Best Knife to Gift for YouTube Unboxings?

MTG?
I’m OG Magic!
Used to play back in early to mid 90’s. Ice Age was my favorite. I haven’t played since.. I used to collect more than play anyway.
 
Ontario Rat 1 or Rat 2 (depending on size preference) with D2 blade (NOT the AUS8 crap please!), these guys have impressed many first timer knife people and you can't go wrong. Great knives to introduce someone to the knife world... Under $50


L.H.S said:
My friend recently started a YouTube channel about the trading card game Magic; The Gathering. I play casually, whereas he is into it in a similar level that I am to knives.

He recently gave me a box (that I made a crossover unboxing video with
) and cool card. In some of his videos he opens boxes using a craft knife, and I commented that he needs a better knife for his videos.

What would you suggest? Maybe the Gerber Prybid, Gerber Zip Blade, Gerber Key Note, Gerber EAB, Kershaw Cinder, SOG Centi, Cold Steel Micro Recon, maybe a Spyderco Bug or Ladybug.

Any other good options? Relatively budget conscious, under $50 shooting for under $30.
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If I understand the request, this knife is dedicated for on-screen use? Not EDC?

For YouTube I think you’d want something with a unique, eye-catching but legal action. An obvious choice would be a Kershaw E.T., but they’re ridiculously expensive now.

You can still find the CRKT Fulcrum 2 and Snap Lock. Those might look neat to whip out on a video. The Shrade Viper Side Assist is a crappy knife but is definitely unique. CRKT Rollock has cool action too, but are getting hard find.

Barring any of those, check out some of the imported Kershaws with Speedsafe. The Atmos and Misdirect are a couple that come to mind. Snappy action with decent looks. For a full manual, check out the Fraxion.

Good luck.
 
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despite what some "experts" may suggest, aus-8 is a perfectly acceptable steel blade, even more so for someone new to this as it is easy to sharpen and gets a fine working edge with less effort. As you say your friend does not usually carry a knife, he may be swayed to the dark side by a well made knife that is easy to maintain; a Rat 1 hovers pretty much anywhere under 30 bucks.

If more flair is needed there are plenty of cheap options, but I think it would be great to gift quality. Besides the Rat 1, Kershaw has plenty of decent budget options, maybe an A/O? or for a bit more, an Artisan tomahawk has plenty of dramatic effect and is a smooth flipper in D2 for around 50$
 
Planterz said:
Hell yeah. I don't have this particular knife, but I have a Pioneer Rancher and the small hawkbill is just about the best thing there is for clamshell packaging. Allows for very controlled cuts at shallow depths to avoid damaging anything else (including yourself).

EDIT: While the Pioneer Rancher is long discontinued and expensive if/when found, the Pioneer Pruner (I guess that's what it's called) is still available for about $40 or so, being a full sized 93mm ALOX with a standard blade and the short pruner (and nothing else).

A hawkbill Spyderco would make sense as well, in case the unboxer wants to open the knife with one hand while holding whatever is being unboxed with the other.
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The Rancher is still current as far as I'm aware and easy enough to buy if not stocked as liberally as other models in the US. Plenty in Europe though. I've been prevaricating about buying one for ever. There's a really nice red version sold in Switzerland and as my brother in law lives in Zurich...

That said the Pruner is a great option, I carried it exclusively for a couple of years and it deserves far more attention than it gets.

farmer_4.jpg
 
zuluninja said:
despite what some "experts" may suggest, aus-8 is a perfectly acceptable steel blade, even more so for someone new to this as it is easy to sharpen and gets a fine working edge with less effort. As you say your friend does not usually carry a knife, he may be swayed to the dark side by a well made knife that is easy to maintain; a Rat 1 hovers pretty much anywhere under 30 bucks.

If more flair is needed there are plenty of cheap options, but I think it would be great to gift quality. Besides the Rat 1, Kershaw has plenty of decent budget options, maybe an A/O? or for a bit more, an Artisan tomahawk has plenty of dramatic effect and is a smooth flipper in D2 for around 50$
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Great post.

I love AUS-8 for the reasons you mentioned. I give away lots of knives, and for giftees new to knives I try to choose a piece in this steel.

For purposes of the OP, I like the Cold Steel Micro Recon I. The Tanto has pretty good visual appeal.
 
I repeat for $30 A Boker Mermaid is a fantasy knife for opening fantasy cards.

Best of all would be a WE Drakon with its Dragon scales and a Dragons head bead on the lanyard. The ultimate fantasy knife but expensive.
 
Ted Ruehl said:
I repeat for $30 A Boker Mermaid is a fantasy knife for opening fantasy cards.

Best of all would be a WE Drakon with its Dragon scales and a Dragons head bead on the lanyard. The ultimate fantasy knife but expensive.
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It is also overpriced as with the entire boker magnum line.
Every boker magnum knife is available with another brand on it for 1/2-1/3 the price.
 
I always lean towards the Spyderco Endura 4 in VG-10.

Here is why:

It’s a classic production knife that speaks quality and is not super expensive.

It is offered in a wide variety of colors.

It is a long blade with a point that has a slight curve that won’t cut items in the package if used correctly.

It has a satisfying click when opening.

It has a polarizing look that draws attention.
 
Hickory n steel said:
It is also overpriced as with the entire boker magnum line.
Every boker magnum knife is available with another brand on it for 1/2-1/3 the price.
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Seriously, you can buy the Mermaid elsewhere for less than $26.95. I have one on my desk as a letter/package opener and everyone who sees it wants to know where they can get one. So where are they cheaper?Boker Mermaid.jpg
 
You want to gift him a blade that he can make part of his regular routine when he unboxes. Something he can flick open and closed like the Spydercos that were suggested. Or an Emerson, or that Mermaid, lol
 
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