Buying a knife for a gift

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Has anyone had a problem with buying knives as gifts?

I've been trying to buy for my father for a few years now and can't get it right. I gave him a WH Ares and he hardly used it. Then I figured I would give him a Kershaw shuffle as a bottle opener. He uses it as a knife very hard. I recently left my para2 around and he remarked at how nice the blade was... Now idk of I should just gift him mine and buy a new one or get him a new one with a nicer steel or even try to find him another spyderco altogether.

Have you ever made a mistake when trying to gift a knife?
 
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I rarely consider giving somebody a knife as a gift...partly because I don't want people giving me knives. That may sound unusual...until one considers that most of the people that might try to give me a knife know nothing about them, and that I'm rather discerning about my knives (I usually just say that I'm a picky pain in the a$$)
 
You might consider editing your post for language content before you get an infraction.

Knives are a very personal item for some folks and it can be very tricky to know which knife someone will like. Just because I like it or just because you like it doesn't mean the recipient will. Same with any other gift I suppose.

Is there any way you can get him into a knife store or at least a store that carries knives and let him pick one out for himself? Or maybe get him a gift certificate from your favorite online knife dealer. That way he can decide what he wants.
 
I remember a couple of years ago my dad was really into an Emerson, but he doesn't usually spend that much on knifes and I think this one was about 165 bucks, he asked me about it a few times, if I thought it was a good value etc., in a situation like that I would say go for it, but I won't try to guess what other people would like. I'm not all that choosy but it's rare for me to carry a gifted knife.
 
Yes, its generally because guys like us appreciate knives a lot more and for different reasons than most folks.

My father carries a knife everyday, and uses one often. I would even go as far as to say he doesn't leave the house without for the last 60 years. However, very little about a knife impresses him. If it cuts things, then it works for him. For the last several years he has carried a Victorionox Tinker. It works for him and he can see no reason to ever carry anything else.

If you want to get him a nice gift, feel him out for something not knife related that he interested in, but won't buy himself.
 
Not sure I've ever heard of a case of a knife gifted and used enough by the recipient to satisfy the giver. :)

I would either give him a gift certificate and let hm pick one, or, if you must give him a knife, give it without expectation.
 
My father is a bit similar. I owned a ZDP Dragonfly that was too small for me to get a confident grip. He had admired it on a few occasions, so I gifted it to him. Well, after using it for some time it turns out it was a bit too small for him as well. He still sometimes carries it, but not often. Now I'm eyeing the Chaparral or Native as a possible replacement.
 
I've done pretty well with knife gifting. One Christmas I gave my girlfriend's family knives. My girlfriend got a Chaparral which fit her small her perfectly. She carried it daily (before we split). Her father got a UKPK because he was used to carrying a traditional slipjoint and I observed him have difficulty operating a liner lock. He reportedly carried the UKPK a lot. Her mother got the pink Pingo because of her battle with breast cancer. Her brother got the Manbug and her sister-in-law got the Ladybug.
 
I have gave all my relatives knives for gifts.They live in the country and I can't think of another gift that they will use more or last as long.I have given some pretty nice productions knives away.My relatives have never handled used knives of this quality in their life. All made in USA knives with the most recent steels when gifted . They are very happy with my gifts..
 
senseless...don't give him your knife. You could get him one JUST LIKE IT...but new in the box. Few of us need more than S30V steel; neither will he.
I might also suggest the Spyderco TECHNO (for heavier duty, but shorter), the Caly 3 in ZDP or the SAGE 2. The SAGE 2 is such a wonderful 3" blade, all titanium; will last him forever. Thanks for being a good son. :)
I've gifted knives (fixed and folding) a lot... I get great enjoyment gifting to deployed military, young (needy) LEO's, relatives and long-time friends.
 
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Gave my dad my Skyline, he lost it. Replaced it with a Shuffle 2, he lost it. Lol, back to buying boxes of box-cutters instead. I have on the other hand gifted knives to others. Persistence to my sister's BF, Squeak to my sister, Skyline, Rat 2, Zancudo to my brother. Now his girlfriend wants a blue Delica, lol.
 
