricket
Delica
of this list, i'm partial to the Cricket and Dragonfly, both have a decent enough blade length without being overly large, both are pocketable, Cricket has the advantage of looking nicer and can be used as a money clip (then again, i'm currently obsessed with the Cricket, so i'm admittedly biased)


Mom's requirements;
purse/keyring sized, not too agressive or "scary" looking, blade length probably under 2"
Contenders;
Jester
Ladybug
Cricket

Mom's *really* not a knife user, so even though the Cricket qualifies on all requirements, she probably wouldn't use it enough to warrant the purchase price, the Ladybug looks like a scaled down version of the Delica/Endura, and may look a *little* "scarier" than the Jester, the Jester's just a nice little knife, a keyring knife designed from the ground up as a keyring knife, not a shrunken pocketknife

at the moment, the Jester's in the lead for Mom.....

any other suggestions, i'm not looking to convert them into Knife Knuttery (although i wouldn't mind if they *did*), just looking to get them each a good, solid gift knife that they'd actually *use*
 
Another vote for the kiwi. It has a more traditional jacknife look to it as opposed to the high-tech look of most other spydercos. The traditional look makes it look (to me, anyway) less threatening.
My dad carries a knife every day, but I wouldn't call him a "knife person." He considers a small to mid size spyderco like the native to be way too big to carry every day. It's important to realize that while spydercos aren't usually that long, they are wider than a lot of other knives giving them the appearance of being much larger. The narrow profile of the kiwi makes it seem much smaller compared to the other knives you are thinking about.

- Chris
 
I got my dad a stainless steel handled Dragonfly for Christmas several years ago. He liked it a lot and still uses it (though he mainly carries a little SAK). It’s a classy knife and really solidly built. It’s also very inexpensive, but it feels like it costs more than it actually does. ;)

With my mom, I don’t think there’s a pocket knife of any shape, color, or size that she would consider carrying. :( If I ever attempted to try and convince her to own one, the Jester or Ladybug would probably be the best bets.
 
I gave my wife a Cricket that Vess had done some file work on and she just loves it. It is perfect for a non-knife woman.

As a knife for your dad, I would suggest that you pick up one of the new ZDP-189 Delicas when they come out in March. They are supposed to have blue handles and the Delica is not a scary choice in any case. The ZDP-198 steem must be experienced to be believed. It takes a scalpel sharp edge and holds it forever almost. They will not be as inexpensive as the regular Delicas as the steel is very costly, but it is well worth it IMO.
 
I don't know your mom, but of the females I've talked with their favorite Spydie hands down is the Cricket. You'd think the reverse-S would be scary to people not into knives, but I think in the closed position it looks cute and non-threatening. My girlfriend EDCs a SS PE Cricket that I gave her last winter. She showed it off to her friends and stuff and her roommate asked me to pick out her a knife so I got her a SS PE Dragonfly and she loves that.

For the Mom I'd go with either the Cricket or the Jester. My girlfriend clips her Cricket, if it was loose in a purse I'd advise against any liner or framelock, as they can open too easily in a purse. If it opens up and gives your Mom a bite, she'll likely be turned off of pocket knives for good, so I'd go with one of the brighter colored Jesters.

As for the Dad I'd go with either the Dragonfly, Delica, or Native. The SS Dragonfly seems more classy and more of a gift than the other two, but maybe that's just my mind. The Dragonfly is well under 3", and it may be hard for him to get a full grip if he has medium-large hands. I have pretty small hands and the Dragonfly is nice, but I can see bear paw people having problems gripping it.
 
Yeah, it is rather odd. Of all the knives in the case at my local store, my girlfriend gravitated to the SS Cricket. Spyderedge too. Only reason she doesn't have it is that she's a lefty.
 
My girlfriend has a Ladybug on her keys and a Cricket in her purse. I put the Cricket in there as a joke (she's always ribbing me about how much I spend on knives) and she's refused to give it back. She says it's cute.

I gave my brother a Navigator,and even though he's not a knifenut, he loves it.
 
The blade on the Cricket is most handy for picking out splinters and stitches. I suspect that is why my wife likes it.
 
I know that as a woman, I'm in the minority (pleasantly with TheKnifeCollector, Joyce and Simona), but I know there are others out there like us. My personal EDC is always an SS ATR, although it's always kept company by other models. You never know. We women might surprise you.

As for your parents MacTech, you might want to consider any model from our kitchen line. They are being discontinued, but it's a great way to introduce someone who may not be a knife knut to Spyderco. I think you'll be pleased and once your parents use them, I'm sure they'll appreciate it!

Since you mentioned a pocket knife for your Dad, any of the models named would work well.

Kristi
 
Tazkristi beat me to it. A kitchen knife (I like the Red K05) would be a nice introduction. My mom has one. Maybe you could leave the new Spydie catalog lying around and see if they like the look of something in there. I did that with my sons and each found a favorite. Also the new 2006 catalog is a winner in itself.
My .03US
Chris
 
If I were not a knife knut, I would think one of the Kopas would be a good choice. They are very well made and will probably last a lifetime but they are still not scary to NKP.
 
Boy are you getting buried with suggestions and no two the same...

Tough to pick for people not known , maybe the SS Kiwi, Jester, or Cricket for Dad...I am biased towards the cricket atm as it fits well in a watch pocket (that little pocket on the right side of blue jeans) or as a money clip. You could engrave it with his initials or the classic "to Dad from insert name here" which I'm sure he would appreciate and treasure...that might work for Mom too.

The Jester or Ladybug for Mom, they both can still be had in bright/friendly colors and both are happy/friendly names...especially Ladybug.
 
For your Dad, the KIWI or KOPA. Both are amongst my favorite EDC's but then I'm just not a tactical kind of guy.

For your Mom. If she is like most, she most probably been in the kitchen using crappy kitchen cutlery (no flames, I don't mean this to be sexist as "womem belong in the Kitchen"). My Mother In Law is close to 80 and an excellent cook and had knives, that at best, would crush butter. I bought her set of reasonably priced yet good kitchen knives and showed her how to take care of them with the steel. She's been ecstatic ever since. Whenever I visit, I make sure that I bring the Sharpmaker.
 
for dad: Dragonfly, Navigator, Cricket or the new small Persian

for mom: Jester or Dodo
 
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