Buying a pocket knife for someone who isn't into them

L

Lefty923

Joined
May 10, 2011
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OK, I'm a knife junky, that's a given. I like HQ well made knives.

I'm considering buying a traditional folder for my step son. He'll be 21 this month and I think it's time he should have one. I seriously doubt he would even use it much. So what brands should I be looking at? I don't want to buy junk, but I don't want to get something that will fall apart and not hold an edge.

Thoughts?
 
Victorinox Spartan! Basic, great quality, lots of useful features and tools! It also has a "cool' factor among young folks.....
 
What does he do for work/interest? Some info would help, like does he like to fish or camp? Or does he hangout in a city?
Case and Vic Swiss Army knives are always a safe bet, if he likes to camp maybe something like a Vic farmer or a Case trapper or stockman, if he's more of a city guy something like a Vic executive or a Case peanut or small stockman.

Pete
 
Does he carry a key ring? If so maybe something that he can carry on his keys like a Victorinox Classic. Anyone should be able o find one of those in a pattern they like.

If you really want him to have a 'real' pocket knife, I would stick with something simple and small like a Buck 505, or a Case Executive. Something that will 'disappear' in the pocket, and not be intimidating to use, or for people to see in use.
 
I'm thinking a Victorinox would suit him best. He's not interested in outdoors, just video games, movies and football.

He just needs to know the feeling of having the right tool for the job when the time comes. So many times it's just to open a box or pull a splinter.
 
sunandsteel said:
Case stainless steel, and I would also go with a single blade.
Click to expand...

I agree with sunandsteel. I carry a small Case stainless single blade in my pocket 90% of the time.
Its not for everybody but I like mine alot and it holds an edge.
 
Victorinox Cadet. If he's 21, at least the bottle opener will get some work.
 
I've gifted a few knives to non-knife people before, but I would always think first about whether they will really like it, it is usually better to find out the thing he is into and buy that.

Having said that, non-knife people like knives that look more conventional. What do I mean by this? Wharncliffes, and Sheepsfoots, and frames with curved backs are all a bit odd looking for non-knife people (heresy I know :)). Multiple blades can also look strange (believe it or not - my mum saw a trapper knife, and asked why you would need two blades). Big generalization here, but a drop point blade or clip point is familiar and looks most aesthetically pleasing for someone unfamiliar with the variety of patterns available. For this reason, a #73 GEC single blade with a drop-point is a good choice...well apart from the heavy springs, that is another thing that non-knife people have difficulties with. Maybe a Queen Copperhead (single blade) would fit the bill, or a Case for that matter, a Buck 112 is also a classic looking knife, that will look familiar to anyone, even if they don't know knives.
 
Make an impression .. get him a Case Elephant Toe.
 
Lefty923 said:
I'm thinking a Victorinox would suit him best. He's not interested in outdoors, just video games, movies and football.

He just needs to know the feeling of having the right tool for the job when the time comes. So many times it's just to open a box or pull a splinter.
Click to expand...

That tells us a great deal, thank you.

Since he's not into the outdoorsmen scene, it's kind of a waste to get him a dedicated knife. I have a few non knife people in the family, and like you, I wanted them to know the feeling of having the right tool for the job. In every case, a small SAK was very appreciated. I had passed out several Victorinox classic's one Christmas as stocking stuffers, and to this day, there's a bunch of classics in assorted colors on the key rings of the non knife family members. This ranges from a late 30's female to a early 50's advertising exec, to an 87 hey all love the small Vic SAK's. Small screw driver, nail file, scissors, make it seem more like a little keychain tool than a knife.

If you can get them to start carrying even a tiny keychain tool, then some knife is better than no knife. Who knows, once they get used to it, they may become converts. I've had it happen.

Carl.
 
SAK classic for sure so he can throw it with his keys. He may find it quite useful. If it's something separate in the pocket don't bother
 
How about a case stockman? Very high quality, and resonably priced! That's the knife that got me into traditionals!
 
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