I dont buy knives as gifts or get them as such unless either party knows exactly what each other wants. The thought is always nice but we are a nutty bunch. Logic often falls on deaf ears and we simply want what we want. To that effect I think gift cards to their favorite place to acquire such items is the better way to go. It ensures they in fact buy something in that realm and accomplishes the original intent yet provides them with the satisfaction of getting exactly what they want and not have to do the whol "what a nice gesture (often missing the mark)".
 
It seems your dad likes smaller knives as he has used that Shuffle very hard. Why not buy him a quality small knife like a Spyderco Dragonfly or something? The G10 model is my favorite.
Oh, and tell him is is okay to take off the pocket clip if he does not like it (put the screw back in).
 
I really enjoy getting knives as gifts. Especially if it's something I didn't want. Sounds strange, I know, but it's a chance to try out something I never would have bought otherwise.

Edit: I think it may also be worth mentioning that I'm a bit odd when it comes to knives. Generally speaking I have rather expensive tastes, but in knives I get just as excited about a Chinese Kershaw as I do a Colorado Spydie. I do make a point to mention on occasion though that one should avoid the BudK catalog.

As far as giving them goes, I generally don't. I've given a couple to my best friend. He's a knife guy, but manages to keep the addiction in check far better than I do. I don't really have anyone else to give them to. My dad has a couple, but never carries them. My mom has one in her purse as does my fiancé.
 
I dont buy knives as gifts or get them as such unless either party knows exactly what each other wants. To that effect I think gift cards to their favorite place to acquire such items is the better way to go.

Purple, you're a good guy and you can send me a nice PM2 any time; you know I'll like it.
I will say, in more seriousness, that when I (finally) saw my nephews up north this Spring...at the wake of a loved one, no less..that they later showed me their Caly3's very proudly. And I was too. I really enjoy those three young men...
I mean, HOW can a fella go wrong giving a Caly3 in ZDP?
:)
...and yeah, your gift-card idea is a great one...but I was never known for good ideas...
 
Yeah... Either that or he is a busy man.
I did not mean my post as snarky as it read. So I would like to offer another suggestion. Go over for a visit and look at some knife sites on the web over a few beers and see what catches his eye.
 
He might love it to death, but keeps it set aside as a special gift that's "too nice to use." I would...

He does... it sits on his desk at home, letter opener style. Which makes me happy.

senseless...don't give him your knife. You could get him one JUST LIKE IT...but new in the box. Few of us need more than S30V steel; neither will he.
I might also suggest the Spyderco TECHNO (for heavier duty, but shorter), the Caly 3 in ZDP or the SAGE 2. The SAGE 2 is such a wonderful 3" blade, all titanium; will last him forever. Thanks for being a good son. :)
I've gifted knives (fixed and folding) a lot... I get great enjoyment gifting to deployed military, young (needy) LEO's, relatives and long-time friends.

I think he would actually prefer a larger knife. He needs something for yardwork.
I feel like he uses his little shuffle so much because I grab it when I sharpen all my knives... I dont think he's used to sharp things staying sharp.
I'm going to check out the sage and the caly for him. Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.

I've done pretty well with knife gifting. One Christmas I gave my girlfriend's family knives. My girlfriend got a Chaparral which fit her small her perfectly. She carried it daily (before we split). Her father got a UKPK because he was used to carrying a traditional slipjoint and I observed him have difficulty operating a liner lock. He reportedly carried the UKPK a lot. Her mother got the pink Pingo because of her battle with breast cancer. Her brother got the Manbug and her sister-in-law got the Ladybug.

I bought my sister a salt ladybug, my mom a bug, and my girlfriend a purple ladybug... They use them ALL THE TIME. The keychain knives from spyderco are a home run.

I did not mean my post as snarky as it read. So I would like to offer another suggestion. Go over for a visit and look at some knife sites on the web over a few beers and see what catches his eye.

If I could hide the prices on the websites I would absolutely do that... He is quite frugal. And it's all good, no harm done.
 
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