Buying first knife for a non-knife guy...suggestions?

B

bgremill

Joined
Oct 7, 2009
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Here's a little story about why I'm doing this. I'm in the financial industry and used my pocket knife the other day to help my manager open a box of literature that we needed for a presentation. When I took my knife out of my pocket he said, "You just happened to have that thing in your pocket?" I said, "Yeah, there is never a moment in my life that I don't have a knife in my pocket or somewhere on my person if I'm wearing clothes that don't have pockets. Pretty convenient that I had it don't you think?" He replies, "Yeah, I guess so; but, I gotta admit...I don't."
Now, this guy is forty, played football for Georgia while in college and is very active in church and raising 3 kids. He's not the scary type or the weenie type that is opposed to knives. I guess his dad just didn't have much use for knives or impose upon him that gentlemen carry knives. I'd like to get him a nice knife and see if maybe I can get him to start enjoying the benefits of having a nice, sharp knife in his pocket. Maybe he can pass it on to his two boys and write a jacknife story someday about how a co-worker turned him on to the simple pleasure of carrying a knife.
I'm not sure what knife to get him. It will be a Case for sure. Maybe the Peanut, mini Muskrat or Trapper, Stockman, Jack? I just got the Swayback Jack and it is probably the most comfortable to knife I've ever carried in my life. It's also GORGEOUS! We wear suits everyday, obviously, hence my post here in the traditional forum, so size and shape need to be primary considerations. If you're wandering why I'm posting it's because I've never "started" anybody on knife carry before. I've carried full sized knives since they filled my entire front pocket, so I've not thought about that before. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
That is the guy that screams peanut. I would buy him one in stainless for his first knife. In an office setting its just the right size. Also look at the swayback jack for something a bit larger. I'm sure he will love whatever you get him.
 
I would also go stainless so it is easiest for him to maintain.

Also, a SAK classic with his name or company engraved on it on his keychain would save you good money and would be a great way to ease him into something new.
 
Personally I like them clipped to my pocket. If that wouldn't be appropriate for his line of work, I'd get what I'm wanting for a church knife. The spyderco dragonfly with the clip removed. I'm just not big on the old style slip joints. Had a few and while I appreciate them, they're just not my cup of tea.
 
I commend you on watching out for your co-worker. I think a Peanut with stainless blades would be absolutely perfect. Then teach him how to dig slivers, open mail, and cut out articles and photos faster with a knife than with scissors. You'll have a convert in no time! Again, my hat's off to you sir. :)
 
Like 'em or not, let's keep the discussion on the topic of traditional knives in this sub-forum. If you wish to discuss or offer up other options please contact the OP directly.
 
I wouldn't buy him any kind of outright knife. It would be a waste at this point.

This is a unique situation, and you have here a definate non knife person. He does not display any kind of intent to carry a knife, has no history of knife carry, and shows little interest in doing so. What to do?

I have encountered this many tmes, and I have converted some non knife people to the carry of a knife. I did it with a ultra low radar profile of a knife. The Victorinox classic.

Yes, the sak classic.

It's a keychain utility knife that does not have a 'knife' profile. It does have a nice little red handle with the well known silver cross on it. Next to Coca Cola and Bic's, the sak has a higher internatinal recognition than any other product in it's class. It has zero threat level, has some small tools that really work, weights almost nothing, and can fit on a keyring so it can't be left at home. That last part is important if you wish for this guy to really carry it. A non knife guy is not going to make it a point to remember every morning to put his knife in his pocket. After a day or two, or three, he'll leave it behind on his dresser either by accident or because he just can't see making the effort to carry it. That's why it has to effortless. And have more than one single purpass like to cut.

For a non knife person, the knife has to be tiny enough to be totally and completely forgoten about till needed. And it has to have a multi-role use. With the little sak, it has a very sharp little pair of sissors that can trim a broken nail or hangnail. The file really works, and the tweezers can remove splinters. The small screwdriver on the tip of the nailfile can deal with small flat or phillips screws, and serve as a light pry tool for when a thumbnail is not quite enough. General utility.

My better half's cousin Scott is a perfect example.

Scott is an advertising exec, wears the three piece suit most of the time, and is a dedicated non knife person. But everytime there was a family thing going on, 8 times out of 10 Scott would ask me for my knife when some little thing had to done that a knife was needed. One time he was trying to get some AA batteries out of the plastic blister pack. Ever deal with a plastic blister pack with no knife around?

One christmas I gave out classics to all the non-knife members of the family. Over the course of the year, Scott was observed by me to use the classic on several occasions. It was right there on his keyring, so it never got left behind. He got used to carrying the tiny un-noticed tool, and it became a usefull part of him. When he went on a trip and forgot he had it with him, TSA took it. He was so upset by it's loss, that he went to Target and bought himself another one when he landed in Chicago, just so he have one with him. Flying back, he put it in checked bagage.

Scott was converted about 90%

He still won't carry a 'regular' knife, because he says he doesn't need a knife. That statement is telling. He does not think of the little sak as a knife. Since Scott is not a knife person, the classic is a handy knifeblade/sissors/nailfile/screwdriver keychain tool to him.

But most of all, it's so small, he can literally forget about it untill it's needed. Then it's right there on his keyring.

Get the guy a sak classic to see if he will carry it. Start small.

If Karen's cousin Scott can take to carrying a sak classic, maybe this guy would.
 
I'd also say a small stainless Case or a Smallish SAK would be great starters. I'd maybe suggest something larger than a Classic. I carry a Classic ever day, but have only used the knife blade a few times because it's hard for me to get a good grip on the silly thing even with my smallish hands. If your boss played football, I'll bet he has larger hands than I. I'd guess a Cadet would work really well for him and not be too pricey for you.
 
jackknife said:
Opps, sorry Blues, I was typing and didn't see your post.
Click to expand...

Carl, that message was for hoopster and any other members who might want to suggest knives that aren't apropos of this forum. Nothing to do with your post or recommendations. :cool:
 
You said you dress for business. A Case Tuxedo would be nice and classy, if his hands aren't too big. The SAK Classic is a good suggestion, too.
 
Blues said:
Carl, that message was for hoopster and any other members who might want to suggest knives that aren't apropos of this forum. Nothing to do with your post or recommendations. :cool:
Click to expand...

Oh, okay. I guess I still have part of me that thinks a sak is not strickly a traditional knife. Even though it's been around since 1890.:o
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I'll be honest, I would have never thought about the SAK because I've never owned one. I just found that Case makes a peanut and a med stockman with scales they call icthus?, it has the christian fish symbol rather than Case on the shield. I was thinking I would get that; but, jackknife makes a very good point about the perception people have of the SAK. I guess if you tell them that a small or medium sized slip joint knife is a "tool" not a "weapon"; but, they perceive it differently, I guess you're just talking. Thanks again! Any others?
 
Blues said:
Carl, that message was for hoopster and any other members who might want to suggest knives that aren't apropos of this forum. Nothing to do with your post or recommendations. :cool:
Click to expand...

Sorry, I just answered the question from one knife person to another without looking to see what forum it was in. Didn't mean to step on toes. :thumbup:
 
I would second the classic SAK.
Also you might think about the Case Pen w/scissors. I can't imagine anyone finding this to be too much knife, and should be welcome anywhere something needs to be cut.
 
just get him a case swayback. I think its the best all around knife they make (other than a certain few more expensive ones)
 
Everybody is sounding smart today, lots of good opinions/info.

I might add that the icing on the cake might be to copy a few of Jackknife's stories about Traditional knife using and include them with the gift. Sort of sets the stage for a new recruit to our fellowship of the blade.
300Bucks
 
What about Case's Executive lockback? Too much knife? Then I'd probably go with the pen knife with scissors.
 
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